Barto immediately gestured wildly, "Ever since he executed Onigumo on the execution platform in Log Town, wielding Supreme King to split the sky, I decided I would follow him for life! I want to be the most loyal dog to my senior! Woof woof!"
The latter half was really over the top, hey!
Nojiko twitched at the corner of her eye: "Next question, what's your opinion about the World Government and the Heavenly Celestial Dragons?"
"Screw them! They're all bastards!"
Barto spat, "Those swine don't deserve to rule the seas! Shano senior killed them well! Killed them wonderfully! Killed them spectacularly! I want to be the most loyal dog to my senior!"
"Your reputation isn't that great, there seem to be multiple records of civilian attacks, are these true?"
"None of it! From that day in Log Town, I chose a similar path with all the seniors, only to be slandered and discredited! This made me understand Shano senior even better, I want to be the most loyal dog to my senior!"
Just give it a rest already, you idiot!
"It seems there's no need for further questioning on you, let's move directly to the final question."
Nojiko sighed, closing her notebook, "Consider it your exclusive question because you're just too fanatical, even a bit scary. If one day, your Lord Xiano orders you to die, what would you do?"
Barto suddenly quieted down.
He slowly stood up, displaying an unprecedented solemn expression.
"I would die immediately."
Barto said deeply: "But before that, I would first confirm the reasons behind it and whether it truly is a command from my senior, because I know that the Shano senior I know would never send followers to die for no reason!"
Nojiko was taken aback for a moment, then showed a satisfied smile.
"Fanatical, but not baselessly so. Congratulations, you've passed the review."
She stood up, extending her hand, "In this half month, you're the most sincere follower I've met, welcome to join the Endgame, Bartolomeo, Captain of Combat Corps Squad 4."
Barto was trembling with excitement, just about to shake hands.
"Ugh—"
He suddenly bent over, vomiting all over the ground.
"Ah, sorry, sorry!" Barto panicked, "Senior, I'm just too excited! I'll clean this up immediately!"
Can it really get to this point?
Nojiko held her forehead again.
...
Crescent Island, Central Castle.
As the core of the Galaxy Sea Region, it's also the largest island, far more prosperous than the other six satellite islands, with a towering white ancient castle standing in the center, overlooking the entire sea.
In the office on the top floor of the castle, Shano, draped in a black cloak, stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cup of bitter coffee, gazing at the distant sea horizon.
Sunlight filtered through the glass, outlining a tall and slender silhouette.
"Being the head of a major power really isn't easy."
Just past his nineteenth birthday, barely qualifying as a "young man", the former boy lamented the simple-minded muscleman times gone forever.
When there was only a single ship, daily affairs could easily be handed off to partners while he focused on training, stepping up as captain only when major events required his presence.
But now, renowned worldwide, possessing vast territories with populations in the millions, it inevitably becomes less easy and leisurely.
Especially during this period, with the influence of the Shampodi major event continuing to ferment, large batches of followers keep flocking in daily.
Within the territory, everything competes to thrive, showing prosperity while continuously expanding, also bringing quite a few matters needing his personal decision-making.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be so busy.
After all, he's not one to cling to power excessively; proper arrangements for personnel have already enabled talented people below to handle most affairs efficiently.
But some key decisions, like the formation of the Four Major Armies, the appointment of crucial cadres, and adjustments to external strategies still require his personal approval.
In terms of economic aspects, Shano has currently appointed a superintendent personally recommended by Fujitora.
Named Jill Fein.
An uncle nearing fifty who typically wears thick round glasses, embodies the meticulous old scholar type.
Having known Fujitora for many years, he served as an auditor in a kingdom in the South Sea for over twenty years, ultimately insisting on personal convictions on state treasury deficit issues, offending corrupt nobles, getting beaten, and expelled.
His professional abilities are solid, with deep experience.
However, his upright and uncompromising demeanor and stubborn personality easily offend others.
But in Shano's view, this precisely is the quality most needed by the ambitious new force like Endgame.
It aligns with his taste even more.
And the man did not disappoint; since joining, he devoted himself tirelessly, organizing various economic activities within the territory methodically.
"Once these next couple of days pass, it should become a little easier; don't know how someone like Akainu manages to endure, being Marshal and spending all day buried in the office."
Shano stretched, finished the bitter coffee in one gulp, barely regaining some spirit, then returned to the desk to approve the last few documents.