"Lord Roa! We've been awaiting your arrival!"
At the edge of this island's port town, inside an uninhabited residential house by the coast, a man in a black suit knelt respectfully before Roa. Roa sat on a chair with his legs crossed, while Dylan stood behind him.
"How did Morgans arrange things?" Roa gazed out at the endless sea from the window. This man was one of Morgans' subordinates, dispatched by the bird-man to meet him here.
"The heads of the Five Great Families have been arriving successively since yesterday." The man bowed his head deeply. Although Roa couldn't see his expression, judging by his current emotions, his entire face was likely contorted with extreme excitement and exhilaration.
"The President and Lord Umite invited them under the pretense of making them our distributors, and everyone has shown great enthusiasm."
"After all," the man's voice suddenly rose, "our weapons are the best in the world!"
Roa could perfectly understand. While the weapons designed by Judge were far from being "the best in the world," they were indeed significantly superior to the mainstream firearms and cannons on the sea. No one knew better than Roa himself the exorbitant profits from selling these weapons. Even just taking goods for distribution, acting as a middleman, the profits were still substantial enough to drive anyone mad. It would be strange if these so-called mafia bosses weren't tempted. After all, they were just rats living in the shadows; truly lucrative businesses were completely out of their reach.
"So," Roa said, "we can go meet them now, right?"
"If you wish, anytime." The man maintained his respectful posture. "I will contact them for a meeting immediately."
"Mm." Roa nodded. If things here were settled, his affairs in West Blue would be mostly taken care of, and he could return to the New World. The Marines had even sent Admiral Sengoku, which showed respect for him, and he had to return that favor; there was no need to linger in West Blue.
A short while later, outside this residential house, several people, also accompanied by a group of bodyguards, arrived simultaneously. The individuals varied in appearance, age, and gender.
There was a middle-aged man in a white suit with a refined demeanor.
A dark-skinned muscular man wearing an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt, revealing a brawny chest tattooed with a black dragon.
A beautiful woman draped in a fur coat, with long, wavy red hair, smoking a lady's cigarette.
A thin old man in a wheelchair, being pushed.
And finally, a short, stout man in an ill-fitting silk shirt, whose belly was almost bursting through the fabric due to his squat physique. He chuckled and said, "How many years has it been since we last met? This is a good chance to catch up, isn't it?"
"What's there to catch up on with you smelly men?" The beautiful woman, her red lips slightly parted, exhaled a smoke ring. "You only bother me; I'd rather find some handsome young boys to play with."
"Hahahaha! Alice, what's so great about those pretty boys?" The dark-skinned strongman chuckled as he leaned in. "Why don't you let me show you what a real man is?"
"Is that so?" The woman's alluring eyes gazed at the man, her gaze traveling down his face to finally rest on his lower abdomen. "Then why don't we go all the way and get married?"
The dark-skinned man, who had been frivolous just a moment ago, instantly changed his expression. "I have no intention of getting married. You should go find Bege."
In the West Blue underworld, who didn't know the infamous Black Widow Alice? Her Lucchese Family had grown strong by stepping over the bones of her numerous deceased ex-husbands.
The short, stout man, Bege, waved his hands in embarrassment. "Count me out. I already have a beloved wife and my most cherished son!" He turned around. "Bege, say hello to your uncles and aunts." Behind Bege stood a boy who was almost a miniature version of him, a cigar-shaped lollipop in his mouth, looking extremely arrogant.
"I am Capone Bege."
"Ho ho ho, Bege, eh? Impressive, so young and already involved in family affairs with your father." The old man in the wheelchair smiled kindly. "Time truly flies. I still remember when your grandfather introduced your father to us. It seems I'm the only one still alive from back then."
"Don't parade your seniority, old man!" The dark-skinned strongman rolled his eyes. "What era is this? The one with the biggest fist gets to talk!"
"Ho ho ho ho!" The old man just squinted his eyes and chuckled.
"Bege, huh?" The Black Widow Alice glanced at the arrogant little brat, then looked helpless. "The Capone Family's genes are terrifying. Even if the Lucchese Family were to perish one day, I would never marry into yours."
The small Capone Bege squinted at the beautiful woman, then snorted arrogantly. Ugly woman! Who wants to marry you?
"So," the refined middle-aged man in the white suit turned his head, surveying the unremarkable residential house. "Is this the place? Not even a single guard?" They had brought quite a few bodyguards themselves. Was that big shot from the New World so unconcerned about his own safety?
