"Uh..." Daz head was a little sore, opened his eyes, patted his face, and then took in his surroundings.
The unfamiliar ceiling, the bed that was shaking from time to time, and the obvious sound of waves all indicated that he was on a ship.
He quickly recalled that he had been defeated by a man in a white suit and glasses.
'Looks like I was taken aboard by that guy, but why didn't he kill me? Was he going to sell me to slave traders? Or recruit me?'
Just as Daz was lost in thought...
The wooden door to the cabin slowly opened.
"Awake? Have something to eat, then come with me to see the patriarch later." An elite member of the family said to the wary Daz, then casually placed a plate of food down.
Gulp... Daz, his hunger pangs from the food, remained silent until the person left. Without hesitation, he picked up a spoon and shoveled the seafood fried rice into his mouth.
As for whether the other party would use poison, Daz had no doubt whatsoever, because if the other party wanted to kill him, there was no need to waste a bottle of poison; they could just slit his throat and throw him into the sea to feed the fish, which would be much more straightforward.
After finishing a plate of fried rice, I drank a whole bottle of watermelon juice.
The wooden door opened again the next moment.
The temporary crew member glanced at the empty food and casually tossed down a set of new clothes. "Change into these."
Daz looked at his tattered clothes, then picked up the new ones and changed into them.
Let's go!
They followed the temporary crew members into the captain's cabin.
Noah was reading a book at that moment, and his body was surrounded by dense iron sand.
Daz's eyes narrowed upon seeing this.
He was not only shocked by the various changes in the iron sand, but more importantly, Daz recognized the refined man in front of him as his true identity.
"Are you the leader of the Hidden Ones Organization?"
Noah raised his head, his gaze, calm and unwavering, fixed on Daz's eyes. "Are you scared?"
"Heh... You must be joking! Who wouldn't be afraid of a monster that can fight Marine Vice Admiral?"
"You're honest, that makes me admire you even more." Noah's Iron Sand pulled up a chair. "Sit down and let's talk!"
After calming himself down, Daz sat down directly. "You want to recruit me?"
"I have that idea, but we need to observe it for a while longer."
What if it doesn't pass?
"What do you think?" Noah asked with a half-smile.
Having spent several years in the bounty hunter industry, Daz naturally understood Noah's unspoken meaning: such a secret organization would certainly not allow insiders to leave the organization at will in order to maintain secrecy.
However, Daz wasn't too offended. After all, this world was a dog-eat-dog world. Instead, he asked some questions that had been on his mind:
"I'd like to know what the purpose of your organization is?"
"Purpose?" Noah opened the window and looked at the distant blue sea and sky. "I want to liberate the entire world and build a completely new world, a nation where all races live in peace, prosperity, strength, freedom, and fairness."
"..." Daz was speechless. He thought Noah would say something like finding the One Piece or becoming the Pirate King, but he didn't expect such a terrifying dream.
"You think my dream is unrealistic?" Noah asked with a smile.
Daz paused for a moment before finally speaking his mind, "While I do think this dream is somewhat far-fetched, I still admire your dream."
"I never believed that my dreams were unattainable, because from the moment I came into this world, my thoughts took root and sprouted. Even if I die one day, the thoughts I leave behind will still enable my dreams to come true."
Noah spoke very calmly, but his spirit was at an all-time high.
Although that aura didn't erupt, Daz, standing to the side, could still feel the intense, crimson, and vast Conqueror's Haki aura.
Even if you die because of this, you won't regret it?
"With lofty aspirations and the courage to sacrifice one's life, one dares to change the world; without the courage to risk one's life, what is the point of talking about dreams?"
"I understand. Please let me follow in your footsteps. I also want to see this so-called New World."
Welcome to the team, my partner. You'll see a whole new world.
Daz stood up. "Chief, please guide me in the future."
"Call me Noah or Head of the Family, either is fine. Of course, if we're outside, you can call me President or Boss."
"I see."
Kuro, who had been waiting outside for a long time, heard that Daz had agreed to join, so he knocked on the door and came in, then took Daz over.
New members, especially those with potential, will undergo gradual transformation according to procedures. This includes ideological education, knowledge dissemination, training in Haki, physical exercise, and the development of their potential. These programs will be implemented step by step.
On the ship, Kuro could only act as a temporary instructor, teaching Daz various kinds of knowledge.
After the trip to the West Blue, Daz will definitely have to go to the training camp on Rum Island for about a year before he becomes a full member.
Without realizing it.
The Prosperity sailed in the West Blue for more than a month.
During this time, they passed through 13 islands and found a Devil Fruit on one of them, a Zoan Mantis-Mantis Fruit, which was considered a relatively valuable fruit.
After all, Mantis possess characteristics such as flight, immense strength, camouflage, and insect perception. If developed properly, they could at least become a Vice Admiral- ranking, albeit slightly less skilled, individual.
However, Noah did not forget the purpose of his journey.
This day.
In the misty rain.
The Prosperity slowly lowered its sails and anchored in the port of White Harbor in Sicily Island.
Noah, watching the Gambino Family members openly collecting protection money on the dock, smiled broadly, "The five major mafia families of the West Blue really are like local tyrants..."
"President, I've just spoken with a few of the Gambino Family's disciples, and they said the Sicily Island auction is the day after tomorrow..." Kuro reported quietly.
"The day after tomorrow?" Noah toyed with the tarot cards in his hand. "The probability of Capone Bege participating in the auction is over 80%. It seems we just need to wait here for him to come."
The group soon checked into a hotel in the port.
As the auction drew near, the entire Sicily Island became increasingly lively, but this was accompanied by violence and chaos.
On the Naples Island, which is very close to Sicily Island.
Capone Bege, who had secretly arrived, looked at the intelligence gathered by his subordinates. His eyes were fixed on one page of the intelligence, which contained pictures of the Devil Fruit at the auction.
" Castle-Castle Fruit? Hahaha... Looks like we have to take action against the Gambino Family sooner rather than later. Men, execute Plan B immediately. Combat team, come with me to the auction."
"Yes, Godfather!"
With Bege's command, the Capone Family mobilized almost their entire force.
As one of the five major Mafia families, the Gambino Family naturally wouldn't let their guard down. To ensure the auction could be held smoothly, they had secretly arranged for a considerable number of skilled individuals to be stationed in Sicily Island.
A classic case of the Mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, is about to unfold in Sicily Island.