One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

"You are indeed a talented person. I heard that you want the navy to become independent, is that right?"

"Independence? Hmm, more or less, but not quite to the point of independence yet. I just want to make the navy a little simpler."

"The Navy's job is to deal with pirates, what are you talking about!"

Im said calmly, "Fine, I can grant your request, but whatever you want to do, please remember that the Navy exists to maintain the rule of the World Government. If you can't even do that, then the Navy has no reason to exist."

Karl shook his head: "Maintaining the World Government is no problem, but the problem is that the current World Government is rotten. The Navy can die in battle at sea, but it must never become a victim of politics."

"My real demand is actually very simple: to completely strip the Navy of its political attributes and make it a purely violent organization targeting pirates."

After a long silence, Im slowly said, "Alright, but I have a request."

"any request?"

"Find the Nika Fruit, destroy it, or kill the person who ate the Nika Fruit."

"can."

......

After Karl left, the Five Elders who were guarding the door immediately ordered someone to invite Karl out, and then they respectfully entered the room.

"Lord Im... um."

"I have already agreed to his request to allow the Navy and the World Government to become independent and solely responsible for combating pirates."

"What? Lord Im, this, this is absolutely unacceptable! If the Navy breaks away from the World Government's control, what about that Sky Gold... and those Revolutionary Army..."

Are you questioning my decision?

"No, I wouldn't dare, Lord Im."

Im said calmly, "You can discuss these matters with the Navy yourselves."

After saying that, Im turned and left, leaving the Five Elders looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Phew~ This is troublesome."

"Lord Im has really given us a difficult problem!"

......

The next day.

"The newly appointed Fleet Admiral is actually that man! Kuzan.jpg!"

From today onwards, his name is Marshal Kuzan!

Soon, the news of Kuzan's appointment as Fleet Admiral spread throughout the world, causing jubilation within the Navy. It was a popular choice, and the only ones who were unhappy were probably Sakazuki and the hawkish generals.

They wouldn't leave Naval Headquarters so defiantly, because Sakazuki hasn't left...

The first thing Kuzan did after taking office was to announce that Karl would fill his vacancy and become a Navy Admiral, codenamed White Raven. From today onwards, Karl is also one of the Navy's top combat forces.

Well, it seems like nothing has changed.

The second thing is the relocation of the Navy Headquarters. Since Marineford has been confirmed to be beyond rebuilding, they have no choice but to move to a new location, which is convenient anyway.

As for why, you'd have to ask Colonel T. Penn, who is now a major general.

After the Marineford War, he was unharmed and naturally joined the pursuit of the Impel Down fugitives. Then, on a deserted island, he was lucky enough to find a Devil Fruit.

That's right, it's Shiki the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit. Now, T-Pohn has become a rising star in the Navy, a new naval star with unlimited potential.

"Major General T. Peng En, I'm counting on you."

"Don't worry, Marshal, I guarantee the mission will be completed." After saying that, T. Penn flew towards the Calm Belt with the wreckage of Marineford.

Kuzan smiled slightly and looked at Karl beside him: "Oh, isn't this General White Raven? What can I do for you?"

Karl waved his hand dismissively: "Don't give me that nonsense. In two days you'll be discussing things like the Celestial Gold with the Five Elders. Are you ready?"

Kuzan straightened his expression and nodded: "Of course. Whether it's the Heavenly Gold or any other issue, as the Fleet Admiral, I will never allow the Navy's interests to be harmed."

"Hmm, you're starting to look like a marshal now. In any case, we must make sure to get as much Celestial Gold as possible for the Navy. After all, the Celestial Dragons have tried quite a few things since the attack on Mary Geoise."

Kuzan scratched his head: "A lot of Celestial Dragons have indeed died, but the Celestial Gold exchanged between the World Government's member countries has also decreased significantly!"

"Why worry about so much? The Heavenly Gold is protection money that our navy worked hard to collect. The bulk of it will definitely be used for the navy. Don't you want to make a big splash? How can you do that without Pele?"

"You're right. Don't worry, I'll do my best to fight for the navy's interests. By the way, won't you give the navy some financial support? You're such a big spender."

Karl stroked his chin and said through gritted teeth, "We'll provide funding, but not for nothing."

Kuzan's eyes lit up. He had always regarded money as dirt, but in the few days since becoming the Fleet Admiral, he realized for the first time how important Bailey was.

Recruiting new soldiers costs money, building warships costs money, and bullets and shells cost money... What's even more frightening is that after the Marineford War, the Navy's coffers are almost empty.

