Just moments ago, Captain Kuro showed no remorse for using Fang Bo as a human shield.
Covered in blood, Kuro pushed his glasses up with his palm, then used Silent Step to launch a large-scale massacre against the remaining navy.
The enemy’s morale collapsed quickly, and they began dropping their weapons and preparing to surrender.
“Disarm them,” Kuro ordered, sitting nearby, looking even more spirited than before.
No wonder he was a BOSS-level character in the pirate world; his formidable constitution was enviable.
The Sea King class giant octopus, beaten into submission by a few shots, was now cowering in the sea, while Kuro acted as if nothing had happened, directing his crew to clean the deck.
As Fang Bo prepared to leave, his eyes subtly shifted, and he quietly stood behind the vice-captain.
“Just watch quietly,” Zango glanced at him, his eyes meaningful.
“I understand.”
While responding, Fang Bo kept an eye on the remaining pirates, noticing only about a quarter were left from the start.
Although the navy prisoners were kneeling in surrender, the remaining enemies still outnumbered them slightly.
Fang Bo didn’t care about the lives of these people; he was just a bit regretful that he couldn’t personally kill the lieutenant commander.
The gunman’s loot had not significantly enhanced his strength. The hidden task would severely impact his subsequent plans if it yielded nothing good.
“What are you doing?!”
The cries and curses brought Fang Bo’s attention back to reality.
Following Kuro’s orders, the pirates grinned menacingly as they brandished their blades at the navy prisoners. The scene was bloody and brutal, perhaps showing the true nature of the adventurous and free seas.
In a few minutes, the prisoners were all executed by the pirates, and Fang Bo saw Zango, now fully recovered, walking towards the crowd.
In an unnoticed move, the vice-captain easily hypnotised all the pirates.
“One, two, Zango!”
“Everyone, you’ve worked hard today. Now, you can rest.”
Under Zango’s command, the pirates laughed and raised their weapons, pointing them at their comrades.
Kuro decided to retire, which meant the Navy bounty had to be revoked.
There were only two normal ways to achieve this.
First, the person had to die, as the navy wouldn’t spend money to bounty a dead man.
Second, Captain Kuro had to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Considering the difficulty of the second option, the immediate task was to “kill” the captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
To prevent any leaks, everyone except the core crew had to die.
The deck witnessed a gruesome and inhumane spectacle in the next ten minutes. Watching Zango enjoy the process, Fang Bo couldn’t help but wonder how this guy had become a Navy officer.
Of course, not everyone had to die. At least Fang Bo wouldn’t stand by and watch Paul get killed.
He slapped the young man out of his hypnotic state, then pulled him to stand beside him.
Fang Bo wasn’t the only one doing this. Others also had their trusted subordinates, and they couldn’t let them die such a dishonourable death.
Seeing this, the cold-hearted Kuro showed no reaction. Although he was retiring, it didn’t mean the Black Cat Pirates would disband.
Zango would take over as captain, and everyone else would continue assisting as usual.
To sail the seas, various talents were needed, as long as they didn’t reveal his whereabouts.
After dealing with the small fry, the most crucial part of the plan finally arrived.
Monka, the Ax-Hand, who someone had mutilated, was escorted by Paul to the vice-captain.
Zango personally hypnotised Monka, making him believe he had defeated Kuro and even altering his personality.
When Monka brought the disguised fake Kuro back to the base, he would ensure the imposter died, leaving no evidence.
If Kuro didn’t reappear, everyone would believe Monka’s claim.
Watching the navy ship fade into the distance, Kuro turned to the crew and said, “Only Zango knows my whereabouts. Do not disturb me unless absolutely necessary.”
“After I leave, Zango will take over as the new captain of the Black Cat Pirates.”
After a brief pause, Kuro suddenly turned to the silent Fang Bo. “Jason, you are the new vice-captain.”
【Notification: You have been promoted to Vice-Captain, granting you one forced suggestion right.】
Fang Bo’s eyes widened in rare joy.
He hadn’t expected to gain a forced suggestion, right?
He could command the Black Cat Pirates to attack any feasible target.
