So ugly

What?! I haven't even made my move yet. How could I have been exposed?!

Bege was deeply shaken. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, and he instinctively gripped the pistol at his waist.

He was not yet the future kingpin who would unite the mafia of the West Blue, so some nerves were inevitable when faced with an unexpected situation.

Fortunately, Brandon's next words dispelled his wariness.

"You can actually read, can't you?

If someone hadn't told me you were reading the newspaper yesterday, I wouldn't even have known!"

Brandon slung an arm around Bege's shoulders. The pungent smell of alcohol made Bege wrinkle his nose.

He preferred milder red wine to that cheap, acrid rum.

Still, he lowered the hand holding his gun, tilted his head back, and laughed.

"That's right, senior. I studied with an old woman in the village for a while. Why bring it up all of a sudden?"

"Of course there's a reason. We're really short on people who can read right now."

Brandon tipped his head back and gulped down some liquor, slurring:

"We... you... anyway, hic-the boss wants you."

Thud!

As soon as he finished speaking, Brandon toppled backward, his head hitting the floor with a thud.

I might as well kill this drunk on my way out, too.

Bege looked at his shoulder in disgust. Brandon had drooled on his suit.

"This guy's been getting carried away ever since they started giving him important jobs."

A gang member muttered as he stepped forward. After lifting Brandon onto a table, he beckoned to Bege.

"Come with me, rookie. I'll take you to the boss."

Click.

The two pushed the door open and walked out. Bege offered him a cigarette and asked:

"Senior, what does the boss want with me?"

"No need to call me senior. Just call me Leighton."

Leighton lit the cigarette, exhaled contentedly, and explained:

"The boss wants us to record how much tax everyone pays. We're a gang-hardly any of us can read;

the townspeople aren't so scared of us anymore, but not many are willing to help us, either."

"He's calling you over to see what you can do. Make a good impression. The boss really values educated people these days."

Bege nodded, then pressed the entire pack of cigarettes into Leighton's hand.

Before long, they arrived at a single-story building. Leighton stepped forward and knocked.

"Boss! I've brought Bege!"

"Then hurry up and bring him in! What are you wasting words at the door for?"

Click.

The two pushed open the door and entered.

Bege quickly surveyed the room. The first things he saw were two desks, one large and one small. The large desk was bare. Gunpowder leaned back in an armchair with his legs propped on the desk, leisurely smoking a cigar.

The smaller desk was covered in documents, and a masked woman was working behind it.

A trace of puzzlement crossed Bege's mind.

A secretary? Does a tiny mafia gang like this even need a secretary?

"Hello, boss!"

Bege bowed slightly and took the initiative to demonstrate his value:

"Besides basic reading and writing, I also know a little about management."

Though he had no idea where Black Fire got so much business to deal with, he wanted to secure the same treatment as the masked woman. Staying in this room would undoubtedly be more advantageous for his assassination plan.

"Oh?" Gunpowder straightened, rubbing his chin with his right hand, looking intrigued.

"Secretary, give him a question to test him."

Robin nodded behind the small desk and posed a fairly simple question in a raspy voice:

"Today's tax collection day. Our people are scattered across the neighborhoods, making it very troublesome to contact them if enemies attack;

how would you improve this situation?"

Is this question meant to insult me??

Bege felt disdainful and quickly answered:

"Divide the whole town into seven sections. Send out only some of our people each day to collect protection money from one section."

"That way, we'll only be missing one-seventh of our forces each day, and everyone sent out will be gathered in the same section, making them easy to contact."

"He passes. We can have him manage the tax collection team first."

"Hahahaha! Good. Just as my secretary said, you'll manage the tax collection team. Come back at noon to report."

Gunpowder laughed heartily and tossed Bege a Den Den Mushi and a slip of paper.

"Contact Geno. He'll explain the details. Do whatever you like, except use force."

"Yes, boss!"

Bege accepted the Den Den Mushi with satisfaction. Although he hadn't managed to stay in the room, he had still risen to a high position and would have more opportunities for assassination.

He left the room, preparing to contact the tax collection team and learn about the situation.

Leighton silently watched him leave. Only after confirming that Bege had really gone did he return to Gunpowder.

"Boss, chief, he's left."

Gunpowder took a Den Den Mushi with an ongoing call out of his clothes. Naturally, Dill was on the other end.

"You can go back now, Leighton."

"Gunpowder, get along well with him over the next few days."

"Robin, find a suitable opportunity to take off your mask in front of him and show your face. Put his suspicions to rest completely."

At noon, Bege returned to the room to report and saw Robin eating with her mask off.

An abnormally protruding forehead, asymmetrical cheeks, sausage-like lips, and a chin covered in little fleshy bumps.

Bege had originally been curious about her, thinking she was some important figure forced to wear a mask to hide her identity.

Now that he had seen Robin's face, he dismissed that idea completely.

No wonder she wears a mask when she's so ugly.

Over the next few days, the assassination plan progressed incredibly smoothly.

Gunpowder showed no wariness toward Bege whatsoever and even called him his brother.

All that stood between him and a successful assassination was the right opportunity.

On the seventh.

Gunpowder led most of the members to the hot spring inn, calling it team building.

There were five hot springs on the island. Each was enclosed by a ring of three-meter-high wooden boards, with only a two-meter-high wooden gate for entry.

Pushing open the wooden gate, Bege, who had received considerable attention lately, entered the hot spring enclosure alongside their boss, Gunpowder.

"Boss, you go ahead. I'll get some women over here!"

Bege spoke with a fawning expression.

The hot spring stood right beside a two-story inn. Its kindhearted owner, Julia, had taken in many homeless women.

With no way to repay her, they could only offer their labor, scrubbing the backs of hot spring guests to earn a little money.

Smack.

"Don't be in such a hurry. Get in and soak first!"

Gunpowder grabbed Bege's hand and, without another word, tried to throw him into the hot spring.

Bege resisted with all his strength. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but he still forced himself to remain calm as he asked:

"What are you doing, boss?"

"Beating your ass, of course! Everyone, get in here and help!"

Gunpowder grinned viciously. At his shout, Brandon and the others rushed in one after another, moving to push Bege into the hot spring.

Bege cursed inwardly. He had planned to exploit Gunpowder's trust, lure him into the hot spring, and shoot him dead.

He hadn't expected to become the one surrounded and attacked in the blink of an eye.

Bang, bang, bang!!!

His left eye turned into a castle window, and three castle gates opened on his back. Several guns extended from them, firing continuously.

Not long ago, he had eaten the Castle-Castle Fruit. Although no troops were stationed inside his body, he had stored weapons there.

He warped the floor inside the castle into hands to fire the guns. Though it consumed his stamina, he could provide suppressive fire.

Under the threat of the bullets, Brandon and the others were forced to scatter. Three holes were shot through Gunpowder's wrist, making it difficult for him to exert strength, and Bege easily broke free.

Just as Bege was considering how to escape, the three-meter-high wooden boards surrounding the hot spring suddenly fell;

the Black Fire members who should have been enjoying the hot springs stood in a circle, each holding a gun.

Brandon and the others hurriedly retreated, leaving only Gunpowder and Bege in the middle.

Gunpowder grinned and roared:

"Fire!"