After several days of intensive recruitnt, Arthur ca to Pablo.
"The number is complete. The family now has one hundred and fifty n."
Pablo looked at him. Then at Marco.
"Tonight."
The three sat around the table in Pablo's room on the upper floor. The map was drawn on paper in front of them. The windows were tightly shut.
Pablo began giving orders. His voice was calm, but every word carried weight.
"Marco and I will deal with Shigo directly. We will intercept him in the forest after midnight."
He pointed with his pen on the map. "Here. Where the forest narrows. The trees are dense on both sides. The path is not wide enough for several people. He won't be able to escape. A perfect place for an ambush."
Then he looked at Arthur.
"You will take n to Shigo's headquarters. While he is out, most of his n will be there. Asleep. They won't expect an attack."
"How many n will go with ?"
"Take whatever you need."
"And what about the Marines?" asked Arthur.
"The Marines won't move in the middle of the night. We will be finished before dawn."
Arthur nodded. But his eyes asked another question.
"And if sothing goes wrong?"
"Let's hope it doesn't."
As soon as Pablo finished giving his orders, Arthur went his way, and he and Marco went theirs.
---
The wind was strong that night.
Pablo and Marco walked through the dark forest. The trees swayed violently in the wind. Leaves flew in every direction. Branches broke and fell to the ground. The air was cold and sharp, piercing through clothes like small knives.
Pablo stopped.
He raised his face to the sky. He saw no stars. The clouds were thick. But he felt the wind blowing against his face. He felt his power. He felt that his ability was stronger because the wind was already there.
It was not just ordinary wind. It was a weapon waiting to be used.
He smiled.
"Marco."
"Yes."
"I will take care of Shigo myself."
Marco stopped. He looked at him. In his eyes was an objection he had not yet voiced.
"What?"
"I will subdue him. You take care of his n."
"Pablo, this is not the ti—"
"I am not asking for your opinion. These are orders."
Marco was silent for a second. He wanted to object. He wanted to say this was dangerous. That Pablo was not a professional fighter. But he knew that Pablo would not back down.
"Alright. But if you need —"
"I will call you."
Marco knew there was no point in arguing. They continued walking. The wind did not subside. It grew stronger the deeper they went into the forest.
---
They stopped at the place they had marked on the map. The trees were dense on both sides, forming a natural wall. The path in the middle was narrow. Above their heads, the branches intertwined to form a dark ceiling.
A perfect place for an ambush. No escape. No room for maneuvering.
They hid behind large trees. Pablo behind the trunk of an old oak, Marco behind a large rock on the other side. They waited.
Minutes passed like hours.
Then they heard footsteps.
Shigo was coming.
He walked slowly, with four n. He wore a heavy leather coat, but he was shivering slightly. The wind battered him, played with his clothes, made his steps unsteady.
"Damn wind." They heard his voice. He was angry and tired at the sa ti. "Why didn't I bring my heavy coat?"
His n laughed nervously. They were as afraid of the wind as they were of their leader. The wind howled among the trees like hidden monsters.
Suddenly, Marco and Pablo jumped into the middle of the path.
Shigo stopped. His n stepped back. Their hands went to their weapons.
Shigo looked at them. His eyes narrowed. He knew their faces.
"Marco." He said in a cold voice. Then he looked at Pablo. He paused for a long ti. "And you... you are Pablo. The head of the Pablo Family."
He looked around. He saw the trees around him. He saw the narrow path. He saw that there was no escape.
He knew he had fallen into an ambush.
But he was not afraid yet. He was a man who had fought many battles. He was confident in his skill.
"I thought you might target . Since you are expanding so quickly. But I did not expect you to do it this fast."
"Ti waits for no one." Pablo said quietly.
Shigo drew his sword. It was long, shiny, sharp. It reflected the faint moonlight filtering through the clouds.
"What do you want?"
"I want your territories. I want your n. I want everything."
Shigo smiled a bitter smile. It was the smile of a man who knew he was about to fight.
"You are ambitious, young one."
"Ambition is what keeps a man alive."
"Ambition is what kills the young."
"Worry about yourself only."
---
Shigo moved with surprising speed. His sword lunged toward Pablo like an arrow.
But Pablo was not where he had been. His trained body had practiced dodging for weeks. He jumped back. His hand went into his pocket. He drew his pistol.
A shot.
Shigo dodged it with a quick movent. His body bent, then turned, the sword was closer now.
Shigo pressed Pablo. His sword cut through the air with speed and power. Each blow aid at a different part of Pablo's body: neck, chest, arm, stomach. Pablo dodged with his trained body, but he was barely surviving. He swayed right and left, retreated, bent, jumped.
A blow almost reached his arm. The blade touched him, cut his shirtsleeve, left a superficial red wound.
Another blow almost scratched his face. Pablo felt the sharp air pass by his ear.
Shigo was skilled. Not only strong, but also intelligent. He read Pablo's movents. He knew where he would go before he went. He cornered his options.
"You are fast." Shigo said, pressing harder. "Your body is strong. But you are not a professional fighter. You lack experience. And that will kill you."
