Brown of the Ten Dons

Kenny Gole's death caused this gang to rapidly collapse and disintegrate.

Some of the Kenny Family's elite had originally wanted to resist, but faced with the Fills Family's encroaching takeover, they were helpless.

That newly appointed head of the Fills Family, Oboro.

That man was terrifying... No one knew what he had done or how he had done it! The Kenny Family's mid- and high-ranking officers had been swept away in just a few days, dying sudden deaths.

The Fills Family took over the Kenny Family's smuggling business, not only solidifying its power but further expanding it.

The other gangs in the region had never expected this. They had all thought the Fills Family would be the one destroyed...

Gradually, certain rumors began spreading through the underworld.

The next day, inside a palace-like building built halfway up a mountain.

A short-haired man with blond hair, blue eyes, and rugged features stood before a wall displaying an exorbitantly priced masterpiece, quietly admiring it.

Dense rows of display stands filled the hall, each bearing different treasures, skeletons, jewelry, antiques... a dazzling array of goods.

"Lord Brown."

A gang subordinate entered the hall and walked behind the man, bowing respectfully. "The Fills Family asked Badim to deliver some gifts to you, including assets, cash, and more than ten rare collectibles."

"Fills... that family that's been expanding rapidly lately... They've made quite a stir..."

The blond man withdrew his gaze from the painting and turned around.

"Yes!"

The subordinate replied.

"The head of the Fills Family is a newcomer?"

"Yes, he has held the position for less than two months... The former head, Fills Mabor, and his son, Fills Garu, were both killed by the Kenny Family. The two organizations had a long-standing grudge. A few days after the new boss took over, he clashed with the Kenny Family and won, annexing their operations. A month ago, the Fills Family also took out McDomi and claimed a share of the transportation industry... The Fills Family is now comparable to some major powers."

Brown showed no reaction after hearing this. Although the Fills Family had risen quickly lately, there were many medium-sized forces like it within his territory. The only ones worth remembering were the top-tier groups.

Brown was one of the Ten Dons of the Six Continents, overseeing the gangs of ten regions!

Too many people wanted to curry favor with him. The Fills Family's gifts carried an ulterior meaning: they were offering favors in hopes of winning the Ten Dons' approval.

"If Badim made the trip personally, then... the things he brought must have some value."

Brown spoke as he strolled between the display stands.

The subordinate hurried after him. "The Fills Family rose through casinos. They do not have many men, but they possess considerable assets."

Seeing that Brown had little impression of the Fills Family, the subordinate immediately began explaining further.

As one of the Ten Dons, Brown wielded enormous power in the underworld. Ordinary families could not simply curry favor with him even if they wanted to. He had no interest in trifling gifts. The gifts the Fills Family had sent this time must have been substantial enough to tempt even one of the Ten Dons. His subordinates and confidants understood Brown's nature and tastes well; otherwise, they would not have accepted them.

They had accepted the gifts, but it was impossible for the Fills Family to meet one of the Ten Dons.

They were not qualified.

Only a handful of gang leaders were permitted an audience with him, and Badim was one of them.

The Fills Family had certainly put some thought into it.

Brown did not care much about changes among the gangs beneath him... As one of the Ten Dons, he possessed the arrogance fitting his status and authority. As long as his interests were not threatened, they could fight however they liked... The underworld was a place where the strong devoured the weak, filled with killing and conflict every day. He could not manage every single gang, so long as he kept the overall situation under control.

It was good for some new blood to emerge, too... Things would become dull if they never changed.

More importantly, this rising force knew how to behave...

"How are the preparations for the gala?"

Brown did not dwell on the Fills Family. After listening to his subordinate for a while, he brought it up.

"They are nearly complete. All the factions have been notified, and it will be held as scheduled."

"Very good."

Brown nodded and walked out of the hall.

The instant before he passed through the doors, a shadow darted out from nowhere and flashed eerily behind Brown. Dressed in fitted clothing resembling a ninja outfit, his face covered and two sheathed blades at his waist, he protected the Ten Don as they gradually disappeared into the distance.

