Neun had come with orders. The first was to ascertain the identities of Bege and his crew, and the second was to recruit them.
"Mister Masked Hunter, your ability to single-handedly hunt down the Supernova pirate Kairodo proves that you possess at least the strength of a Commodore. And your hunter crew's ability to annihilate the Ferocious Crocodile Pirates demonstrates their formidable power. We Marines greatly welcome strong and righteous individuals like yourselves.
Before I departed, I received orders from Vice Admiral Sephes, the base commander, to sincerely invite you to join the Marines. Furthermore, Vice Admiral Sephes has guaranteed that he can make an exception and promote you directly to Commodore. Your hunters will also receive exceptional promotions," Neun said confidently.
In the current era, before the Great Pirate Era had truly begun, the Marines' promotion system was extremely strict. This offer was a testament to their sincerity.
"A Commodore's rank... I wonder how much the monthly salary is in Berries," Bege said calmly, unfazed. "Do you know how many Berries I earn from hunting a pirate worth ten million, or an entire pirate crew, including the bounty and their treasure? In these past two months, my hunter crew and I have hunted down sixteen pirate crews. From the bounties alone, I've earned over a billion Berries. I wonder if the esteemed Navy can match that salary?"
Neun's expression darkened slightly. He said gravely, "Sir, the Marines are the guardians of justice, the protectors of the people. We perform great deeds, worthy of praise and song. Such things cannot be measured in Berries."
Bege chuckled softly. "Commodore Neun, you're mistaken. Some things cannot be measured with money, but most things can be solved with money. Please forgive us common folk; we haven't reached your level of enlightenment.
However, we also hunt down heinous pirates. Is what we do any different from what you do? Look at it this way: we earn a great deal of money and eliminate evildoers at the same time. It's a win-win."
Neun was momentarily speechless, at a loss for words.
"Alright, I sincerely appreciate the Marines' invitation. But for now, we don't wish to join the Marines. Perhaps one day, when we reach your level of enlightenment, we might consider it," Bege said, definitively ending the topic.
Neun sighed. "Very well, then. If you ever wish to enlist, please come to our West Blue branch base."
Bege brushed him off. After Hank had finished calculating the bounties, Bege and his crew boarded the Ferocious Crocodile Pirates' ship and departed from the island.
Commodore Neun watched the departing ship and took out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
"Buru buru, this is Neun."
"Did the Masked Hunter Crew accept the invitation?" a deep voice asked from the Den Den Mushi.
Commodore Neun's expression immediately turned respectful. "They did not. Their attitude was firm. At present, I haven't detected any animosity towards the Marines."
The Den Den Mushi was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I understand. Return to base immediately."
Meanwhile, at the West Blue branch base, the largest Marine base in the entire West Blue.
A large man wearing a Vice Admiral's uniform put down the Den Den Mushi. He frowned deeply, a prominent "王" shaped wrinkle appearing on his forehead, his expression grave. On the sofa next to him sat a robust man wearing a Rear Admiral's uniform.
These two were the commander of the West Blue branch base, Vice Admiral Sephes, and the deputy commander, Rear Admiral Bonanton.
"This hunter crew appeared out of nowhere, and they were able to easily defeat a Supernova pirate crew. They are definitely not simple," Rear Admiral Bonanton said gravely.
Vice Admiral Sephes nodded and said to his adjutant, "Notify all branch bases in the Four Seas to investigate the identities and information of the Masked Hunter Crew with all their resources."
"Yes, sir," the adjutant immediately acknowledged.
"I hope these people are just bounty hunters," Vice Admiral Sephes said worriedly. A team capable of crushing a Supernova pirate crew was undeniably powerful. If they were enemies, the West Blue could be thrown into chaos.
Bege sailed the Ferocious Crocodile Pirates' ship for a day. When they were out of sight of any other ships, he shrunk the ship and stored it within his castle-body. They then continued their hunt for other pirate crews in their small boat.
On this day, Bege's ship landed on an island.
This island was a supply island in the West Blue, frequently visited by pirates for resupply. He had received information that several pirate crews were currently on the island, resting and replenishing their supplies.
Only one pirate ship was docked at the harbor. The other two pirate ships were likely docked elsewhere.
"Those people are strange. Why are they all wearing masks?" As soon as Bege and his crew disembarked, they attracted the attention of the people coming and going at the harbor.
On a pirate ship docked at the harbor, a pirate saw Bege and his crew. In an instant, his expression changed drastically. He took a step back, his face filled with fear.
"It's the Masked Bounty Hunter Crew! They're here!"
The pirates on the ship were struck with terror. They leaned over the railing, staring at Bege and his crew, their faces pale with fright.
"It's them! The Masked Hunter Crew that wiped out the Supernova pirate Kairodo! Quick, go inform the captain! We need to escape!" The pirates on deck scattered in panic, rushing off the ship in a frenzy.
"One person, go up there and secure this pirate ship. Four others, find the other two pirate ships and make sure no one escapes. The rest of you, follow me into town," Bege said impassively, walking towards the town, following the panicked pirate who was running to inform his captain, letting him lead the way.
The pirate ran frantically down the street, pedestrians making way for him. He ran all the way to a sizable tavern in the center of town.
"Boss! Bad news! The Masked Hunter Crew is here! They're here!" The pirate burst through the door, shouting frantically.
His words instantly extinguished the cheerful atmosphere in the tavern. A burly man stood up and grabbed the pirate by the neck, demanding urgently, "Did you see clearly? Is it really the Masked Hunter Crew?"
"I saw clearly! It's definitely them!"
"Damn it, damn it! Everyone, retreat immediately!" the burly man roared in frustration. The pirates in the tavern hurriedly grabbed their weapons and gathered together.
"The Flying Snake Pirates, prepare to withdraw!" another cold voice echoed from within the tavern.
"The Black Gold Pirates, assemble quickly!"
A voice also came from the second floor of the tavern. It turned out that the three pirate crews currently on the island were all drinking and reveling here.
The pirate crews rushed towards the entrance. Just as they were about to burst out, the pirates in the front were suddenly thrown back, knocking down the pirates behind them.
"So you're all here. That's good. Saves me the trouble of finding you one by one," Bege said, stepping into the tavern. He surveyed the pirates in the tavern, a smile spreading across his lips.
The pirates looked at the person before them.
The distinctive masks, clearly imprinted in their pupils, instantly sent shivers down their spines. They involuntarily took a step back.
"It really is the Masked Bounty Hunter Crew."
Recently, the news of Bege annihilating the Supernova Kairodo and wiping out the entire Ferocious Crocodile Pirate crew had spread throughout the West Blue. Bege's Masked Hunter Crew had become famous in the West Blue, their unique attire deeply etched in the minds of all the pirates in the region.
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