Pablo did not reply. He fired another shot. He missed.
Shigo advanced. His sword rose above his head. He prepared to deliver a finishing blow.
Pablo retreated. His back almost touched a large tree. He was cornered. No room to escape.
Shigo smiled. He knew he had won.
"It's over."
But Pablo was not afraid.
He let go of everything and focused.
The wind was around him. It was strong. It was waiting. He did not need to create it. He only needed to direct it.
The wind intensified.
Suddenly, everything changed.
The wind that had been strong beca terrifying. It was no longer just air moving leaves.
The tree behind Pablo was almost uprooted. Its branches shattered and flew in every direction. Small stones floated in the air as if weightless.
Shigo stopped. His eyes widened. He did not understand what was happening. He saw leaves flying around him. He saw dust rising. He saw trees bending. It was a storm within a narrow point.
"What is this?" he whispered.
He did not understand. He could not understand that this young man was doing it. He did not know about Devil Fruits. He did not know that Pablo possessed supernatural power.
Pablo did not reply. The wind compressed. It ford. It beca a blade.
It shot toward Shigo.
He did not see it because of its speed. But he felt it when it cut his shoulder. He bled. Sharp pain made him scream.
"What is happening?!"
Pablo did not reply. Another blade. This ti to his leg. It was not deep, but it hurt him. Made him stagger.
Shigo staggered. He tried to advance. The wind hindered him. Each step was harder than the last. The wind wrapped around his legs, obstructed his movent. It slapped his face hard. Made his eyes water.
A shot.
He missed. His hand trembled from exhaustion.
A wind blade.
It struck the arm that held the sword. He almost dropped it.
Shigo fell to one knee. He was bleeding from three wounds. He was exhausted. He could no longer see clearly. The wind howled in his ears.
He was afraid.
He was no longer the strong man who controlled thirty percent of the island. He had beco just a man afraid of death.
"Stop... please..."
Pablo did not lower his pistol. He looked at Shigo with cold eyes.
Shigo looked at him with frightened eyes. He saw death before him. He thought quickly, searching for anything that could save him.
"Don't kill ."
Pablo looked at him. "Why?"
"Because I am useful to you. I know the area. I know the people. I know who pays and who evades. My n know . If you kill , you will face problems controlling my territory."
Pablo was silent. But he was not only thinking about Shigo's words. He was thinking about himself. About his family. About the lack of leaders they suffered from.
After tonight, half of Naraka Island would be under my command. But who runs all this? Marco. Arthur. Ido. Only three. The rest were executors, not leaders.
But if we think about who is truly trustworthy and strong, he would find that the only one with him is Marco.
Shigo was a leader. He was strong. He managed thirty percent of the island. He had experience. He had n who obeyed him. If he killed him, he would need weeks to organize the area. And he might lose more n in battles with his followers.
But if he kept him alive...
"Will you submit to ?"
"I will submit."
"Will you give everything?"
"Everything. The territories. The money. The n. Everything."
Pablo looked at Marco. Marco was silent. He was waiting for his decision. He did not try to influence him. He knew Pablo would make the right decision.
Pablo thought again. Then he made his decision.
"Alright."
He lowered his pistol.
Shigo breathed a sigh of relief. He did not die. His body relaxed slightly. He knew his life had changed forever.
"Bandage his wounds." Pablo said to Marco. "Then go to Arthur. Stop him."
"Stop him?"
"There is no need to raid the headquarters now. Shigo is with us."
Marco nodded. He bandaged Shigo's wounds quickly. He was not an expert, but he stopped the bleeding. Then he ran toward the forest, in the direction they had co from, heading to Shigo's headquarters.
---
Marco ran as fast as he could through the trees. He hoped to arrive before Arthur began the attack. He knew Arthur was a fast man, efficient, who did not waste ti. And he feared he had arrived too late.
The wind was still strong. It hindered him. Slowed him down. But he continued.
When he arrived at Shigo's headquarters, everything was already over.
The building was large, two stories high, surrounded by a low stone wall. It was used as Shigo's main headquarters. Now, the main door was smashed. The windows were broken. The walls bore bullet marks.
Bodies lay in the yard and inside. So wore nightclothes. They were asleep when death ca for them.
Arthur was standing in the middle, giving orders to his n. His face was sared with dust and blood. But his eyes were sharp, focused.
Marco stopped. He looked around.
"Arthur."
Arthur turned. He was tired, but he showed no weakness.
"Marco? Why are you here?"
"Pablo wants to stop the attack."
Arthur was silent. He looked at the bodies around him. Then at Marco.
"You're too late."
Marco sighed. He knew it was over.
"How many did we lose?"
"Thirteen n. We killed thirty-six of theirs."
Marco looked at the dead. His n and Shigo's n mixed on the ground.
"Pablo decided to keep Shigo alive. He will submit to us."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. He had not expected this.
"Shigo is alive?"
"Yes. He was smart. He offered himself before he died. Pablo was convinced. He said he is useful."
Arthur shook his head. He was not happy. But he did not object. Pablo was the leader. And his decisions were always right.
"I will tell Pablo that you are done. Clean this place up and co."
