The dim corridor lights cast sharp contrasts between light and shadow.
At the far end of the hallway sat one of the newly risen mafia bosses.
With a bounty of thirty-five million Berries - Capone Bege of the Firetank Pirates!
One of the future eleven Pirate Supernovas!
...
He reclined on the sofa, his dark striped suit impeccably pressed without a single wrinkle. Between his fingers rested a half-smoked cigar, smoke curling lazily upward.
The gradually approaching footsteps came to a halt.
Capone glanced up, his eyes carrying a casual yet assessing gaze.
...
Uchiha Griffin.
Smoker's subordinate, rumored to be a Zoan-type ability user.
With no remarkable battle achievements, he'd likely climbed to the vice commander position through his connection with Smoker.
Recently, Smoker had been closely monitoring his operations. Unable to handle the stubborn and powerful Logia-type ability user known as the White Hunter, he had spent a fortune bribing higher-ups to transfer Smoker away.
It was also his suggestion to appoint Griffin, who had never trained at headquarters, as the new Base Commander.
Compared to Smoker, the Logia-type ability user called White Hunter, this greenhorn would obviously be much easier to manipulate.
...
"Griffin, I'm pleased you came to see me."
Capone flicked the ash from his cigar, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile: "It seems you're a smart man."
He had investigated Griffin and knew this youngster wasn't as rigid as Smoker - sometimes accepting bribes from subordinates, well-versed in the rules of transactional relationships.
Now that he came alone, the meaning was clear in Capone's view.
Paying respects to the new authority, seeking benefits!
You understand well... who made you the new Base Commander!
Swish—
Griffin hung his coat over the chair back and sat down. His light, thin shirt outlined clear muscle lines.
With fingers interlaced on his knees, he looked calmly at Capone without rushing to speak.
Standing about 180cm tall, he looked down upon the 160cm Capone.
After a few seconds, Capone's smile faded, his brow slightly furrowing.
"Base Commander Griffin, since you came to see me alone, don't you have anything to say?"
Speak up! Let's talk about the split!
Twenty percent for you, or thirty percent if necessary!
Of course, you get the smaller share.
After another long moment, Griffin finally spoke.
"I'm pleased you address me as Base Commander."
His voice betrayed no emotion, but Capone clearly felt the air temperature drop as he spoke.
"However..."
"You don't understand your position."
From between dark locks of hair, narrow, sharp eyes shifted slightly, releasing an even colder chill.
"A street gangster meeting a Naval Officer..."
"Who allowed you to sit!"
Sizzle—
The air turned frigid instantly, countless tiny ice crystals filling the room, refracting the dim yellow light.
Capone's pupils contracted sharply, his short, stout body springing up from the sofa.
Where he had been sitting, the leather sofa was now covered with sharp Ice Spikes, some stained with traces of blood...
As his gaze swept back, Capone's face instantly darkened, both hands drawing short guns from his waist.
Click!
Capone aimed his twin guns at Griffin, his voice icy. "I am Capone Bege! Looking for a fight, you disrespectful brat?!"
...
The corners of Griffin's lips curved downward as he shook his head with a light laugh.
"I knew it... Smoker has been too soft on you people."
"Capone Bege."
"Who do you think you are, to even qualify for a fight with me?"
Griffin's words gave Capone pause, the guns in his hands faltering slightly.
Since his debut, Capone had killed many people. His most common tactic was to infiltrate rival gangs as a mole and assassinate their leaders when the opportunity arose.
Over the years, this method had never failed him—but when it came to targets outside the mafia... he had never actually killed any.
Let alone a Marine.
He was a smart man. He knew who truly ruled these seas.
First, the supreme Celestial Dragons—and then their hunting dogs, the Marines.
Smoker had disrupted many of his weapons deals, causing significant losses.
Yet Capone had never once considered targeting Smoker directly. Instead, he had bribed Smoker's superior to have him transferred and promoted.
As for the newly appointed Griffin—though he looked down on the young upstart from the bottom of his heart—he had still planned to offer him a share of the profits.
A fight...
A smart man knows how to survive.
If he were to injure Griffin here, it would be a slap in the face to the Marines... I haven't even unified the underworld of the West Blue yet. I don't want to be forced into becoming a pirate.
Capone slowly lowered his hands, struggling to suppress his rage, and growled, "State your business, Marine. While I still have the patience to listen."
...
Griffin rose to his feet, still looking down on the other.
His pupils seemed to reflect a sky full of wind and snow. As he lifted a hand, the ice crystals at his fingertips quietly lengthened, their tips gleaming coldly.
"My business..."
"Starting tomorrow, Branch 179 is my territory."
"I came to make sure you understand that."
Crack—
The ice at Griffin's fingertips shattered, transforming into countless tiny Ice Blades that drifted down like snowflakes.
Whoosh—
Ice Release: Blizzard.
With a soft exhale from Griffin, a fierce gust of wind erupted. The swarm of Ice Blades shot toward Capone, so fast they left only a faint trail of cold light.
Countless blades crisscrossed through the air, weaving a seamless, inescapable net.
"Bastard! Even in the underworld, you announce a fight before you start one!!"
Capone's short, stout body dodged frantically as he raised his gun toward Griffin's head... hesitated for a moment, then fired toward the edge of Griffin's body instead.
Bang!!
The gunshot alerted the gang members outside, who burst through the door and flooded into the room.
"Damn Marine! What are you doing to our boss?!"
"Godfather! Boss Capone said to call him Godfather!!"
"Idiot! You called him boss too!"
"Moron! Is that the point?! Hurry up and help the bos— Godfather beat that bastard!!"
—
—
Under the deep night sky, Smoker was still standing beneath a streetlamp, smoking a double-barreled cigar, his brow furrowed as he stared at the mansion in the distance.
At the sound of the gunshot, his eyebrow twitched. He instinctively moved to stand, but his hands pressed down on his knees, forcing himself to stay put.
Griffin...
I can't protect you forever. I believe... you can stand on your own!
...
After the gunshot, there was a brief commotion, but it soon died down.
Just as Smoker could no longer resist the urge to check on the situation, Griffin emerged, dragging a unconscious Capone—eyes rolled back—behind him.
Thud—
Capone's body was tossed in front of Smoker. Griffin smiled faintly. "Not a Devil Fruit user. Still pretty easy to handle."
According to Griffin's knowledge, Capone would venture out to sea after unifying the underworld of the West Sea, establishing the Fire Tank Pirates, and become a Devil Fruit user of the Paramecia-type Stronghold Fruit.
The fruit's ability allowed him to transform the interior of his body into a fortress, capable of shrinking any object—including humans—and storing them inside.
In essence, it was like having a fourth-dimensional pocket.
...
From their earlier exchange, Griffin confirmed that Capone had not yet eaten the Stronghold Fruit. His physical combat skills were average, with only his marksmanship being somewhat decent.
Smoker stared intently at Capone, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke.
"If only it were that simple..."
"I've captured him seven times, but..."
Brrr brrr brrr—
Just as he spoke, the Den Den Mushi at Smoker's waist began to ring.