Elder brother's garrison

"Ok?"

"Let me keep you in suspense for a moment." Admiral Zhao Kuo scratched his head at Xiaobai and asked with a smile, "Admiral Lu Lin, let me ask you a question. Do you know why the top ten admirals enjoy such a unique status?"

"Because they are among the top ten best players in the world?"

"Admiral Lu Lin, do you know why the top ten admirals are the ten most powerful admirals in the world?"

"...Uh, isn't the ranking right here?"

"Haha...that's not what I meant." Zhao Kuo chuckled. "What I meant was, Admiral Lu Lin, you should know that even between the tenth and eleventh admirals in the world, there is a huge gap, like heaven and earth. It's as if there's an impenetrable, thick wall between the top ten admirals and those ranked tenth or lower...Do you know why this phenomenon occurs?"

"...Is it thanks to Sister Duan guarding the gate?" Xiaobai looked at Zhao Kuo curiously.

“Hmm… Duan Shuiliu certainly deserves credit.” Zhao Kuo nodded in acknowledgment of Xiaobai’s statement, but continued earnestly, “However, besides this reason, there is actually an even more special reason.”

"what reason?"

"I don't know if you've noticed, Admiral Lu Lin, but the Admiral Headquarters actually intentionally allocates core resources to the top ten admirals."

"Eh? Is that so?"

“Yes, the missions assigned to the top ten admirals by the Admiral Guild are often high-quality missions with high-quality resource rewards and… high-quality training opportunities,” Zhao Kuo said to Xiaobai. “In addition, the Admiral Headquarters will deliberately allocate some core resources to the top ten admirals to enhance the foundation of the top ten garrisons and increase their combat power.”

"Eh... this is the first time I've heard of this."

“Uh… after all, the rookie naval base is quite special among the top ten naval bases…” Zhao Kuo smiled awkwardly. “Of course, I don’t mean to say that the top ten admirals are of low quality. In fact, based on my many years of experience, the top ten admirals are still the most outstanding admiral talents even on a global scale. Even without the help of the Admiral Headquarters, the top ten in the world would still be us. However… apart from the most special rookie naval base, the reason why the remaining nine top ten admirals, including myself, can create such a huge gap with the admirals ranked tenth and below is partly due to our own abilities, but more or less because we have relied on the strong support of the Admiral Headquarters.”

"I see..." Xiaobai nodded seriously, as if she had heard some gossip, and asked curiously, "Then... why does the Admiral Headquarters favor the top ten admirals so much?"

Upon hearing Xiaobai's question, Admiral Zhao Kuo scratched his head at Xiaobai.

"Because... the top ten admirals are the diners of this world."

"A diner?"

"The term 'diners' refers to a type of person who was supported by the families of high-ranking officials and nobles, as recorded in some ancient documents. These people were often truly talented and learned, had no fixed job, and did not have to do chores. They still ate and drank as usual, with the best meals, and were always accompanied by servants when they went out. Then, they would often step in at the critical moment when they were needed, doing things that ordinary people could not do for their masters, thus playing a vital role."

"Oh, okay... I understand." Xiaobai nodded.

"Admiral Lu Lin, during the process of clearing Chapter 8, you also clashed with the world's top Abyss Deans, right?" Zhao Kuo suddenly changed the subject as if he had thought of something, and asked Xiao Bai, "After fighting those enemies, what do you think of their strength?"

"...Intensity...?" Xiaobai thought for a while.

In Xiaobai's mind, images of Deep Sea Yamato, Deep Sea Ryujo, Deep Sea Musashi, Pachina, Deep Sea Tirpitz, Deep Sea Bismarck, Barbarossa, Deep Sea Hindenburg, Savoy, Kamikaze... flashed through his mind.

Ok……

Regardless of their strength, Xiaobai's first impression of these deep-sea ladies was that they were all beautiful and cute.

But soon.

A figure flashed through Xiaobai's mind: a tall and imposing man in a tattered military uniform with bandages wrapped around his head.

Recalling that figure, Xiaobai's expression became somewhat serious.

Frederick the Great... is probably the strongest enemy Xiaobai has ever encountered in his career.

Her strength is beyond doubt.

