One Piece: Please Call Me Godfather!

At this moment, Reinhardt's vision was consumed by an unclaimed fragment of the night.

The boundless and infinite night sky contained only a sparse few celestial stars. Some shone brightly, one even emitted a dazzling hue, yet others seemed dimmer in comparison.

Reinhardt's full attention was fixed on a recently lit star in the sky. Its glow was faint, almost unremarkable.

A stream of information entered his mind.

( "Treading the Path of Thorns" )

(On the road leading to the pinnacle of power, thorns abound. Only those who climb, using their own blood to nurture them, can prevail!)

(The aura of authority is budding within you, placing you above ordinary mortals.)

In an instant, Reinhardt felt something stir within his body. It didn't take long for him to understand what "standing above ordinary mortals" implied.

The corner of his mouth curled slightly.

"The reward isn't bad. Coming all this way wasn't in vain."

Reinhardt was, of course, no native to this world.

He was a transmigrator.

He had arrived in this chaotic One Piece world 20 years ago.

He was a soul transmigrator. When he first opened his eyes, he found himself in Loguetown, in the midst of the Ulysses Mafia family. Aside from his mother, who had died from illness early on, his beginning was fairly acceptable.

However, despite the favorable living conditions, Reinhardt, with his deep understanding of the brutal One Piece world, naturally knew how cruel this realm could be. The Ulysses family, nominally the strongest Mafia family in Loguetown, was merely a local overlord, incapable of even dealing with other snakes, let alone the true monsters of this world.

In this world, individual strength was the ultimate determinant.

Therefore, Reinhardt never slacked off on his training. By the age of fifteen, he had used the excuse of seeking education to venture out to sea.

Until recently, after 20 long years, the cheat he had been waiting for finally awakened.

Reinhardt had acquired a system he named the Achievement System.

Each time he fulfilled certain conditions, he would achieve a new milestone, which would light up a star on his mental map. These stars would either grant him an item or enhance his abilities.

For instance, this time, after becoming the new godfather of the Ulysses family, he achieved a new milestone, lighting up a fresh star.

He had also received a new ability.

Standing above ordinary mortals, of course, was a mere thing ——

"Brad?"

Jackson frowned as he addressed the burly man. "What do you mean?"

The burly man, Brad, was a long-standing member of the Ulysses family with considerable influence within the group.

"What do I mean? Hmph, what I mean is this: Reinhardt can inherit the position of godfather, sure, but not now! At this critical moment for the family, we don't need some pampered pretty boy. We need a strong, capable leader who can guide the family through its current crisis!"

Brad spoke in a deep voice.

"Once the family's situation stabilizes, then we can talk about Reinhardt inheriting the godfather position! Don't you all agree?"

He wore an air of sincere loyalty, as if every thought was for the benefit of the family.

"I agree. Reinhardt is only twenty years old. What does he know?"

"Exactly. It's not about denying him the position; it's just a matter of timing."

The crowd quickly broke into murmurs.

As Brad voiced his opinion, Jackson sneered but refrained from speaking. Just as he was about to say something, Reinhardt stepped forward, raising a hand to stop him.

"Uncle Jackson, let me have a word with Uncle Brad."

Jackson froze for a moment at Reinhardt's back before nodding repeatedly. He silently held an umbrella for Reinhardt.

A trace of disdain flickered in Brad's eyes. What could a pampered pretty boy who had never experienced the harsh realities of the underworld possibly understand?

"Rein, I watched you grow up from a young age. To me, both Leon and you are like my own sons," Brad said with deep emotion. "The family is very important to you, but it is equally important to us. We absolutely do not want to see the family fall into decline!"

"Right now, the family is facing countless crises. At a time like this, you should follow the experienced officers and learn from them. Once we overcome these challenges, how about you officially inherit the position of godfather then?"

Would Reinhardt even have the chance to reclaim the position of godfather after these so-called crises were resolved?

Many in the crowd inwardly cursed Brad's shamelessness.

Yet no one openly voiced opposition.

After all, as Brad said, the Ulysses family was in a precarious situation. What could a young man with no understanding of leadership possibly do?

Even the officers who supported Reinhardt remained silent.

They wanted to see how Reinhardt would respond and whether the family could truly be entrusted to him.

Reinhardt smiled, running his hand through his still-damp hair, revealing a smooth forehead and fully displaying his handsome features. In an instant, his previously casual demeanor sharpened.

He spoke softly, "Uncle Brad, when I was young, my father once told me that there are two most important things for a family. Do you know what the first one is?"

Brad had no idea what Reinhardt was getting at, but Reinhardt didn't give him a chance to respond, answering himself.

"It's rules. A family that adheres to its rules can thrive and endure. Anyone within the family who breaks these rules must be punished."

"Rein, are you suggesting that I am currently breaking the family's rules?" Brad scoffed inwardly, thinking Reinhardt to be an ignorant fool, trying to bind him with so-called rules.

In the underworld, only fists make the rules.

"I'm only acting for the family's sake ——"

Brad tried to continue righteously, but Reinhardt interrupted him sharply, "No, Uncle Brad, you misunderstand. What I mean is that right now, *I am the rules.*"

Reinhardt raised his hand lightly, and in the next instant, Brad's eyes widened in shock. His large body was suddenly lifted into the air, his face turning red as his hands clawed desperately at his neck, unable to touch anything.

It was as if an invisible hand had gripped his throat and hoisted him up.

Reinhardt smiled calmly. "When I say you've broken the rules, your response should be, 'As the godfather, I have violated the rules. Please forgive me.' That would have been appropriate."

To establish the rules and wield the power to enforce them — this was the role of a family head.

". . ."

Everyone looked on as if they had seen a ghost. After a long silence, someone in the crowd finally exclaimed,

"A Devil Fruit user?"

This was not something an ordinary person could accomplish. It had to be the work of a Devil Fruit user!

A legend among legends — someone who had consumed one of the sea's treasures, a Devil Fruit!

This young, newly appointed godfather was a Devil Fruit user?

Jackson's face couldn't conceal the joy welling up from deep within.

If Reinhardt was a Devil Fruit user, then there would be no problem at all!

The officers who had been chattering moments ago were now as silent as the grave.

Who would dare oppose a Devil Fruit user?

Reinhardt casually waved his hand, and Brad, spinning mid-air like a top, was slammed heavily into the ground. Gasping for air, Brad looked at Reinhardt with nothing but fear in his eyes.

"Having already held one funeral today, I'd rather not arrange another," Reinhardt said gently, though his words carried a chilling undertone that made Brad tremble uncontrollably. He simply lowered his head, not daring to meet Reinhardt's gaze.

As if remembering something, Reinhardt added, "Oh, and my father also told me the second most important thing for a family: unity."

"A family's greatest strength lies in unity."

"From today onward, I hope everyone will unite by my side."

"Those who cannot unite are not part of my family!"