Over the next few days, Luo Chen focused most of his energy on cultivation.
It would take two months to upgrade his Taijutsu from lv12 to lv13. Fortunately, Imu and the Dark God currently showed no intention of taking action. His strength was sufficient for the time being, so he felt little pressure.
Luo Chen met successively with Zephyr, Momousagi, Chaton, Shanks, Hawkeye, and many veterans of the Roger Pirates.
Zephyr, Momousagi, and Chaton were the newly joined Candidate Admirals of the Jinghai Army.
Shanks spoke with Luo Chen and, with Roger taking the lead, apologized for the friction that occurred during the Paramount War. He did not agree to join the Jinghai Army; instead, he prepared to be a group of adventurers traveling the world with Beckman and his brothers.
Freedom was what Shanks pursued.
Previously, for the sake of his Captain Roger's long-cherished wish, he had no choice but to prepare for the journey to the final island, Laugh Tale. Now, with Roger resurrected and Luo Chen establishing the Jinghai Army to deal with the World Government, Shanks no longer had any specific goals to pursue.
He only wished to roam the seas freely.
Luo Chen did not force him. Shanks' character was decent, and his crew did not commit as many atrocities as other pirates. Thus, he simply ignored them. At Shanks' request, Luo Chen agreed that they could frequently come to Totto Land to reunite with Roger.
As for Hawkeye, things went very smoothly.
Luo Chen used "sparring in swordsmanship" as "bait" and successfully hooked Hawkeye. Mihawk decided to join the Jinghai Army to learn a higher realm of swordsmanship from Luo Chen.
Regarding the veterans of the Roger Pirates, not one was willing to join the Jinghai Army. They were already in their seventies or eighties and were no longer willing to fight and kill. They came to Totto Land purely out of a desire to see Roger.
However, over these past few days, they found the environment of Totto Land to be extremely livable. Some were already reluctant to leave. Looking across the world, the level of infrastructure on every island in Totto Land was not inferior to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Currently, the Jinghai Army lacked neither money nor connections. Under the "money power" of the Golden Emperor Tesoro, Totto Land's development was changing with each passing day.
...
On the seventh day after returning to Totto Land, Luo Chen awoke from his secluded meditation.
Today was the day of the martial arts competition between the Candidate Admirals and the Admiral rank of the Jinghai Army. During this period, Robin had relayed the news of the competition to everyone.
Over these days, Issho had traveled to more than thirty islands in the Totto Land sea area. He felt great agreement and admiration for the Jinghai Army's philosophy of governance.
Unlike its initial desolation, Totto Land now had a population of hundreds of thousands. There were original residents of Totto Land, residents from Whitebeard's territory, the families of the two hundred thousand soldiers, and people who had rushed here from all over the world upon hearing the news.
These people lived and worked in peace, enjoying many livelihood services such as school education and medical security on the islands. Of course, working and paying taxes were also essential. Otherwise, no matter how rich Tesoro was, he could not support hundreds of thousands of people.
Seeing that the Jinghai Army managed the population of Totto Land in such an orderly fashion, Issho no longer hesitated and joined the Jinghai Army. He believed that the Jinghai Army was the place where he could exercise his ambitions and realize his ideals of justice.
On the seventh day, Monkey D. Dragon arrived as well.
The Revolutionary Army's transfer work was almost ready; they were just waiting to move to Totto Land. He came here, on one hand, to participate in the internal competition. According to Robin's meaning, the rankings in the competition would determine everyone's level of authority. For those who didn't get along, whoever was stronger would have the final say.
For example, Akainu and Whitebeard.
If Whitebeard won, Akainu would have to maintain a certain level of respect when meeting him in the future. He wouldn't have to kneel, but he couldn't cause trouble for Whitebeard or his subordinates either. Within the ranks of Candidate Admirals and Admirals, strength did the talking. Candidate Admirals who wished to become Admirals could also challenge an Admiral; if they won, they could take their place.
Therefore, Dragon still attached considerable importance to this competition.
On the other hand, he brought several young people with him: Sabo, Koala, Zoro, and Carina.
As young elites of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon wanted Sabo and Koala to open their eyes. This internal competition of the Jinghai Army could be described as a battle between the world's top powerhouses. The Pirate King, the Four Emperors, the Fleet Admiral, the Admirals, the World's Greatest Swordsman... they were all present. Observing the battles would help their strength progress.
Zoro and Carina were there because Totto Land was suitable for their cultivation. If Zoro wanted to improve, he had to learn swordsmanship from Hawkeye, Shimotsuki Ryuma, or even Luo Chen. Carina, meanwhile, could not find a good way to progress. Dragon had no choice but to bring her to Totto Land to try her luck. After all, the top powerhouses were concentrated here; perhaps someone could help Carina improve her strength. Moreover, she also wanted to see her friend, Nami.
As for Luffy, Sanji, Franky, and the others, Dragon had sent people to take them to places suitable for their training.
On the sea to the west of the Zhenhai Star Hub.
Luo Chen's body was covered in indigo energy, like a coat, as he stood suspended in the air. He activated the Yin-Yang Release power of the Tenseigan to create objects from nothing.
A vast arena condensed in the void.
Around the arena, rows of spectator seats appeared out of thin air. Finally, using gravity, he suspended the arena and the spectator seats, letting them float above the sea.
Many ships were moored on the nearby sea.
The Whitebeard Pirates, the Roger Pirates, the Red Hair Pirates, Dragon, the Marines, and others on the ships watched this scene with shaken expressions.
Creation from the void.
Luo Chen's abilities were becoming increasingly mysterious and unpredictable. Step by step, he was becoming more like a god.
When the venue was completed, the indigo energy coat around Luo Chen's body dissipated, and he landed on the presiding platform.
"The First Jinghai Army Grand Competition officially begins."
"Candidate Admirals and Admirals may all participate."
"Both sides who intend to compete, come up to the stage for a battle. There is no need to hold back; I can restore your injuries for you."
Luo Chen stood on the platform with a smile, his voice spreading across the nearby waters.
The gazes of the people steering their boats toward the spectator stands couldn't help but turn toward Zephyr.
Zephyr's original right arm was made of machinery and Seastone. His arm had been severed years ago by Edward Weevil. But appearing again today, his severed right arm had been restored to its original state, fully regrown.
According to what Zephyr said, Luo Chen had exercised divine power a few days ago to help him regrow his limb.
Among the Admiral rank: Aokiji, Kizaru, Karp, Issho, Hawkeye, Dragon, and Barrett.
Among the Candidate Admirals: Momousagi, Gion, Marco, and Zephyr.
These people all possessed living bodies. At this moment, they no longer worried about the intensity of the battle or serious injuries. In any case, Luo Chen could help them recover. They could let loose and fight with all their might.
People climbed onto the spectator seats and took their places one after another.
There were many spectators for this battle.
Enel, Crocodile, Ace, Jimbei, and the many captains of the Whitebeard Pirates...
The Vice Admirals from the former Marine side—Strawberry, Momonga, Yamakaji... these people had left the Marines along with Momousagi and Chaton. Many of these Vice Admirals were students of Garp and Zephyr. At the call of the two, they had come without hesitation.
In addition, Shanks and the members of his pirate crew were there. Zephyr's students, Ain and Binz, as well as Smoker and Hina, were present. Roger's old friends, Rayleigh, Gaban, and the others, were there. The group Dragon brought, including Zoro and Sabo, was also in attendance.
From the rank of Vice Admiral and above in the Jinghai Army, or the family and friends of the participants, all were present to watch.
The thirty-plus islands were also conducting a live broadcast.
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