Three days later, the North Blue was completely brought under the rule of the Neo Navy, with at least one branch established in every nation throughout the region.
Of course, for now these branches were in name only, but once the world conscription concluded, they would soon be fully staffed.
As for the more brutal nobles and national leaders, Gion and the others, after consulting with Caelan, carried out appropriate purges and replaced them with more trustworthy figures.
All the countries, large and small, willingly or reluctantly became members of the Illuminati.
In truth, Caelan never forced anyone to join. The current situation was favorable, and there was no need to compel a fool to be wise.
However, these countries were trying their best to get in.
After all, they understood one thing clearly: the one who gives a gift may not be remembered, but the one who doesn't will definitely be remembered for it.
If they refused to join and were later accused of false crimes and wiped out, the consequences would be unbearable.
The sinister tactics once employed by the World Government had left these nations terrified.
As a result, the "General Rules of the Illuminati Member States" became the standard law of the North Blue. Civil disputes were handled internally, while criminal cases were managed by the nearest Neo Navy branch.
"Caelan, the entire North Blue is now under our control. All the nations have joined the Illuminati."
"This North Blue campaign was a complete success."
Gion, along with Kuzan and a group of admirals, came to report to Caelan.
"Well done." Caelan nodded and issued the next directive. "The North Blue has completely surrendered. There used to be rampant gangs and chaotic public order. We need to take strong action to clean it up."
"Given the military advantages of this region, I've decided to establish the Neo Navy North Blue Main Base here. It will be responsible for weapons manufacturing and temporary logistics operations."
"This task is highly important. I'd like Admiral Kuzan to oversee it."
Until the final battle, which would likely erupt within the month, he wouldn't expand into the East, West, or South Blue.
Only the North Blue would be used as the military core, supplying new recruits, weapons, and equipment to the Neo Navy.
For now, the North Blue and Dressrosa would serve as the twin centers of power.
"I have no issue with the plan," Kuzan replied calmly.
He understood Caelan's intention. The North Blue would be managed like a fortress, unlike the Marine's previous loose governance.
This was a tough mission and a challenge for someone like him who preferred to nap.
But to uphold his vision of justice, he would take it on.
"Good. Let's move on to the distribution of Devil Fruits," Caelan continued. "Many admirals performed excellently during this operation. They are all core members of the Neo Navy."
"The five elite vice admirals who participated will each receive Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruits, with quality equivalent to the Ancient Zoan Brachiosaurus Fruit."
"Thirty regular vice admirals will be given Zoan-type or Paramecia-type fruits, with quality equivalent to the Zoan-type Leopard Fruit."
"Ten top-performing captains will receive Zoan-type Devil Fruits, benchmarked against the Zoan-type Giraffe Fruit."
"These fruits will be priced at 70 percent of market value and deducted from their salaries, up to a maximum of 50 percent per month."
"If anyone chooses to decline a fruit, they may receive a cash reward of 10 million berries instead."
Caelan had reviewed the list of vice admirals who accompanied the operation. They were all core members of the Zephyr and Sengoku factions.
Of course, the majority of them were disciples of Zephyr, which is why they joined so quickly.
These individuals had been carefully vetted by various factions. They were the backbone of the Neo Navy, reliable and without hidden agendas.
This reward was not only recognition but also a way to bolster the Neo Navy's combat power.
The moment Caelan finished speaking, the vice admirals present flushed with excitement and erupted into cheers.
They hadn't expected Caelan to be this generous.
They had thought that if all thirty vice admirals and five elite vice admirals could receive a total of ten Devil Fruits, it would be a stroke of luck.
To their shock, Caelan had handed out forty-five Devil Fruits in one go. Every vice admiral received one, and even ten captains were included.
And the quality of the Devil Fruits wasn't low either. A Devil Fruit suited for an average vice admiral was valued at more than 300 million berries.
As for the Ancient Zoan Fruits for the elite vice admirals, they could fetch 700 to 800 million easily, and many would be eager to pay that price.
This act of handing out forty-five Devil Fruits at once was truly astonishing.
Kuzan, Borsalino, and Garp all looked at Caelan with complicated expressions.
"As expected of the God Slayer. This scale is something even the World Government wouldn't dare attempt."
Could the World Government produce forty-five Devil Fruits?
Of course they could.
Not to mention the resources accumulated over eight hundred years, even the Marines had more than forty-five Devil Fruits stored in the vaults of Mariejois.
However, the World Government would never allocate forty-five Devil Fruits to the Marines all at once.
Even if they wanted to use the fruits, it required layers of approval and bureaucratic red tape. Without the explicit permission of the World Government, the Marines couldn't touch them.
Such stinginess and cowardice couldn't compare at all to Caelan's boldness.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)