Chapter 82: Conqueror's Haki Is a Good Sieve
Poneglyphs—text recording history carved on an unknown material.
The stone blocks themselves possess indestructible properties, and the method of carving them has long been lost.
Even the Kozuki Family of Wano Country is the same.
When Oden sailed with Roger, he only left new text on the base made of ordinary stone, not marks on the Poneglyph itself.
Nereus wasn't a pure martial artist, but he was accustomed to fighting barehanded. However, this didn't mean he couldn't use weapons.
Picking up any random blade, Nereus could unleash slashes that only a Great Swordsman could achieve.
Nereus was also aware that inanimate objects could "eat" Devil Fruits, but this technology hadn't been researched yet—or rather, successfully excavated by archeology.
He had asked Wobbegong at MADS to pay more attention to this technology.
If a Poneglyph were to eat a Devil Fruit, the effect might be exceptional.
After all, in this era, even swords that ate Devil Fruits could awaken. An indestructible giant beast transformed from a Poneglyph would be a huge trouble.
"Papa, if you want to expand the army, just do it. Why drag me here too?"
"Why? Have you not counted enough treasure after three days?"
"That's not it. But I don't feel like this occasion has anything to do with me."
It was just that Hermes didn't follow along this time; otherwise, it would definitely be nagging about topics like heirs.
The survival method of Homies was very special. Hermes, with clouds as its main body, wasn't afraid of water, but underwater, its abilities weren't as smooth as in the sky, and its flight speed became extremely slow.
Putting it inside a bubble would allow it to float around like a hydrogen balloon.
Nanamo found it troublesome, so she simply left it on Fish-man Island.
"You don't understand the Fish-man District well enough. In this place, nowadays, reason is still taught with fists. Moreover, like those pirates who just entered the New World, there are many people here who 'gaze at the sky from the bottom of a well' (are narrow-minded/ignorant).
They lack understanding of the outside world and use what they know to speculate about everything.
In places like the Four Blues, a swordsman who can cut steel can dominate a region. But upon entering the New World, you will find that it's nothing but a parlor trick.
We have to make them recognize reality. Only by understanding their own weakness can they better become strong.
When the time comes, there might be a few who are unconvinced. You go beat them into submission and let them understand the vastness of the world."
If Nereus did it himself, the effect wouldn't be enough. People in the Fish-man District took it for granted that they couldn't beat Nereus; he had held the title of "the strongest" for years.
Although Nanamo was his daughter, her age and gender were apparent. Being defeated by a 13-year-old girl would be enough to sober up most people.
If they remained devastated after that, it would just prove that these people were unqualified.
"Your Majesty Nereus, everyone from the Fish-man District has arrived."
Tiger completed his report very respectfully, and his form of address was also very formal.
"A total of 37,572 people. All meet the age standards. I sent back those whose ages were inappropriate."
In the original timeline, Hody Jones used the power of Energy Steroids and various threats and inducements to scrape together 70,000 Fish-men from the entire Fish-man District, with almost no restrictions.
Given the current population base and the principle of voluntary participation, this number was actually quite good.
However, Nereus didn't intend to recruit manpower to serve as cannon fodder. He needed to distinguish the specific conditions of these people.
Those with strong strength would be incorporated into the frontline army, receive intensified training, and serve as the main combat force. Those slightly worse would be responsible for maintaining public security, expanding the scale of deep-sea exploration teams, searching for ruins, and prospecting for submarine minerals.
And to make this distinction, there was a very simple way.
"Get ready. The assessment starts now!"
Scanning the Fish-men surrounding the Sea Forest, Nereus reminded them but didn't explain the content of the assessment.
Just as they were curious about what the assessment content was, centered on Nereus, the seawater seemed to ripple under the impact of some unknown force, and an invisible shockwave instantly swept across the venue.
The surrounding schools of fish fled in panic, and the Fish-men present lost consciousness one after another, rolling their eyes and foaming at the mouth as a large group fainted.
"This... what... is this..."
Tiger could still maintain a standing posture, but a feeling of palpitations surged in his heart. He could hear his heart beating rapidly, yet his body dared not move. His limbs felt bound by some force, refusing to obey his commands at all.
"About three thousand people left? ...Not bad. Congratulations, everyone. You passed the assessment."
Conqueror's Haki is a very useful tool when screening soldier quality. Nereus had tried his best to control the intensity of the Haki; otherwise, including Tiger, not a single person present would be left standing.
This intensity was already a very gentle Conqueror's baptism after Nereus's consideration.
Being able to withstand this level of mental impact meant at least there was no need to worry about them passing out directly when facing someone who had just awakened Conqueror's Haki.
"Don't worry, they just fainted temporarily. Your willpower and physical fitness are stronger, so you could remain conscious."
This sea was very idealistic, and the power of Haki was even more so.
It is the power of the body, but also the power of the heart/will.
A powerhouse who loses their spirit will see their strength plummet. Even if they once mastered Haki proficiently, they might lose the ability to use Haki due to such issues of spirit.
"The deep sea is our home field, but do not underestimate any race. Pirates who reach Fish-man Island possess certain strength themselves. I do not wish to hear news one day that one of you died due to carelessness.
You are still very weak! For Fish-man Island, for your families, for yourselves! You must work hard to become stronger!
From today on, you are the New 1st Legion of the Neptune Army! As for the arrangement of positions..."
Nereus clapped his hands. The school of Fighting Fish behind him immediately understood Nereus's meaning and swam to his side one after another.
"These are Fighting Fish, a type of fish living in the New World. Beat one of them into submission and gain their recognition, and they will be your partners from now on! Your military treatment will be raised by another tier.
I guarantee your safety, so you can fight with all your might."
Compared to smarter Sea Beasts, these Fighting Fish were obviously not very intelligent. To make them obedient, one had to gain recognition in this way.
"These people here are compatriots who followed me in the early years. Defeat them, and you will be Squad Captains of the Legion. In the future, when the Neptune Army expands again, you will also have the opportunity to become Legion Commanders."
There were both Merfolk and Fish-men, all excellent combatants picked by Nereus, acting as assessment instructors.
"As for her, you shouldn't be unfamiliar with her. My daughter.
No matter what method you use, as long as you defeat her, you will be the newly appointed Legion Commander!"
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