Accumulating Strength

"Leave now. Report back before noon tomorrow, and notify the other leaders to come as well."

"Yes!" The four replied hurriedly, bowed as they backed away, and quickly left.

"That was the power of a Devil Fruit, wasn't it?" Kelly asked curiously, her tone certain.

"That's right. You're quite knowledgeable."

Although most people in the Four Blues had heard the legends of Devil Fruits, very few had seen one with their own eyes. More people believed they were nothing more than legends.

"All right, after being busy for so many days, I'm going to take a bath and get some proper rest. You can look around wherever you like."

With that, Carlos got up, went upstairs, took a bath, and rested.

After Carlos left, Kelly was shown around the Mansion by an attendant. She was even escorted into the city for a stroll.

Early the next morning, dark clouds shrouded Iron Island. Thunder rumbled as a rainstorm began. After resting well for a day, Carlos rose refreshed and full of vigor. After eating the breakfast Kelly had carefully prepared, he began his morning training.

Two hours later, his training ended, and he began handling the backlog of matters that had accumulated during his absence. Fortunately, given the current size of his forces, there was not too much to deal with.

At noon, the leaders arrived on time after lunch. Carlos was still eating, so they could only wait in the living room.

After finishing his meal, Carlos entered the living room with a cup of tea in hand.

"Boss Lucifer!" In such a formal setting, everyone added Carlos's surname, just as they had once called Boss Mike and Boss John—the heads of their respective families.

"Sit down." Carlos took a sip of tea and gestured downward.

"Noah, how was yesterday's matter handled?"

"Reporting to Boss, Cani has been executed by firing squad. Some of his trusted men who had agreed to be bought off by the John Family have also been dealt with, and his family has been properly settled."

"Not bad. Sit."

Phew... Noah and the other three let out long breaths. They had finally completed their task and no longer had to remain on edge.

"I called you here today because I have some matters to arrange. Listen carefully."

"I've looked through the roster. Our family currently has more than two thousand people, and our overall strength has recovered somewhat."

"But in my view, we're still too weak—especially in terms of individual ability. We're not strong enough."

"So I've decided to put the brothers under me through specialized training in batches!"

"For now, there are three training subjects: shooting, hand-to-hand combat, and coordination."

"You will join the training as well. The position of leader will be chosen from among you. The capable will rise!"

"From now on, we will use an elimination system. What does that mean?"

"Simply put, your positions—including mine—are not permanent. If a subordinate challenges you and defeats you, your positions will be exchanged!"

"Within the family, every member has a chance to become the boss. It depends on whether you're strong enough!"

Hearing Carlos's words, the leaders felt emotions too complicated to describe. This system was truly something to both love and hate. Training camps and an elimination system... their leisurely days were probably over...

"This training camp is an opportunity for all of you, and for every member. Everyone knows very well how our Mafia ranks work."

"After this training, the combat personnel will consist only of combatants and full members. Peripheral members will handle support work from now on, serving the combatants and the family with all their strength until they become combatants themselves!"

"Three days from now, batch training will officially begin. Each batch will consist of five hundred people."

"I've already resolved the trouble with the John Family. This is an excellent opportunity for us to expand. Only by becoming stronger can we face crises without fear!"

"I've given you this great opportunity. Whether you can seize it depends on yourselves."

"I've said my piece. Who agrees? Who objects?"

"I agree."

"I agree."

"I agree."

No one in the family dared disobey Carlos's words. With his past authority, along with yesterday's example still fresh in their minds, who would dare utter the word "object"?

Three days later, the first batch of five hundred people began training within Carlos's territory in Iron Island East City. The training site was a Small Canyon. It was not large, but it could accommodate five hundred people without issue.

Ever since becoming one of Iron Island's major powers, Carlos had maintained a relatively friendly attitude toward both the Lord's Mansion and the Marines on Iron Island—friendlier even than the Mike Family had been.

Naturally, Carlos was not afraid of them. The time to move against them had simply not yet come, and he was still somewhat lacking in strength when facing two opponents at once. Thus, he merely acted harmless.

If he did not move, then so be it; once he did, it would be like thunder. If he did not act, then so be it; once he did, he would strike true!

This training camp was also preparation for conquering the Lord's Mansion and eliminating the Iron Island Marine Branch in the future.

Since this was the first training camp, Carlos personally oversaw it. The five hundred Mafia Members were treated equally regardless of rank, while the quarter who were leaders underwent even harsher training. Calling it devilish training would not be an exaggeration.

From morning until night, every moment was tightly scheduled with all kinds of training. They rested six hours a day, relentlessly developing and squeezing out everyone's potential!

Carlos was not the kind of boss who merely stood by and watched. To set an example, he personally joined the training, and his workload was even more terrifying than that of the leaders!

There was no helping it. Carlos was too strong. If he was not ruthless enough with himself, the gains would be far too small—or rather, there would be no improvement at all.

Physical strength could only be improved through one's overall physical conditioning. Grueling training was also beneficial for one's willpower and Mental strength!

Seeing that the Boss, the highest-ranking figure in the family, was even harsher on himself, all their former complaints faded away. The Boss, who stood above them all and could have enjoyed wealth and luxury, endured such hardship—what could people like them possibly say?

They just had to grit their teeth and endure!

Half a month passed. To Carlos's surprise, just over four hundred Mafia Members had retained their combatant status or been promoted to combatants. He had originally thought that having more than three hundred would already be very good.

It seemed that setting an example in person as the Boss had been quite effective.

Nearly a hundred people had failed to endure the brutal training. Some had been demoted to formal members, while others remained as they were, but their status and benefits had plummeted. However, they still had opportunities. Besides the next intensive training session, challenges were another path.

Of course, Carlos would not let them exploit loopholes. Challenges could only be made level by level: outer members could only challenge formal members, formal members could only challenge combatants, and so on. Furthermore, each person only had one chance to challenge someone per month.

Early in the morning, Carlos stood in the center of Small Canyon, dressed in a sea-blue suit and draped in a black-and-red cloak. Before him stood three leaders in black suits and more than four hundred combatants wearing brown suits and brown cloaks.

After half a month of brutal intensive training, these Mafia Members could not be said to have been completely transformed, but their strength had increased considerably compared to before. This kind of training provided the greatest boost the first time.

Each of them carried Rifles on their backs, standing in neat formation with expressionless faces. Their bodies were straight and upright like young pines, every one of them radiating a fierce, sharp aura. Their former laziness and even their sloppy demeanor were gone. They now had the air of soldiers, hardly inferior to the sailors of the Four Blues Navy branch.

Each of their combat abilities had roughly doubled compared to before. It was an enormous improvement.

"Today, the intensive training is over. I am very satisfied with your performance."

"To reward you, the three leaders will take you out for a grand feast in a while. Relax and enjoy yourselves for the day!"

"Oh, and one more thing—don't tell the brothers who haven't come for training yet about the training content. Let them enjoy themselves too..."

Carlos's final words carried a trace of ill intent, delivered in a strange, mocking tone.

"HAHAHA..."

Upon hearing this, the more than four hundred of them burst into laughter. The Boss was right—they should give the brothers who had not trained a surprise. It had to be kept secret...