Hell's Kitchen.
A cemetery.
Whoooosh...
A cold wind swept through the graveyard, sending fallen leaves skittering across the ground and making the already desolate place feel even bleaker.
In that bitter wind stood an old man in a trench coat, his hair completely white.
Like the wind itself, he stood there in silence before a gravestone.
On the photo carved into the stone, a bright young man was smiling like sunlight itself.
Matt Murdock.
"You know, the irony is almost laughable, Matt."
The old man wore dark glasses. His gaze remained fixed ahead as he spoke in a calm, weathered voice.
He held a long staff in one hand, speaking at Matt Murdock's grave with the familiarity of someone who had known him for years.
"You wore that mask every day. Put on that tight little costume. Fought for this city like some pathetic clown."
"And in the end, what did it get you?"
"I told you long ago—useless emotions would only make you weak."
"And weakness would get you killed."
He paused.
"You were the most talented student I ever had."
"But you were also the stupidest."
"You wasted your talent... and in the end, you died without even a shred of dignity."
A long silence followed.
Then the old man finally spoke again.
"But... you were still my student."
"I've already found the man who killed you."
"I'll take back your dignity for you."
"Rest in peace."
When he finished, he placed a flower in front of Matt's gravestone.
He had just straightened up and was about to leave when his body suddenly paused.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"It's been a long time, Elektra."
"Stick."
A cold, sharp voice answered from behind him.
A woman stepped forward from the darkness.
She looked lean, capable, and deadly. There was a chill to her, a hardness that made it clear she wasn't someone ordinary people could approach.
"You came."
Stick's tone was matter-of-fact.
"I knew you would. You were never able to let Matt go."
"That's also why you drove me away, isn't it?" Elektra's face was expressionless, her voice flat and cold. "You didn't want me distracting Matt."
Her eyes finally drifted toward the photo on the grave.
Only then did a trace of grief surface in her gaze.
"But in the end... Matt still left you too."
Stick didn't answer.
Elektra ignored him and stepped up to the grave. She placed her own bouquet down in silence and quietly mourned the man who had once walked into her life.
Only after a while did she stand again.
"You're going after the one who killed Matt, aren't you?"
Her voice was firm, decisive.
"Don't deny it. I heard everything just now."
She turned her head and stared at Stick.
"I'm joining you."
"Whether you agree or not."
"And if you refuse, I'll just do it myself. I don't need you to get it done."
Stick let out a faint breath.
"Elektra... since when have you ever needed my permission?"
...
At the same time, deep inside one of Kingpin's hideouts—
Boom!
A heavy, explosive sound rang out.
A steel plate fixed firmly to the ground trembled violently as a hole was blasted straight through it.
Not only that, but the torn edges of the metal glowed red. The heat had been so intense that the steel had partially melted, dripping down the plate in glowing streaks.
The sight was terrifying.
Standing in front of that steel plate, Kingpin's right fist was also glowing red-hot, radiating terrifying heat that made it hard for anyone nearby to even approach him.
"As expected of a Devil Fruit."
Kingpin looked at the damage he had caused and couldn't hide his satisfaction.
"Truly miraculous."
One punch.
That was all it had taken to tear a hole through a steel plate five centimeters thick.
What kind of person could survive a punch like that?
Wade had been right.
If Daredevil were still alive, one punch would have been enough to send him straight to hell.
"Boss, I never imagined you'd gain such terrifying power in only three days."
Wesley adjusted his glasses and spoke from the heart.
If someone had told him before that a man could punch through steel barehanded, he would've called that person insane.
And yet now, he had seen exactly that with his own eyes.
"This is what a Devil Fruit can do."
Kingpin's tone carried the same amazement.
These fruits were simply too unbelievable.
To gain power like this... he really had been fortunate.
Still, after a pause, Kingpin shook his head.
"Wesley, I still have a long way to go."
That punch looked terrifying.
And it was.
But the truth was, it needed preparation.
His current mastery of the Steel Fruit was still far too shallow.
Turning his fist into steel was one thing. He had practiced that enough to do it fairly well.
But heating that steel fist to such an extreme temperature?
That took him nearly ten full seconds.
In a real fight, who would ever give him that much time?
There was still a long road ahead.
As for turning the rest of his body into steel at will for defense, he was equally unpolished. He could control his hands much more easily than his chest, waist, or other parts of his body.
Which made perfect sense.
After all, it was like trying to flex different muscles. Most people could control their arms and biceps easily enough, but chest muscles, abs, and other areas were much harder unless they had specifically trained them.
Kingpin turned to Wesley.
"And how is your own fruit development going?"
Wesley gave a small shrug.
"Nothing impressive."
There was too much for him to do. All the internal and external affairs of Kingpin's empire ran through him. He simply didn't have that much time to devote to fruit training.
"But... I have made some progress."
He smiled faintly, then suddenly lifted one hand and pointed at the steel plate.
Bang!
A bullet shot out and struck the metal, sending up a burst of sparks.
The power of the shot still wasn't comparable to a real bullet fired from a gun. Reaching that level would require much more training.
"Not bad."
Kingpin nodded.
Wesley wasn't an enforcer. He was a secretary, a butler, a manager.
He wasn't someone meant to fight on the front lines.
For that role, Kingpin was already more than satisfied with what Wesley had now.
"Boss, it's about time."
Wesley checked the time and spoke up.
"We should go pick up Miss Vanessa."
Kingpin nodded.
Ever since seeing the miracle of Devil Fruits firsthand, he had already decided to buy one for Vanessa as well.
Unfortunately, she had been busy these past few days and hadn't had time until today.
"Go get the car ready."
"Understood, Boss."
Wesley responded immediately and turned to leave at once.
As for Kingpin, he took a quick shower, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and then headed downstairs.
Outside, Wesley had already arranged everything.
Four cars sat lined up in a row, waiting.
Wesley respectfully stepped forward and opened the car door himself.
Kingpin got in.
A moment later, the convoy pulled away, leaving only dust swirling in its wake.