"."
The four flushed crimson.
Humiliation. Utter, blatant humiliation!
They were poor, but that did not mean they wanted his charity!
The four rose indignantly.
"We're leaving!"
"Leaving?"
Good watched them calmly.
"Don't you want to hear my terms?"
"Mr. Good, whatever terms you offer, we'll never agree. And we certainly won't become dogs for pirates!"
Suppressing their anger, the four turned toward the door. But the words that came from behind them froze them in place.
All four looked back at Good in shock.
"What did you just say?"
"Didn't hear me? Then I'll repeat myself. Open your ears and listen carefully. My offer is-"
Good lit a cigar and exhaled a thin wisp of smoke.
"Hyogoro of the Flower's life!"
Chapter 31: Buddy, You Wouldn't Want...
Twenty years ago, Hyogoro of the Flower had been Wano Country's foremost yakuza boss, a highly respected man trusted by the yakuza of every region.
At Hyogoro's name, the four yakuza bosses immediately lost control, drawing their weapons and charging up to Good.
"You bastard pirate! Boss Hyogoro died fifteen years ago!"
"Are you trying to deceive us?!"
"How dare you use our boss to threaten us! Don't think we're afraid of you!"
"Let's fight to the death!"
Boss Hyogoro was the man they respected most. They would gladly have died for him. How could Good's words not enrage them?
Good looked straight at the four and asked calmly, "Do you four want Hyogoro dead that badly?"
"."
The four stopped breathing for a moment.
Of course they didn't!
Good spoke again. "Did you see Hyogoro die with your own eyes? Or did anyone in Wano Country witness his death?"
"Well..."
The four exchanged glances.
They had only heard rumors of Boss Hyogoro's death. Supposedly, the Beasts Pirates had killed him, but no one knew exactly what had happened.
Good snorted.
"I can tell you this much: Hyogoro isn't dead. I know where he is, and I control whether he lives or dies."
"Do you understand?"
"Now, sit down!"
A moment of silence passed.
The four obediently sat down.
Good crossed his legs, surveyed the four much more docile yakuza bosses, and nodded in satisfaction.
That's more like it!
The Beasts Pirates currently had very few troops stationed in Wano Country, and all of them had fixed duties. He could not order them around at will.
Meanwhile, he was about to undertake major construction projects and was desperately short of manpower. Looking across all of Wano Country, these yakuza thugs were the only people he could make do with.
"Any other questions? Speak up."
"."
The four exchanged another glance.
Omasa was the most impatient.
"Boss Hyogoro really isn't dead?"
"Don't make me repeat myself!"
Good frowned and cut straight to the point.
"Hyogoro's life is now in your hands. I can promise you this: work diligently for me for five years, and I'll release him."
"Five years..."
The four looked at one another.
If they could save Boss Hyogoro, never mind a mere five years-they would gladly give their lives.
But there was one problem: how could they ensure he would keep his promise?
Acho took a deep breath and met Good's eyes. "Mr. Good, how can we trust you? You should understand that we can't put our lives at your service based on a promise alone!"
"That's simple."
Good stroked his chin.
"I can take you to see him."
"Do you mean that?!"
The four were overjoyed.
"Who do you think I am?!"
Good snorted. "You lot aren't worth going back on my word over. If you have no other questions, hurry up and sign the contracts. I don't have much time to waste on you."
"And don't forget to get yourselves some decent clothes. Tone down that menacing air, too. Stop looking like a bunch of thugs."
Early the next morning.
Acho and the other three waited outside the Hot Spring Shop in brand-new clothes. Though they had toned down their demeanor considerably, their stiff expressions still looked vicious.
They did not wait long.
Good appeared with Yamato.
The four tried to compose themselves and bowed in greeting, unused to the gesture.
"Lord Good!"
"Not bad."
Good nodded slightly.
"Let's go."
Half a day later, at the Prisoner Quarry.
"It's Princess Yamato and Lord Good!"
"Open the gates!"
The guards dared not delay. They hurriedly opened the heavy steel gates and notified Babanuki, the Chief Warden stationed at the Prisoner Quarry.
A short while later, in the Chief Warden's office.
Babanuki looked at Yamato and Good, inwardly wondering what the two had come here to do.
But one thing was certain: he could not afford to offend either of them.
Leaving Princess Yamato aside, Good's show of strength in Onigashima's banquet hall that day had more or less cemented his standing in the crew. On top of that, Boss Kaido thought very highly of him.
A future member of the Flying Six!
Meanwhile, he was just an ordinary Chief Warden. The Beasts Pirates had five or six others like him.
Babanuki looked at Yamato first and asked in a low voice, "Princess Yamato, what brings you to the quarry?"
"Well, ask Good."
Yamato pointed at Good beside her.
As his personal tagalong, too dense to handle much of anything beyond fighting, she knew her role very well.
Good showed no hesitation either and asked bluntly, "Babanuki, how many prisoners are currently held in the Prisoner Quarry?"
"Around three thousand."
Babanuki answered honestly.
Good considered it. Given the Prisoner Quarry's size, leaving two thousand men should just barely keep it running.
"Lend me a thousand men!"
"Huh?"
Babanuki stared in astonishment.
He wanted to borrow a thousand prisoners just like that?
Did he think he was shopping for vegetables?
Babanuki nervously wiped away his sweat. "Brother Good, that isn't my decision to make. I have to consult Lord Queen!"
"Queen isn't in Wano Country!"
Good remained perfectly calm.
The three All-Stars had clearly defined responsibilities.
King was responsible for guarding Onigashima and managing finances, Queen oversaw all the weapons factories, and Jack handled the suppression of Wano Country.
The Shinuchi stationed at the weapons factories were all Queen's direct subordinates. Any major issue had to be referred to him.
But things were different now.
Good grabbed Babanuki by the collar and pulled his head close, threatening him coldly without the slightest courtesy.
"Lord Kaido put me in charge of Wano Country in front of everyone. That means everything in Wano Country now answers to me. Understood?"
"Well..."
Cold sweat poured off Babanuki.
Why do I remember Lord Kaido only mentioning Onigashima?
Good snorted.
"Yamato."
"Okay!"
Yamato pulled out her Spiked Club and aimed it at Babanuki's head!
Good gave him a "friendly" smile and spoke gently. "Listen carefully, Babanuki. If you refuse to cooperate, I don't mind appointing a new Chief Warden. Even if Queen stands up for you afterward, you won't be around to see it."
"Brother Good, let's talk this out!"
Babanuki was scared out of his wits.
What on earth is going on?
Isn't he afraid of Lord Queen?
Surely Governor Kaido wouldn't allow this if he knew!
"You have ten seconds to decide!"
Before you continue