Reina crossed her arms and looked at Zumi with genuine curiosity.
"So… who exactly is the Dreadmire Family?" she asked.
Serafina raised a brow, intrigued by the name alone. Hina leaned in, listening. Bia just snuggled deeper into Zumi's chest, clearly content to have him talk while she clung to him like a doll.
Zumi tilted his head.
"Before I explain," he said gently, "how much do you actually know about the mafia world?"
Reina shrugged.
"Not much. I know it exists… but that's it. Never had time to learn more. When you spend your whole life fighting to survive, politics don't matter."
Zumi nodded.
"Mhmm. Makes sense."
He straightened slightly, shifting Bia in his lap as he prepared to explain.
"Alright then," he said. "Let me tell you what Gia found for me… everything about the underworld."
Reina listened carefully.
Serafina crossed her arms, smirk forming. Hina nodded, curious. Even Bia perked up slightly.
Zumi began.
"There are 10 main Mafia Yakuza Families—known as the Top Ten."
Reina raised a brow. "That many?"
"Mm," Zumi said. "But those aren't the important ones."
Reina blinked.
"They're not?"
"No," Serafina cut in, amused. "The strongest ones never stand in the spotlight."
"Exactly," Zumi said. "There are actually twelve families in total. Ten public… two hidden."
Reina leaned forward slightly.
"And those two hidden ones?"
Zumi smiled faintly.
"They're already under me."
Reina's eyes widened.
"What—both?!"
Zumi nodded, then continued.
11. The Dreadmire Family
Zumi's voice lowered, becoming more serious, more reverent.
"The first hidden family is the Dreadmire."
Reina felt a chill roll down her spine.
"They're led by Queen Carmela Dreadmire."
Hina and Serafina exchanged glances — sensing divine-level darkness in that name.
Zumi continued.
"She's… unnaturally beautiful. Pale skin, long black hair like shadows, crimson eyes. Dresses in gothic royal attire. When she walks into a room, the temperature drops."
Reina shivered slightly.
Hina whispered, "She sounds scary…"
Zumi smirked.
"She is. She's a vampire queen who's ruled from the shadows for centuries."
Serafina leaned in, interest piqued.
"Oh? A woman after my own aesthetic. Continue."
Zumi chuckled.
"She controls the underworld from the dark. Kills threats before they even realize they're threats. Drinks from power brokers to steal their secrets."
Reina's jaw dropped.
"Wait—she's a real vampire?"
"Oh, absolutely," Zumi said. "And no one has ever beaten her. Not once."
Bia looked up from his chest and added proudly:
"She follows Zumi. Very loyally. It's adorable."
Reina's eyes widened further.
"She's loyal to you?"
Zumi nodded calmly.
"Her loyalty is absolute. If the Top Ten ever found out she answers to me… the balance of the underworld would shatter in seconds."
Serafina laughed softly.
"Your mortal world is far more dramatic than the divine one."
12. The Dojima Family
"And the second hidden family…" Zumi continued, "is the Dojima Clan."
Reina frowned, thinking.
"…Dojima? That name sounds familiar…"
Zumi pointed at the screen where Ana had appeared earlier.
"The patriarch is Elder Nishiki Dojima," he explained. "He's my sworn brother from my past life as the Monkey King."
Reina nearly choked on her own breath.
"HER father?!"
"Yep," Zumi said. "Ana is his daughter."
Hina giggled.
"He's terrifyingly powerful. And rich."
Serafina smirked.
"The wealthiest mafia family in existence, yes?"
"Yes," Zumi confirmed. "Their resources are absurd. Ancient relics, money, influence. And because no one can beat them, they do what they want. They don't join councils. They don't bow to anyone."
Reina shook her head slowly.
"…So you're basically telling me…"
Zumi nodded.
"Yes. The two strongest families in the entire underworld…"
He pointed to himself.
"Are under me."
Reina sat back, overwhelmed.
"This is… insane."
Hina nodded sympathetically.
