Successfully Joining

By the time Oboro finished eating, the battle outside was almost over.

Although Rob Lucci did not use the Navy Six Powers or his Devil Fruit ability, Dom also did not use Haki or his Devil Fruit ability... In fact, Oboro could see that Rob Lucci did not go all out because he was focused on completing the mission. All he wanted to do was to inflict sufficiently 'eye-catching' and serious injuries on Dom.

If both of them fought with all their might, Rob Lucci, after using his Devil Fruit, would have a physical advantage over Dom ... His years of practice in killing techniques and combat experience, as well as his fighting instincts, would be comparable to Dom's. But even so, he might not be Dom's match, for a simple reason... Haki.

At this point, Rob Lucci had not yet awakened his Haki... This was the most crucial point.

After all, Kaido himself said that on this sea, Haki is the only thing that can balance everything.

And when Oboro mastered this power, he confirmed this view.

Haki is indeed of paramount importance in this world's power system.

Relying on Haki to reach the top of this world is entirely possible... but relying on the power of Devil Fruit would probably be very difficult.

Long slowly got up and walked outside the tavern. He saw that the outside world was a mess, full of devastation... Many wooden houses and vegetation had been completely destroyed.

Rob Lucci was lying on the ground in a spread-eagle position, his suit cut open in countless places, bleeding profusely... covered in wounds, while Dom knelt on top of him, his dagger pressed against Rob Lucci's throat, but he didn't stab him.

Dom's bandages were loose, and he was covered in sweat... Many parts of his body showed signs of being hit hard.

Although the Bloodline Card he obtained wasn't of a high grade, he had been personally trained by Oboro for nearly two years... This made him fundamentally different from other trainee crew members who also underwent low-grade card evolution. Even for the Demon Tribe, flesh and blood could be improved through training and refinement. In addition, his recent sparring with Oboro had allowed Dom to progress and gain insights at an astonishing Godspeed... Even if it was just a friendly exchange, the pressure he faced when confronting Oboro was on a completely different level compared to dealing with Rob Lucci.

Dom still feels a bit terrified when he thinks about that level of intensity in battle.

Even though he can now 'fight' with Oboro for a long time, he still feels extremely tormented.

Blood was seeping from the skin beneath Dom's bandages.

"Clap clap clap".

At this moment, Oboro, like an audience member who had just finished watching the performance, clapped and stepped closer.

"That was truly wonderful."

"For a newcomer who has just set sail, to have this kind of strength."

"Oboro said."

Rob Lucci, pinned to the ground, stared at Dom's face above him and said coldly, "Kill me."

You think I can't?

Dom scoffed.

Won't!

Rob Lucci felt no panic. From what Oboro said to Night Wanderer before entering the tavern, Rob Lucci knew... he had been 'chosen'. Otherwise, if the Hell King really wanted to kill him, he could have done it himself, and wouldn't have waited until now to come out of the tavern after finishing his meal.

The information provided above was indeed correct; the Hell Pirates are in dire need of combat power... in order to break through the Grand Line.

Whoosh! Dom's hand gesture changed, and the blade he was holding suddenly exploded with a hidden line, falling towards Rob Lucci's face.

It looked as if they really wanted to pierce his skull.

However, when the knife tip almost pierced his eyeball, Rob Lucci didn't even blink.

"Oh."

Dom pursed his lips, suddenly stood up, and stood behind Oboro.

They put away their stance.

"Hey, what's your name? Hattori?"

Long squatted down beside Rob Lucci, looking at his serious injuries, and asked a question he already knew the answer to.

Rob Lucci remained silent, but this undoubtedly constituted tacit agreement.

"There's a question... I'm curious about..."

The other party did not respond, but Long did not care. He continued, his eyes lowered, "Where are the bodies of those... my crew members you killed?"

"Killing is killing... who cares about their bodies? Maybe they'll be eaten by Wild Dog... After you kill them, do you expect me to take care of their funeral arrangements?"

