Seeing Sengoku and Zephyr still competing with each other, insisting on working twenty-five hours a day, Tsuru finally stepped in and stopped the two of them, who were behaving like children.
On the other side, Caelan finished hugging the girls one by one before stopping.
Some things weren't convenient to say here. It would be better to talk about them in bed later that night.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Sister Tsuru, Vice Admiral Garp, and the two admirals, please join us for a meal."
"To celebrate Caelan's victory and your joining us, we've prepared a lavish banquet," Gion said, standing beside Caelan and taking on the role of host.
"Haha, then we'll shamelessly accept."
Sengoku laughed to cover up his embarrassment.
Gion had put it nicely, saying they were joining the Neo Navy, but in truth, they were recruited after being defeated.
Not long ago, they had been fighting each other. Now, they were attending the victors' celebration banquet. It was hard not to feel awkward.
"Sengoku, there's no need to dwell on it. This isn't just a celebration, but also a welcome banquet," Caelan said generously. "From today on, regardless of your past, you are all members of the Neo Navy."
"Well said!"
"Commander Caelan is absolutely right!"
Zephyr took the lead in showing support, and the disciples behind him applauded loudly.
They were the first senior officers Caelan recruited and naturally understood the meaning behind his words.
Trust those you use, and don't use those you don't trust. Caelan didn't discriminate.
Sengoku, Tsuru, and Garp were all moved by the atmosphere. It seemed Zephyr and the others had found a good life in the Neo Navy, and Caelan truly was a good leader.
Looking at Caelan's smiling face, Sengoku felt his lingering concerns fade away. "Commander Caelan, you've praised me so generously, so I won't pretend anymore. But now that I've joined the Neo Navy, you shouldn't call me Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Aokiji and Borsalino also smiled. "We're no longer admirals of the Navy."
Garp and Tsuru expressed their stance as well, fully severing ties with the past.
Caelan readily agreed and said to Sengoku, "Just now, I heard you and General Zephyr arguing over the title of general, so I'll call you General Sengoku from now on."
"As for the rest of you, I don't think your titles need to change. Your positions in the Neo Navy will remain as they were."
That was how he planned it. Their ranks and positions would remain unchanged.
But the former heroes and symbols of the Navy wouldn't continue on in the same way. In the Neo Navy, there was no bright sun or second sun—only him.
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief Caelan, for your trust. We will do our best in the Neo Navy," Aokiji, Borsalino, Garp, and Tsuru responded happily.
Only Sengoku looked bitter.
He had just gotten into a competition with Zephyr and insisted on working twenty-five hours a day. Now he had to actually follow through.
If he had known this would happen, he would've held his temper and just remained a Neo Navy inspector.
But he had already said the words, and taking them back would be too humiliating in front of his old friend.
At that moment, Robin came over and asked kindly, "The banquet is ready. Should we delay it a bit?"
"No need." Caelan shook his head lightly, then said to everyone, "Let's go. Enjoy yourselves tonight. Starting tomorrow, we begin new duties!"
"Alright!"
Everyone responded in unison.
Even Borsalino, usually so lazy, and Aokiji, who preferred solitude, didn't want to go against Caelan at this moment.
Soon, led by Caelan and Gion, everyone headed toward the banquet venue.
"Welcome back, Caelan-sama!"
"The Yonko and the World Government are no match for us!"
Along the way, the citizens of Dressrosa lined the streets to welcome him, celebrating Caelan's great victory with cheers and showers of flower petals.
As the headquarters of the Neo Navy and the true heart of Caelan's forces, Dressrosa had long seen him as their spiritual leader.
Now that Caelan had claimed such a resounding victory before the entire world, they felt immense pride.
This was the man they believed in, the one who protected them.
Unrivaled in power. Unshakable in dominance.
"Isn't this a bit too much?" Borsalino smacked his lips, watching the crowd.