"I know. I felt the same when I found out."
Serafina smirked.
"I didn't. This is exactly the kind of chaos Zumi naturally attracts."
Bia rubbed her cheek against Zumi's chest.
"And now Reina has to deal with it too. Yay!"
Reina laughed despite herself — a real, soft laugh she wasn't used to making.
She inhaled slowly.
"This… all of this… it's crazy. But…"
She met Zumi's eyes.
"…I trust you."
Zumi smiled warmly.
"And I trust you. That's why you're my First Division Commander."
Reina's cheeks warmed.
Serafina stepped up beside her.
"So, little sister," she purred, "any thoughts on the fact your big brother here controls vampire queens, dragon goddesses, mafia princesses, and divine warriors?"
Reina exhaled sharply.
"…My life got complicated in one night."
Hina giggled.
"Welcome to the family."
Bia nodded enthusiastically.
"You'll get used to it! This is nothing. Wait until Athena shows up."
Reina blinked.
"…Who?"
Zumi, Serafina, and Hina all smirked ominously at the same time.
"Don't worry," Zumi said, patting Bia's head. "You'll meet her soon."
Reina swallowed.
"Oh… good."
But despite the fear, despite the chaos, despite the overwhelming information she had just absorbed —
There was a small smile on her lips.
For the first time in her life…
She wasn't facing the world alone.
Reina leaned forward, genuinely curious now.
"So those two hidden families… the strongest… are under you." She shook her head in disbelief. "Then who are the other ten? The ones you actually have to deal with?"
Zumi exhaled slowly.
"These," he said, "are the ones I'll need to bend… or break."
Serafina and Hina exchanged interested glances. Bia hummed softly against Zumi's chest, still cuddled in his lap but listening intently.
Zumi continued.
The Web of the Ten Families
The ones who believe they run the world… and who will soon kneel.
1. The Crimson Serpents — Damian Vescari
Zumi crossed his arms.
"Damian is one of the saner bosses. Brutal, but controlled. A strategist."
Reina nodded. "Strong type?"
"Very," Zumi said. "And he respects strength in others."
Hina added, "So he might follow you willingly?"
"Possibly," Zumi replied. "He already allies with Valeria and sometimes Victor… but he hates Raze."
Serafina smirked. "A man who hates chaos. I can appreciate that."
2. The Iron Valkyries — Valeria Kane
Zumi's tone shifted with admiration.
"She's a warrior. Disciplined. Honorable. The strongest woman among the Ten."
Reina's eyes lit slightly. "Sounds like someone I'd get along with."
"You would," Zumi said. "She'd respect you."
Serafina teased, "Maybe we'll adopt her too."
Reina almost choked. "What—no—what?!"
Bia giggled.
3. The Ashen Roses — Elena 'Viper' DeSoto
Zumi shook his head.
"Elena is… unpredictable. Loves poison, loves chaos. She runs her family like a shadow circus."
Hina frowned. "Poison… ew."
Serafina grinned. "Fascinating."
Reina raised a brow. "So she's… dangerous?"
"Extremely," Zumi said. "But smart."
4. The Black Lotus — Selene Crowe
Zumi sighed.
"Selene is calm, elegant… and lethal. Think of her as the quiet spider who poisons from the dark."
Serafina nodded approvingly. "Oh yes. I like her already."
"Of course you do," Hina muttered.
5. The Crimson Covenant — Sister Lilith
Even Serafina's face darkened at the name.
"Ah. Her."
Reina blinked. "You know her?"
Serafina flicked her hair back.
"She is… annoyingly seductive. The kind who thinks everyone will fall to her charms."
Zumi snorted. "She's been trying to get Victor to join her cult for years."
Hina added, "Valeria hates her. Hates-hates."
Reina nodded. "So she's a problem."
"A constant one," Zumi said.
6. The Leviathan Syndicate — Nyssa Drakonis
Zumi smiled faintly.
"Nyssa is a beast. A real fighter. She controls the docks with an iron fist."
