So, really, it wasn't that much.
But for villagers who had had no steady income for years, a million Belly in total was an unimaginable fortune.
Still, if they wanted to keep expanding production, the Sibia River Archipelago's current capacity wouldn't be enough to sustain it.
Truth be told, they hadn't even fully captured the West Blue market yet.
"Enough thinking about that."
Ian said, then, upon noticing something, he looked up with a grin. "It's time to hand out the money!"
...
And while the Sibia River Archipelago was busy distributing its earnings, elsewhere, a small boat was quietly approaching the island.
"Daz Bonez, don't look so cold. Relax, with the boss around, nothing will go wrong."
Grado Family's current security chief, Gini, lay back on the deck with one leg crossed over the other, grinning as he spoke. "Also! Yeah, you're strong, but come on, I'm still your boss. You should at least give me a little face."
However, the muscular man sitting beside him on the deck, bare-chested, arms folded across his chest, replied coldly: "You're not my boss. We're just in an employment relationship."
As he spoke, he turned his head toward Gini.
Honestly, he hadn't expected that this so-called mafia boss, who didn't even collect protection money, actually had someone above him.
"Alright, alright! But as Grado Family's boss, I still have to save a little face."
Gini forced a dry laugh under Daz Bonez' stare and said, "Next time, if possible, don't grab me by the collar like I'm some chicken."
"Okay, next time I'll wait until you're dead and then bury you!"
Gini: "..."
Does this guy even know how to talk to people?
Hearing Daz Bonez's words, Gini's mouth twitched. But before he could say anything…
"I don't know who your boss really is, but the Capone Mafia Family's influence isn't small. They have ties with several nearby Branch Bases."
Daz Bonez said coldly. "This time, they were just testing the waters. If they actually move, the Capone Mafia Family, one of the Five Major Families of the West Blue, could wipe out the Grado Mafia Family in an instant."
"What mafia? I told you, we're running a legitimate business."
"..."
Does that even matter?
Daz Bonez glanced at him sideways in exasperation.
"Stop calling us mafia. We're not mafia."
Gini said impatiently. "The boss said, if you start thinking of yourself as mafia, then you'll be one for the rest of your life."
Then, with a confident smirk, he added, "As for the Capone Mafia Family? Hmph!"
He snorted. "They think they can charge us protection money? Ridiculous. Do they really think we don't have someone backing us?"
As his arrogant words fell, Daz Bonez could only shake his head at Gini's recklessness.
Suddenly, Gini, who had been lounging with his legs crossed, sprang up with a grin as he looked ahead at the dock. "We're here!"
"Sibia River Archipelago."
Daz Bonez said calmly as he disembarked with Gini.
Then he scanned the area and added, "There's even a large port here; it looks like a wealthy island. Is this also the Grado Family's turf?"
"I told you, we're not mafia!"
Gini, dressed sharply in his suit, snapped again, then he strolled ahead cheerfully. "And this place? It's not the Grado Family's territory, or anyone's, for that matter."
He actually looked a bit like a real boss as he said that.
"A rich island with no mafia watching it?"
Daz Bonez frowned as he examined the relatively new-looking docks. "Even if it's remote, no mafia would just ignore a place overflowing with Belly."
"Maybe because it was too poor before!"
Gini said matter-of-factly. "Before the boss retired, the Sibia River Archipelago was so poor that even merchant ships wouldn't bother stopping here. But now it's thriving, and with the boss around, I doubt any mafia would dare come here."
"Boss?"
Daz Bonez frowned again when he heard that familiar word. "You said, retired? Your boss was a marine?"
"Yeah, the boss is a retired Marine; he used to be a Lieutenant."
"From headquarters?"
"A branch here."
Daz Bonez: "..."
A Lieutenant from West Blue?
What use is that supposed to be?
To the Capone Mafia Family, a man like that wasn't even a grasshopper, maybe just a slightly bigger ant.
Daz Bonez stared silently at Gini, who still looked completely confident.
He just couldn't understand why this man had so much faith in a mere Lieutenant.
Before he could voice his thoughts, Gini suddenly looked around with a puzzled expression.
"Huh? Where is everyone? Why's the port so empty today?"
Just as he said that…
"Over here! Over here! I'm here!"
A figure shouted, running toward them in a hurry. As he ran, he grinned from ear to ear. "Boss Gini! You're here?"
"Walker, you're the one on duty today?"
Gini called back with a laugh, his earlier confusion vanishing. "Where's everyone else?"
"They went to the banquet. I'm just here watching the port until someone relieves me later!"
"Banquet? What banquet?"
"The money distribution banquet, of course!"
The young man called Walker continued cheerfully. "Anyway, the banquet's probably just getting started. Boss Gini, you should head over quickly, it's gonna be lively tonight! I'll go check the other areas."
With that, Walker walked off, leaving a bewildered Gini and a frowning Daz Bonez behind.
Only after Walker was gone did Gini scratch his head and mutter, "Money distribution? What money?"
He sighed helplessly. "Seriously, running off before finishing his sentence... Whatever, let's go take a look!"
Grinning, he added, "We got here at just the right time. I didn't expect we would arrive right in time for a banquet. Daz Bonez, let's go join in!"
With that, he led the still-frowning Daz Bonez down the path.
The docks were still a fair distance from the distillery, but thanks to the villagers working together, a smooth road had been built connecting the two directly.
As they walked, Gini strolled happily ahead, while Daz Bonez followed behind, scanning the area curiously.
Honestly, he was starting to grow interested in this mysterious boss behind the Grado Family.
Back when he had first joined, he had heard rumors about the man, a boss unlike any other mafia leader, one who disguised protection money as security and sanitation fees.