I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

No matter how much Gian bullies Nobita in everyday life, as long as he does something good in the movie, he can win over the audience's goodwill and make them feel that "he's not a bad person at heart," thus making them overlook his daily acts of violence.

This is the Gian Law.

After Fujitora and the G5 Marines left, only Higuma and Bakura remained in the room.

"Come on, let's get back to business."

Sun Bear turned his head and looked at Bakara again:

"Let me introduce myself, I am Colonel Higuma of the NEO Legion..."

"Bakara, you're quite something. How about you switch sides and join our NEO Legion, becoming one of my people?"

Bakara paused slightly, then looked at Higuma;

"So, after all this time, you came to see me with this purpose?"

"Of course, I, Nishi...Hibiki, don't lie."

Bakara looked at Higuma with amusement, neither nodding nor shaking her head, her attitude remaining ambiguous.

Seeing this, Higuma proceeded with his original plan and delivered the bombshell:

"I think you still remember that brief moment when you were young again, right, Bakara?"

"Rejuvenation?" Bakara's tone suddenly rose several octaves. Although she had a hot figure, she had only just come of age, and this man had used such a word that made her uncomfortable.

“Not bad.” Higuma nodded and continued, “What if I told you that you could maintain a youthful appearance for a long time?”

Bakara was stunned for a moment before her expression changed slightly, realizing Higuma's intention:

"Are you... threatening me?"

"How could it be a threat?" Higuma shook his head slightly.

"To be honest... you're still young, so that kind of Devil Fruit ability can turn you into a child."

"But imagine what it will be like when you're a little older?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not threatening you... I only want to say one thing: that ability has the potential to make people stay young forever."

At this point, Higuma was pleased to see Bakara's interested expression.

Even though she was just a young girl who had just come of age, she still had a fear of aging.

For the vast majority of women, especially beautiful women, this is an irresistible and fatal temptation.

"Don't rush off, Bakala, let me take a few photos first."

Higuma swiftly pulled out his pre-prepared instant camera and pressed the shutter button on Bakala.

Although Bakara was somewhat surprised, she had a good sense of the camera and skillfully posed for photos.

The photos developed from the Polaroid camera were carefully placed into a small bag by Higuma.

"Okay, now that everything's done, it's time to head to the next stop."

"Bakara, come with me too."

"Next stop?" Bakara suddenly paused:

"How come you're so skilled at this? How many women have you used this trick on?"

"Don't slander me out of thin air. I mainly deal with men," Higuma said seriously.

.............

After half an hour.

Hypnotist Zango sat in his chair, looked at Rixiong who had appeared before him once again, and decisively shook his head.

"Forget about it, Colonel Higuma."

"Even if I die, even if I jump off this cliff, I will not get on your ship."

Zan Gao looked determined:

"I will only board Colonel Tina's ship. Wherever Colonel Tina is, I will be there."

Higuma said nothing, but reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag of photos.

"Is it another photo of Colonel Tina?" Zango hesitated for a moment, but then shook his head.

“This alone is not enough. Being able to be by the side of the living, breathing Colonel Tina is far better than a photograph.”

"is it?"

Higuma reluctantly put the photo back in his pocket.

He brought Tina's photo with him as a bargaining chip in an attempt to win over Zango.

I wonder if Baccarat's photos are even appealing...

And at this time.

"I said...we should go, Colonel Higuma. Why get entangled with someone like him?"

"I'm enough."

Bakara walked over irritably; she hadn't originally intended to get involved in Rikuma's affairs.

If Higuma continues to court other women, it is indeed somewhat unsettling.

But someone like Zango, who was on par with her and was the second person to poach Rixiong's talent... she looked down on even more.

She was fine when she didn't speak, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Zango's eyes lit up. He, who had been sitting upright, couldn't help but lean forward and leave the back of his chair.

