"Um... sir, are you telling the truth? About Carlos being defeated by you, and about the soldiers and slave traders here?"
After a long while, someone finally couldn't help but step forward and ask Luo Chen a question.
"Yes, everything I said is true. There's no need to doubt its authenticity. Besides, there's no benefit for me to lie to you..."
Luo Chen looked at their expectant eyes and nodded in response.
"Yeah..."
Once they were certain they were finally free, a deafening cheer erupted from the cramped iron cage. The slaves looked at each other and cheered louder.
"Alright, I've said my piece. All of you, get out of the way. I'll open this door..."
After saying that, Luo Chen walked closer to the iron gate, placed one hand on it, and raised his head slightly to remind them.
Then, with a group of people standing aside, he began his actions. Crimson Blood Breath slowly gathered in his hand, and soon it condensed into a highly compressed ball of energy. It released itself under the incredulous gazes of the crowd.
boom...
The moment the crimson energy ball was released, it unleashed a powerful shockwave that blasted the entire iron gate open, sending it crashing into the rock wall behind it and twisting and deforming as it fell to the ground.
"Haha, it's been a while since I used this move, its power has diminished a bit. Alright, the door's open, you can all come out now!!"
Looking at his masterpiece, Luo Chen said he was somewhat dissatisfied, but a satisfied smile appeared on his face as he spoke to the others.
Little did they know that in their eyes, Luo Chen's attack was already extremely powerful. So, after witnessing the strength that Luo Chen had shown them, none of them dared to speak lightly. They all shrank back and carefully walked out of the iron cage, looking at him with some fear in their eyes.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Weren't you all quite lively just now? Why have you all fallen silent now? Hurry up and make a choice: do you want to leave now or stay here and wait for my decision?"
Um... alright, since none of you are going to offer your opinions or thoughts, I'll just tell you why I'm here..."
When Luo Chen first saw that these people had all fallen silent after he blasted open the iron gate, seemingly terrified of his presence,
He quickly figured out what they were thinking, and instead of explaining anything further, he simply told them the purpose of his visit.
"I am a wanted criminal by the World Government, you could call me a pirate, with a bounty of 200 million Beli. I'm here to select some of you to join our crew, but it's not mandatory. You can refuse; I won't force you to join us, there's no point in that."
If you're not planning to join us, then stay where you are. We'll see you out in a bit. If you want to join, step forward. We'll give you a few minutes to think it over. Once you're done, make your decision. Okay, now think it over carefully. I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer later!
After speaking, Luo Chen glanced at them a few more times without saying anything more, giving them enough time to think it over.
Soon after Luo Chen stepped out the door, a noisy conversation broke out inside, mostly about him. The conversation was about whether he wanted to join them, and how joining would lead to him being wanted by the Navy and becoming a criminal.
But one person in the crowd secretly made up his mind, clenching his fist and silently vowing to himself.
"I must join them, even if they disagree, I will beg to join. I don't want to experience the helplessness and sorrow of being weak anymore!!"
As she spoke, as if to encourage herself, she placed her fair and slender hands on her chest and took a few deep breaths, thinking to herself that she was none other than Lillian Lulith, the famous star of the South Blue who had just been scrambled for by the nobles and slave traders present. After being praised and elevated to the point of being reduced to a slave, she had also gone through many hardships before making such a decision.
In addition, there was another person present who did not speak to anyone else. He was Slava Singh, who had the blood of Giant. He did not show any emotion when Luo Chen just demonstrated his powerful strength to them. At this moment, he just stood there silently waiting, leaving no room for guessing his thoughts.
"Hehe, most people here probably don't want to join them. Perhaps in their eyes, that Lord Luo Chen is no less terrifying than Carlos. However, there is one person I can't quite figure out. That man hasn't reacted much from the very beginning, and even now he shows no sign of it. I don't know if he wants to join them. He's a really strange man!"
As she spoke, Lulith shook her head again, finding the unsightly behavior of the others who were noisily chatting and arguing somewhat laughable, but she didn't say anything more.
clatter...
At this moment, the few minutes that Luo Chen had promised them to consider had passed, and the chaotic noise in the room gradually quieted down. Everyone looked expectantly at the footsteps of the important person who was about to step back across the threshold.