Even now, Xiaobai feels that if he hadn't been lucky enough to evolve his ship's equipment and unleash the invincible Deepsea Killer, the outcome of his battle with Frederick the Great would have been uncertain. If he, from the world's number one naval base, was struggling so much, then the remaining nine top-ten admirals were even less likely to succeed!

Xiao Bai nodded to Zhao Kuo.

“…Very impressive.”

“Yes, they are very powerful.” Zhao Kuo nodded seriously. “I have read the battle reports submitted by Admiral Haoding and the head of the Mu family. Every one of the Deep Sea Deans who fought against Admiral Lu Lin and you was an extremely powerful being.”

"Uh... um."

"Although more than a century has passed since humanity emerged from the period of stagnation and ushered in an era of peace, we must admit that even so, the Abyssal Faction still encounters some exceptionally formidable enemies, often requiring the human faction to pay a heavy price to defeat them," Zhao Kuo said to Xiaobai. "These enemies are often not something that can be defeated by sheer numbers, and even if they can be defeated by numbers, the price paid is usually exceptionally heavy... For example, Admiral Lu Lin, think about it: if there were no top ten admirals in the world, how many resources do you think the human faction would have to mobilize, how many admirals would have to sacrifice, and how many ship girls would have to sink to complete the eighth chapter's exploration mission?"

It's impossible to get it.

For Frederick the Great, "quantity" was a meaningless thing.

The only thing that could defeat Frederick the Great was unparalleled "quality".

Xiao Bai thought to himself.

"So... is this why the Admiral Headquarters is so focused on cultivating the top ten admirals?"

Xiao Bai blinked and asked Zhao Kuo.

“That’s right.” Zhao Kuo seemed oblivious to the change in Xiao Bai’s expression. He simply nodded earnestly and said with a touch of pride, “And the existence of our top ten admirals is different from mere ‘quantity’ in terms of quality!”

"..." Xiao Bai looked at Zhao Kuo.

"The existence of the top ten admirals is like humanity's trump card. Each of them is a powerful admiral who embodies the hard work of the Admiral Headquarters. They are the benefactors of the entire world. They may remain unassuming in ordinary times, but when the world faces danger, they will be the first to step forward," Zhao Kuo continued to Xiaobai. "This is why the Admiral Headquarters allocates its core resources to the top ten admirals. This is also why the top ten admirals often possess combat power far greater than that of admirals ranked outside the top ten."

"Hmm... I understand." Xiao Bai nodded and smiled at Zhao Kuo. "The top ten admirals are all very capable people, right?"

“Yes.” Zhao Kuo smiled, but the smile quickly faded. He took a deep breath and sighed helplessly, “However… this crucial group of people will face the most severe vacancy in human history after the Holy Construction Day event in Chapter Eight…”

"Doesn't the Admiral Headquarters allow the top ten admirals to resign?" Xiaobai asked.

"No, that's not it. Even the Admiral's Headquarters is quite humane," Zhao Kuo shook his head. "It's just that personnel changes among the top ten admirals are usually major events within the admiral circle. According to old sayings, there are usually only one or two personnel changes every few years. This is the first time that four positions have become vacant in one event..."

"I see..." Xiaobai looked to the side.

"So! Admiral Lu Lin, although it is very inappropriate for a deserter like me to say this, I still want to ask you for a favor!" Suddenly, Admiral Zhao Kuo sat up seriously in front of Xiao Bai and knelt on the bed with a sincere look in his eyes.

"Eh? What's the matter?"

"Regarding the four vacant positions among the top ten admirals," Admiral Zhao Kuo said earnestly to Xiao Bai, "I hope you will choose the next one!"

Chapter 2869 The Candidate...?

"Regarding the four vacant positions among the top ten admirals," Admiral Zhao Kuo said earnestly, his gaze sharp, as he read each word carefully, "...I hope you will be the one to choose the next one!"

After Admiral Zhao Kuo read those words aloud, the entire ward fell silent.

Xiao Bai and Zhao Kuo looked at each other.

Xiao Bai's three wedding ships quietly carried gifts and looked at the two people by the hospital bed.

A faint echo reverberated from the snow-white walls.

Soon, the echo on the wall also disappeared.

Little White opened its eyes wide, and its golden pupils shrank.

"Eh...Eh?? Eh??? Eh eh eh eh eh???!!!" Xiaobai jumped to her feet, staring incredulously at Zhao Kuo, who was looking at her earnestly. "Admiral Zhao...Admiral Zhao Kuo, what...what did you just say? You want me to select the four vacant top ten admirals?? Is...is that what you mean?"