"What, are there any conditions?"

Karl nodded and held up one finger: "First, all pirate bounties must be readjusted."

"Adjust? How do I adjust it?"

Karl said calmly, "For pirates with bounties below 500 million, double the amount; for pirates with bounties above 500 million, adjust the amount depending on the situation."

"Sigh~"

Kuzan gasped, "This is a huge undertaking! But adjusting bounties so casually......"

"I will donate 300 billion Berries, of which 100 billion will be designated as a special reward for pirate bounties, which can be claimed by both the Navy and bounty hunters."

"No problem! What's the second one?"

"Uh, I haven't thought about it yet. It's about collecting the Heavenly Gold. Let's talk about that after you finish negotiating with the Five Elders. There's no rush now."

"When will the Pele be shipped over, hehe? It's not that I'm greedy, it's just that the Navy is really short of money right now. The little military budget we have left has all been used to build the new Navy Headquarters, so, you see..."

Karl waved his hand dismissively: "It's a piece of cake. Once T. Penn returns, have him come with me to Skypiea and bring the Bailey over. That'll be all."

Kuzan's face crinkled with laughter; he was overjoyed.

Chapter 291 Bounty Update

East China Sea.

"Hey, look! Captain, how come your bounty has suddenly become so high!"

"What?" A burly man snatched the bounty poster and gasped when he saw the astronomical reward of 900 million Berries.

Damn it, he hasn't done anything all this time! How come the bounty has increased? Is this... in this river?

"What's going on? Could this be a conspiracy by the Navy? I heard the Fleet Admiral has been replaced, could it be..."

"Wait, Captain, look!"

The henchman pointed to a prominent section in the newspaper: "Announcement Regarding the Increase in Pirate Bounties - Issued by the Navy Headquarters"

"Let me be healthy!"

Announcement Regarding the Increase in Pirate Bounties - Navy Headquarters Announcement

Dear bounty hunters and aspiring individuals:

Recently, the Navy and Marineford defeated the Whitebeard Pirates, killing their captain Edward Newgate, effectively curbing the arrogance of pirates. However, besides the Whitebeard Pirates, countless other pirate crews continue to wreak havoc on the seas, posing a significant threat to maritime security. To maintain social order and protect the lives and property of the people, Navy Headquarters has decided to take even stricter measures against these criminals, striving to provide a more stable maritime environment for the public.

However, pirates are endless, and the Navy's power is ultimately limited. Therefore, we call on all bounty hunters and people of ambition to join the fight against pirates and uphold justice together with the Navy!

Therefore, the Navy will significantly increase the bounties for pirates, with the increase ranging from 10 million to 1 billion Berries.

Pirates whose original bounty was less than 100 million will have their bounty multiplied by 3.

Pirates whose original bounty was between 5 million and 2 million will have their bounty doubled.

Pirates whose bounties were originally between 5 million and 10 billion will have their bounties increased by 50%.

In addition, the Navy has added bounty redemption channels. Besides Navy branches around the world, 500 new bounty collection locations have been added, including 80 in each of the Four Seas, 100 in the first half of the Grand Line, and 80 in the second half. The specific locations are as follows...

Finally, in order to ensure that all pirates receive the punishment they deserve, we once again call upon all naval officers and soldiers, as well as all those with aspirations, to redouble our efforts, leave no criminal unpunished, and severely punish them to protect social order and the welfare of the people!

Naval Headquarters will, as always, support the operations of naval personnel and comrades, and guarantee full support and protection throughout the process. Let us join forces to crack down on maritime crime and contribute to social order and the well-being of the people!

PS: All pirate bounties are sponsored by the Holy Light Group of Navy hero Karl.

naval headquarters

August 12, 1520 (according to the Haiyuan calendar)

"Gudong~"

The pirate reading the newspaper swallowed hard; just looking at the contents of the newspaper made him break out in a cold sweat.

As the saying goes, a great reward will always attract brutes. Before the reward was increased, bounty hunters chased after them like mad dogs. After the reward was increased, wouldn't they devour them alive?

"The ship, captain, what should we do?"

"How about we turn ourselves in? That way, at least we won't die at the hands of bounty hunters?"

...

Unlike the pirates who were gripped by fear, the bounty hunters were cheering.

"Hahaha! Great! Those scumbags' bounty has doubled! We're rich now!"

"Hahaha, who says otherwise! I can't help but want to kill a few pirates to liven things up now, tsk tsk tsk, with the Holy Light Group, a naval hero, guaranteeing it, they could afford to put a bounty on even 1000 Rogers!"