Finally, the group didn't have to wait long before the expectant footsteps sounded again. Luo Chen walked in with steady steps, glanced at the group a few times, and then spoke.
"Alright everyone, the time I gave you is up. You've all thought things through, haven't you? Now, take the first step and make your decision. As I said at the beginning, I won't force you, so please rest assured..."
"So, those who want to board, take a few steps forward; those who don't want to join and want to go back, stay where you are. Let me see how many people are willing to join us..."
After saying that, Luo Chen fell silent, smiled, and took a few steps back to watch them make their own decision.
After he finished speaking, the room fell silent again for a few moments as people looked at each other, as if trying to discern each other's choices before making their own decisions.
"Hmm... What? Nobody's here? Does nobody want to join us? Looks like we're really hated; nobody wants to be part of our group..."
Seeing that none of these people wanted to take the first step to join them, Luo Chen shook his head, somewhat disappointed, but he didn't intend to force them.
clatter...
Just when he thought all hope was lost and no one was willing to join them, a soft footstep, like the beating of a drum, resounded in everyone's hearts. Everyone, including Luo Chen, couldn't help but look over curiously, wondering who would want to join the infamous Luo Chen's group.
When Luo Chen looked over, he saw that the man was incredibly strong and tall, about four or five meters, almost as tall as Luo Chen when he transformed into Shura. When his gaze turned to the man's face, Luo Chen finally smiled. The man was none other than Slava Singh, who had been interested in him from the beginning and wanted him to join them.
"Haha, I was originally planning to formally invite you after you declined, but I didn't expect you to have the same idea as me. Welcome, Slava Singh!! The Luo Chen Pirates welcome you to join..."
Luo Chen walked up to him with a smile, extended his hand, and excitedly shook hands with him while explaining his thoughts.
"Hehehe, I didn't expect you to be interested in me too? That's truly an honor. Since you already know me, I won't introduce myself further, Captain Luo Chen!!"
Hearing that Luo Chen was actually trying to win him over, even he, who had been silent all along, felt extremely honored. He revealed a row of white teeth, reached out and shook Luo Chen's outstretched hand, and smiled.
"This can't go on any longer, I have to hurry and get there, or it will be too late..."
Lulith, who already had someone in mind but wanted to remain reserved, saw that Luo Chen seemed satisfied with the smile on his face after getting Singh to join him and didn't seem to want to invite him any further. She became a little anxious and quickly stepped forward.
"Etc..."
Just as Luo Chen was about to have Singh follow behind him to lead those people out, Lulith finally couldn't help but shout out.
"Oh... it seems we have another beautiful lady joining us!"
Hearing Lulith's cry, Luo Chen turned to look at her. Seeing her anxiety, he understood what she meant and said to Singh beside him.
"Um... Mr. Luo Chen, please wait a moment. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Lillian Lulith, a singer from the South Blue. I'm somewhat famous, you could say. I was captured by slave traders and brought here to be auctioned off during a concert I was invited to perform on the Grand Line..."
Lulith straightened her clothes and introduced herself calmly, but her introduction seemed to go on and on, causing Luo Chen, who had been interested in listening, to frown and interrupt her.
"Miss Lulith, what you're saying doesn't seem to concern me. If you're asking me to escort you back to the South Blue, I advise you not to ask. We're not going to go all the way to the South Blue for someone we have no connection with. Or do you have something else to say?"
Having said that, Luo Chen's words, though straightforward, also served as a stern reminder to her, causing Lulith, who was about to continue her long-winded introduction, to stop talking and quickly explain her intentions.
"No, Mr. Luo Chen, you misunderstand. My introduction was merely to ask you to let me join your group, not to return to the South Blue..."
Lulith shook her head, denying what he said, and then gazed into Luo Chen's eyes with her sincere and captivating gaze.
"I see. But why? Why would you, with your extraordinary fame and reputation, want to join us, the pirates wanted by the government? Although this may be difficult for you to answer, I still hope you can answer my questions seriously. After all, I am also responsible for the safety of my companions."
Luo Chen did not believe her because of this. Instead, he carefully examined her entire body again, then looked her straight in the eyes and asked her sternly.