“Yes… I’m very sorry, Admiral Lu Lin, I know this request may be quite difficult for you…” Admiral Zhao Kuo said with his head down, “However, this is my last request before I leave office as the third admiral in the world. In any case… I still hope that you, Admiral Lu Lin, will consider my request.”

"Can...can the top ten admirals be chosen so casually?" Xiaobai clasped his hands together and stammered to Zhao Kuo, "Even if the Moe-style Naval Base is the world's number one naval base, it shouldn't...it shouldn't be able to influence the Admiral Headquarters' plan to select the top ten admirals, right..."

"Admiral Lu Lin, please rest assured. I certainly didn't mean for you to directly decide the allocation of the four vacant top ten seats." Seeing Xiao Bai's panic, Admiral Zhao Kuo quickly explained to her, "Admiral Lu Lin, please let me explain. Actually, the allocation of the top ten admirals' seats is more transparent than you think..."

"transparent?"

“Yes, yes…” Zhao Kuo sighed. Seeing that Xiao Bai did not continue to resist, he sorted out his thoughts and continued to say to Xiao Bai, “If you are worried about fairness, then you can rest assured that the election of the top ten admirals is very fair in a certain sense.”

"How fair..."

"The ranking of admirals," Admiral Zhao Kuo explained to Xiaobai, "is very fair. The top ten admiral positions in the eyes of the admiral headquarters are really just the top ten in the admiral ranking."

"...Uh...no other requests?"

"No."

“…So violent?”

“Yes…” Zhao Kuo, the admiral, gave Xiaobai an awkward smile.

"...Then it seems there's nothing I can do to get involved..." Xiao Bai thought for a while, then asked Admiral Zhao Kuo with a puzzled look, "Why did you just say that you hoped I would choose these four top ten spots?"

“Because…Admiral Lu Lin, you are indeed capable,” Admiral Zhao Kuo said.

"Ok?"

"Admiral Lu Lin... the nascent naval base you represent is the best among all the world's number one naval bases in the five hundred years since humanity emerged from its period of decline. It is unique and unparalleled." Admiral Zhao Kuo raised his head, carefully examining Xiaobai's face, and said to her, "Admiral Lu Yun, who created the world's number one naval base, and you, Admiral Lu Lin, who inherited his will and diligently protect this ocean and continent, you two siblings are absolutely, absolutely, absolutely deserving of the title of great among all the world's number one admirals."

As Zhao Kuo, the admiral, spoke, his gaze was exceptionally sincere.

Xiao Bai felt embarrassed under Zhao Kuo's gaze.

Putting aside his own brother... this was the first time Xiaobai had ever heard someone use the word "great" to describe himself.

Xiao Bai felt that using such an adjective to describe himself was a bit too much...

"I'm not... not that good..." Xiaobai said embarrassedly.

"No, no, no, Admiral Lu Lin, believe me, you and your brother absolutely deserve this description." Admiral Zhao Kuo pointed to the floor. "Admiral Lu Lin, completely pioneering Chapter 8 and bringing it to humanity is a feat worthy of being recorded in history. Every brick, every tile, every admiral, every ship girl here, every piece of deep-sea metal produced from Chapter 8, all the experience gained by the ship girls in Chapter 8—everything is thanks to you, Admiral Lu Lin. It is absolutely no exaggeration to say that your merits are immeasurable! I believe that none of the admirals in Chapter 8 would question this title!"

"Ah, this..." Xiaobai scratched his head, his cheeks flushed.

"Admiral Lu Lin, it's really quite simple to take a spot in the top ten admirals," Admiral Zhao Kuo said to Xiao Bai. "To put it bluntly, as long as you can reach the top ten in the world rankings of admirals, then whoever is in that position will be a top ten admiral."

"...Then what does this have to do with me..." Xiaobai asked.

"Admiral Lu Lin, the naval base you represent is no ordinary world's number one naval base; it is the largest and strongest world's number one naval base in human history." Admiral Zhao Kuo shook his head. "The sheer power of this naval base is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. As for you, Admiral Lu Lin, although you cannot directly interfere with the ranking of the top ten admirals on the surface, to put it bluntly, the ranking of the top ten admirals is actually determined by the admirals practicing against each other, accumulating merits, and building up points. If you really have an idea and want to help someone reach the world's top ten, you only need to make a slight move."

