News that Capone Bege was the final victor of the championship race spread through Black Fist Island. For the most part, the residents were up in arms; the vast majority had wagered heavily on Lisen or Louis and were now utterly ruined. Naturally, those who had bet on Bege's victory were celebrating with gongs and drums. Regardless of the prevailing mood, the entire city was abuzz with considerable excitement.
After a day's rest aboard the Sky God, Bege dispatched Moria to King Punch Mountain to claim his winnings. However, the Bisacchi family put Moria off with the excuse that the prize money was still being compiled and he would need to wait another two days.
Anyone with eyes could see this was a blatant lie, a mere pretext. It was common knowledge that the Bisacchi family controlled the incredibly lucrative Black Fist Island, possessed immense wealth, and producing a sum in the realm of a billion Berries should hardly have been an issue. Furthermore, with the Bisacchi family's extensive membership, would it truly take two days to gather such a sum?
"The Bisacchi family is definitely scheming something," Moria said gravely. "I reckon they're brewing up trouble for us."
"They're trying to stall us, clearly looking to set us up," Riki chimed in, his expression somewhat eager. "Captain, why don't we just go straight to the Bisacchi family and take it by force? Lisen and Louis are seriously injured right now, no real combat strength to speak of. If it comes to a fight, we'll definitely win." It seemed Riki was rather hoping the Bisacchi family would make a move, giving him a chance to retaliate for the beating Lisen had given him in the tournament.
"Then let's go. We'll collect the winnings and head back to Skypiea," Bege decided after a few moments of thought. To avoid any unforeseen complications, it was best they departed Black Fist Island sooner rather than later.
Bege and his entourage swaggered up King Punch Mountain. A Bisacchi family officer guided them to the uppermost level of the mountain stronghold.
"I can sense killing intent from these people. Looks like the Bisacchi family truly harbors ill will," Bege's expression hardened slightly. His Observation Haki spread out, detecting numerous individuals lying in ambush in the surrounding shadows. The Bisacchi family's guards and officers were all heavily armed, their faces grim and laced with murderous intent.
"Just in case, Riki, return to the Sky God immediately. Protect the ship from any trouble. Wait for my call," Bege ordered sternly, pausing in his stride to address Riki.
Riki understood priorities. Knowing what was important, he turned and left without a word.
"For the Bisacchi family to dare make a move on us at a time like this… who gave them the courage?" Bege's face was dark. With Lisen and Louis gravely injured, and Holyfield and Mike Phyton also nursing minor wounds, Bisacchi Bourne was their only top fighter remaining at full strength. Under such circumstances, anyone with a functioning brain wouldn't pick a fight with them.
Someone had to be backing them. And that someone was likely not weak. But who could it be?
Bege's mind raced, trying to identify this hidden supporter. Suddenly, Taku, the Son of Fear, flashed into his thoughts. He had sensed Taku's killing intent directed at him on several occasions. If not for a certain apprehension regarding the "Dread King," Bege would have disposed of him long ago. While the Son of Fear could represent the Fear Pirates, Taku himself was weak. His support alone wouldn't be enough to embolden the Bisacchi family to act so rashly against Bege. Could it be that someone significant from the Fear Pirates had arrived?
As these thoughts occupied him, Bege and his men reached the palace at the very summit of King Punch Mountain. His Observation Haki still detected many figures concealed in ambush. He expanded its range, enveloping the entire palace structure. The instant his Observation Haki swept into the palace, another wave of Observation Haki met it head-on, blocking his perception of the situation within. Then, hearty laughter echoed from inside the palace.
"Captain Demon Dragon, it's hardly polite to so casually unleash your Observation Haki within my palace," Bisacchi Bourne said as he emerged, flanked by Holyfield and Mike Phyton.
Bege offered a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I wonder, Patriarch Bourne, just who are you planning to ambush with so many men stationed around your palace?"
Bisacchi Bourne's expression remained impassive. "Not an ambush, merely standard precautions. This is the most vital location for our Bisacchi family; how could I rest easy without heavy defenses? You're overthinking things, Captain Demon Dragon. Please, come inside. I am, at this very moment, urging my men to prepare your winnings. If you can just wait another hour or two, Captain, the money will surely be delivered."
"Is that so?" Bege's gaze sharpened, but he made no move.
Just then, an impatient voice boomed from within the palace. "Why waste time talking to him? We've already lured him here, so let's just get on with it!"
Taku strode out from the palace, a dozen or so figures trailing behind him. His face was contorted in a savage snarl as he stared at Bege, eyes blazing with murderous intent, a wicked, cold smirk on his lips. "Capone Bege, you won't be walking off King Punch Mountain today! I'm going to capture you and personally torture you to death with my poison smoke!"
Bege completely ignored Taku. His attention was fixed on a tall, middle-aged man standing beside him, his eyes narrowing. The man was dressed in a black suit, over which he wore a blood-red cloak. His hair was long, cascading down his back. His face wasn't handsome in the conventional sense, but its features were sharp and distinct. His eyes, however, were a pale, unsettling violet that was deeply unnerving.
The Demonic Swordsman—Seph Alletha!
"The Demonic Swordsman, one of the Three Demon Generals of the Fear Pirates. His bounty is 890 million Berries," Moria observed, his own expression shifting subtly.
Much like Kaido's Beasts Pirates had their Headliners, the Fear Pirates boasted their own top-tier combatants known as the Three Demon Generals. Each one possessed astonishing power, and this man in the blood-red cloak, Seph Alletha, was the one ranked last among them. He was a user of the Human-Human Fruit, Demon Model, and his brutal, self-styled swordsmanship was infamous for its bloody ferocity. His bounty stood at a staggering 890 million.
Having been repeatedly humiliated by Bege, Taku harbored a deep-seated resentment. He had previously contacted Seph Alletha, the Demon General closest to Black Fist Island, and arranged for him to come and eliminate Bege. This confrontation was the result.
Bege glanced at Bisacchi Bourne, then spoke slowly, "No wonder your Bisacchi family dares to make a move against me. Bisacchi Bourne, are you truly certain he can kill me? Because if he can't… you understand the consequences, don't you?"
Bisacchi Bourne's face changed drastically.
"Can't kill you? That's laughable! My Uncle Alletha could crush you with ease!" Taku scoffed dismissively.
Bisacchi Bourne's expression hardened. He knew he was already committed to Taku's scheme; there was no turning back now. Eliminating Bege was his only path forward. "With the Bisacchi family and Lord Alletha joining forces, do you honestly believe you have any chance of survival?" At Bourne's command, hundreds of men surged from the palace, brandishing firearms and blades, quickly surrounding Bege and his companions.
"Who can say for sure?" Bege roared with laughter, unleashing a powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki. In an instant, the vast majority of the several hundred men crumpled to the ground, unconscious. "Don't embarrass yourselves further with this fodder."