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Bege nodded.
"In short, preserve our strength as much as possible! And keep a close eye on the movements of the Five Families. That Luno guy is not one to take a loss lying down!"
When Carina arrested Moncas's accomplices, she also had men raid several warehouses belonging to the Five Families! A large batch of illegal drugs was destroyed on the spot, and all the people being held for human trafficking were released.
The smuggled goods and funds were confiscated immediately!
It was safe to say that the Five Families' profits for the last six months had been completely wiped out!
"Luno, understood!"
Slai hung up the Den Den Mushi and immediately made a series of arrangements. For extra security, he even proactively called the head of the Five Families, the Gambino Family.
"Mr. Karl! I trust this finds you well!" Slai's face was all smiles, his acting flawless.
Gambino Karl, the current Godfather of the Gambino Family, was the most capable and ambitious Godfather in the last thirty years!
"Slai," Karl spoke flatly, his face devoid of emotion, yet imposing without raising his voice.
"You owe us an explanation regarding this Bege situation! Otherwise, I see no reason for your Capone Family to continue existing!"
Six months' worth of goods!
All gone! Wasn't this like stabbing them in the heart?
Slai's eyes flashed with a hint of malice. Sure enough, these Five Families didn't view the Capone Family as anything more than a nuisance!
"It's alright! Let them enjoy their arrogance for a little longer! We'll see who the ultimate winner is then!"
Slai maintained his perfect, fake smile.
"Mr. Karl, I've investigated! That boy Bege took that job himself in the Grand Line; it has nothing to do with our Capone Family!"
"To be honest with you! I didn't even know that boy was back in the West Blue until you contacted me!"
Karl's eyes immediately turned cold.
"What, are you saying you don't intend to take responsibility for this? Is Bege not a member of your Capone Family?" Did he think such a flimsy excuse would offset such a massive loss for the Five Families? Was he joking?
Slai was silent for a long time, then sighed helplessly.
"I understand! Then, we won't contest the three islands you seized from us! But! You cannot push your luck any further!"
Slai's eyes flashed fiercely, finally showing the ruthless side of a Mafia Godfather.
"Bege acted independently. We will not interfere, but you can no longer use this as an excuse to cause us trouble!"
If he had simply agreed to their demands, it would have been too suspicious. So, Slai had to first fight vigorously, then reluctantly concede the compensation. He also had to set his own terms.
Karl was predictably not suspicious. Instead, he asked with some surprise, "What, you're giving up on Bege?"
The implication was clear: Karl was confident in eliminating Bege and Carina to reclaim the business in the Ether Kingdom.
Slai scoffed internally. Did they think they were guaranteed to win just because they were the Five Families?
They hadn't expected the strong fighters to come from the Grand Line this time! I hope you're still this confident when the time comes!
Slai's expression remained flawless. He shrugged.
"His choice to head to the Grand Line was practically the same as leaving the family!"
"Since he didn't want to stay, why should we grovel to him?"
Karl nodded. That made sense!
People in the underworld were most concerned with family matters. Those who ventured into the Grand Line were usually marginal members with few prospects. Honestly, someone as strong as Bege going to the Grand Line was considered practically a traitor in the eyes of the Five Families.
"In that case, let's call it even! We no longer need to consider the sentiment between our families!" Having achieved his goal, Karl immediately adopted a friendly face, making Slai want to roll his eyes.
The profits from those three islands amounted to hundreds of millions of Berries a year. That was an expensive sentiment!
After exchanging a few perfunctory words, Slai finally hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Hmph! Enjoy it while you can! You don't have much time left!" Slai snarled with a sinister look.
In New York Island, the base of the Gambino Family, Karl had just finished his call with Slai. On the other side, another Den Den Mushi was still connected.
"Do you believe what Slai said?" The man on the phone had narrow eyes and an exceedingly effeminate tone. It was Genovese Leone, the Godfather of the Genovese Family, one of the Five Families!
Karl scoffed dismissively.
"What is there to think? It's just hedging their bets!"
"If we win, he's traded three islands' worth of business for the Capone Family's safety."
"If Bege wins, they can take everything back with interest!"
Leone chuckled.
"He's calculated so well. And you agreed just like that?"
"Hahaha!" Karl laughed uproariously.
"Why wouldn't I agree? It's three islands' worth of business for free!"
"As for Bege winning, do you truly think that's possible?"
Leone fell silent for a moment, then also laughed dismissively. The Five Families had dominated the West Blue for over a century. If they could be defeated that easily, they would have been replaced long ago!
"Once we reclaim the business in the Ether Kingdom, we'll split the three islands' worth of profit among us!" Karl was already imagining the allocation of the spoils.
Unfortunately for them, opening the champagne before the final whistle was a huge mistake!
Ether Kingdom.
After several days of intense cleanup by Carina, the capital was largely under her control. The first action Carina took after gaining power was to purchase a large amount of military equipment from Water Seven to expand her forces. The Soul King-sama wanted her to dominate the West Blue, so she had to prepare fully.
Her actions, however, were interpreted by the Five Families as a declaration of war, and they immediately dispatched a large number of men to the Ether Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, many outsiders have arrived in the capital recently! I fear the Five Families are about to make their move!" Rolchart found Carina and reported anxiously.
"Your Majesty, you were too hasty! You shouldn't have so openly organized military preparations; it allowed them to prepare!" Rolchart had opposed Carina's decision to purchase arms and expand the military from the start.
After two coups, the Ether Kingdom's national power had severely declined; it couldn't withstand further turbulence!
Unfortunately, Carina had insisted, pushing the decision through. Now, their trouble was here!
"Hehehe!"
However, to Rolchart's surprise, Carina didn't look scared; instead, she laughed excitedly.
"It's good that they're coming! I was worried they wouldn't!"
Rolchart asked worriedly, "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
Carina's eyes flashed with ferocity.
"I was struggling to find an excuse to deal with them, and they are handing me the weapon themselves!"
Rolchart was horrified, his voice changing entirely.
"Your Majesty! The Five Families are super-powers that have dominated the West Blue for over a century! We are no match for them!"