Chapter 17: Mantis and Recruitment

"This Devil Fruit certainly won't be the last one we obtain. In the future, we'll likely acquire even more, and I'll do my best to collect Devil Fruit Encyclopedias to identify their specific types and information. In short, what I'm saying is, in the future, we'll most likely know the details of the Devil Fruits we collect, so you won't have to take such risks. I've made myself clear, right? Now it's up to you to choose. I hope you'll all consider carefully before making a decision," Bege said earnestly.

Everyone looked at each other, their gazes eventually settling on Sam. Among the disciples, Sam was the strongest and most trusted by Bege. Therefore, if anyone was to choose the Devil Fruit first, it would be Sam.

"I don't want this Devil Fruit," Sam said firmly, shaking his head, rejecting the allure of the Devil Fruit.

"Even without a Devil Fruit, I will still become the strongest disciple under Godfather," Sam declared proudly.

Hank immediately bristled. "Bullshit! I will be Godfather's strongest disciple in the future!"

"No, I will," Sam retorted, glaring at Hank. The two stared at each other, eyes wide with defiance.

"Hehehehe..." Bege chuckled wryly. He was very pleased that Sam hadn't chosen this Devil Fruit.

Sam was a disciple Bege valued highly. In the future, Bege planned to find him a powerful Devil Fruit, making him one of the top five strongest members of his crew. He didn't want Sam to risk consuming an unknown Devil Fruit.

After Sam took the lead in refusing, others gradually followed suit, declining the Devil Fruit's temptation.

"Godfather, I want this fruit," a middle-aged man in a suit said solemnly.

His name was Bernie, and he was a trusted subordinate of Bege's father, later gifted to Bege to assist him. His strength was considerable, ranking in the middle among the many disciples.

"Godfather, I'm not young anymore. My potential isn't as great as Sam's and the others, so I want to take a chance," Bernie stated gravely.

Bernie was very clear about his situation. Among the numerous disciples, his strength wasn't particularly outstanding, and he was no longer young. His combat potential was far less than that of young men like Sam.

He knew that Bege had grand ambitions, and there would undoubtedly be more and more battles in the future. He was well aware that as time went on, his progress would be slower than Sam's and the others, and his chances to achieve great feats would diminish.

He also knew that Bege was a man who rewarded merit and punished wrongdoing. Without exceptional achievements, it would be impossible to obtain a Devil Fruit. He feared that he would have no chance to acquire a Devil Fruit in the future, which is why he wanted to take a risk now and choose this Devil Fruit.

"Very well, this fruit is yours," Bege said, tossing the small box to Bernie.

Bernie caught the box, his hands trembling slightly.

"Uncle Bernie, eat it quickly! Let's see what kind of Devil Fruit it is," Sam urged eagerly.

Bernie nodded, took out the Devil Fruit, and took a large bite. It tasted extremely unpleasant, and his face turned a purplish-red. He gritted his teeth and swallowed the flesh.

Bege and the others focused their attention on him. After about five minutes, Bernie's forearms suddenly transformed. His hands became large, emerald-green blades with a row of sharp serrations.

Bernie swung them a few times, creating flashing green arcs.

"Godfather, I ate the Mantis-Mantis Fruit."

"Try out the strength of your blade-claws," Bege instructed.

Bernie immediately swung his blade-claws at his chair, slicing it in two. The cut was clean and smooth, as if made by a sharp knife.

Bege's eyes flashed. "The Mantis-Mantis Fruit, though not as strong as fruits like Tiger, Leopard, Lion, or Wolf, is still quite good. You're a swordsman, and these transformed mantis claws have great potential for development."

"Try it on steel." Bege tossed his own sword. Bernie struck the sword with his claw, knocking it away. The sword flew back, and Bege caught it.

Bege examined Bernie's blade-claws. They were completely undamaged.

"How does it feel?"

"It hurts a bit, but I can endure it," Bernie replied. His blade-claws quickly transformed back into arms. There was a clear mark on his wrist where the sword had struck.

"The hardness of your blade-claws is limited. You need to continue developing it. Also, you must diligently train in Armament Haki. Only when your blade-claws are protected by Armament Haki will they truly be able to withstand the slashes of strong opponents," Bege said.

"Yes," Bernie replied, filled with anticipation.

Bege and his crew waited on the island for two days. A medium-sized warship swiftly approached and docked at the island.

The Marines and Bege had been waiting for this warship to arrive.

A detachment of Marines disembarked from the warship and quickly formed ranks on the island. Only then did a middle-aged Marine wearing a cloak step off the ship.

The Marine Captain quickly approached and saluted him.

He was Commodore Neun, from the West Blue branch base.

"Captain Dick, well done," Commodore Neun said, returning the salute.

"All for justice," the Marine Captain replied firmly.

Neun smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Are those the Masked Bounty Hunter Crew you mentioned?" Commodore Neun asked, looking at Bege and his crew.

"Yes, they are. Two days ago, they saved us and defeated and captured all the pirates of the Ferocious Crocodile Pirates," the Marine Captain confirmed.

"Good. Let's go meet them." Commodore Neun's eyes were filled with curiosity. Bounty hunters capable of defeating a Supernova pirate crew were rare in the Four Seas.

"Mister Masked Hunter, this is Commodore Neun from the West Blue branch base," the Marine Captain introduced Neun to Bege.

"Commodore Neun, a pleasure to meet you," Bege said calmly.

"Thank you all for rescuing our righteous Marines and defeating the heinous Ferocious Crocodile Pirates. On behalf of the West Blue branch and the people of the West Blue, I express my sincere gratitude," Neun said, giving Bege a formal military salute.

Bege waved his hand dismissively. "We are bounty hunters. Hunting pirates is our profession. If the Marines truly want to thank us, please settle the bounty for the Ferocious Crocodile Pirates as soon as possible. We have another pirate crew to hunt."

Neun hadn't expected Bege to be so direct. He chuckled softly. "We have already prepared the bounty. We can settle it now."

"Hank, go," Bege said, looking at Hank. Hank nodded.

"Cosa, you go and settle the accounts," Neun said to a Marine Captain behind him. This Marine Captain followed Hank.

"May I ask Mister Masked Hunter's name?" Commodore Neun asked with a smile.

"Commodore, we wear masks precisely because we don't want our identities to be known. As you know, we in the bounty hunting business make a lot of enemies. Our biggest fear is that our families will be implicated. I hope you can understand our predicament," Bege explained.

Neun's smile diminished slightly, but he quickly plastered it back on and nodded. "I understand."

"Mister Masked Hunter, have you ever considered joining the Marines?" Neun asked, looking directly into Bege's eyes, his tone serious.