In the new eting hall of the royal palace, Pablo gathered his family.
The place was spacious, illuminated by crystal chandeliers, its walls adorned with new landscape paintings. A huge wooden table stood in the center, flanked by luxurious leather chairs. The large window overlooked the palace garden, and a cool breeze entered, carrying the scent of roses.
Pablo sat at the head of the table. To his right sat Marco, his massive body filling the chair; it was clear that he hadn't touched a weapon in a month, and his fingers were itching for the grip of a sword. To his left sat Shigo, sitting quietly, his stone-like face expressing nothing. Kuma sat on a special chair designed for his massive size; he was silent, his sunken eyes moving among those present. Darin, Pablo's personal assistant, stood by the door, ready to receive orders.
And Jinny was there.
She sat beside Pablo, closer to him than the others. She wore a long black skirt and a simple white shirt. Her pink hair cascaded over her shoulders. She held a thick file in her hands.
Pablo began the eting. His voice was calm, but it cut through the silence like a knife.
"We have stopped for a full month. A month of rest. A month of reorganization. A month of preparation."
He looked at their faces one by one.
"Now, it is ti to move again."
Marco smiled. The smile of a beast that had been caged for too long, and the ti had co to release it.
"Finally. My muscles have rusted."
Pablo stood up. He walked to the large map hanging on the wall. It was a map of the South Blue, drawn precisely, showing the islands, sea routes, and dangerous passages.
He pointed to the area between Sorbet and Naraka.
"In this region of the sea, there are nine islands. Three main islands, and six scattered around them."
"The main islands are: Sorbet, Naraka, and Shadow Island."
"Sorbet is under our control. Naraka is under our control. But Shadow Island... is still free."
"The other six islands are: First Port Island, Skull Island, Coral Island, Shell Island, Breeze Island, and Last Port Island."
He paused. He caught his breath.
"I want the Pablo Family to control this entire region. Every island. Every port. Every sea route. I want to control its trade. I want to control every military force in these islands. I want this region to be our inland sea."
Marco was excited. He was almost jumping out of his chair. Shigo showed no reaction. Darin was taking notes.
Kuma was silent. His eyes were fixed on the map, but he was thinking.
Then he opened his mouth.
"Pablo, this ans new wars. New battles. New casualties."
Pablo looked at him. Pablo knew how to convince and manipulate Kuma.
"Do you know, Kuma? There is an island ruled by pirates. Not honorable pirates who only attack ships. Pirates who kill farrs, burn houses, kidnap won. Ordinary people there die like flies, and no one lifts a finger to help them."
He paused. He breathed.
"And Shadow Island. Ruled by a gang called the 'Black Sails'. They sell humans as slaves. Not enemies. n, won, children. They kidnap them from neighboring villages and sell them like rchandise."
He looked directly at Kuma.
"And Shell Island. Farrs there plant from dawn to dusk. They sleep on dirt, eat dry bread. When they harvest the crop, the rchant cos and buys it for a pittance. Barely enough to buy bread. While he sells the grain in Naraka for many tis more."
He did not stop.
"And Coral Island. Divers dive deep into the sea searching for pearls. Many die. Torn apart by sharks, or suffocate underwater. Those who survive get scraps. While the pearl rchants live in palaces."
Kuma fell silent. He no longer knew what to say.
Pablo returned to his chair. He sat down.
"I am not doing this for fun, Kuma. I am doing this because this is the only way to change sothing."
Kuma said nothing. He remained silent. But in his eyes, there was sothing. Not anger. Perhaps conviction. Perhaps surrender.
---
Pablo turned to Jinny.
"Now, I want you to present the information you have gathered."
Jinny stood up. She walked toward the map. Her body swayed slightly with each step. Her pink hair touched her back.
Pablo looked at her. He couldn't stop his eyes from following her. He winked at her, a subtle wink that no one else could see.
Jinny felt his gaze. A small smile ford on her lips. She winked back, without anyone noticing.
She stood before the map. She opened her file. She began to speak.
---
First Port Island
"The first island after Sorbet. One day's sail away. Population 25,000. A vital comrcial port, through which most goods pass between north and south."
"It is ruled by a local rchant nad Ronan. He has 300 private soldiers and 10 small warships."
"Its source of inco: port fees and taxes on passing goods."
Jinny continued. She looked at Pablo for a mont. He gestured for her to continue.
---
Skull Island
"The second island. Two days' sail from First Port. Population 55,000. A pirate island for decades."
"It is ruled by a pirate captain nad 'Captain Black'. His bounty is 33 million Beli. He has less than a thousand pirates and 19 ships, plus coastal fortifications."
"Its source of inco: plundering rchant ships and tributes."
Marco smiled. "This will be fun."
---
Coral Island
"The third island. One day's sail from Skull Island. Population 30,000. Famous for pearls."
"It is ruled by a council of pearl rchants. They have 500 trained guards and 15 ships."
"Its source of inco: pearl diving and selling."
---
Shadow Island
Jinny's tone changed. She beca more serious.
"The fourth island. The largest and most dangerous. Population 70,000. Two days' sail from Coral Island."
"It is ruled by a gang called the 'Black Sails'. Their leader is 'Kuro'. He is not a pirate, so he has no bounty. He has between 1,300 and 1,500 gang soldiers, and 20 ships."
"Its source of inco: arms trade, drugs, and... slaves."
She paused for a mont. Everyone was silent.
"They kidnap people from neighboring villages and sell them."
Kuma was silent. But his eyes were burning.
---
Shell Island
"The fifth island. One day's sail from Shadow Island. Population 35,000. The region's breadbasket."
"It is ruled by the 'Rice' family, wealthy farrs. They have 600 guards and 5 ships."
"Its source of inco: selling crops."
---
Breeze Island
"The sixth island. Two days' sail from Shell Island. Population 45,000. A distribution center for goods."
"It is ruled by a wealthy rchant nad Morris. He has 1,000 private soldiers and 25 ships."
"Its source of inco: taxes and customs duties."
---
Last Port Island
"The seventh and final island. One day's sail from Breeze Island. Population 20,000. The last stop before Naraka."
"It is ruled by a local governor nad Aldric. An old man. He has 200 soldiers and 8 small ships."
"Its source of inco: port fees."
Jinny closed her file. She looked at Pablo.
"These are the islands."
---
Pablo was silent for a mont. He looked at those present. His voice was decisive.
"I have no intention of negotiating with anyone. These islands will be ours, or they will be no one's. All of them. By force."
He looked at Marco, at Shigo, at Kuma, at Darin.
"This is our next mission. Seven islands. Each with its own ruler, its army, and its challenges. But the end is the sa. All of them will be under the banner of the Pablo Family."
---
Jinny returned to her place beside Pablo. She sat down.
Pablo turned his face toward her for a mont. He looked at her lips. At her eyes. At her pink hair. Then he turned his gaze back to those present.
But his hand moved beneath the table.
He touched her thigh gently. The fabric was soft. The skin beneath was warm. His hand kneaded the soft flesh of Jinny's thigh.
Jinny did not move. Did not pull away. She continued looking at the map as if nothing had happened. But her face reddened slightly. And her heart was beating fast.
Pablo did not remove his hand. He left it there, touching her thigh, feeling its warmth, while everyone continued talking around the table.
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