Arthur nodded. He returned to organizing his n.
Marco headed back to the forest.
---
The Next Morning
The Marine building in the center of Naraka was imposing the next morning. Its white walls reflected the sunlight. The flag fluttered at the top. The guards stood at the gate with stony faces.
On the upper floor, in Captain Vinson's office, the atmosphere was heavy.
The room was wide. Its windows overlooked the main street. On the walls were maps of Naraka and the neighboring islands. A long sword hung behind the chair. Its hilt was silver, its blade shiny.
Vinson sat behind his desk. Before him on the leather chairs sat his three officers.
The door opened. A soldier entered.
"Captain, Pablo has arrived. With Marco."
"Bring them in."
Pablo and Marco entered. Pablo wore black pants, a white shirt, and a black jacket. His face was calm. Marco behind him, his large body filling the doorway.
They sat on the opposite chairs.
Vinson looked at them for a long ti. He began his words.
"Pablo, do you know why you were summoned?"
"No."
"Your family attacked Shigo's headquarters last night. You killed thirty-six people. This cannot be ignored."
"That is not true."
"We have reports that your n—"
"The reports are false."
A short, cold conversation. Vinson was looking for any slip. Any contradiction. Anything he could grab onto.
He found nothing.
"If you are innocent, you will not mind summoning Shigo to say that himself."
"I don't mind."
Vinson gestured to one of his officers. "Bring Shigo."
The officer left. After about twenty minutes, he returned. Behind him, Shigo entered.
He was injured. His white bandages were stained with blood. But he was walking. His steps were slow, but he was able to move.
He sat on the chair next to Pablo.
Vinson looked at him.
"Shigo. What happened last night?"
Shigo breathed deeply. His pain was clear on his face.
"A gang attacked in the forest. I don't know who they were. The wind was strong. Everything was dark."
"A gang? Which gang?"
"I don't know. I didn't see faces. But they are not from the Pablo Family. I know Pablo. I know his n. It's not them."
Vinson was silent. He knew Shigo was lying. He knew Pablo was behind everything. The spies he had sent had told him there were large movents in the Pablo Family last night. But he could not prove it. The only thing he had were reports of deaths at Shigo's headquarters. No evidence that the Pablo Family was responsible.
"So... you have no complaint?"
"No."
Vinson looked at Pablo. Then at Shigo. Then at Marco. He was thinking. He was calculating.
"You may leave."
The three left. Pablo first, then Marco, then Shigo.
Vinson remained sitting. He looked at his officers.
"This child is a problem. He is more dangerous than I expected. Shigo is under his command now. Half the island is under his control. We cannot let this pass."
"What will we do?" asked one of the officers.
Vinson did not reply. He was thinking.
---
At the Pablo Family headquarters, everyone sat. Pablo behind his desk. Marco on the chair beside him. Arthur on the other side. Shigo on the opposite chair, his wounds still hurting.
The place was quiet. The walls were wooden. On the table, a glass of cold water they had placed in front of Shigo.
Shigo spoke. His voice was tired, but clear.
"I control thirty percent of the island. The territory stretches from the eastern port to the center of the island."
"What factories do you have?" asked Pablo.
"Three factories under my direct managent. A textile factory in the northeast. A fish canning factory on the waterfront. And a wood factory in the west."
"The shops and factories that pay you?"
"In my territory, seventy small shops each pay eighteen thousand. Twenty-five large shops each pay forty-two thousand. And eight factories each pay ninety thousand."
Pablo calculated quickly in his head.
"And the port?"
"I control part of the eastern port. Fifteen ships dock there monthly."
"The total?"
"About twenty-six million Beli monthly."
"Your number of n?"
"I had one hundred and twenty. After last night..." He stopped. His eyes went to the ground. "Less than seventy."
Pablo was silent.
"We will rge your n with ours."
"How?"
"They will remain in the family. But I will disperse them. They will not stay together in your old territories. I will place them in different areas under the command of Pablo Family leaders."
Shigo understood. Pablo did not want his n to stay together.
"And my old territories?"
"I will put my n there. In the port. In the factories. In collecting tribute. All the important areas will be under the direct supervision of the Pablo Family."
Shigo sighed. He knew this would happen.
"My n who will stay with you... what will happen to them?"
"They will remain in the family. But they will work in other areas. Far from each other. They will fight. They will work. They will carry out my orders. Like any other individual in the family."
"And if so refuse to join?"
"We will kill them."
The simplicity of the answer made Shigo silent.
"And you..." Pablo continued. "You will stay with us. You will work with . You will give all the information I need about the area."
"I am at your service."
---
At night, Pablo sat alone in his room. The windows were closed. The light was dim. On the table in front of him: his small notebook, his pistol, and a glass of cold water.
He opened the notebook. He began to calculate.
Pablo's old territories: monthly inco 14 million Beli.
Shigo's territories: monthly inco 26 million Beli.
Total: 40 million Beli monthly.
Half of Naraka Island.
He wrote in his notebook:
"Now: 50% of the island. Next target: the rest of Naraka."
User Comments
0 comments from readers