The difference between the votes in favor and those against was overwhelming.
The supporters held a clear majority.
Whether they belonged to Sengoku's faction or another camp within the Marines, everyone had witnessed the shortcomings of Marine Headquarters during the Paramount War.
And because of that war, a large number of Marine elites had been lost.
The Marines desperately needed to expand their strength.
The Great World Military Draft was the best solution available.
"Since everyone agrees, then it's settled."
Before long, the plan was officially approved.
Another massive piece of news.
And once again, the kind of earth-shattering news that only appeared once in a century.
"Did you hear? The Marines are recruiting worldwide, and the requirements are much more relaxed than before!"
"Of course I heard!"
On an island somewhere in the world, several powerful individuals gathered together.
"This Marine recruitment drive is probably the most lenient one in history."
"They're even willing to overlook things like smoking and drinking."
"As long as you respect order, can get things done, and possess a sense of justice, you're qualified."
"It's practically the Marines telling strong people all over the world: as long as you're not a criminal and are willing to work for the Marines, you can join."
"In that case, the Marines' strength could increase dramatically in a short period of time."
"But how are they going to handle discipline?"
"Strong people all have their own personalities."
"If they give those people Marine authority, who knows what they'll do?"
"They could easily end up creating a bunch of uniformed thugs."
"There isn't really another choice."
"The changes happening in the New World have already stretched the Marines to their limits."
"They can only put internal discipline on the back burner and focus on filling the gap in manpower first."
As soon as news of the Great World Military Draft spread, the entire world was thrown into an uproar.
Whitebeard Pirates
Renji lowered the newspaper and fell into thought.
"It looks like the Marines are finally getting anxious."
Beside him, Ace shrugged.
The way he looked at Renji had become rather strange.
"Maybe you should think about who's responsible for making them this anxious."
In Ace's eyes, Renji's rise was the root cause of the Marines' current panic.
Renji had rampaged through Impel Down.
He had single-handedly changed the course of the Paramount War.
And during the battle between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, he had played the decisive role.
"No."
Renji shook his head.
"I don't think that's the reason."
An individual's strength was impressive, sure.
But if the Marines truly wanted him dead, they wouldn't need to go to such lengths.
This worldwide draft wasn't aimed at him.
It was preparation for the Marines' next move.
As for what their next move would be?
Naturally, it was to take control of the New World.
The conflict between the Marines and pirates had existed ever since humanity first mastered the art of sailing.
After countless years of struggle and war, the Marines had gained administrative control over every region of the world except one.
The New World.
The paradise of pirates.
Whether for their own sake or for the sake of the world's civilians, the Marines could never allow pirates to remain this dominant forever.
The New World needed order.
Not the pirate kind of order, where violence suppressed violence.
But true order, governed by laws and rules.
Thinking of this, Renji fell into deep thought.
"If that's the case, then the Marines really can increase their strength dramatically in a short amount of time."
"But..."
"It'll also make the Marines much harder to control internally."
A faint smile appeared on Renji's face.
"Maybe that could become an opportunity."
Wano Country
Kaido had already recovered from his injuries.
He had accepted the fact that he had been defeated by Renji.
Looking at the newspaper in his hand, disbelief filled his face.
"A worldwide military draft?"
"Has Sengoku gone insane?"
"Does he not want the Marines anymore?"
Whether recruiting soldiers or accepting pirates into a crew, screening was always necessary.
After all, people who couldn't fit in would either be too weak and get bullied...
Or too strong and end up changing the existing rules.
For a massive organization, neither outcome was acceptable.
A puzzled expression appeared on Kaido's face.
"Unless..."
At that moment, Kaido realized the seriousness of the situation.
Under normal circumstances, these newly recruited Marines who hadn't undergone strict screening would become ticking time bombs.
But what if they were thrown directly onto the battlefield?
Then every strong fighter would immediately become military merit and combat power.
"The New World..."
A grim look appeared in Kaido's eyes.
"They're really not leaving any room for pirates anymore."
Whole Cake Island
Big Mom stared at the newspaper.
Unlike the concern and uncertainty shown by the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, she seemed remarkably relaxed.
"If they want the New World..."
"They'll have to see whether they actually have the ability to take it."
From Big Mom's perspective, she wasn't the strongest person in the New World anyway.
When the sky collapsed, the taller people would be the ones holding it up.
At present, the Whitebeard Pirates stood as the true rulers of the New World.
When the time came, she could simply follow behind them and contribute a little effort.
If they lost, there was nothing she could do about it.
If they won, she would continue being one of the Four Emperors.
Simple as that.
Aboard the Red Hair Pirates' Ship
Mihawk had already left.
Benn Beckman sat nearby with a cigar hanging from his lips, his expression calm and unreadable.
"So what's the plan?"
"Are we really going to Mihawk's place to farm crops?"
"Of course not."
Shanks immediately rejected the idea.
Shanks put down the newspaper in his hand.
If all of this was true, then the title of the Seven Warlords of the Sea would likely be abolished as well.
After all, the very purpose of establishing the Seven Warlords system was to keep pirates pacified.
Now that the Marines were preparing to invade the New World itself, the heartland of piracy, there was naturally no need to continue saving face for pirates.
The Seven Warlords title would inevitably be revoked.
"We'll just have to take it one step at a time."
For a time, as news of the Marines' Great World Military Draft spread across the globe, the entire world was consumed by discussion.
Anyone with a brain understood exactly what the Marines were planning.
They intended to completely eradicate the pirate threat.
At the very least, they wanted to shatter the New World, where pirates could gather and flourish, and restore order under Marine control.
This move by the Marines directly affected more than three hundred nations and regions around the world.
Powerful organizations and countries across the Four Seas, such as Germa 66 and the various underworld empires, all maintained varying degrees of contact and cooperation with pirates.
They too found themselves caught in the coming storm.
However, the Great World Military Draft was a massive undertaking.
It would be impossible to complete in just a few months.
At the very least, it would take one or two years.
What everyone needed to consider now was how to solve their own problems before the recruitment drive was completed...
Or before the Marines officially turned their attention toward the New World and the pirate forces.
"Alright."
"The final major task of my tenure has now been arranged."
Sengoku's voice echoed through the conference room.
"The next item on the agenda..."
"...is selecting the next Fleet Admiral."
The orders regarding the Great World Military Draft had already been issued.
It was a world-shaking decision, one that would require time to fully unfold.
It was also the final major policy decision of Sengoku's career.
His gaze slowly swept across the room.
In the end, his eyes settled on Aokiji.
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