One Piece: Please Call Me Godfather!

Reinhardt's gaze once again transformed into a deep, vast expanse of the void, a brand-new star in the sky, illuminated brightly.

A new achievement attained.

( Steel-hearted Individual )

( Possessing the will of a true expert, unshaken by violence or betrayal, one cannot allow themselves to be swayed. )

( Your mental strength increases, your mental defense increases. )

Hmm, this achievement reward isn't too bad.

Mental strength is, of course, just a spiritual ability. Reinhardt could clearly feel his mental energy had increased by a point, and even the Haoushoku Haki he gained yesterday had provided a boost.

Mental strength is a spiritual ability in words, while mental defense should be a defense against mental attacks, right?

This is not a wrong ability.

However, in this world, there aren't many mental attack abilities, but the few famous ones are all very dangerous powers.

For example, Charlotte - Linlin's Soru Soru no Mi, Perona's Horo Horo no Mi, Tsuru's Woshu Woshu no Mi, Pudding's Memo Memo no Mi, all are top-tier, difficult-to-counter abilities.

Mental defense abilities are obviously aimed at resisting these kinds of powers.

Indeed.

Reinhardt nodded in satisfaction.

"Father, should we kill them now?"

When he regained his focus, Jackson asked, standing before him.

Reinhardt glanced behind Jackson at the traitors, who had been severely injured by Jackson's attacks, their limbs twisted, only barely clinging to life.

"Don't rush,"

Reinhardt smiled and said, "Everyone who comes into this world has their role to play, let them fulfill their purpose to the end."

"Uncle Jackson, summon all the clan members."

"A clan meeting? I understand."

-

"Wolf's entire team has gone missing?"

At the naval base, Colonel Francklin frowned after hearing the report from his subordinate. "If I remember correctly, aside from the Black Claw forces, he also gathered a large number of smaller factions to assist in the battle, right?"

"That's correct,"

The deputy nodded and said, "The total number of people reached about two thousand. If it weren't for your insistence on observing the situation, we would have already sent troops to annihilate them."

"But this scale of forces, vanishing without a trace, without anyone knowing." Francklin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The deputy said, "It's highly likely that Ulysses - Reinhardt wiped them out. The guards at Ulysses' mansion saw him flying north toward the beach. Not long after, he returned with Bartolomeo."

Francklin, seemingly deep in thought, said, "So, Black Claw is completely finished. The next smaller factions have also suffered heavy losses. Even that Bartolomeo kid was captured as a prisoner. Loguetown, this small pond, had a Sea King sneak in?"

"Loguetown, the underground world, will soon be dominated by the Ulysses family." The deputy said, "Colonel, what should we do? Ulysses - Reinhardt's strength has completely surpassed our expectations."

"Such a hassle... Can't I just relax and play some cards in peace during retirement?"

-

"Ugh— it hurts!"

As consciousness gradually returned, Bartolomeo felt a sharp pain flooding through every corner of his body. Unable to help himself, he let out a cry of pain.

"Not used to the ceiling?"

After opening his eyes, he saw a pure white ceiling, with a complex and expensive-looking chandelier hanging from it.

Where am I?

Why am I here?

What happened?

These three questions instantly began to echo in Bartolomeo's mind.

"After waking up, a man should spend his time on serious matters, not just lying around."

A calm voice came from the side. Bartolomeo, as if pricked by a needle, completely ignored the pain in his body. He instantly sat up and realized he was lying on a soft carpet. But that wasn't important. He turned his head to the side and looked in another direction.

What caught his eye was a similar scene.

The sunlight streamed in through the large floor-to-ceiling window, falling onto the crossed legs of a man sitting comfortably in a chair, flipping through a beautiful book.

This familiar scene made Bartolomeo's face turn pale. His body tensed as if he had shrunk into the corner of the wall. His trembling finger pointed at the other person, "You... You... You..."

Reinhardt closed the book and tilted his head slightly. "There's no need to be afraid. No one here will harm you."

"You, you, what do you want to do?!"

After the initial panic, Bartolomeo regained some composure, stuttering, "I'm not afraid of you!"

Although he said that, Reinhardt could see that his frightened expression clearly showed no sign of courage.

It was impossible for him not to be afraid. Bartolomeo had been terrified to the core by Reinhardt's power and ruthlessness.

"When you want to lie, remember that you're the first to deceive yourself with false words."

Reinhardt smiled and said, "If you can't even deceive yourself with false words, you can't possibly deceive others."

"I don't need you to teach me!"

Bartolomeo angrily retorted, "What exactly do you want?! Just say it plainly."

Seeing Reinhardt's somewhat gentle demeanor, Bartolomeo's panic slightly eased.

Reinhardt's book flew up and automatically returned to the large bookshelf in the room.

Seeing this, Bartolomeo awkwardly swallowed. This ability had truly left a deep psychological scar on him.

The man before him was terrifyingly strong, clearly an opponent Bartolomeo could never hope to match!

Reinhardt smiled and said, "Join our Ulysses family."

"Huh?" Bartolomeo's mouth dropped open, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. This shift in direction was too sudden!

He then said, "Is this a threat?"

"What if I said it was?" Reinhardt playfully replied.

Just moments ago, Bartolomeo had been terrified, but now, he spoke angrily, "Then go ahead and kill me! If you're trying to force me with violence, then I'm no longer a man!"

"Very good, if you surrender, then I would look down on you."

Reinhardt not only wasn't angry but smiled, appreciating Bartolomeo's attitude. "Let's officially introduce ourselves. I am Ulysses - Reinhardt, and I'm inviting you to join our Ulysses family."

"If I refuse, you won't kill me?" Bartolomeo asked cautiously.

Being afraid of death is one thing, but choosing whether or not to die is another matter entirely.

"No."

Reinhardt shook his head. Just as Bartolomeo let out a sigh of relief, Reinhardt added, "But you won't refuse."

Upon hearing Reinhardt's words, Bartolomeo, somewhat unwilling, retorted, "Huh? Why should I?"

This guy was too arrogant!

He wouldn't threaten him, so why did he think he would accept his invitation? Why should he rush to become his subordinate?

Who did he think Bartolomeo was?

Even if you were spouting flowery words, there was no way I would surrender!

Reinhardt smiled. "Salary: five million Beri."

"Father!"