Rob Lucci said calmly.

At this moment, he looked exactly like a newcomer who was fearless of death and had great backbone and attitude.

After hearing this, Long made up his mind.

The corpses of those One Piece who were enhanced by the system cards... have probably already been recovered by the World Government. As for their purpose... it's definitely for research! After all, this kind of power has a fatal attraction for the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

Because, in addition to the original sources of power in this world such as Haki, Devil Fruit, and science, he brought new ways to become stronger.

"With Vegapunk's abilities, extracting the genes of the Oni Demon Tribe and creating acquired bloodline products is not difficult. Because these enhanced One Piece were originally modified, not born that way. Even if they were born that way, it shouldn't be too difficult for him... However, even if the genes are extracted and fused... the effect will probably be much worse than what the system provides, with almost no practical value, and it won't meet the World Government's expectations."

"In the end... they'll still come after me."

Long chuckled inwardly.

But he doesn't mind wasting some of the World Government's time and energy.

"Are you interested in joining us?" Long asked, playing along with the situation.

It's here!

Rob Lucci's eyes moved, meeting Oboro's gaze.

What if I refuse?

Rob Lucci used a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement.

"Given that you killed my people... given my personality, I wouldn't leave any future trouble, so... if you can't be my partner, I certainly can't let you become my future enemy. Besides, I need to give a 'reproach' to many forces in the North Blue for what you did. If you refuse... I might make you wish you were dead... to show others the consequences of opposing our Hell Pirates."

Long knew what Rob Lucci was up to, so he gave him a way out.

"Just as I thought..."

There is no other answer.

"I'm in."

"Rob Lucci spoke up."

"Welcome... my friend."

Oboro stood up with a smile, as if to leave first, but then he seemed to suddenly remember something, looked down at Rob Lucci was still lying on the ground, and said indifferently, "Since we are partners, we should naturally treat each other with sincerity. The people of the North Blue only call me 'Hell King'... but that's just a nickname. My real name is Oboro."

"Hazy?"

Rob Lucci was taken aback.

It sounded strangely familiar.

"His real Dom... Before he followed me, he was a small- One Piece on the Grand Line. We met in the Sabaody Archipelago." As Oboro said this, Rob Lucci's pupils began to dilate... The words "God Slayer" instantly flashed into his mind.

Who in the whole world doesn't know these two?!

In other words... this Night Wanderer of the Hell Pirates is actually the Cunning Fox from the former Flame Dragon Pirates? Because he was facing the sunlight on the ground, his vision was somewhat dazzling.

Oboro was facing away from the sunlight, and a shadow lingered on her face as she looked down, so Rob Lucci could only vaguely see the slightly upturned corners of her mouth.

A gust of cold wind swept by, raising a cloud of dust.

It was as if even the air itself had frozen, and all was silent.

Dom also glanced at Lung, his expression changing slightly.

Because... none of the people on the ship, including Yuri, revealed their identities the moment they met.

However, he also understood the captain; there must be some reason for doing this.

"Hehehe... So, losing to me isn't so bad. You should know who we are..."

He added in a voice.

No wonder...

I see.

Rob Lucci instantly understood... the true purpose of his mission.

It was him!

His gaze was fixed on Long's figure.

"So? Do you still want to get on the ship?"

"Since I've promised you... I won't go back on my word."

"Very good... I just said we should treat each other with sincerity. Let me confirm again, your real name is Hattori, you're not lying to me, are you?"

The implication is ambiguous.

Rob Lucci remained expressionless. "Are you going to give me a new name?"

Long shook his head, pressed down on his hat, and turned around... He glanced at Rob Lucci with his left eye, and the playful look in his eyes Rob Lucci's heart skip a beat for no reason.

But he disguised it very naturally.

"Take care of this."

Long was the first to walk away, leaving behind a remark.

"Yes."

Dom nodded in acceptance.

They understood and went to find the village chief.