In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, assembling the perfect pirate crew is crucial for advancing through the game's narrative swiftly. During Chapter 2, Goro and his crew arrive at Madlantis, a sanctuary for pirates that hosts the Naval Coliseum battles. Here, you'll deepen your understanding of your current crew members, Jason and Masaru, learning about their past betrayal in the Pirate Coliseum that led to the disbandment of their crew. Goro's mission becomes clear: upgrade his ship and bolster his crew to compete in the arena. However, before participating in these battles, he must first repair his ship, which costs $10,000, and recruit five new crew members to progress in the main storyline.
For those eager to move past this early-game hurdle quickly, here are five crew members who require minimal effort to join your ranks:
Nickelle Kidman

A playful nod to Nicole Kidman, Nickelle is an actor found lounging near the beach in Honolulu. To enlist her, your crew needs a two-star rating, which you can achieve by completing the main story missions up to this point. If you haven't reached this rating yet, it's easily attainable through treasure hunting, street brawls, and naval skirmishes on the open sea.
Hammerhead

Exploring the recruitment options, you'll find that crew members typically join in one of three ways: payment, gift-giving, or combat. Hammerhead, located on the second floor of the Honolulu shopping center, falls into the latter category. A quick fight is all it takes to bring him aboard, making him a fast recruit for those looking to complete their crew swiftly. His manageable health pool ensures you can defeat him without much hassle.
Related: All Yakuza Games, Ranked from Worst to Best
Kenzo

Kenzo, a ship hand at the Honolulu docks, can be recruited by either providing him with raw materials gathered during your adventures or by paying him a few thousand dollars. Both options are easily within reach, thanks to the materials and money you'll have accumulated from exploring the seas and finding treasures. Kenzo is a swift and reliable addition to your crew, well worth the minimal investment.
Lucas

Located in Madlantis, Lucas joins your crew after a straightforward brawl. His amusing interaction with Goro leads to a fight that, while slightly more challenging due to his melee weapon, should pose no significant threat after the boss battles you've encountered in the preceding chapters.
Obispo

To recruit Obispo, dine at his restaurant in Honolulu. Given the constant enemy spawns in the area, simply engage in combat, reduce your health, and then purchase a meal at his establishment. Repeat this process five times, and Obispo will be ready to join the Goro Pirates. While slightly more time-consuming, this method is still easier compared to recruiting other members with more demanding requirements.
While *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* offers many other impressive crew members across its islands, these five are your best bet for quickly advancing through the early game. As challenges escalate and more crew members become necessary in later chapters, you can focus on recruiting those with higher stats that demand more effort.
And those are the best crew members to recruit in the early game for *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*.
*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*