The road was lined with cheering people. Their enthusiasm almost felt fake.
It was even more over-the-top than when he visited the branch bases and people scrambled to flatter him.
Compared to this, the Navy had never received such genuine praise.
Aokiji said calmly, "It's not too much. If you take down the World Government and kill three of the Five Elders in one go, they'll cheer for you with all their hearts."
In short, if you're not good enough, don't blame the road for being bumpy.
Anyone who pulled off something as great as Caelan would receive such admiration.
Borsalino had no retort. "Fair enough."
Amid the boisterous cheers, Tsuru and Gion walked together, reminiscing.
Tsuru said with some resentment, "Gion, you've found your place."
She still remembered Caelan's firm attitude about bringing her back, whether she agreed or not.
"You can't blame me for this. If you refused, I couldn't bear to make Gion sad."
Caelan was confident and unbothered.
Gion held onto Caelan and smiled. "Don't worry, Sister Tsuru. I'll help you vent tonight!"
She fully supported Caelan's actions. If he hadn't insisted on bringing Tsuru back, she truly would have been upset.
But as punishment for making Tsuru angry, she planned to wear Caelan out tonight.
"Ah, fine. If you kids want to have fun, don't blame me," Tsuru said jokingly.
"No, no! Sister Tsuru, don't talk nonsense!"
Gion blushed slightly.
Though she called Tsuru "sister," she was actually an elder. She still couldn't take her jokes sometimes.
Luckily, Tsuru simply smiled and didn't push the topic further.
Soon, everyone arrived at the banquet venue, and the feast began.
As the wine flowed, time flew by, and night fell.
Sengoku, Tsuru, Aokiji, and the others were led to their dorms by Neo Navy staff.
Caelan returned to his room, surrounded by a group of stunning women.
"Tell me, Caelan, where are you sleeping tonight?" Nami asked expectantly, clinging to his left arm.
Beside her, Robin, Vivi, and Kalifa wore the same look.
They hadn't had proper time alone with Caelan since he left for Wano, nearly two weeks ago.
It wasn't that they were lustful women. Two weeks wasn't long.
But Caelan's performance at the Battle of Marineford had been so heroic and awe-inspiring that they couldn't help but want to be closer to him.
"Come to my place. I think I've gained some weight lately! Help me measure it!" Kalifa pressed Caelan's right hand to her chest, eyes full of affection.
His left hand was held by Nami, his right by Kalifa.
Then Hancock threw herself onto his chest and said dreamily, "I'm the most beautiful. Caelan belongs to me tonight!"
Vivi, Tashigi, Perona, and Robin joined in too, each trying to pull him their way.
This was no longer about fulfilling needs. It was about proving who Caelan liked the most.
Even the usually naive Tashigi didn't want to fall behind.
The women surrounded Caelan, each making their move.
He looked around helplessly and said, "If you all keep this up, I won't be going anywhere."
"Alright, why don't you two decide where I'm going?"
That was the downside of having too many women. Everyone vied for his favor, and if he favored one, the others would get jealous. It was tough to keep them all happy.
The women looked at each other, unwilling to give in.
Hancock proudly said, "Come to my room. I'm the most beautiful!"
Nami snapped back sweetly, "Come to my place. You met me first!"
Vivi argued, "No, I'm the first one!"
Kalifa smirked, "You should come to me. I have a little surprise planned!"
The arguing continued, with no end in sight. Finally, they all turned to Caelan and said in unison, "Caelan, where are you going?"
Caelan clenched his fists. "Don't fight. I'll take you all!"
Then, amid the girls' shrieks, Caelan grabbed them and locked the door one by one.
Robin and Uta tried to slip away, wanting to enjoy a quiet night alone with him.
But Caelan was relentless. He caught them all and fed them first.
After moving the furniture and laying down mats on the floor, Caelan began the long night of calming them down one by one.
Fortunately, he had infinite energy. Otherwise...
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ 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.)