Months had passed since the New Pirate Regulations took full effect across his territory. Chaos in the East Blue gradually gave way to strict order. Under the East Blue Marines aggressive "persuasion," local pirates began scrambling for proper certification. Recent statistics confirmed the massive shift: the formation of new pirate crews plummeted compared to the previous year.
The main reason? Many violent rookies abandoned their grand dreams the moment they heard about mandatory written exams.
Dante hadn't seen that coming. He fell silent while reading the report, then sighed. "They just gave up? Their dreams aren't very firm, are they?"
If they couldn't clear this tiny bureaucratic hurdle, how would they survive the actual perils of the Grand Line? Rely on the power of bonds? Friendship? The future? None of it mattered if you couldn't pass a basic maritime test. Not everyone possessed the plot armor of a main character.
As Dante spoke, Robin and Viola exchanged synchronized eye rolls at their Boss.
Across the vast seas, which ocean besides the East Blue demanded a pirate certification? Since the dawn of piracy, when did outlaws ever need official paperwork? Pirates existed for the sole pursuit of absolute freedom. Now they faced graded exams, background checks, and official licenses, how was that freedom? It made perfect sense that some fiercely independent rookies quit. The East Blue Marines held overwhelming military strength, to safely reach the Grand Line, pirates essentially had no choice but to compromise. Otherwise, they would have violently toppled the local bases long ago.
The strategic benefits, however, were entirely obvious. No pirate crew in the East Blue dared cause open trouble in local towns anymore. As brutal crackdowns on illegal, uncertified crews intensified, true dreamers would line up obediently at the guild halls for their paperwork.
Did some stubbornly refuse, insisting on "true freedom"? Yes. But running into the elite East Blue patrol units meant terrible luck for those dreamers. Ignore the strict rules, and you'd never even reach the Red Line. Show your face with a black flag, and the Marines would capture you instantly.
Enel's electric abilities proved unexpectedly useful for hunting down those rogue pirates. Once he spotted a target with his Mantra, even from miles away, violent capture was practically guaranteed.
Robin looked up from her thick ledger, recalling a recent administrative issue. "Boss, the Pirate Guilds are now fully established across all local seas, with significant daily registrations. The regional guild heads are asking for our next steps."
"Next?" Dante glanced at the shipyard's booming sales figures neatly stacked on his desk. He pondered briefly. "Keep heavily promoting the Guild's benefits. Simultaneously, officially establish a crew ranking system. Certified crews start as 'Apprentice Pirate Crews.' Pass the practical exams, and they earn the Bronze Medal. Exceptional graduates get fast-tracked directly to Silver. Above that: Gold, Diamond, and Sea King tiers. They must complete specific missions to earn Contribution Points, accumulate enough, and they officially rank up."
"For the mission boards, select an initial batch and clearly assign Contribution Points and Bounties. Think of it like bounty hunters. But missions won't just target illegal, uncertified crews. Include discovering uncharted islands, gathering specific intelligence, or collecting scarce industrial resources. Graduated pirates will tackle these exact tasks per our requirements. Oh, and launch an SSS-Rank Mission immediately: seek the Final Island, Laugh Tale. List both the Bounty and Contribution Points as question marks. That should light a massive fire under them to take the guild exams seriously."
"Remember," Dante added, leaning back in his chair, "the goal isn't actually teaching them, it's forcing them to play by our rules."
The so-called New Pirate Regulations? Total bullshit. Just a brilliant administrative trick to make these wild pirates obediently show their faces and register their abilities.
Dante watched the two women deep in thought, then added, "Also..."
As if remembering something vital, he pulled a heavily armored Den Den Mushi straight from his bottom drawer, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Remember to promote this along the way, too."
Following the strict promulgation of the New Pirate Regulations, the local pirate circles had been bustling with unprecedented activity lately.
Right now, the entrance of the newly built Pirate Guild in the waters near the Goa Kingdom was completely packed. Hardened pirates crowded in to get their official certification or make nervous inquiries, directly mixed with greenhorn newcomers about to set out to sea for the first time.
"Wow, there are so many people here! Helmeppo, Zoro, are all these people here to become pirates?"