"Because there's no need." A man pushed open the door and walked out, smiling at them. "Please follow me inside, gentlemen. Don't keep that distinguished individual waiting." He stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
The leaders of West Blue's five largest mafia families exchanged glances, no one moving first for a moment.
"Since we're already here, what are you hesitating for?" The Black Widow was the first to sweep her skirt aside. Though her posture was graceful, each step was extremely firm, exuding an overbearing aura.
"Pardon me," but the man guarding the door extended a hand to stop her, "Madam Alice, the room is small. Please don't bring too many people inside."
"Hmph, is a big shot from the New World still so stingy?" Alice sneered.
The man looked at her captivating red eyes and said meaningfully, "Because that distinguished individual's identity is very special; secrecy must be maintained."
"I'd like to see what kind of big shot this is!" The Black Widow waved her hand, and so, apart from her two most trusted personal guards, the other guards silently retreated to the side. Only then did the man step aside, allowing Alice to stride into the house.
"Let's go, Bege!" Capone Bege, with his son and two guards, also followed inside.
"Ho ho ho! Then we have nothing to hesitate about." The old man simply let a middle-aged man push his wheelchair as he followed.
The remaining two exchanged glances, no longer hesitating, and each with two guards, also went in.
The room behind the door was not spacious; it truly couldn't accommodate too many people. It was also very empty, devoid of other furniture except for a visibly high-end office chair, currently facing away from them. Someone was sitting on it, leisurely gazing at the sea view outside the window. Beside the chair, another man stood ramrod straight, also with his back to them.
"Well, I've truly learned about the hospitality of big shots from the New World," the Black Widow Alice couldn't help but say acidly. "Are we supposed to stand while we discuss business with you?"
"Actually, I think it would be better if you knelt." The person in the chair spoke slowly, his voice clear and calm, a young boy's tone.
Just hearing this voice made Alice's body feel hot; this was definitely an incredibly handsome young man! However, his words were a bit too unpleasant. The Black Widow's eyes began to brew with murderous intent.
The dark-skinned strongman, even more enraged, directly spoke out, "What is the meaning of this now? Although I heard we were coming to discuss business! But if you want a fight, I'll see it through to the end!"
"We indeed need an explanation." The refined middle-aged man also spoke. "We do wish to cooperate with you, but that doesn't mean we will accept insults from you."
"Calm down! Everyone, calm down!" Capone Bege quickly stepped forward to mediate. "There must be some misunderstanding!" He blocked the other bosses while looking at the back of the chair. "Sir, we have come from afar, and each of us is full of sincerity. I imagine you are too, otherwise, there would be no need for you to specifically come from the New World."
"Please don't act on impulse. We can discuss anything properly."
"Oh?" The chair, which had its back to them, finally turned around. "What's your name?"
The five underworld bosses finally got a clear look at the young man.
The Black Widow's head buzzed instantly. Indeed, it was exactly the incredibly handsome young man she had imagined!
But!
"No! No! It can't be!!" The dark-skinned strongman, who had been the most aggressive, immediately fell onto the floor in terror, his face pale, his voice trembling, "You, you, you are!!"
"Lord Roa!" Bege had already knelt down with lightning speed, his tone incredibly sincere. "Bege! My name is Capone Bege!"
"Bege, huh? Interesting." Roa looked at Mr. Bege. Thankfully, this wasn't the Dragon Ball world; the name Bege had left a severe psychological shadow on the young Roa in his previous life.
That bewildered little brat behind him, that must be Bege, right? He seemed to be three or four years younger than himself.
"Lord Roa! It is an immense honor!" The old man, who had been slumping softly in his wheelchair, instantly regained his youth, springing up in a flash. Using the momentum, he immediately bowed deeply towards Roa. "I never imagined it would be you personally!"
Roa the Calamity!! Such a figure was simply too far, too distant for them. To put it bluntly, even a pirate with a bounty of 100 million berries would be difficult for these so-called mafia bosses combined to handle. And Roa's bounty was 2 billion! This was no longer just a "big shot"; it was practically a celestial being descended upon them!
"Lord Roa, I was blind. Please spare my life." After a brief moment of terror, Alice's beautiful face had taken on a charming, fawning smile. She softly curtsied and knelt before Roa. "As long as you wish, I am willing to do anything—"
Roa annoyingly flicked his index finger.
Buzz!
Finger Flick Technique, Eight Impact Fist version!
An invisible wind swept past, and Alice, along with her two bodyguards, was directly sent flying, crashing heavily against the back wall. The woman immediately screamed, blood spurting from her mouth.
