"That's the situation, Sirzechs."
In the Underworld, Grayfia was reporting everything that had happened in the Human World to Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the current Four Great Devil Kings (also known as Sirzechs Gremory).
"You're saying Riser was captured by that man named Zhong Chen? And he wants to dissolve Rias's engagement?"
"Yes."
Hearing Sirzechs's question, Grayfia nodded slightly.
Sirzechs frowned upon hearing this. Although he also wanted Rias's engagement to be dissolved and had even prepared a backup plan for it, he hadn't expected such an unexpected turn of events.
Furthermore, the fact that Riser was being held made it difficult for him to handle.
"And he also demanded that the Phoenix Family provide thirty bottles of Phoenix Tears as compensation, otherwise…"
Grayfia stopped speaking there, and Sirzechs understood her unspoken meaning.
"The Rating Game is in three days, right?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll talk to the Phoenix Family, but we must ensure Riser's safety."
"Pure-blooded devils are becoming increasingly rare now."
At this point, Sirzechs even showed a slight smile and continued:
"Haha, I didn't expect little Rias to know such a person."
"When he comes to the Underworld, I'll have to observe him closely to see if he's worthy of being my brother-in-law."
Grayfia's mouth twitched upon hearing this.
She had a bad feeling, sensing that if that guy ever came, the entire Underworld would surely be in turmoil.
"Grayfia, you've worked hard. Go and rest."
Sirzechs said to Grayfia, who stood before him, with a smile.
"Yes, then I shall take my leave, Sirzechs!"
Grayfia bowed slightly to the person in front of her, then turned and left the room.
"Oh dear, thirty bottles of Phoenix Tears. That person really knows how to demand a price. I hope that old man doesn't collapse."
A troubled Sirzechs shook his head. A red light surged from his body, and in an instant, he vanished from his chair… "Lord Chen, the Army's First, Second, Third, Fifth, and Sixth Legions, a total of five legions, are ready for deployment at any time."
"As for the Navy, given the significant reduction in pirates, four legions can also be deployed."
In the Monster Country Federation's conference room, Benimaru, holding a pointer, was explaining the troop distribution map to Zhong Chen.
"Hmm, good. This war with the Underworld means we'll face a considerable number of enemies. Their soldiers will likely number in the millions."
"Therefore, this time we need to deploy more high-end combat power. I don't want any casualties among our people."
Zhong Chen looked at the troop deployment in front of him, stroked his chin, and said softly with a slight smile.
"Lord Chen, all three Great Admirals of our Navy can be deployed. If needed, I can go too."
Sakazuki, standing to the side, stood up and shouted to Zhong Chen with a serious expression.
Sakuya, standing behind Zhong Chen, heard this, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. Thinking of the little girl who was about to return, she spoke with a poker face:
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, are you sure you want to go? Miss Nice's internship ship is returning tomorrow!"
Upon hearing that Nice was returning soon, Sakazuki's expression immediately changed, and he quickly said:
"But as Fleet Admiral, I cannot just leave. Furthermore, the training of the other six legions is still ongoing. At present, I'm indeed stretched thin."
Zhong Chen stared dumbfounded at Sakazuki's rapidly changing expression.
Your character has collapsed, man! When did you become a siscon?
"Hahahaha, Sakazuki, you actually have a day like this, being completely controlled by a little girl. I heard you don't even dare to smoke cigars anymore!"
Sengoku, who had transformed into a mochi-like old man, was wearing floral shorts and pointing at Sakazuki, laughing heartily.
"Hmph, Legion Commander Sengoku should focus on how to train his Air Force properly!"
Sakazuki, with a rare look of disdain, sneered at Sengoku.
"What?! You damn Sakazuki, I'm the Air Force Fleet Admiral, not a Legion Commander!"
Upon hearing Sakazuki's words, Sengoku instantly bristled, pointing at Sakazuki with an angry expression and shouting loudly.
"Heh, an Air Force Fleet Admiral with only one legion?"
"I @#$%..."
Zhong Chen watched Sengoku, who had started his ranting again, and couldn't help but cover his forehead.
He didn't know why, but ever since Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral, his favorite thing to do was to provoke Sengoku by mentioning that the Air Force only had one legion.
"Lord Chen, I demand an increase in the Air Force's prepared by! We can't let that brat Sakazuki be so arrogant anymore!"
Sengoku furiously slammed the table, his eyes red as he glared at Zhong Chen.
"Ahem… Fleet Admiral Sengoku, our finances aren't particularly ample right now, so the Air Force will just have to endure a bit!"
"Just bear with it for now. Don't worry, as soon as we have money, I'll increase your prepared by immediately."
As a seasoned war criminal, Zhong Chen's favorite thing to do was to make the Air Force suffer a bit.
"Oh, Sakuya, I've decided to reorganize your Imperial Guard Corps into an Imperial Guard Legion, increasing its personnel from five thousand to fifteen thousand."
"As for the manpower, we'll just transfer them from the Air Force! After all, the country is a bit short on manpower right now!"
Zhong Chen suppressed his laughter and announced the Imperial Guard Corps' expansion plan with a serious expression.
As for financial difficulties, are you kidding? Do you think Kagaya Ubuyashiki and the others are just freeloaders?
Zhong Chen could expand not just one legion, but ten more, and it would be like child's play. It's just that they didn't need so many legions at the moment.
After all, after integrating the entire Pirate World, the Monster Country Federation's total population had skyrocketed to 737.4 million.
Upon hearing Zhong Chen's words, Sengoku looked at Zhong Chen with a bewildered expression. Didn't you say finances were difficult?
Why is there funding for the Imperial Guard Corps, and why does the Imperial Guard Corps' expansion have to draw manpower from the Air Force?
The entire country has hundreds of millions of people, why are you only shearing my meager flock?
Ah ah ah ah! (╯‵dish′)╯︵┻━┻
"I @#$%￥..."
Everyone present watched Sengoku, who had transformed into an enraged leader, and all involuntarily took two steps back.
Army Lieutenant General Gyomei Himejima, with a puzzled expression, asked Army Fleet Admiral Rengoku Kyoujurou beside him:
"Did Fleet Admiral Sengoku offend Lord Chen somewhere? Why is Lord Chen targeting him so much?"
Hearing the question, Rengoku Kyoujurou's mouth twitched. He understood now.
It wasn't that Fleet Admiral Sengoku had offended Lord Chen; it was clearly Lord Chen's mischievous streak acting up again.
He had started provoking Fleet Admiral Sengoku along with Fleet Admiral Sakazuki.
Thinking of this, in order to maintain his boss's image, Rengoku Kyoujurou also suppressed his laughter and replied:
"Ahem… Lord Chen certainly has his own thoughts. We don't need to speculate too much."
"Is that so? As expected of Lord Chen, so far-sighted. I am far from his equal!"
Sakazuki, seeing the situation, raised an eyebrow and, without hesitation, delivered another blow.
"Heh heh, Division Commander Sengoku, it seems you'll soon be even worse off than Whitebeard!"
(As a side note, Whitebeard's security team currently has a prepared by of three thousand people, while Sengoku now only has five thousand left.)
"Sakazuki… you… I… I… *hic*!"
"Quick, someone! Fleet Admiral Sengoku has fainted! Who's going to give him a slice, otherwise he'll have to be sent to the hospital…"