Karl had the shadow ninjas escort him back home through the Shadow Realm and stored all the U.S. dollars inside his system space. Before long, he was back at the quiet farm on the outskirts of New York.
What Karl did not know was this:
A large portion of the money stolen in Hell's Kitchen belonged to Wilson Grant Fisk.
The money had been taken directly from a secure vault inside Fisk Tower.
The shadow ninja responsible had even been destroyed outside the vault.
Wilson Fisk had another name:
Kingpin.
He was the undisputed ruler of organized crime in Hell's Kitchen. Every gang feared him, submitting to his authority and paying monthly tribute. His influence extended beyond the neighborhood, reaching deep into New York's criminal underworld, political channels, and financial networks.
Inside his office, Fisk sat on a reinforced sofa, his expression dark as he reviewed security footage from the vault.
The financial loss was insignificant to him.
But the insult was not.
Someone had infiltrated Fisk Tower and stolen from him openly.
It was a direct challenge to his authority.
"Boss," Bullseye said cautiously as he approached, "estimated losses are around $150 million. Fisk Tower wasn't the only target — multiple gangs in Hell's Kitchen were hit. Whoever did this was after cash, not specifically us."
Fisk's massive fingers interlocked.
"I don't care who it is," he said quietly.
"Find him."
His voice dropped further, filled with lethal intent.
"And remind him that stealing from the Kingpin carries consequences."
He paused.
"When you locate the perpetrator… deploy our enhanced assets."
"Yes, boss," Bullseye replied, lowering his head before leaving the office.
When he stepped into the corridor, Bullseye realized his back was drenched in sweat.
Wilson Fisk's enormous frame was deceptive. Beneath the tailored suit was a body composed of extraordinarily dense muscle mass. Years of brutal training and street combat had forged him into one of the most physically formidable men in the Marvel underworld.
Even seasoned killers felt pressure in his presence.
Although Captain America is often described as the peak of human physical perfection due to the Super Soldier Serum, Fisk represents a different kind of apex — raw mass, relentless conditioning, and ruthless combat experience. While Steve Rogers possesses enhanced physiology, reflexes, and endurance beyond natural limits, Fisk's overwhelming strength and durability have allowed him to contend with superhuman opponents through sheer power and will.
As Bullseye relayed Fisk's orders, Hell's Kitchen — and much of New York's criminal network — began searching for suspicious individuals.
After all, anyone capable of infiltrating Fisk Tower could not be ordinary.
The crackdown quickly spread through the neighborhood.
Mutants, undocumented residents, and ordinary civilians alike were subjected to searches, intimidation, and violence. Criminal groups used "inspections" as excuses for robbery and extortion.
Karl, of course, had no direct knowledge of these developments.
But he had expected retaliation the moment he decided to rob the gangs.
He simply wasn't worried.
They wouldn't find him.
…
Back at the farm, Karl scattered stacks of cash across his bed before collapsing onto them.
In his previous life, he had dreamed of doing exactly this.
Now he could.
After rolling across the money with childish satisfaction, he sat up and began thinking seriously about improving his strength.
Although he possessed the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit, he was a complete novice in combat.
That was a dangerous weakness.
Then he remembered:
Shadow ninjas possessed elite close-quarters combat skills, comparable to highly trained special forces operatives.
They were far better fighters than he was.
Karl summoned two shadow ninjas.
"Do not use weapons," he ordered. "Fight each other."
They nodded and immediately engaged.
Every strike targeted vital areas. Their movements were efficient, precise, and lethally practical — far more refined than cinematic choreography.
Karl watched carefully.
Even if he rarely relied on close combat, he needed fundamental proficiency. He did not need mastery — only functional competence.
…
Over the following days, Karl trained in close-quarters combat with the shadow ninjas.
The results were remarkable.
Dark energy from the Shadow Kingdom continued strengthening his body, improving strength, endurance, and reaction speed.
He even sparred without using his freezing abilities. Though he was frequently knocked down, his fighting instincts improved rapidly.
At the very least, he was no longer helpless without his powers.
Meanwhile, his physique continued to evolve. He could now sustain his ice abilities for extended periods without fatigue.
His temperament also changed.
A subtle chill surrounded him — not something he consciously projected, but a natural aura emitted by his Perfect Ice-Ice Fruit.
Over the past few days, Karl had also spent a considerable amount of money.
He purchased the motorcycle he had dreamed of owning in his previous life — a top-tier superbike. Including the helmet and customization, the cost exceeded one million dollars.
The bike's body was matte black, accented with thin white lines. Its metallic finish and aggressive contours gave it a futuristic, high-performance aesthetic.
It was impossible not to admire it.
After several days of training, Karl decided to take it out for a ride.
He put on his helmet, mounted the bike, twisted the throttle, and sped toward downtown New York.
What he didn't realize was that purchasing an ultra-luxury motorcycle with large amounts of cash had already drawn attention.
And in Kingpin's New York,
large, unexplained expenditures rarely went unnoticed.
…