Reina's eyes brightened again. "Another warrior?"
"Yes," Zumi said. "She'd respect you too."
Serafina grinned. "Zumi's collecting strong women."
Zumi shrugged. "They're easier to work with."
Bia nodded vigorously from his lap.
7. The Black Doves — Cassandra 'Widow' Veyra
Zumi leaned back.
"Cassandra is… intense. Beautiful. Deadly. She sells weapons and intel like candy."
Hina raised a brow. "Arms dealer type?"
"Exactly."
Serafina snorted. "She and Victor get along then."
"They do," Zumi agreed.
8. The Maranzano Dynasty — Isabella Maranzano
Zumi sighed.
"Money. All money. Banking. Laundering. Investments. Isabella doesn't fight—she just buys her problems away."
Reina frowned. "Sounds annoying."
"It is," Zumi said. "But necessary."
Hina added, "She's nice until she sees a profit."
9. The Infernal Blades — Raze D'Amato
Reina's expression sharpened the moment Zumi said his name.
"Raze… sounds like trouble."
Zumi chuckled darkly.
"He is trouble. An arsonist with muscles. Violent, chaotic, unpredictable. Damian hates him. Selene calls him a rabid dog."
Hina shivered. "He sounds like a demon."
Serafina smirked. "Zumi can handle him."
Zumi nodded. "Easily."
10. The Umbra Court — Victor Dragna
Reina perked up.
"Oh! Catherine's father?"
"The same," Zumi answered.
Serafina purred. "He and I will have interesting conversations. Shadow to shadow."
Hina nudged Reina. "He's… surprisingly calm. Scary calm."
Zumi nodded.
"He plays the long game. Always collecting blackmail. Always waiting to strike."
Reina exhaled slowly.
"This… is a lot."
Zumi chuckled.
"It gets worse."
State of the Underworld
Zumi spread his hands.
"These families pretend to get along. They meet under a banner of 'peace.' They divide territory. They negotiate."
"Like a council?" Reina asked.
"Yes," Zumi replied. "But in reality…"
Serafina finished for him.
"They're all waiting for someone to show weakness."
Hina nodded.
"And they stab each other the moment the lights go out."
Bia added proudly:
"That's why they need Zumi."
"Exactly," Zumi said. "Balance is fake. Respect is fake. Alliances are temporary."
He then summarized clearly:
Strongest Alliance:
Crimson Serpents Iron Valkyries Leviathan Syndicate
"They're the warrior pact. Strongest combined force."
Shakiest Alliance:
Umbra Court Crimson Covenant
"Because Lilith tries flirting her way into Victor's bed—and Victor wants her dead."
Most Likely to Betray Someone:
Black Lotus Selene loves poisoning people. Especially her allies.
Pure Chaos:
Raze D'Amato Impossible to control, impossible to trust.
Reina rubbed her temples.
"…How have I been running a gang for years and never knew ANY of this existed?!"
Hina smiled gently. "You were busy keeping us alive."
Serafina nodded. "And your focus was survival, not politics."
Bia squeezed Zumi's shirt. "Now she knows… because she's one of us."
Reina let out a breath.
"All these families… all these alliances… all this power… and you're telling me you plan to take them all?"
Zumi's smile was calm, confident, unshakeable.
"I'm not planning to."
He lifted his chin, golden aura glowing faintly.
"I will."
Reina felt her chest tighten with awe.
"…and you want me at your side during that?"
Zumi reached forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes," he said softly. "I want all of you at my side."
Reina swallowed hard.
"…Then I'll follow you."
Serafina smirked. "Good girl."
Hina giggled. "Welcome to the war."
Bia nodded softly. "Welcome home, little sister."
Zumi's next target: Catherine Dragna
Reina had barely absorbed the weight of the Ten Families when Zumi leaned back on the throne and exhaled.
"Now… the first family I'm moving on is the Umbra Court."
Serafina raised a brow, intrigued. "Starting with Victor Dragna himself? Bold."