"Probably." Hearing Luffy's excited words, Helmeppo frowned and looked up at the massive, polished sign hanging before them. "New Era, New Trend, New Adventure?"
He looked further down the engraved wood. "Strive to be new pirates of the New Era?"
He muttered in sheer disbelief, "Is becoming a pirate this official now? I really don't get it."
"The nerve of him, always making things so damn hard to understand," Zoro waved a hand impatiently. "And why did you guys drag me here? I haven't even decided if I want to be a pirate, and I'm in no mood to take some stupid exam."
"We finally got a day off today, so let's just come take a look. Also, Luffy, there's a massive crowd here, so don't..." Helmeppo started to warn his friend, then turned his head. When he saw the completely empty space beside him, he froze in shock. "Where's Luffy?"
"Luffy?" Usopp, standing nearby, pointed straight ahead into the bustling building. "He already ran inside."
"Damn it... I was just about to tell him not to wander off." Helmeppo covered his face in exasperation. He turned to look at Zoro, whose sharp eyes held a hint of genuine curiosity as he surveyed the grand surroundings.
Helmeppo's expression instantly turned stern. "And you, Zoro. We only get one day off, so don't go running off either."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, just a little reminder to stick close, that's all." Ignoring the indignant swordsman, Helmeppo spoke with a heavy, resigned edge to his tone. "Just consider it a favor to my sanity. Let's go. We're heading in too, don't let Luffy get too far away."
"You're getting way too cocky." Zoro scowled and scoffed at the blond. "It's right in front of us, how could I possibly get lost?"
With that confident declaration, he strode boldly forward.
He had not walked long when Helmeppo's deeply exasperated voice rang out. "Zoro, this way."
Zoro froze, stopping in his tracks. He looked up, completely bewildered. "Where did everyone go?"
"...Over here."
Zoro fell silent. He turned around to see Helmeppo, Usopp, and a grinning Luffy, who had all inexplicably appeared entirely on his left.
But before the swordsman could open his mouth to argue-
"I really can't let my guard down around you for a single second," Helmeppo covered his face in total defeat. "Forget it, you walk up front. I'll watch you carefully from behind."
Just as Zoro's jaw tightened, about to loudly argue that he was not a child-
"Welcome."
A man in a crisp formal suit stepped forward with a polite, professional smile. "Are you here to register for the certification exams? Which pirate crew do you currently belong to? Do you have an active bounty? What's the specific design on your pirate flag? Oh, right, please come over here to register your paperwork first."
"Usopp Pirates? Then I'll register that right now..."
"No! It should be the Robot Pirates!"
"Sorry, so it's the Robot Pirates! I'm really very sorry. I will write it down."
"No, it's the Usopp Pirates!"
"Robot Pirates!"
"It should be the Usopp Pirates, because only the brave pirate warrior Usopp is qualified to be Captain!"
"I'm the Captain, Usopp!"
"..."
The receptionist stared in silence at the two arguing before him. He opened his mouth to ask what their pirate crew was actually called, but the shouting drowned him out.
"Both of you, shut up! Stop making things difficult for him!" Helmeppo scolded, frustration edging his voice. He turned back to the receptionist, his tone apologetic. "Sorry, we haven't formed a pirate crew yet."
"Oh, a rookie crew that's just about to form? That's no problem!" The receptionist smiled at the four of them. "I can tell at a glance that your crew has a bright future. So, are you here to sign up for the exam?"
"Ah, we actually haven't decided yet. We just came to take a look first."
"Is that so? That's fine too." The receptionist closed the small notebook in his hand, keeping his smile steady. "Then... would you like me to show you around a bit?"
'What is going on?'
Hearing the receptionist's offer, Helmeppo looked around. He glanced at Luffy, who had resumed his argument with Usopp, and Zoro, who was casually inspecting the nearby architecture. He sighed and gave a quick nod.
"That would be much appreciated."
"It's no trouble at all!" The receptionist extended a hand, gesturing forward. "Right this way."
Not wanting to waste any more time, Helmeppo quickly broke up Luffy and Usopp's argument, called out to Zoro, and urged everyone to follow.
===============
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