Elifa glanced at him: "That's the emblem of the Stationed Corps... judging by your expression, it seems you don't even know about the Four Major Armies of the Endgame nowadays?"
"Four Major Armies?!"
When did this happen? Barto's eyes widened, and the cadres behind him also pricked up their ears.
"Looks like you newcomers need a good lesson."
Elifa shook her head, "Lord Shano has controlled the Galaxy Sea Region for over two months now. Given this time, especially after the Shampodi incident exploded, it's indeed countless the people with various motives coming to join."
"Naturally, the Endgame under the command of the lord had to be reorganized and expanded."
"Firstly, the Endgame Headquarters hasn't changed much, it's still composed of veteran crew from the Endgame who have been following Lord Shano for a long time. Outside the headquarters, four major armies have been established, each with different tasks and missions."
"Like us."
She extended her right fist, hammered the emblem on her chest, "The Stationed Corps is responsible for territorial defense and security maintenance, with a force of more than five thousand people. Generally, we don't initiate attacks, so the emblem is centered on a shield. Currently, Jack, the top cadre, serves as the Corps Leader."
Senior Jack?
Barto imagined a robust mammoth-like figure, which indeed suited the defense-oriented nature of this corps.
The speedboat sailed into the port, Barto noticed several workers counting the cargo of merchant ships, their uniforms bore an intertwined pattern of wheat and gears.
"That's the Infrastructure Corps."
Elifa explained with a smile, "Responsible for territory construction, material distribution, and trade intercourse, it's the largest among the four corps, with about ten thousand members."
"Lord Shano knows he's a novice in economics, so he doesn't interfere much in this aspect, instead, he screened talents from various professions coming to join us, letting the outstanding ones manage and operate their areas of expertise."
"Robin, from the Endgame Headquarters, serves as the general supervisor, while Senior Kuma is the current Corps Leader."
Gentle and considerate Senior Kuma, and the wise Senior Robin?
Barto blankly nodded; he didn't understand construction or economics, but with these two seniors seated, it should be okay.
"As for the other two corps..."
Elifa led the group towards the castle in the town center, pointing to a training ground in the distance, where numerous figures were practicing, visible through the fence, uniforms embroidered with crossing swords and knives on their backs.
"The Training Corps is responsible for training the reserve forces of all other corps. Whether you want to fight or apply your skills in construction, you can undergo further honing here."
The Corps Leader is the newly promoted top cadre, Lord Issho."
Issho!
Barto perked up, delighted at hearing another formidable figure was added to the Endgame. He hoped to meet this mysterious senior today.
"What about the last one?" A cadre next to him couldn't help but ask.
"The last one is the Combat Corps, emblem embodying blue and white wings, symbolizing the fight for a new era, pursuit of freedom, and rebellion against oppression."
"It's the elite force qualified to fight externally alongside the Endgame Headquarters, with the most stringent selection criteria, currently totaling just over a thousand, led by Vice Captain Kuina of the Endgame."
Elifa's eyes flickered with regret, "I was originally eligible to join it, but opted for the Stationed Corps to conveniently take care of my sister."
"Sister?"
"Yes, both of us are natives of this sea region. Previously, due to it being a war buffer zone marked by desolation, chaos, and rampant outlaws, we could only flee, drifting outside."
"Until recently, we heard our homeland has stabilized and become increasingly prosperous, only we then returned home. Many like us have done the same."
"Oh, right."
She looked at Barto with envy, "Speaking of which, a Super Rookie like you, once passing the audit, can directly join the Combat Corps without training. Also, if seen by Lord Shano, might directly enter the Endgame Headquarters."
"Directly join Headquarters?"
Bartolomeo's eyes first lit up, then he realized something amiss, "Wait a minute, Captain Elifa, from what you said, there already have been cases recently of newcomers directly joining Headquarters?"
"Yes."
Elifa counted on her fingers, "But there are not many lucky ones—Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper... only three in total."
"Three already?!"
Suddenly raising his voice, Bartolomeo's face twisted, "That idiot with the silly green algae head, actually..."
He clutched his head and howled, kneeling and pounding the ground frantically:
"Damn it! Obviously, I came first! Whether admiring seniors or setting sail, clearly, it should have been me first, why is it like this?!!!"
"Exactly! It's so frustrating, Boss Barto!" Little brothers also knelt and cried.
"...Uh."
Elifa's face surfaced several black lines.
Since joining the Stationed Corps, she had seen many fanatic followers of Lord Shano, but fanatic to such a mentally abnormal extent, and the whole ship being indeed in such a situation was the first case she had seen.
With great effort, she brought these treasures before the castle.
"This is the administrative center of Wuxing Island, also the headquarters of the Stationed Corps."
Elifa opened the castle door, "You first come with me to the registry to fill out forms, then someone will record your identities. As a famous Super Rookie like you, there's likely to be special extra audits."
"Extra audits?"
"Don't worry, usually there's no issue, we simply cannot tolerate two kinds of people in Endgame."
"One is those with ill-intent, such as spies sent by the World Government or Navy Headquarters, and the other is atrocious criminals burdened with heinous blood debts."
Elifa said this with a glance at Barto and found instead of looking uneasy, he appeared exceptionally delighted and relieved.
Oh?
If she recalled correctly, this guy's bounty is over a hundred million Belly, yet hasn't done anything wrong?
Along the way, she felt these people didn't resemble criminals, but such matters were beyond her say. All she had to do was bring them, the rest wasn't her concern...
Entering the registry.
It was quite bustling here, with many wearing different Stationed Corps uniforms engaged in their tasks, organizing files or explaining rules to newcomers.
Barto just picked up the registration form and was about to fill it out when a quarrel nearby caught his attention, he frowned and looked up.
"What's going on! I came here to get on Lord Shano's ship, mix with him, that's why I rushed here!"
Two five-meter muscular brutes, faces full of roughness, angrily yelled at a staff member: "Why do we have to fill out this crap form along with those refugees? Hey, bastard! Don't get it wrong, our combined bounty exceeds a hundred million Belly! Quickly take us to meet Shano, the boss!"
The staff's expression unchanged, patiently explained:
"All those seeking asylum must register, it's a rule set personally by Lord Shano, regardless of your former identity or bounty..."
"Rules? My blade is the rule!"
One pirate sneered, drawing his sword, placing it against the staff's neck, "Stop gibbering! Lead the way!"
What kind of riffraff dares to cause trouble on Lord Shano's turf?!
Humph, they've given me a chance to claim credit!
Bartolomeo scoffed coldly, threw down the form, and rushed forward.
Whoosh!
A shadow beat him to it, delivering two swift hand chops, each to the pirates' necks.
Boom!
The two pirates had no resistance, flipped their eyes and collapsed weakly on the spot.
"You newcomers..." Elifa sighed, "Always eager to show off, but you did save us trouble, thanks."
"No need to thank, just a trivial effort. Newly arrived, I hope to leave a good impression with a minor accomplishment."
The man smiled gently, bowed, standing tall with an eyepatch, marked with an X on his chin and chest.
Upon straightening and turning, his eyes met Barto's.
"You are..." both were stunned.