It would be best to recruit them, after all, not only did he need to become a power outlier, but the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew also needed to stand above the rest.
At this moment, Jin Mo and the others were also contemplating.
"If these hidden powerhouses haven't formed their own pirate crews or joined one yet, we should find a way to recruit them."
"We must become the strongest, not the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew."
"If it's truly as Yang Luo speculated, with Ye Yu remaining a power outlier, then I believe the top Chosen Ones would be willing to unite. It's like a good gaming environment—when there are many skilled players, and suddenly a cheater appears, it disrupts the balance and will be resisted."
Lin Muxue nodded. "That makes sense. However, what Yang Luo said can't possibly be true. Ye Yu is bound to weaken in the later stages."
At that moment, the announcement sounded again.
"Now announcing the fourth place on the Bounty List."
Instantly, many grew excited.
Bai Shaohan looked at the list, confident he would be second.
Hei Jie sighed inwardly. "Right now, I'm only in the top twenty, but I'm biding my time. Once I obtain his Tremor-Tremor Fruit, not only will I have dual Devil Fruits, but I'll also inherit Blackbeard's physique. Excellent—my power will skyrocket. Next time, I'll claim the top spot."
Thinking this, Hei Jie flattered his captain.
"Captain, second place is definitely yours."
Bai Shaohan naturally thought the same, though he couldn't help feeling a tinge of regret. If only Ye Yu didn't exist in this world—then he would be first.
"Fourth place on the Bounty List: Wang Quanshi, bounty: 160 million Berries."
The announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"Wang Quanshi, Captain of the Azure Dragon Pirates."
"He didn't even make the top three?"
"But he's still incredibly strong."
...
Meanwhile, Jin Mo and the others were stunned.
"Wang Quanshi is only fourth?"
"This..."
"He's stronger than us. We thought he'd be second, but he's fourth. Does that mean Yang Luo and Wang Jue are stronger than him?"
...
The one with the most unsightly expression, unable to accept this, was Wang Quanshi himself. He had been certain he was second, right behind Ye Yu.
After all, among pirates, Kaido was the strongest in one-on-one combat, the Strongest Creature in the Sea, Land, and Air. He should have been second—yet he was fourth.
"How is this possible? I'm not second, not even in the top three? Why?"
Wang Quanshi was deeply shaken, his fists clenched. He had assumed fourth place would go to Wang Jue, third to Yang Luo, and second to himself—but reality had defied his expectations.
"Damn it... So they're all stronger than me?"
Wang Quanshi seethed, his expression dark.
Though fourth place was impressive, the top three were naturally better, so he couldn't feel happy about it.
Lin Muxue was momentarily stunned before inwardly laughing. "Hahaha, he's dissatisfied too. Serves you right for mocking me earlier—now you're all unhappy with your rankings too."
She felt slightly better, though she also realized there were many opponents and obstacles ahead.
Wang Quanshi was stronger than her now, and yet, there were others even stronger than him—not just Ye Yu.
Jin Mo tried to console him. "This is good in a way. It means Yang Luo and Wang Jue are currently stronger than you, proving their strength. If we ally with them, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew is doomed."
Wang Quanshi declared firmly, "Hmph, next time, I will be first."
The announcement continued.
"Now announcing the top three on the Bounty List."
Instantly, the world fell silent, eyes gleaming—the main event had arrived. Which three would it be?
In the next moment, the golden radiance of the third place dissipated, revealing the words:
"Bounty List, Third Place: Bai Shaohan, Bounty: 170,000,000 Berries.
Wang Jue, Bounty: 170,000,000 Berries."
"Due to identical bounty amounts, they share third place."
The world trembled in shock—no one had expected two names to share the third spot.
Lin Muxue was stunned: "This means that without the tie, I'd be twelfth. There are actually so many stronger than me."
Xiao Ke also sighed softly: "Without the tie, I wouldn't even be in the top ten."
The world marveled.
"To think their bounties are the same."
"They really had to share the rank."
"What a coincidence—it means their strength is evenly matched."
...
At this moment, Bai Shaohan's expression darkened, unable to accept it.
Though he was third, sharing the spot with someone else was unbearable for his prideful nature. He had expected second place, but now he was third—and tied with another.
"How is this possible? I should be second! I'm a Tremor-Tremor Fruit Ability User, inheriting Whitebeard's power at his peak. Who is this guy, to stand beside me?"
Wang Jue was equally displeased.
"This guy… actually tied with me."
Naturally, he wanted to be third alone—that would've been satisfying, since he truly couldn't defeat Yang Luo as things stood.
It was like an awards ceremony where two actors won Best Actor or Actress.
Everyone wanted to win alone—having another share the spotlight dimmed their own glory.
Meanwhile, Ye Yu's brow twitched slightly.
"To stand alongside Whitebeard's counterpart… who could this guy be…?"
Soon, Ye Yu thought of the Red Earl, one of the most formidable pirates among the seas. It seemed highly plausible—and perhaps Wang Jue was even among the trio who had joined forces against him.
The world buzzed with discussion.
"Not second after all?"
"Then who is second? Another hidden powerhouse?"
"This is truly unexpected."
"I thought Wang Quanshi or Bai Shaohan might take second, but neither did."
"Truly, there's always someone greater."
"So who is second? Someone stronger than Wang Quanshi and Bai Shaohan?"
For a moment, all eyes were fixed, yet no one could guess.
Everyone knew who the first would be—but the second remained a mystery.
Jin Mo sighed softly. "It seems this Yang Luo really is impressive."
Song Ling nodded. "A bit surprising. I didn't expect the top two to both be Non-Ability Users."
Wang Quanshi clenched his fists, his heart unbalanced. This was the era of Devil Fruits—Devil Fruits should reign supreme. When choosing, they had all carefully selected the most powerful Devil Fruits. Yet now, with the first bounty list's release, the top two were both Non-Ability Users.
Since Ba Ye and Wang Jue had said Yang Luo was stronger than them, it had to be him.
Ye Yu had also guessed as much.
"To stand above pirates like Whitebeard, Kaido, and the Red Earl… it can only be that one—Rocks' counterpart."
The next moment, the announcement resounded across the world.
"Bounty List, Second Place: Yang Luo, Bounty: 195,000,000 Berries."
Yang Luo wasn't surprised. Neither were Ba Ye nor Wang Jue.
Jin Mo marveled. "It really is him. And 195,000,000—that's significantly higher than ours."
Song Ling sighed. "Third place is 170,000,000, while he's at 195,000,000. That's quite a gap."
Wang Quanshi snorted coldly, "This isn't the final result. Next time, I will surpass those ranked above me."
Many top Chosen Ones shared this thought, feeling even more motivated.
The world buzzed with discussions—Yang Luo, yet another hidden powerhouse.
In the next instant, the world fell completely silent as the announcement grew louder. The first-place position shone with dazzling golden light that didn't dim, as if golden radiance was gathering information. This meant the top rank had special effects—a glittering golden name and Bounty Money display.
"Now, announcing the first place!"
(End of Chapter)