“Colonel Higuma,” Zango extended his hand to shake hands with Higuma, “you know that I used to be a pirate, I have a stain on my record, and I don’t quite fit in with the mainstream naval ideology.”

Zango said emotionally:

"A hero like Admiral Zephyr, who can forgive pirates and not kill them, is the best place for me."

Rixiong glanced at Zango and Bakala, then nodded thoughtfully.

This guy is easier to win over than he thought...

............

Before we knew it, it was already afternoon, and the sun was gradually setting in the west.

Having successfully recruited the two men, Rixiong bid them farewell and was heading back to his officers' quarters.

He had no intention of winning over Tina or Smoker.

Their ranks are equivalent to those of the Japanese army, so even if they were poached, the Japanese army would have difficulty commanding them.

Currently, what Higuma needs are ability users who can be used in the battle against Whitebeard Jr. three years from now.

Neither Smoker, the user of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, nor Tina, the user of the Cage-Cage Fruit, are the talents that Higuma needs most right now.

But after walking for a short while, Rixiong stopped.

On the beach at sunset, he saw a familiar middle-aged man in purple.

"I'm sorry about earlier."

Fujitora's expression was slightly embarrassed:

"I thought you... I knew it. Although I'm blind, my eyesight is still good. I didn't misjudge you."

He turned to look at Higuma and nodded.

"I didn't introduce myself when I came to West Asia last time, but now we've met again."

"My name is Ikkyo. Perhaps one day I will become Colonel Higuma's colleague."

Fujitora smiled and said:

"I remember, Brother Higuma, you were a fan of the Mountain Bandit King, Sigurd?"

Siguru and Fujitora met twice in total.

Once in the rainy city of Alabasta, and another time on the island of West Asia, where they met as Sun Bear.

Although their identities differed during their two meetings, Fujitora intervened in both instances to help Sigurd out of trouble.

"I'm just a fan because of his looks. Now that I'm in the Navy, my stance remains the same." Higuma looked intently at Fujitora.

"Mr. Yixiao, you're not here to enlist because of the global conscription, are you?"

"Not bad." Fujitora smiled slightly.

These words immediately sparked an idea in Higuma's mind.

In his mind, Fujitora's sense of justice differed from that of the mainstream Navy, and they were clearly not on the same page.

He immediately revealed his idea and earnestly invited Fujitora, who was still a novice at the time, to join the NEO Legion.

"You mean, the NEO Navy Guerrilla Legion, which was just established by Admiral Zephyr, who is known for his 'no killing' reputation?"

Fujitora was clearly interested and waited for Higuma to continue.

Higuma also noticed Fujitora's reaction earlier. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Within the Navy, everyone has their own sense of justice. The current Navy Headquarters has a rather radical sense of justice, which can be seen from the establishment of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system and its historical strategies."

"Admiral Zephyr's sense of justice was not tolerated by others in the Navy. He adhered to the principle of not killing throughout his life and did not kill easily. This was his way of justice."

At this point, Higuma indeed noticed Fujitora's brows furrow slightly.

This is in line with his expectations.

Back in Alabasta, Higuma suspected that Fujitora harbored ill feelings towards the Seven Warlords of the Sea, which was why he appeared at Crocodile's casino. Now it seems that he was right.

In terms of ideology, Fujitora's view of justice is clearly closer to that of Zephyr.

"Secondly, General Zephyr is not only the commander of the NEO Legion, but also the head instructor of new recruits at headquarters."

"New recruits are the future of the Navy," Higuma said.

"Mr. Yixiao, your Devil Fruit ability is related to gravity, right? This Devil Fruit ability to manipulate gravity at will is simply the perfect match for training new recruits."

"I think your abilities would be more beneficial in training new recruits than in killing pirates."

"Therefore, I think... joining the NEO Legion and working with General Zephyr would be a good choice."

"Killing and training new recruits, huh..." Fujitora pondered for a moment, then looked up at the gradually darkening sky.