The entire world had erupted because Roger had become the Pirate King, and on Iron Island in the West Sea, an insignificant place in the eyes of the world, an event that would change the island's balance of power was about to occur. Its occurrence would also mark the official rise of a great powerhouse, his formal appearance before the world!
On the second day after Roger became the Pirate King, the elites under Carlos gathered at the standalone villa where he lived. There were forty of them, all carefully selected from more than two hundred people.
The forty Mafia elites gathered together and discussed in low voices. They had come at Carlos's command, but none of them knew what they were here to do.
"Boss is here!" Noah emerged from the villa and said solemnly.
At Noah's words, everyone hurriedly stopped whispering. They stood ramrod straight, their eyes fixed ahead.
Carlos slowly emerged from behind the villa, dressed in a black-and-red suit with an expressionless face. The authority he had built over more than half a year as a Boss, coupled with the confidence brought by his formidable strength, formed a unique aura that made everyone's hearts tighten!
"Boss!" The group, all dressed in brown suits and brown capes, bent at the waist and bowed.
A faint smile appeared on Carlos's face. He removed his sunglasses and opened his eyes, revealing scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan that radiated a sinister, wicked air, as though they had gathered all the darkness of human nature within them. They were overwhelmingly oppressive!
Everyone, Noah included, stared at Lucifer Carlos in shock and disbelief, not knowing what to say for a moment...
"Everyone here today was carefully selected by Noah at my request. Some of you are my old subordinates, while others are newer subordinates whom I value highly."
"The reason I called you here is to discuss something that concerns everyone's fate..." Carlos said in a deep voice, pausing there.
"I don't like beating around the bush, so I'll be direct."
"With my true strength and my ambitions, I am no longer satisfied with the position of a mere leader."
"I want to replace the Mike Family and become the new Boss of the Iron Island Mafia!"
"I've said my piece. Who supports me? Who opposes me?"
The open space outside the villa fell silent. Anyone who heard such news would probably be stunned speechless. Of course, Noah, who had been informed beforehand, was an exception.
"I firmly support Boss!" Noah declared, raising his right arm high. His face was flushed with excitement.
"This..."
Seeing this, Carlos's old subordinates were eager to move, but they still had not made up their minds. This was the kind of matter where they would be putting their heads on the line.
"Sorry, Boss Carlos. I don't intend to take part in this. I'll pretend I never heard what you said."
A subordinate leader under Carlos stepped forward and spoke. After saying that, he turned to leave, and two fighters under him turned and followed.
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Stay a little longer."
Carlos's cold voice rang out. His body shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow. The departing subordinate leader and the two fighters were no fools; they had long guessed that leaving today would not be so easy. They pulled out rifles and pistols, preparing to resist.
However, Carlos was far faster than they had anticipated. His two broad-knuckled claws had already gripped their guns. With a burst of force, the two rifles snapped instantly. He raised his head, and his Three-Tomoe Sharingan swept over them. The three bodies immediately stiffened, standing blankly in place as Carlos turned and walked back...
After Carlos turned away, the three suddenly drew the short blades hidden on their bodies and stabbed each other's hearts without hesitation. One stabbed another. Only after the cold blades entered their hearts did the three regain consciousness. They collapsed to the ground in horror and despair, blood flowing from their bodies as life quickly left them...
"Although I called you here today, I'm not forcing you to agree to work with me. But anyone who disagrees will absolutely not be allowed to leave before my plan succeeds. If you leave rashly, there is only one path—death!"
"I won't force anyone who disagrees, but after I succeed, you will be expelled from the Mafia."
"Fortune is found in danger. You are the strongest fighters under my command, which is why you have this chance to take a gamble. No one else does."
"Once I rise to power, I naturally won't forget your rewards. I'll give you one more chance."
"Who supports me? Who opposes me?"
Everyone felt a chill in their hearts, especially at the sight of the three men stabbing each other to death. It was truly terrifying!
"I'll say it again: I support Boss!"
"I believe Boss will succeed. Since joining the Mafia, Boss has never failed."
"Since Boss wants to do something this dangerous, how could he have brought it up without sufficient confidence?"
Noah, playing his part as the supporting act, stepped forward at just the right moment to call out and incite the crowd.
With both threats and persuasion, and a bloody outcome laid out before them, some finally could not bear the pressure, while others had their ambitions ignited. One after another, they declared their support.
Once someone took the lead in something like this, it became much easier. People naturally had a herd mentality; only a very few could remain true to themselves under environmental pressure.
Before long, everyone remaining declared their support. It was somewhat better than Carlos had expected.
"Noah, write down everyone's names and home addresses. Find an excuse to send other brothers to keep watch on them."
"Yes, Boss!"
What ruthless, vicious methods. He was using their families to warn and threaten them.
Mafia Members did not spring out of cracks in rocks. At least half of the Mafia Members had families.
"Don't blame your Boss for playing dirty. This is only for insurance, to keep you from making mistakes."
"After all, what I intend to do is of great importance. As long as you obediently follow my orders, nothing will happen, and I will compensate you afterward."
"Now follow me to the backyard. I'll personally explain my plan to you. Don't question it. You only need to carry it out properly."
Having already come this far, there was nothing else they could do. They could only follow Carlos down this dark road to the end.
Two nights later, at the largest hotel in Iron Island East City, Carlos stood at the entrance to an extremely luxurious private room on the top floor, welcoming guests. The corridor was filled with Mafia Members dressed uniformly in brown suits.
Today, Carlos was treating them!
Before long, one distinguished guest after another arrived. They were all big shots from the Mike Family: Mike Klin, the new head of the Mike Family; the two newly appointed leaders; and Carlton, an established leader and Carlos's direct superior.
"Boss Mike, leaders, I've waited and waited, and at last you've arrived," Carlos said with a broad smile.
"Hehehe, what a smooth talker. Carlton, this subordinate of yours is quite good," Mike Klin said with a light laugh.
Mike Klin stood around 1.8 meters tall and was about thirty years old. He had a slightly plump build, a neatly groomed handlebar mustache, and a cigar between his lips. Dressed in a dark purple suit, a black-and-blue striped cape, and a black top hat, he truly carried the air of a Mafia Boss!
"You flatter me, Boss Mike."
"Carlos, everyone made time to come today. The treasure you said you wanted us to appraise had better not disappoint us."
"Otherwise, you won't escape a punishment."
Carlton was slightly shorter than Mike Klin and about the same age. If not for the long scar on his forehead, he would definitely have been a remarkably handsome man. Wearing a pristine white suit and holding a blue cigarette holder between his lips, he spoke unhurriedly.
"Don't worry. Would I, Carlos, dare to toy with you leaders?"
"It is absolutely a rare treasure beyond compare. I can't swallow it all by myself, which is why I invited you leaders here."
"I'll just take a little of the leftovers."
"Leaders, don't stand around here and tire yourselves out. Let's go inside and talk over drinks."
Carlos assured them confidently.
"What a sensible young man. You have a bright future ahead of you!"
Mike Klin smiled as he looked back and stepped into the luxurious private room. The others were also highly pleased with Carlos, praising him as they entered the room.
As Carlos entered after them, the private room's doors slowly closed...
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