The Golden Lion Shiki, with a ship's rudder still stuck in his head in his old age, is a good opponent, and his Float-Float Fruit is a top-tier devil fruit; Ain's vacant devil fruit slot could be filled with it.
However, there's no news yet, and new companions are waiting for Hera. Hera thought to herself, "I wonder how Sanji's sister's cooking is. It should be pretty good."
Hera patted Tashigi's shoulder: "Alright, remember to use all this gold to recruit talent and pay salaries. If any of our people are injured or die, make sure their pensions are sufficient."
"I'm very confident leaving this to you. If there are any troublesome enemies, remember to notify me. I'm leaving it in your hands."
Then, looking at Tashigi, who had a similar face to Kuina but a gentler personality, she couldn't help but recruit her, saying, "If you're not happy working with Smoker, you can switch to my side."
Tashigi still shook her head: "I'm fine with Smoker."
Hera didn't force her. After getting the latest location of the Germa Kingdom, she left.
The next day, the first thing Smoker did after waking up was to shout: "Where's Hera? Are you really leaving such a huge organization for me alone?"
Tashigi, who rushed over after hearing the noise, said: "Hera left last night."
Seeing Smoker about to collapse again, Tashigi quickly delivered the good news:
"Don't get excited. Vice Admiral Tsuru has transferred a group of people over. They are all good at logistics and will help us establish the framework of the New Navy."
Only then did Smoker calm down, grumbling indignantly: "That Hera, she dumped a pile of things on me and ran off again."
However, Tashigi still saw a smile on Smoker's face.
The New Navy was officially established a few days later, attracting a large number of people to join. With the addition of various leaders from the Revolutionary Army, the New Navy also began to operate normally.
Smoker, finally freed from mountains of documents, exclaimed: "Is my personal charm really that great? So many talented people have been attracted!"
Tashigi looked at the orderly office and always felt something strange. How could these people cooperate so tacitly, as if they came from the same place?
However, seeing the flourishing New Navy and Smoker puffing out smoke, she still pushed the thought to the back of her mind.
On the other side, on the argo, Hera and her group were sailing towards the Germa Kingdom. Ain asked Hera, puzzled: "What are we going there for? Isn't it a World Government-certified country?"
Hera smiled and asked: "Do you know the story of the evil dragon and the princess?"
Ain nodded.
Hera continued: "We are going to play the role of the evil dragon now and snatch the princess back."
Kuina looked at Hera, who was acting silly, and said with a hint of indulgence in her tone: "Stop messing around. Tell me your thoughts. Are you eyeing their technology?"
Hera shook her head: "This is no joke. Don't you think we're missing a Ship's Doctor?"
"Although general injuries can be resolved with the 'Fourth Bullet' or 'Aquarius Bullet,' it's still somewhat dangerous if someone gets sick or poisoned. And the Germa Kingdom isn't that simple."
Perona floated on her ghost, pouting: "The Captain must have her reasons. Just tell me who to fight. But I'll say this upfront: people who aren't cute enough can't get on the ship."
Hera said: "Don't worry, Vinsmoke Reiju definitely meets our standards for getting on the ship, and I won't let her refuse."
Vinsmoke Judge, who was in the middle of his research, sneezed as if someone was talking about him. He then shook his head and immersed himself back into his current research on Lineage Factors.
Then, Hera thought again: "Of course, technology is also one reason. If the Marine can also use a large number of Germa soldiers, there will be no need to worry about the situation in the Four Seas."
As for his dream of unifying the North Blue, Hera had already considered it for him: either he joins the Marine and achieves cultural victory, or he'll have to be woken up.
In Hera's vision, in the new era, there can only be one military organization in the Four Seas: the New Navy. Other organizations must either join, go to the Grand Line, or be directly eliminated.
Ain was still a bit worried about this location: "The Germa Kingdom is a World Government affiliated country. Are you sure? Won't this attract attention from the World Government again?"
Hera thought for a moment and said: "Don't worry, we'll visit as Marine personnel, saying that the New Navy hopes to get help. If he doesn't agree, then we'll make our move."
Hera added: "If worst comes to worst, we'll just say it's obstructing Marine enforcement."
Although Ain was still a bit worried, hearing Hera say this, she chose to trust her Captain.
After several days of sailing, Hera and her group saw a small island carried by snails. On the island were strangely styled castles, the largest of which had five spires, as if a claw was controlling the island.
Facing the approaching argo, the soldiers on the island quickly reacted.
A soldier stood on a tower, blocking the argo: "Who are you? Why is the Marine here?"
Hera spoke: "I am Marineford Rear Admiral Hera. I have some matters to discuss with your King Judge. Tell him to come out and see me."
Upon hearing that Hera was actually a Marineford Rear Admiral, the soldier didn't waste any time and immediately contacted Judge, informing him of the current situation.
Judge was very surprised when he heard the news in the laboratory: "A Marineford Rear Admiral? What is someone like that doing in the North Blue, and specifically looking for me?"
Judge recalled recent news and thought of the establishment of the New Navy. "Hera, that name... is that the person who defeated Moriah? It seems I must meet her."
Then, Judge thought, "According to intelligence, Hera and her group are all women. Let Reiju go and welcome them." He then notified Reiju: "We have distinguished guests. Go and welcome them."
Reiju received the message and hurried to the dock, inviting Hera and the others to disembark: "Distinguished guests, King Judge is currently in his research. He asked me to welcome you all."
Hera nodded and retracted the argo. She knew that an ambitious person like Judge wouldn't come to greet them just because she said so, but Reiju's arrival was still giving them enough face.
Reiju was wearing a white short-sleeved dress with a red cape. The white dress couldn't conceal Reiju's voluptuous figure, and her exposed legs had two '6'-shaped tattoos.
She had medium-length pink hair covering her right eye, and her exposed left eye was blue. Her most distinctive feature was her eyebrows, which were counter-clockwise spiral brows.
Perona curiously observed Reiju, but still nodded, acknowledging her.
Hera led her companions towards Reiju.
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