After Zhao Kuo finished speaking, he waited quietly for Xiaobai's reply.

Xiao Bai blinked and looked at Zhao Kuo.

"Ah... I understand." Xiaobai suddenly realized, "Admiral Zhao Kuo, do you mean I should train a few admirals and watch them climb into the world's top ten rankings?"

“That’s right, that’s what I mean.” Admiral Zhao Kuo nodded seriously.

"...Uh, why do we have to do that?" Xiaobai asked, puzzled.

"Only in this way can we ensure that the combat power vacated by the top ten admirals can be restored to its peak in the shortest possible time," Admiral Zhao Kuo said seriously. "The top ten admirals cannot be vacant for such a long time. This is not good for humanity, nor is it good for the world."

"I see... It means that the naval bases that receive my help will grow faster than ordinary naval bases, right..." Shiro nodded thoughtfully.

“That’s right, Admiral Lu Lin, what are your thoughts?” Admiral Zhao Kuo smiled at Xiao Bai.

"...Is this kind of operation legal?"

“Of course it’s completely legal.” Zhao Kuo nodded. “The Admirals’ Guild has never prohibited aid between admirals, not even the world’s number one admiral.”

"Even if the person I support isn't outstanding, is that alright?" Xiao Bai didn't answer Governor Zhao Kuo, but instead asked Zhao Kuo thoughtfully.

"Admiral Lu Lin...you may not realize this."

"Ok?"

“Any admiral who can make it into the top ten through rankings, even with the help of the world’s number one naval base, is certainly not mediocre.” Admiral Zhao Kuo said confidently to Xiaobai. “At least… the top ten admirals trained by you, Admiral Lu Lin, will definitely be more outstanding than the top ten admirals who appear naturally.”

"I see." Xiaobai covered her mouth and thought for a while. She looked up at Admiral Zhao Kuo, who had a hopeful expression on his face, and said to him with emotion, "Admiral Zhao Kuo... you really trust me."

"..." Zhao Kuo smiled silently, but did not say anything more.

"Admiral Zhao Kuo, about today's matter... um... I'll think about it carefully." Xiao Bai considered it seriously for a while, then said earnestly to Admiral Zhao Kuo, "But to be honest... what you told me today is a lot of information for me, and I really can't make up my mind right now..."

"It's alright, Admiral Lu Lin. You can go back and seriously consider it." Admiral Zhao Kuo shook his head. "At least in the short term, the remaining three top ten admirals and I won't disappear from the rankings. The time you have left, Admiral Lu Lin... though not much, isn't little either..."

"..." Xiaobai nodded, sighed, and stood up.

"Admiral Lu Lin, thank you for visiting me today," Admiral Zhao Kuo said to Xiao Bai as she stood up.

“I also thank you, Admiral Zhao Kuo…” Xiao Bai smiled somewhat complicatedly, shook her head, and asked Admiral Zhao Kuo, “Ah… by the way, after you resigned, Admiral Zhao Kuo, you were going to take up a position at the Atlantic Governor’s Office, right?”

"Yes."

"What about your ship girls?"

“Hmm…I asked them before.” Admiral Zhao Kuo thought seriously for a while. “Although the naval base will be disbanded, the ship girls seem to be willing to go to the governor’s office with me.”

"..."

"...Hmm? Admiral Lu Lin? You seem a little disappointed?"

"Ah? Is there any?"

"Oh...maybe I saw it wrong."

"Hmm..." Xiaobai scratched his cheek and smiled at Admiral Zhao Kuo, "Regarding what happened today... can I tell Admiral Haoding and the others?"

“If it’s about my health, career changes, or where I am now, Admiral Lu Lin won’t hold back. You can tell the other top ten admirals whatever you want.” Zhao Kuo nodded, but added somewhat awkwardly at the end, “But about the matter I just asked Admiral Lu Lin to do… I hope you won’t make it public. Although there’s nothing wrong with the procedure, it’s not good to talk about it.”

"Okay, I understand." Xiaobai nodded.

"Sigh." After saying this, Admiral Zhao Kuo lay down on the bed, looking very tired.

"Are you OK?"