#30 No Mercy
Carlo ignored the pirate's desperate struggle and pleas for mercy, he tightened his grip and instantly crushed the pirate's neck.
The sound of bones breaking was chilling, and the pirates who witnessed it felt a cold shiver run down their spines…
"Zehahaha, quick as always, Carlo. I dealt with the others who tried to run!"
Blackbeard strolled back, laughing loudly as he saw the limp, lifeless body in Carlo's hand.
Besides the pirate in Carlo's grasp, about twenty others had tried to escape after realizing the truth.
However, Carlo and Blackbeard had quickly hunted them down, leaving this one to serve as a warning.
They needed to make an example, or this recruitment meeting wouldn't go as planned.
The entire chase took only a few minutes. Just as the pirates were processing the revelation that Carlo and Blackbeard were behind the Celestial Dragon incident, the two returned!
Their speed was incredible.
One had the Dark-Dark Fruit's power, making escape impossible.
The other had immense strength, Haki, and terrifying speed!
Trying to flee from them was a futile dream.
Carlo boldly revealed their kidnapping of the Celestial Dragon because they weren't afraid of exposure; their strength gave them confidence!
"You think you can be a pirate with that kind of cowardice? You don't even have the guts to stand against the Navy and the government. Don't disgrace the pirate name!"
Carlo tossed the corpse aside, spitting in disgust, and then joined Blackbeard in front of the gathered pirates.
"Anyone else want to leave? Speak up now and save us time. I'll give you a painless exit."
Leave now and you'll be reborn sooner, Carlo's 'one-stop package' was quite considerate.
Knowing their secret and wanting to leave? That's nonsense!
Carlo wasn't an Angel; he never intended for anyone of them who knew the truth to live.
"Exactly, if you don't have the resolve to fight the Navy and the World Government and you break our unspoken agreement…"
"Afraid of death but wanting benefits, without any sense of honor or commitment. Such people deserve death, they tarnish the honor of us pirates."
"You two were too soft. For people like this, the punishment should have been more severe. He died too comfortably…"
Lafitte, dressed in a formal suit, stepped forward with a professional smile, offering 'constructive' criticism to Carlo and Blackbeard.
His slender cane, held across his throat, gave off a strange vibe.
"He's here too? I didn't notice him, this is bad…"
"Lafitte, the most brutal sheriff from the West Blue, with a bounty of 42 million berries, known as the 'Demon Sheriff'!"
A pirate captain from the West Blue, with a bounty of over 20 million berries, paled upon seeing Lafitte.
No tearful reunion here, only fear.
Lafitte's notorious reputation in the West Blue was clear…
"Zehahaha, well said! That's exactly right!"
Blackbeard laughed heartily at Lafitte's words, clearly pleased.
Even Carlo nodded, looking at Lafitte with appreciation.
No wonder Lafitte became a key figure in Blackbeard's crew, even negotiating with the World Government to become a Warlord of the Sea.
His ruthlessness was an asset, not a flaw.
In terms of behavior and demeanor, Lafitte was outstanding.
Even Carlo admired him, finding him far superior to the blunt Burgess.
Lafitte knew how to present himself perfectly!
"Looks like no one else wants to leave?"
Carlo mocked, seeing no reaction from the pirates.
The pirates had varied expressions about Carlo and Blackbeard's attack on the Celestial Dragon.
Some were fanatical and worshipful, some indifferent, and some fearful but not daring to show it or make a move, fearing they'd share the fate of the earlier ones…
But no one dared to run or voice dissent now.
"Good, let's get started."
"Remember, the Blackbeard Pirates only need four members this time!"
Carlo waved his hand, and three Devil Fruits appeared alongside the Speed-Speed Fruit.
"The winners of this selection can choose one of these Devil Fruits…"
"There are four Devil Fruits, so you know what that means."
"Only the last four standing will gain these powers and join the Blackbeard Pirates!"