Indeed, the mafia in the West Blue still played a stabilizing role in some regions.
For example, in Baiscaiborg Island, after the previous mafia was wiped out, the island fell into chaos until Grado's former boss, Victor, aligned himself with the Capone Mafia Family and unified the island, bringing an end to the chaos.
"That's not a big issue."
Ian smiled faintly at Zephyr's words, his eyes glinting as he looked over at Zephyr. "When the time comes, I might just need your help."
"...?"
His help?
Before Zephyr, who was stunned, could respond, Ian cut him off and quickly changed the subject.
"Enough of that."
He said while looking toward Gini and the tough, dark-skinned, bald man standing behind him.
"Tell Capone Bege that if he wants to meet me, he should come in person. For now... Let's enjoy the banquet."
As Ian finished speaking, Village Chief Martin, who was presiding over the event on stage, suddenly called out a name.
Gini, who had been happily preparing to enjoy the banquet, froze on the spot. He turned abruptly, eyes wide with disbelief as he looked toward the stage.
Did he... have just heard his name?
Just as Gini wondered if he'd misheard, Village Chief Martin shouted again: "Since Gini isn't here right now, his share will be held by—"
Before Village Chief Martin could finish his words, Gini, who had been stunned, snapped to his senses and quickly stood up, waving his hands excitedly.
"Village Chief Martin! Village Chief Martin! I'm here! I'm here! I can't believe it, I actually get paid too?"
He turned eagerly toward Ian. "Boss, I—"
"Alright, alright!"
Ian smiled helplessly at Gini's bright, expectant look. "You did help earn this year's profit for the Sibia River Archipelago. Go on, get up there! Don't keep everyone waiting. Daz Bonez, you too, sit down and enjoy the banquet."
"Yes, yes! I'll go get it myself, Village Chief Martin! I'll take it myself!"
With Ian's permission, Gini immediately dashed toward the stage in high spirits.
Meanwhile, Daz Bonez, following Ian's instruction, sat quietly and glanced up at Gini, who was waving his arms onstage.
Then he snuck a look back at Ian.
He still didn't know exactly how strong this man was, but... this guy was definitely a generous boss!
...
Meanwhile, while the Sibia River Archipelago was busy celebrating, somewhere else in the West Blue, inside a brightly lit, lavishly decorated restaurant, a man in a pinstripe suit sat at a dining table.
A cigar hung from his lips, his left hand holding a fork and a knife with his right hand as he ate elegantly while listening to his subordinate's report.
"After investigation, the Grado Family's secret boss appears to be a former Marine Lieutenant from the 315th Branch. His superior, Captain Enchi, the current base commander of that same Branch, was originally dispatched from Marine Headquarters."
"It's believed that both received guidance from the Chief Instructor at the Marine Headquarters. Also, the Grado Family's boss seems to have saved Captain Enchi's daughter's life!"
"So your guess is that this guy used the 315th base commander to connect with the Chief Instructor, and that's why the Chief Instructor is advertising for him?"
"Yes, Boss Bege!"
"What an unexpected discovery."
Capone Bege said with a grin while taking the cigar from his mouth. "He nearly scared me. I almost thought some bigshot from Marine Headquarters had come to the West Blue, but it's just a Lieutenant?"
He set down his knife and fork, bit the cigar again, and wiped his mouth elegantly with the napkin on his chest.
Then, turning to his subordinate, he said, "I'm done. Take this away. Oh, and don't forget, the Donquixote family's still looking for that guy. Don't keep our partners waiting."
"Yes, Boss Bege!"
Once his subordinate left, Capone Bege lowered his gaze to the two files laid out on the table.
One contained a photo of a Devil Fruit, and the other contained the words green grape wine of the Sibia Village.
His eyes flickered as he stared at the documents, finally landing on the one labeled green grape wine.
A slow, meaningful smile spread across his face.
"What a booming business. It's almost catching up with my weapons trade industry."
After the money distribution banquet ended, the Sibia Village brewery officially entered a shutdown. Since winter had already arrived, the entire Sibia Village became quiet.
Not long after the banquet, Ian also had Gini send the message agreeing to meet with the Capone Mafia Family, but the location had to be near Baiscaiborg Island.
A few days later, the Capone Mafia Family replied as well, agreeing to meet in the Baiscaiborg Island's sea area, but they demanded the meeting be held on their ship.
There was no denying that the Capone Mafia Family was truly cautious!
Although Gini felt a bit concerned about their request. The boss was indeed very strong, but that was one of the Five Major Families of the West Blue they were dealing with!
If the meeting were on their own territory, it would be fine. On someone else's territory, who knew if they already had some secret weapon prepared to deal with the boss!
However, since Ian agreed, Gini could only helplessly arrange things.
Very soon, the agreed meeting day arrived.
One side was the renowned Capone Mafia Family, one of the Five Major Families of the West Blue.
The other was a small, unknown mafia family, the Grado Family, in a remote sea area, now known as the Grado Security Company.
The difference in power between the two sides was not even comparable.
Yet the Capone Mafia Family was actually coming to a remote sea area to meet a small mafia family like that. News of this attracted the attention of every mafia group across the West Blue.
Information about this mysterious Grado Security Company was soon placed on the desks of mafia bosses everywhere in the West Blue.
Of course, all this had nothing to do with Ian and the others. It was now the time for their meeting with the Capone Mafia Family.
By the morning, members of Grado Security Company were already fully prepared to deal with whatever trouble the Capone Mafia Family might bring.
Everyone wore sharp-looking suits, leather shoes, sunglasses, and stood up straight.