The captain had to deem the target feasible. If he wanted to attack Mariejois, Zango would likely not agree.
“Thank you, Captain.” This expression of gratitude was genuine.
With the power to deploy forces, he could modify his plans accordingly. Even without Kuro, the Black Cat Pirates were still a first-class pirate crew.
They could still roam freely in the East Blue if they didn’t provoke the top big shots.
As for the hostile glares from Sam and Buji, Fang Bo pretended not to notice.
Once he fully took over as vice-captain, he could find an excuse to deal with them. With Paul around, taking them out individually would be pretty easy.
After a brief explanation, Kuro is left alone on a small raft.
The mission completion notification also sounded.
【Hidden Task: Kuro’s Retirement (Completed)】
【Calculating results… Generating rewards】
【Based on your contribution, you can choose any two of the following rewards】
【Option 1: 1000 Story Points】
【Option 2: Cat Claw Gloves】
【Option 3: 5 Merit Points】
【Option 4: Silent Step (Rare)】
【Option 5: 4 Attribute Points (Rare)】
Looking at the rewards, Fang Bo sighed with regret. His contribution might have earned him three rewards if he had personally killed the lieutenant commander.
Now, he could only reluctantly give up the merit points.
Attribute points were a must, even if they weren’t rare options.
As for Kuro’s Silent Step, it was a pleasant surprise, highly practical and potentially beneficial.
He confirmed his choices and received a skill scroll and four valuable attribute points.
After a brief hesitation, Fang Bo added all points to his mental attribute, pushing his base stat to 21.
He would reach the threshold for a top-tier reincarnation in a difficult world with just two more points.
Of course, this was only for a difficult world.
Health: 51/110 (+40)
Status: Injured
Strength: 7 (+1)
Constitution: 7
Agility: 6 (+1)
Spirit: 21 (+4)
Perception: 13 (+3)
Equipment: Improved Maneuver Gear IV, Black Star Makarov, Hometown, Exquisite Ring, Damaged Police Goggles
“With equipment bonuses, my spirit now exceeds twenty points.” Focusing slightly, items around him began to tremble, influenced by his mental power.
Snapping his fingers, the vice-captain’s cloak flew over and draped itself on his shoulders.
This was an additional use of mental power. Recently, Fang Bo has been focusing on this aspect of training.
As his spirit base increased, formerly difficult tasks became easier. For instance, his frequently practised hypnosis could now put ordinary pirates to sleep.
The casting time was still too long, lacking practical combat value.
Notably, when he successfully hypnotised a pirate, the space gave a special notification.
【Hypnosis skill learned successfully. Do you want to convert it to your skill panel?】
Considering the three-skill limit, Fang Bo declined the conversion.
Afterwards, he found he could still use hypnosis without any restrictions, except he couldn’t upgrade it directly with story points.
This was a pleasant surprise, but the Silent Step, which he had high hopes for, caused him headaches.
Name: Silent Step
Level: 1
Grade: D
Effect: Rapidly approach the target using special steps.
Usage condition: Consumes 4 spirit points
Learning condition: Agility 15, Constitution 10, Basic Footwork LV8
Source: One Piece
Skill Evaluation: Assassination-specific, allowing you to eliminate the opponent silently.
Neither his agility nor constitution met the requirements. It would take at least two or three storyline worlds before he could learn it.
By then, he might not need this D-rank skill.
Its best use was to trade it to other reincarnators for useful items or equipment.
Opening the vice-captain’s door, Fang Bo gazed at the night sky, contemplating his next moves.
The recent battle had heavily damaged the Black Cat Pirates, nearly wiping out their basic forces.
He needed to replenish their numbers to achieve his goals, likely docking at the next island.
“Nightfall at the tavern always brings surprises and excitement.”
After facing multiple life-and-death crises, Fang Bo wanted to relax and see if there were any benefits to gain.
Building a force at sea required more than strength. His subordinates needed food and women.
If he couldn’t pay them, they’d likely abandon ship, seeking work elsewhere.
As the new vice-captain, he had to consider the welfare of his crew.
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