The worldwide conscription was not a spur-of-the-moment decision by Bob.
It was a carefully considered choice.
Because if they were to overthrow the World Government, this day would inevitably come sooner or later.
And now was undoubtedly the best opportunity.
Although Bob had been staying at the Revolutionary Army headquarters these past few days, through reports from alliance members, he was fully aware of everything happening in the world.
"Worldwide conscription... is feasible!"
"Right now, resistance organizations are everywhere and the people in these groups are eager to join the Revolutionary Army—but they have no way in!"
"This open recruitment will undoubtedly be our chance!"
"At this moment when the World Government has lost credibility, it's the perfect time for our alliance and the Revolutionary Army to grow stronger!" Dragon steadied his excited emotions and spoke in a firm, resounding voice.
"The most important thing now is to spread this news as quickly as possible!"
"Contact Morgans, the president of the news agency, immediately! Have him draft a report and distribute it worldwide!"
"The recruitment center will be set up at our headquarters, Baltigo!"
"At the same time, establish branches in the Four blues and the Grand Line!"
"Assign some of our undercover Revolutionary Army members to infiltrate the World Government's conscription training!"
"Soon, this place might not be able to accommodate all the recruits, so we must establish branch divisions."
"Dragon, you'll be responsible for organizing the new recruits. Tesoro, you handle the funds."
"..."
After roughly outlining the plan for the next ten minutes, Bob laid out the upcoming arrangements in detail, assigning specific tasks to each person.
"Whew—"
After finishing, Bob let out a long exhale, his mouth slightly dry.
"And besides all that... there's one last thing!" Bob stood up from his seat, cleared his throat and spoke.
"It's always been the World Government putting bounties on our heads!"
"Shouldn't we return the favor and put bounties on theirs?"
At Bob's words, everyone's expressions changed again.
Their pupils dilated slowly, still processing the leader's shocking statement.
Placing bounties on the World Government's members—what a mad act!
For eight hundred years, it had always been the World Government oppressing rebels.
No one had ever dared to challenge them like this.
This decision would undoubtedly be earth-shattering news.
Everyone understood what this meant—it would send a message to the world that the Revolutionary Army stood on equal footing with the World Government.
This was the smoke of war, spreading even before the battle had truly begun.
After a long silence, the people in the meeting hall finally recovered from their shock and looked at their leader.
"How... should we determine the bounty amounts?" Crocodile asked slowly.
"The bounty values will be based on strength and influence."
"We'll discuss the exact figures later." Bob replied calmly. "Time is short. Everyone, attend to your tasks."
With that, he waved them off.
Watching their retreating figures, Bob picked up a Den Den Mushi from the side of the room and dialed Morgans, the president of the news agency.
****
Meanwhile, at a pirate bar on Grubber Island...
A group of rather fearsome-looking pirates were drinking and feasting, their clinking cups and raucous cheers filling the air, each face flushed with excitement.
Their mouths seemed to be equipped with machine guns, endlessly chattering about their own experiences and stories.
And the topic of their conversations?
Almost entirely about the Summit War, Bob's overwhelming strength and the alliance he had formed.
As the only man in eight hundred years to lead a pirate crew to a direct victory against the World Government, Bob's reputation among pirates was undeniably colossal.
He had given the entire pirate world a breath of fresh air—and a surge of confidence.
Nearly everyone in the bar saw Bob as both their life's goal and their pillar.
"Hahaha! Bob is our god! To hell with the damn World Government!"
"Yeah, when Bob appeared mid-Summit War, it was just too damn cool—like a king descending upon the world, like a god!"
"Who would've thought someone like him was lurking in this world, and we only found out now!"
"If we'd known earlier, we could've joined Bob's alliance and fought the World Government and the Marines in the Summit War!"
"Now? Forget the alliance—even the Revolutionary Army's gone underground. I'd join in a heartbeat!"
"Tch, if I don't follow Bob in this lifetime, I might as well not be human!"
"..."
The bar was a cacophony of voices, chaotic and deafening.
Then—
The door to the bar was suddenly flung open, and a scrawny man rushed in, panting, clutching a newspaper in his hand.
Even as he ran, he shouted, "Everyone, look! Something big just happened!"
But before his words could fully land—
THUD!
In his haste, the man tripped and face-planted onto the floor.
The newspaper flew out of his grip.
From the crowd, a towering, vicious-looking pirate stepped forward, grabbing the man by the collar and hoisting him up.
"Hey, brat! You better have a damn good reason for interrupting our fun!"
"Make it worth our time, or I'll make sure you regret it!" The man's face instantly paled as he stared at the pirate, who looked like he could devour a few men alive.
Trembling uncontrollably, he couldn't even form words.
Seeing no response, the burly man clenched his fist, ready to deliver a punch.
"Wait!"
Just then, a young man noticed the article in the newspaper and urgently called out to stop him.
Muttering under his breath, he read aloud.
"The World Government is launching a worldwide draft!"
"Bob's Revolutionary Army… is also recruiting—open to everyone!"
"Bob's alliance has issued bounties—on the Marines and the World Government's top brass!"
"..."
As the young man read word by word, the entire bar fell into dead silence.
Every face was frozen in shock, expressions shifting dramatically.
The Revolutionary Army—recruiting! Bounties—on the Marines!
This… was an opportunity!!
In an instant, everyone threw down their mugs and stampeded out of the bar.
In a flash, the once-rowdy tavern was left empty—save for the burly man and the scrawny one.
"Damn it—"
"Wait for me!"
The burly man's face darkened as he cursed and sprinted after them.
He immediately threw the scrawny man to the ground, then pushed off with his legs and sprinted away at full speed.
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