Chapter 443: Seven

The first half of the Grand Line, near Jiayadao Island.

Because Enilu and Smoker were outstanding Marine officers from the East Blue, they met the requirements for age and marital status.

They also possessed sufficient connections and strength.

Thus, Admiral Warlord waved his hand and designated them as accompanying personnel to escort Marine Crown Prince Roswardi to the Sacred Sky City for the matchmaking assembly.

On the deck of the Marine warship, Smoker held two cigars in his mouth, yet still couldn’t stop complaining.

“The Marines are the embodiment of justice, the key department under the United Kingdom, tasked with carrying out Saint Seven’s justice to the end.”

“When did the Chief of Staff at Headquarters become hereditary? Admiral Warlord’s calculations were so obvious, I could hear them clearly even in Loguetown—damn it…”

“Having an Admiral for a father really does make a difference.”

With that, Smoker exhaled a thick smoke ring.

“Almost forgot—the Crown Prince is also a member of the Morning Star Corps, the purest of Saint Seven’s direct disciples.”

“Enilu, why did we never get such luck? When Roger was executed, I went to Loguetown just to watch. If only I’d met the Seven Warlords back then…”

“Who knows? Maybe now I’d be a Vice Admiral myself.”

Enilu rolled his eyes.

“Look at the limits of your dreams. You dare only imagine becoming a Vice Admiral? Don’t you dare dream bigger?”

This trip to the Sacred Sky City, Enilu would be promoted to Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, while Smoker would be promoted to Colonel of the Headquarters.

In recent years, promotion ceremonies for the Navy, Army, and Air Force were no longer held at their respective headquarters, but unified at the Sacred Sky City for medal conferrals.

This time, it’s not just about medals.

After years undercover in the Marines, with three-year intervals passing one after another, Enilu could finally fulfill his long-held wish—to sail with his captain to the Infinite Land.

Yet for some reason, Enilu felt a hollow emptiness inside, unable to tell whether it was reluctance or simply forgetting his original purpose.

Originally, he wanted to go to the Infinite Land because he believed all Bika people were trash, and all Sky Island people were too.

So naturally, he assumed the people of the Blue Sea must be the same.

But after truly joining the Marines undercover, training under Master Zephyr, and serving for years as base commander of Loguetown, Enilu was no longer the naive youth he once was.

He had seen the corruption of the World Government and understood the Marines’ reluctant compromises.

He had also witnessed firsthand the slow changes across the seas since the overthrow of the World Government and the founding of the United Kingdom.

Without realizing it, he had fallen in love with this sea—how could he possibly live alone on the Infinite Land?

Enilu planned to visit the Infinite Land for a glance, fulfill his youthful obsession, then return with his captain to this sea.

“What are you thinking about?”

As Smoker drew closer, Enilu instinctively stepped back two paces.

“Smoke less. Your whole body reeks of tobacco—what if no one finds you attractive? That’d be embarrassing.”

“So what?” Smoker laughed dismissively. “I never intended to marry through matchmaking. Women? Too much trouble.”

“Better to drink a few more rounds with the brothers.”

“Is that so?” Enilu chuckled lightly. “I hope you still feel that bold after reaching the Sacred City.”

“What’s going on?” Smoker naturally sensed the hidden meaning in his words.

“Latest internal Marine bulletin: from now on, marital status will be included in promotion evaluations—for the Marines and all other departments of the United Kingdom.”

“Bare officials are officially a thing of the past.”

Enilu continued: “If you still want to become a Vice Admiral, let alone a Fleet Admiral or Commander-in-Chief, you must marry first to meet promotion criteria.”

“What?!”

Smoker’s pupils widened in shock—so startled that his cigar fell onto the deck.

“What’s wrong with being single?”

“Singles have more energy to devote to work! After marriage, how can you still uphold justice like this?!”

“Who came up with this stupid idea?”

Smoker wanted to kill the Civil Affairs Bureau officials—always dreaming up impractical schemes, never understanding the plight of single dogs like them.

But Enilu’s single sentence killed the conversation.

“Saint Seven.”

“This…” Smoker instantly changed tone: “Saint Seven must have deep reasoning. My understanding isn’t enough—I can’t grasp the subtleties here.”

“Enilu, explain it to me.”

Smoker and Enilu joined the Marines at the same time; over the years, they were inseparable. With Enilu’s sharp mind, Smoker naturally avoided thinking too hard.

Thinking was exhausting.

After a brief pause, Enilu spoke.

“Since the founding of the United Kingdom nine years ago, slavery has been abolished, and non-member states have been integrated—through a series of measures, this sea has become better.”

“Now that rule is stable, policy focus naturally shifts toward maintaining stability.”

“Whether in the United Kingdom’s departments or within the Navy, Army, and Air Force, the core of promotion is trust and stability. Marital status is a simplified indicator to quickly judge reliability.”

“Traditionally, marriage equals emotional stability, controlled temperament, and family responsibility—leading to cautious conduct.”

“Those with family ties are better suited for long-term cultivation and entrusted with major responsibilities.”

As he finished, Smoker fell silent for a long while, then quietly lit two more cigars, puffing smoke as he seemed lost in thought.

After a long while, Smoker suddenly asked.

“Enilu, what do you think of Tina?”

Enilu was instantly speechless—he clearly couldn’t follow Smoker’s train of thought.

Brother, did you switch gears that fast?

One moment you were raging against this stupid idea, the next you’re already thinking about who to date?

“Tina… is obviously excellent. I heard she’ll also be attending this matchmaking assembly.”

At this, Smoker’s eyes lit up—better to pair up with a familiar face like Tina than gamble on a stranger.

After all, Tina was tall and curvaceous, radiating a commanding aura, one of the most beautiful women among Marine mid-level officers.

Plus, they already knew each other well—no difficulty in conversation during the matchmaking.

“I’ll call Tina and ask.”

Similar scenes unfolded across all four seas—every eligible unmarried youth in every department received invitations to the matchmaking assembly.

Not only were all expenses fully sponsored by Saint Seven, but there was no mandatory requirement to succeed in matchmaking.

In short,

Whether like Buggy with clear goals, or like Smoker merely testing the waters, all unmarried youths arrived at Sky City in turn.

After all, the new generation of young talent hasn’t grown yet—these unmarried youths are the backbone of the United Kingdom.

If only one-third of them marry, the United Kingdom will gain another cohort of hardworking oxen.

The United Kingdom’s foundation is already laid, the rule of law deeply rooted—now it just needs to fill itself with diligent oxen.

The matchmaking assembly is Saint Seven’s open strategy.