I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

Kro's eyes widened slightly.

There are five layers of meaning in total?

He held his breath and listened intently.

“Gilman, whether you feel pressured is your problem, but if you question the boss’s judgment, then that’s wrong of you.”

"What a sharp eye the boss has! Do you remember what Monka was like back then?"

"He looks exactly like a naval recruit on the battlefield! He can't even handle an axe properly."

"But the boss saw through his potential at a glance, calling him the Axe King, capable of slaying a Marine Admiral!"

"You know what happened next..."

Gilman and Crowe pondered for a moment, their expressions gradually becoming serious.

It has to be said, that's really the case.

Kro is known for his speed and has mastered a technique called the Silent Step, which he has used to launch sneak attacks quite often.

But even Clod himself was deeply impressed by the elusive Monca.

For example, the most recent time, when Monca cleaved Milo, who was worth 80 million, in the back with an axe, Clooney almost didn't react in time.

The bald man continued:

"Not only the Axe King, but also the Sword God Joseph and the Sword Saint Johnny."

"These two are still weak now, but I bet they will one day have their heads rolled... well, they will rise to prominence."

"So, you're the same, Gilman."

The bald man said with a smile.

"Trust in yourself, and trust in the boss's judgment."

"As for why the boss didn't choose Kro..."

"In my opinion, there is a slight difference between the two of you."

Kro and Gilman instinctively held their breath.

"That is... ambition."

Kro was shocked and quickly lowered his head to hide his inner turmoil.

He wanted to leave the Sig Mountain Bandits, once a rich man's ambition had been discovered?

But then he realized that he might have misunderstood; the words were meant for Gilman.

“Gilman, do you still remember your original dream? Do you remember what the boss said when he first met you?”

The bald man's words were like a wake-up call, making the burly man Gilman shudder.

"I...I want to become the Mountain Bandit King of the East Sea, who will dominate the East Sea."

"Back then, my boss said he would cheer me on and wish me success in achieving my dreams..."

He suddenly realized what was happening.

Seeing this, the bald man smiled with satisfaction.

"The boss has given you a stage that is much bigger than the East China Sea, and where you can perform freely. Everything else depends on yourself."

Beside him, looking at Gilman's moved expression, Kro frowned.

For some reason, he had a vague feeling that something was not right, and couldn't help but speak up;

"But Boss Sig also specifically mentioned two points: keep a low profile and don't misinterpret their meaning."

"If Gilman really does that, wouldn't that contradict what Boss Sig said?"

The bald man glanced at Kro and smiled:

"Kro, do you think the boss ignored your offer of service?"

"The boss's two sentences weren't just directed at Gilman."

"Being low-key means exactly what it says; you should be low-key even when you're up to something."

"Don't misinterpret the meaning; it's easy to understand. The point is to make you deeply understand the meaning behind the boss's words and not be misled by the surface meaning."

"As for the three deeper layers of meaning... you can ponder them carefully."

The bald man left behind those words and quietly walked away.

Sometimes, it's not necessary to spell everything out completely. Leaving room for interpretation and allowing space for free thinking is actually quite good.

This is a skill that Baldy learned from Sieg's teachings over the years.

Kro stood there, lost in thought.

It has to be said, she is indeed the one who understands Sieg the most.

His speech and actions were different from those of ordinary mountain bandits.

He pondered for a long time, then his expression changed. He saw Gilman beside him laugh three times, his entire demeanor had changed.

This burly man had previously appeared anxious and preoccupied, as if he were burdened with worries.

But now, he exudes confidence and his eyes shine with a powerful presence.

"I really have to thank Baldy for his guidance, and also Chloe for pointing me in the right direction."

"Although I don't quite understand yet, the boss wouldn't just casually entrust me with such a heavy responsibility. I choose to trust his judgment..."

"I also believe in my own...ambition back then."

Gilman had a smile on his face, but his eyes seemed to be burning with fire.

Kro narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening.

He still couldn't figure out Sieg's intentions...

However, the changes that occurred in Gilman were real.

"That's truly a masterful way of managing people."

Kuro sighed inwardly. He had also been a pirate captain, but he had never taken his pirate crew seriously.

What he saw left a deep impression on him.

.........

at the same time.

Sig, who had just left, was meeting with a craftsman named Erwin.

In other words, he was originally under the command of the Shipping King, and was the creator of the hidden blade at the auction.

“Your name is Erwin? I have a great idea, but I’m missing a craftsman.”

Sieg smiled and showed the sketch on the table.

Chapter 197 I Have an Idea

“I have a great idea, but I’m missing a craftsman.”

These words caused a slight tremor in the heart of the craftsman Erwin, but he remained silent.

He had heard this kind of talk a lot on Wanwu Island.

For example, last time, he fulfilled the hero's dream for a wealthy businessman's son by creating a giant sword the size of a door panel, with a dazzling golden dragon relief on the blade, making it extremely cool and stylish.

Especially when the sword is swung and slashed, the blade emits a colorful black light.

Finally, there was one hidden requirement: the greatsword had to be extremely lightweight, so that the important figure's son could easily lift it...

Having experienced this setback, Erwin had seen it all and could handle any demand, no matter how outrageous.

Upon closer inspection, a hint of surprise appeared in Erwin's eyes, but he ultimately nodded.

"Lord Sig is truly a man of ingenious ideas. He has broadened my horizons and I am deeply impressed."

"However, forgive my poor eyesight, but I cannot understand Lord Sig's wonderful ideas."

"What exactly is depicted on this sketch?"

"Irwin asked."

"Methane rocket boots. The rocket boots have a built-in gas-powered propulsion device. Introducing biogas into it creates a flame on the outside of the boot, generating propulsion for flight..."

Sieg explained two sentences.

Kuro is not a Logia-type Devil Fruit user and cannot fly in his elemental form.

However, it is possible to forcibly use biogas to form a biogas cloud to lift oneself or others for short-distance flight, although it would be quite strenuous.

It is foreseeable that these rocket boots, which rely on gas to fly, will fly much faster than those carried by methane clouds.

Moreover... the rocket boots have a hidden feature.

If Kroos can push his limits, then the rocket boots might be able to spew out other things besides fire, such as directly spraying swamp gas.

Sieg also showed some other sketches, mainly of the methane-powered equipment prepared for Kro...

For example, the modified Ten-Edged Cat Claw has small holes in the cat claw gloves, which can be directly ignited by inputting swamp gas and spraying flames.

Of course, these are just conceptual sketches and do not include a gas storage section; they can only be used by the user of the ability.

"Also, I have high hopes for your hidden blade."

"I want a lighter, smaller hidden blade, and the speed at which it pops out and retracts must be fast..."

Sieg said a lot, which left Erwin a little stunned, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. I call it an active silencer."

"Monka, come here and demonstrate your abilities."

Sig greeted him.

Then, Monka walked over and, as Sig had instructed, stretched out his palm. An invisible soundproof wall quickly opened, enveloping them all.

The world fell silent all at once; all external sounds had been silenced.