Chapter 31 — The New Order
"Boss! Big Boss! These are all the assets the Taimé Mafia had in storage!"
Ginny's voice trembled with excitement as his men carried in a heavy chest, setting it before Eiger. Even now, he still couldn't quite believe it — he, of all people, was sitting here as the new boss of the Taimé Mafia.
Just a few days ago, he'd been a nobody — a nervous errand boy, barely trusted to pour drinks. And now? He was the official ruler of the entire island of Baiskaiborg.
Of course, he knew the truth. He might be the figurehead, but the man in front of him — the Eiger — was the true power behind the throne.
Still… it felt surreal.
And no one dared object. After seeing what had happened to Victor, not a single soul in the Mafia had even thought of resisting. Every survivor bowed their heads the moment Ginny was appointed.
Because everyone understood one simple fact — Eiger's word was law.
Ginny carefully placed a smaller chest on top of the pile and said, "And this, Boss, is what Victor used to call the 'Treasure of the Sea.'"
"Treasure of the Sea, huh?"
Eiger raised an eyebrow. He'd assumed that had just been a dying man's bluff, but apparently, the small-time Mafia really had been hiding something valuable.
He accepted the little chest, flipped open the latch — and froze for a heartbeat.
Inside, nestled in a bed of velvet, was a strange fruit shaped like a miniature fortress — its skin patterned with twisting ramparts and crenellations.
Eiger's eyes narrowed slightly. "A Devil Fruit… and not just any one. The Stronghold-Stronghold Fruit."
He recognized it from the illustrated catalog he'd borrowed from Enchi. Just in case he ever stumbled upon one, he'd made a habit of studying that book.
Looking back up at Ginny, Eiger frowned faintly. "How did this end up in your possession?"
"Huh?" Ginny blinked, confused by the question. Then, quickly straightening up, he explained, "Victor got it by accident, Boss. He was planning to hand it over to the Capone Family as tribute, but then, well…" He gave an awkward laugh. "Then you showed up, Big Boss."
He hesitated, scratching his neck. "If you want, I can ask around — maybe someone knows more?"
Eiger waved a hand dismissively. "No need. And drop the 'Big Boss' nonsense — just 'Boss' is fine." He tucked the fruit away and turned his attention to the larger chest.
"Only sixty million Berries?" His tone carried mild disappointment. "You guys are pathetically poor for a Mafia."
"…"
Ginny's mouth twitched. Sixty million was more than he'd ever seen in his life, but of course, he wasn't about to say that aloud.
Instead, he bowed slightly and said, "Most of it has to be sent to the Capone Family every quarter. Between that, Victor's… expenses, and running the organization, there's not much left. My apologies, Boss. I'll make sure to collect more protection fees next month!"
Eiger raised a brow. "Protection fees, huh? How much are you charging?"
"Hundred thousand Berries a month, per person."
"And kids?"
"The same rate — adults and children both."
Eiger let out a low whistle, smirking. "You're worse than a loan shark I once knew."
Ginny looked genuinely puzzled. "Boss?"
Eiger rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhaling. "Change the name. From now on, it's Security Fee and Community Maintenance Fee. And no charging children."
"Huh?" Ginny blinked, dumbfounded. "Boss, won't that be… too little? Hundred thousand is already low, and now that we're the only Mafia left, the people can actually afford it. But if we drop it further—"
"And how many still can't pay?" Eiger interrupted.
Ginny hesitated, his voice quieter. "…Quite a few. Even at that rate."
Eiger nodded slowly. "Exactly."
The room fell quiet. Ginny stood stiffly, unsure if he'd said something wrong.
"From today onward," Eiger said evenly, his tone calm but resolute, "the Taimé Mafia will no longer be the same. I don't care whether the fee is hundred thousand or fifty thousand Berries — the difference means nothing to me. What matters is sustainability."
He gave Ginny a sidelong glance. "Fifty thousand per person will do — not too much, not too little. People who aren't crushed by taxes will keep working, keep building. They'll earn more, and in the end, so will we. As for children — they're the future. Let them grow up before you start collecting anything. Remember, this isn't protection money anymore. It's an infrastructure fund — Security and Sanitation Management. When the island develops, we'll add other fees appropriately."
Eiger sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly, I'm really not cut out for this kind of thing."
He chuckled to himself — most of this was just half-remembered talk from his previous life, bits and pieces of "economic common sense" he'd picked up somewhere.
"Anyway," he continued, "I'll have someone draft a proper plan later. Just follow that. From now on, your only responsibilities are to keep this island clean and safe. And as for the Capone Family —" his eyes narrowed slightly — "you'll no longer be sending them a single Berry."
"Th-this…" Ginny stammered, his face a mixture of awe and confusion.
Sanitation? Security?
Was this really still a Mafia?
And that term "sustainable development"… did it mean making others work harder for their benefit?
But when he saw the Boss's faint frown, Ginny instantly straightened his back, nodded sharply, and said, "Understood, Boss! You're truly visionary! I'll carry out your orders to the letter!"
Eiger smirked. "Good. There's a shipment of green grape wine coming soon — you'll handle distribution. Oh, and one more thing." His eyes glinted knowingly. "Keep your ears open in the black market. You know what I'm referring to."
"Yes, Boss."
Ginny's stomach turned. So that's it… he's using us to monitor the black market — to find out who's been targeting his wife.
Out loud, though, he only nodded fervently. "Of course, Boss. I'll keep a close eye out — anyone whispering about Madam will be dealt with immediately!"
"...Right." Eiger stretched lazily, standing. "That's all for now. Keep the sixty million; use it how you see fit. If anyone comes looking for trouble, let me know."
He paused, slinging his axe over his shoulder. "Also, there's a hitman in the West Blue — goes by Daz Bones. Try to recruit him if you can."
"Yes, Boss."
"Now get me a ship ready. I'm heading home."
"Right away!"
Within minutes, Ginny had arranged everything.
The vessel waiting at the docks was a proper three-masted schooner — far better than the battered rowboat from before. Ginny explained, nervously, that it had been Victor's personal flagship, meant for expanding their operations before his… unfortunate end.
Eiger chuckled at the irony.
As he stepped aboard, he turned for one last look at Baiskaiborg. The wind carried the faint smell of salt and iron — and something heavier, almost nostalgic.
A wry smile tugged at his lips.
"So… the quiet days are over, huh?" he murmured.
But really, had they ever been quiet?
Not in this ocean.
Even villages protected by so-called "heroes of the Navy" still faced pirates, raiders, or worse.
Peace, in this world, was only ever temporary.
He looked back toward the docks, where Ginny stood at attention, waiting for his final word.
Eiger lifted a hand and waved. "Set sail."
"Yes, Boss!" Ginny shouted, voice firm despite the sea breeze tugging at his coat.
---
Elsewhere — Marine Headquarters.
Now that all seven of the Warlords of the Sea had been appointed, the chaos across the Grand Line had begun to settle.
Of course, most of those so-called Warlords had no real loyalty — they were opportunists, pirates wearing government badges. But even their names alone were enough to keep ambitious pirates in check.
The Marines, at least, could finally breathe.
Or so most of them thought.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku sat behind his desk, massaging his temple as he looked at the man across from him — a man whose right arm was still bandaged tightly.
His tone carried a weary mix of sympathy and authority.
"The Warlord System was a policy set by the World Government, Zephyr. Whether you like it or not, the Navy has to follow through. And look—"
He slid a report across the table. "The situation on the Grand Line is stabilizing, isn't it?"
Zephyr said nothing. His eyes, however, told another story entirely — one filled with resentment, exhaustion, and a burning hatred that paper and politics could never soothe.