Chapter 164: A Great Gift
The Field family's criminal operations had begun transforming years ago shifting from mere smuggling, drugs, entertainment, and arms trafficking to cooperating directly with the government.
It wasn't just money laundering anymore.
Their old criminal businesses still existed, but now the Field family had opened a new door for their subordinates:
a door to government cooperation.
By cultivating relationships with officials, they gave the Mafia once confined to the shadows a chance to step into the light.
In the past, crime syndicates had no right to interfere in government supply chains.
Even when they did, it was only through bribes and small exchanges.
But to truly climb aboard the "government train," one had to make those driving it speak.
It wasn't simply about bribery bribes were unstable, one-sided, easily turned against either party.
What Haze ( Haze) wanted was to cultivate relationships.
He helped politically frustrated but capable individuals.
At the same time, through the "Honeypot Project," he planted seeds within the inner circle.
New recruits were also placed in various government departments and institutions, supported to rise step by step…
In short, the Field family's infiltration was comprehensive.
Currently, many mistresses and even newly appointed wives of key Padokian government leaders were secretly members of the Field family.
The Republic of Padokia was one of the first countries where this plan had taken root.
The woman sent by V5, Celine, was dead…
Haze had waited several days, but there was no response.
He could already guess why.
They had been rejected ignored by the Republic of Padokia.
Now, V5 would start collecting data on him and the Field family.
But it was already too late.
What needed to be done had already been done.
V5 was only realizing this now far too late.
The next day, Haze sat watching television in the living room.
News about gang conflicts continued to spread.
A TV host even invited a gang leader for a live interview.
That leader arrogantly declared before a crowd of viewers that his family would soon dominate the entire region stirring massive public uproar.
The Field family still held control over the situation.
The private army led by the Shadow Beast was steadily crushing rebellious gangs, expanding the Field family banner across other continents.
The chain reaction triggered by the "Black Tide" incident was enormous.
Stabilizing things in a short time was impossible unless several nations sent troops, which would harm the Field family's prestige.
Haze needed every gang across the globe to understand one thing:
the Field family was capable of managing global organizations.
"It'll take at least two or three months."
Haze turned off the TV.
"V5… has sent someone again."
The door opened; David entered.
"Tell him to wait," Haze said with a faint smile.
"Yes."
David bowed and left.
It would be simple for V5 to destroy the Field family.
Haze knew better than anyone how terrifying V5 truly was.
Compared to them, the entire underworld was insignificant.
If not for years of secret preparation, he wouldn't even have the authority to negotiate with them.
After becoming one of the Ten Dons and meeting Rodman, Haze finally understood:
to free himself from V5's control and maintain true freedom, simply being an Elder wasn't enough.
It was far too small a role.
He wasn't doing all this for power.
Power was merely a step toward something greater.
To reach the Dark Continent, one needed four things:
a contract, qualifications, ability, and permission.
And now he practically had them all.
V5 hadn't directly attacked him or the Field family.
Instead, they sent another representative making their intentions very clear.
Their approach mirrored Beyond's:
using a power V5 could not underestimate to force them into submission.
But unlike Beyond, Haze didn't rely on one superpower like Kakin ...
he leveraged several smaller nations,
and a unified underworld as his platform.
Together, that made his influence far greater than Beyond's.
It was enough to change the world.
"Excuse me, please wait a moment. My master is occupied right now."
A while later, David entered the main hall, calm as ever.
He glanced at the impatient man waiting by the window the V5 representative, Tamsin and spoke softly.
Tamsin's eyelids twitched, and he stammered in response,
"N-no… it's fine…"
His expression was sour, but he held his temper.
After all, his colleague who had come to negotiate before Celine had been killed.
He didn't want to repeat her mistake.
Only when David left gracefully did Tamsin slam his fist on the table in anger.
"Bastards!"
Even that old butler-like man had shown him no respect.
They were just a gang since when had they become this arrogant?
In other countries, he would've been received with high honors by heads of state.
But here… he wasn't even offered a seat.
Still, there was nothing he could do but wait.
And he waited.
All the way until sunset.
Tamsin received constant calls from his superiors asking for progress.
He hadn't eaten, hadn't rested, and his humiliation only grew heavier with every passing hour.
Just when he thought the Field family was mocking him and considered leaving ...
the person in charge finally appeared.
The same butler from that morning entered, followed by a man.
Neither apologized for the delay.
Haze merely cast a glance at him before sitting arrogantly on the sofa, silent clearly expecting him to speak first.
If Tamsin hadn't known this man was from the Mafia, he would have thought he was meeting a prime minister from one of the V5 superpowers.
"Mr. Haze," Tamsin began, clearing his throat. "You already know why I'm here."
Haze smiled faintly and motioned for him to continue.
"This isn't a threat just a fact. You must understand, with our resources, if we truly wanted to act against the Field family, even the Republic of Padokia couldn't protect you. The only complication lies in international diplomacy and dealing with this country's leadership."
He paused. "If something were to happen to you, everything you rely on would collapse. Don't be fooled by the politicians' loyalty once news of your death spreads, those same leaders will rush to make peace with V5."
"You're powerful, capable beyond most Hunters. But make no mistake we have more than enough ways to end you."
As Tamsin spoke, his confidence seemed to grow.
Haze chuckled softly. "Indeed, I believe you can."
Then, in an eerily calm tone, he added,
"Given our previous misunderstandings, let's put them behind us. The Field family will follow your plan we'll abandon the gang unification. In return, we'll retain our seat among the new Ten Dons. Everything returns to how it was before the Black Tide incident. You get results, I get peace. Sounds fair, doesn't it?"
Tamsin smiled. "Of course, I respect your choice. But if you refuse… I may die here today though I believe you won't live much longer either."
"Heh… hehehe…"
Haze slowly clapped.
"You're far smarter than that dead woman. You act humble, yet your arrogance as a V5 agent seeps through."
Tamsin said nothing.
"Don't worry," Haze added, smiling coldly. "You'll understand in a few minutes."
He looked toward David, who picked up the remote and turned on the television.
The channel changed.
"Come, sit down and watch," Haze said, patting the empty seat beside him. "You'll like it."
Tamsin frowned, confused. "What… do you mean?"
Haze grinned.
"I've prepared a great gift for the V5 players."
"Just wait a little longer," he said softly.
(End of Chapter)