Have I finally been accepted?
"From now on, I, along with this sword in my hand, will be yours."
As if afraid that hand might withdraw, Shiryu grasped it tightly without hesitation, pulled halfway up by the other, he stood up.
"Having stayed in such a place for twenty years, wouldn't you prefer not to assume a position like Endgame Warden after leaving?"
Shano turned around, walking leisurely towards the stairwell, casually teasing.
"Warden?"
Shiryu hurriedly followed, biting his cigar and shaking his head, "Such a boring position should be left to someone else. For instance, Magellan, if that guy ever wishes to join you, then let him have it, sir."
"I knew it."
Shano chuckled, "If that's the case, you'll be incorporated into the Combat Corps. The position of captain of the first squad is yours now."
Captain of the first squad, this position, is the face of the Combat Corps, quite significant, and must be held by a cadre with sufficient strength.
As for Law or Barto, clearly lack the qualification, so it has remained vacant till now.
Now with Shiryu joining, there's no need to emphasize his strength, and personality-wise, he wouldn't fit in with the lads and lasses at Endgame Headquarters.
Therefore, considering everything, assigning him the position of the first squad captain couldn't be more fitting.
The Combat Corps, isn't it the most important of the Four Major Armies, charging at the forefront?
Captain of the first squad?
Right off the bat, willing to entrust me with such a heavy responsibility?
Shiryu was slightly taken aback, then cracked a grin and blew out a smoke ring. Cigarette smoke seeped through the gaps in his teeth:
"I will fulfill my duty without fail, sir."
In no time, they'd traversed most of the corridor, with the stairwell faintly visible, when Shano suddenly halted, turning his gaze toward a nearby cell.
Upon first entering the 6th Floor, he hadn't noticed, but now realized the peculiarity of this cell.
Not only were both adjacent cells intentionally left empty, the iron bars were several times thicker than other cells, and even incorporated Seastone material.
Inside, the prisoner was tall and brawny, his hair disheveled, sitting cross-legged with his back to Shano.
His body was not only wrapped in chains, firmly bound to the ground, but also anchored to a giant iron block occupying half the room, tightly linked to shackles.
Imprisoning Devil Fruit users is usually straightforward; just slap on Seastone shackles. Yet this guy had so many added restraints.
Only one explanation...
Not only is the person an Ability User, but also one of the world's top Body Techniques experts, capable of unleashing terrifying strength even when restrained by Seastone.
"At this juncture, still deaf to the commotion outside, with such indifference?"
Shiryu noticed as well and sneered:
"Still as arrogant as ever, sir. Lonely Red, that old man, he's the prisoner with the highest bounty on the 6th Floor, but this guy, without a doubt, is the most dangerous one, named..."
"Douglas Barrett."
In Shiryu's astonished gaze, Shano's calm voice rang out, "No need for introductions, I know him."
From all the movie versions, he remained one of the most menacing ultimate bosses; Shano surely remembered.
"Let's go."
With just a glance more, Shano withdrew his sight and continued towards the stairwell.
Following behind, Shiryu couldn't help but feel surprised:
"Sir, wouldn't you consider recruiting him as well? With his strength, if he joins, it would be a tremendous force for Endgame."
"Not one of us."
Shano spoke plainly, "There's no necessity."
Is Barrett strong?
Certainly strong.
In his early days aboard Roger Pirates' ship, he was renowned as a genius youth.
Only Captain Roger could steadily defeat him; even in their prime, Rayleigh and Jabba could only tie with him.
Yet after Roger's death, like Lonely Red, he ventured the seas alone, unwilling to submit to anyone.
Though he clearly observed everything that transpired on the 6th Floor, he deliberately adopted a solitary, aloof demeanor, refusing interaction when Shano approached.
Best to let him be.
After all, the cruelest and most malicious batch of pirates on the entire 6th Floor had already perished at Shano's hands.
Regarding the remaining Great Pirates, distinguishing their morality is needless.
Without Blackbeard's jailbreak, allowing them to continue rotting, ageing, and ultimately dying from frustration in this sunless place is the best conclusion.
Tap, tap, tap...
The two departed the 6th Floor, the sound of their footsteps receding, and the heavy door shut once more.
The strong, disheveled figure suddenly opened his eyes wide.
"Has the sea outside finally become interesting?"
Barrett turned his head, squinting at the tightly closed iron door, "Just a teenager, yet the bounty exceeds five billion Belly?"
When did such a stunningly talented genius emerge?
At his teens, he still couldn't fully best Captain Roger!
"Interesting... Hahaha, truly interesting!"
Barrett grinned, clenched his fists, muscled arms bulging with veins, and the chains binding him groaned under pressure.
Including that enormous iron block occupying half the room, and the 6th Floor's ground, trembled from the impact.