"Disgusting!" Roa said ill-temperedly. "When will female leering be reined in?! When will male safety be guaranteed?" This was the first time Roa had encountered such strong lust. Seriously, I'm still a kid!
"P-Pardon me, Lord Roa!" Alice disregarded the pain, quickly flipped over, and knelt on the ground. "I'll never dare again!" What kind of monster is this man?! Does he know what I'm thinking?! The woman known as the Black Widow was utterly terrified, her face contorted with fear, powder flaking off, revealing the wrinkles hidden by her makeup.
"Lord Roa!" The last remaining refined middle-aged man also quickly bowed repeatedly towards Roa, his back drenched in cold sweat from fright. This is a true monster!
Roa surveyed these guys. Just a bunch of small fry. Doffy could beat all of them without even breaking a sweat. But he couldn't ask for too much; their strength didn't matter, what mattered was their influence in West Blue.
"I won't waste any more words," Roa stretched. "Serve me, or not. What's your choice?"
"It's my honor! Lord Roa!" Without any hesitation, Bege heavily slammed his head onto the ground before Roa. "From now on, the Capone Family will be your most loyal hounds!"
"Oh?" Roa was genuinely surprised now. This man was serious. No hesitation, no deception, a sincere, unwavering submission.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Young Bege couldn't accept his father's actions and couldn't help but shriek, "Why are you kneeling to him! Why are you surrendering to him!"
"Shut up, Bege!" Bege, who was usually not strict with his son's education, now reprimanded Bege sternly. "Lord Roa is a sun hanging in the sky! He is an existence that we rats in the gutter could never have touched in our entire lives!"
"And now, the sun has bestowed its mercy, allowing us to bask in its light! This is the honor of our lives!"
Bege fell into bewilderment again.
Oh, so that's how it is. Roa understood. Dylan, standing by Roa's side, also understood. His gaze towards Bege became much kinder. This man held the same thought as him. It was just a pity that he met Lord Roa a bit late, and he was also a bit weaker.
"Bege, you are very good." Roa couldn't help but praise him. Even he was quite susceptible to sincere flattery.
"Yes!" Bege trembled with excitement just from Roa's single compliment. He had grasped it! He had grasped the ticket to the top of the world!
While the other four were stunned by Bege's decisiveness, Roa looked at them. "And you?"
The four were somewhat bewildered. The refined middle-aged man cautiously spoke, "Lord Roa, what can we gain by serving you?"
Whoosh!
A figure lunged forward. The stout Bege, looking like a cannonball, delivered a flying kick directly to the man's chest, sending him flying into the wall to become a wall decoration.
"Shut up! Are you negotiating with Lord Roa? You're not worthy!" Bege roared like a loyal hunting dog at a stray. Before the middle-aged man's bodyguards could do anything, Bege delivered two consecutive punches, sending them flying as well. Although he looked plump, beneath his clothes were actually muscles.
"Oh wow." Roa muttered, strangely moved. Good grief, truly good grief.
"This is, of course, our honor," the old man, startled, immediately slammed his head down. "Lord Roa, the Gambino Family is at your command!"
"I am willing too! Lord Roa!" Alice quickly spoke. "I am willing to serve you!"
"Me too! Me too!" The dark-skinned strongman also nodded repeatedly. "Our Colombo Family is also willing to follow you!"
"W-We, the Genovese Family too." The man who was kicked flying by Bege struggled to speak.
In this situation, what else could he say?
"I like your words, but," Roa looked at the fellow meaningfully, "I don't like your thoughts."
Sure enough, to deal with these guys, he needed his ultimate move.
So soon after.
"Lord Roa!" The four respectfully knelt in a row before Roa, their expressions a mix of reverence, fanaticism, and fear.
"This—" Bege was sweating profusely. Such power!! It's simply divine!
"Don't worry, Bege," Roa patted the man's shoulder. He was quite short; Roa, sitting on a chair, could easily reach his shoulder even at just under 1.8 meters tall. "I don't need to use this technique on you."
Bege let out a deep sigh of relief. Although he wanted to follow Lord Roa, he didn't want his personality to be altered like these guys.
"Hmm?" Roa suddenly turned his head.
"Boss?" Dylan also frowned and spoke, "Should I take care of it?"
Roa waved a hand. "Don't rush, let's see who it is."
Then, to Bege's surprised eyes, a few seconds later.
Boom!
The wall on one side of the house was kicked open.
"Hee hee hee hee! Found you!" A wild laugh reached Roa's ears.
Hm? This laugh is very distinctive. Roa raised an eyebrow, looking at the impossibly tall figure squeezing into the room.
What a coincidence, Moria?