Zumi shook his head.
"No. I'm not aiming at Victor first." A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I'm aiming at his daughter."
Reina blinked. "Catherine Dragna? The Shadow Princess?"
Hina perked up. "Oh! Gia mentioned her earlier!"
Bia tilted her head. "You think she'll follow you?"
Zumi's smile widened, calm and confident.
"She will. Perfectly."
Reina frowned slightly. "What makes you so sure?"
Zumi reached into his pocket and pulled up information Gia had emailed him days earlier.
"Because of this."
He began reading, but his voice wasn't cold or robotic. It was thoughtful… analytical… the tone of a man studying someone he already intended to claim.
Catherine Dragna — The Shadow Master's Daughter
As he read, the room fell quiet.
Reina watched him closely. Hina listened with fascination. Serafina leaned forward like a cat intrigued by a new toy. And Bia… Bia was outright smirking, sensing Zumi's intent.
Zumi continued.
Appearance
"Long dark hair. Piercing red eyes—same intensity as Victor but softer underneath. Tattoos all along her arms and sides. Strong build but feminine lines."
Hina whistled. "She sounds gorgeous."
Serafina licked her lips in amusement. "A shadow-touched beauty… mmm, interesting."
Reina nodded slowly. "Definitely intimidating."
Personality
Zumi read on.
"Fierce. Bold. Independent. Soft only with those she trusts. Merciless with enemies."
Reina raised an eyebrow. "She sounds like… me."
Zumi smirked. "She's stronger than most men in her family. Stronger than most men in ANY family."
Bia chimed in proudly: "So… another strong woman attracted to Zumi."
Serafina laughed.
Secret Desire
Zumi's tone softened, became almost intimate.
"But deep down… she wants someone stronger. Someone she can lean on. Someone who can handle her intensity. Someone she can melt for."
Everyone stared at him.
Reina's eyes widened. "Wow… that's… that's literally you."
Hina nodded. "She wants a man she doesn't have to be tough with all the time."
Serafina smirked knowingly. "And Zumi is exactly that man."
Zumi only shrugged lightly.
"She's been waiting for someone who won't break under her strength." His gaze sharpened. "And I don't break."
Bia giggled into his shoulder.
"Nope. You definitely don't."
Background
"She was trained from childhood," Zumi continued. "Born in shadows. Raised to fight. Taught not to bend to anyone."
Reina sighed softly. "That… must've been lonely."
Zumi nodded. "She only had one boyfriend. He couldn't handle her fierceness. He snapped. Walked out."
Hina looked sympathetic. "Poor girl…"
Serafina stretched her arms, amused.
"She wants a king, not a boy. Fortunately… she'll get one."
Reina nodded. "She'll feel safe with you. I can already tell."
Abilities
"Shadow manipulation," Zumi listed. "Combat mastery. Fear aura."
Serafina perked up.
"Oooh. Shadow manipulation? She and I are going to have fun."
Hina elbowed her. "You just want to train—or corrupt—her."
Serafina smirked. "Yes."
Reina laughed quietly.
Weakness
And finally—
"The only thing that weakens her… is love," Zumi finished. "Real love. Being protected. Being held. Being allowed to let go."
The silence after those words was… heavy.
Not awkward. Not tense. Just… full of meaning.
Reina tilted her head, studying Zumi.
"You're planning to win her," she said softly. "Completely."
Zumi looked her straight in the eyes.
"Yes."
Hina nodded approvingly. "Another sister."
Serafina tapped her chin. "She'll surrender quickly once she feels your aura. And with her abilities, she'll be perfect for shadow operations."
Bia nuzzled into Zumi again, proud as always.
"She's gonna fall so hard for him. I can already tell."
Reina exhaled deeply, absorbing everything.
"This world… your world… it's way bigger than I imagined."
"It's your world now too," Zumi said gently.
That froze her.
Then she smiled—slowly, shyly, beautifully.
"…Then I'll help you win her too."
Zumi nodded.
"I know you will."