Hibari looked at Caelan with concern.
Her father, Akainu, was currently the Fleet Admiral of the Marines and the second greatest enemy of the Neo Navy.
Caelan had already done more than enough by resurrecting her. Letting her stay in the Neo Navy would have negative consequences.
If word got out that the daughter of the Marine Fleet Admiral had joined the Neo Navy, it would be a massive PR win for them.
"Don't worry about it. You can leave if you want to," Caelan said, looking at Hibari. "Your identity makes it inconvenient for you to appear publicly in the Neo Navy. Just stay by my side as a guard. Any problem with that?"
"No problem at all!"
Hibari agreed without hesitation, her voice full of joy.
It felt like a dream. Not only had she not been rejected, she could even stay beside her idol. It was amazing.
"Come to think of it, the World Government had a reason to kill Kujaku. But why would they kill you, the daughter of the Fleet Admiral?" Caelan looked at Hibari thoughtfully.
"I don't know either," Hibari shook her head and guessed, "Maybe they found out I was planning to defect and thought it would damage the Marines' image, so they decided to kill me first."
"That's very possible." Tsuru nodded in agreement. "They might have spotted Hibari and Kujaku together, killed them, and then sent the bodies here to disgust us and shift the blame."
"Forget it. No point overthinking it." Caelan waved it off. "Since we know it was the World Government, it doesn't matter what their goal was. We'll just kill them."
"You're right. Whatever their purpose, killing them will solve everything," Gion said firmly.
Caelan stretched and walked outside lazily. "Alright, the situation's clear. Meeting's over."
"When you're ready to launch the campaign in the North Blue, call me. I'll come watch your performance."
Now that the issues surrounding Hibari and Kujaku were resolved, he could go back and enjoy life again.
"Caelan-sama, where should I go?" Hibari asked quickly.
"Tsk, come with me. I'll take you to report to Ain," Caelan said casually.
"Oh!" Hibari nodded excitedly and followed behind him like a little tail.
"Seriously? If it were Akainu's son who died, I doubt this guy would've saved him," Gion muttered, curling her lip.
"Ahem." Tsuru cleared her throat awkwardly. "Let's hurry up and prepare to send forces to the North Blue. We can't afford to lower our guard now."
She had no interest in getting involved in Caelan's messy family drama.
"Alright, let's move."
Gion nodded and left with Tsuru and Kujaku to make arrangements.
…
A few days later, the Neo Navy's global conscription had reached its mid-phase, and the fleet preparing to launch the conquest campaign in the North Sea was fully ready.
Thirty warships stood by, with four admiral-level officers—Aokiji, Borsalino, Gion, and Garp—geared up to showcase their strength.
"Do all four of us really need to go?" Caelan stood on the main ship's deck, glancing at the four around him.
In the old Marines, this lineup would've been deployed only against the likes of the Rocks Pirates.
Deploying them against a region like the North Sea or a small force like Germa 66 felt like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
"I've had the Rumble-Rumble Fruit for a few days now but haven't tested it yet," Gion replied with a grin. "Besides, you three usually hold down headquarters. Why not come out for a bit?"
"Fair enough."
Caelan nodded without arguing.
More firepower never hurt, and warships certainly weren't short on fuel.
So, dozens of ships set sail across the sea, cutting through wind and waves as they headed for the North Sea.
Standing on the main ship, Caelan watched the advancing fleet with pride.
This was the army he had built, the force that would dominate the world under his command.
…
Meanwhile, the Vinsmoke family in the North Sea was shrouded in gloom.
Vinsmoke Judge had naturally caught wind of the Neo Navy's plan to reclaim the North Blue.
As the most dominant force currently in the region, he had taken full advantage of the World Government's chaos to expand rapidly.
Wearing a golden helmet and his signature pointed beard, Judge stood silently over a chart.
Beside him was the pink-haired Vinsmoke Reiju.
"Father, what should we do now?" she asked.
Among the Vinsmokes, only she and Sanji, who was still on the run, had retained their emotions. The rest had all been transformed into emotionless combat cyborgs.
She was the only one still capable of asking such a question.
Of course, she would never have dared to speak to Judge like this before.
But lately, his attitude toward her had softened, giving her the courage to speak up.
"We'll resist to show the Neo Navy our strength," Judge said darkly.
"Father, are you really planning to go head-to-head with them?" Reiju was stunned.
She couldn't believe her father would try to oppose the army led by the God Slayer. It was far too reckless.
"You're overthinking it." Judge shook his head and admitted, "We'll show strength just to secure better terms when we surrender."
"There's no way we can beat the Neo Navy. But as long as we demonstrate power, we'll have more leverage when we join."
No matter how bold he was, he wouldn't dare oppose Caelan.
Right now, Caelan and the Neo Navy were in their prime, and he was no match for them.
Joining up was the only viable path forward.
"Father, that plan is good, but what if they refuse to accept our surrender?"
Reiju frowned and raised her concern.
"Our weapons technology is the best in the world. We've always been the top arms supplier in the underground market. With all the people the Neo Navy has recruited, they must need weapons."
Judge paused and glanced at Reiju with a meaningful look. "Reiju, now it's your turn to contribute to the family."
"You will pledge your loyalty to Caelan as my most beloved daughter."
He knew Caelan was exceptional in every regard—strength, ambition, vision.
But he had one flaw: lust.
Then again, no man was without it. Before Judge had modified himself, he too had loved beautiful women.
Exploiting this flaw, he would offer Reiju to Caelan. That would ensure their surrender went smoothly.
"I understand, Father."
Reiju sighed with resignation.
There were no free blessings in the world, especially not from a cold-blooded man like her father.
(To be continued.)