The subordinate standing in the hall bowed toward their retreating figures. Only after they had completely vanished from sight did he raise his head.

Several days later, as the head of the Fills Family, Oboro brought his butler David to a charity gala held in the name of the Ten Dons.

On the surface, the gala was said to be a righteous event for donations and helping the poor.

In reality, it was merely a sham and a formality through which all the gangs paid protection money to the Ten Dons.

In fact... even the Ten Dons themselves would not appear.

They simply let these people swarm in and revel among themselves.

Some so-called treasures would be auctioned at the venue, yet they were worthless... The various gang bosses would fiercely bid against one another, spending astronomical sums to buy useless junk. They did this partly to curry favor with the Ten Dons by handing them money for nothing, and partly because it was an opportunity to show off before every gang, displaying their wealth and reputation while promoting their family name.

It was essentially the same as the auctions later held in Yorknew, only on a far smaller scale.

Only after getting out of the car and arriving at the hotel venue did Oboro realize he had underestimated the Ten Dons' influence... Even though it was only one of the Ten Dons, the luxury cars of gangs from across the region had clogged an entire street solid.

Gangsters were hot-tempered. Many gang members openly cursed and fought over minor scrapes between cars and cutting one another off... Though each of them was dressed decently today, their behavior still could not conceal their crude and vulgar nature.

There was another interesting phenomenon... Oboro discovered that even within the underworld, there was a clear hierarchy. In such heavy traffic, cars from smaller families would voluntarily yield to those from larger families... allowing the luxury cars of the major families to drive smoothly all the way to the hotel entrance and enter first.

Well-known bosses also received an enthusiastic welcome from the staff... As for the heads of small families, they were completely ignored.

The contrast was stark.

The Fills Family had originally been a medium-sized power, but after expanding wildly in just over two months, it was showing signs of becoming a major family. Therefore, Oboro and David were among the first to enter, and the entire process went smoothly.

"Come! Let me introduce you. This is Oboro, the head of the Fills Family! A rising star in our region... I am sure you have all heard of his name lately, so I will not say more." Seeing Oboro and David, the head of the Badim Family—a short, potbellied old man—walked over holding a wineglass and introduced them to several friends beside him.

These people stood in the center of the venue, forming a small circle of their own. No one around them dared approach, and the looks directed their way carried awe and nervousness...

Because they were the heads of the strongest families in the region.

They were all giants whose slightest movement could make the underworld tremble.

Oboro being pulled into this small group naturally drew the attention of others...

After all, getting close to these influential figures was an opportunity many family heads dreamed of.

Oboro glanced at Badim. The reason this man was being so warm toward him was because he had made a considerable profit from the Fills Family when delivering gifts to the Ten Dons! "I heard... you are a distant junior relative of Fills Mabor?"

One of the big shots looked Oboro up and down but could not see anything particularly outstanding about him. Yet the Fills Family had made far too many moves recently... It had taken out both the Kenny and Mike factions in succession, forcing people to view it in a different light and take notice.

"Yes."

Oboro nodded indifferently.

Rather than look directly at the man, his peripheral vision continued sweeping toward the entrance, watching the underworld leaders constantly filing in.

That attitude darkened the face of the big shot who had asked the question.

In the underworld, the order of strength and weakness was clear. How long had a junior like Oboro even been around? Even if he did not show respect, he should at least remain humble... After all, offending him would bring no benefits to the Fills Family.

The Fills Family had not even truly become one of the region's foremost organizations. Even if it had established itself and stood on equal footing with them, such an arrogant attitude was far too rude! "Kid!"

An officer behind the big shot clenched his fists and shouted angrily at Oboro.

Oboro remained unmoved. Without even offering a greeting, he directly led David away...

This behavior immediately stunned everyone present, including Badim.

"Heh... Young people these days..."

"He has only enjoyed a few days of glory, and he already cannot tell east from west."

"Let him strut around for now. We will deal with him after the gala ends."

The big shots exchanged looks. Only Badim remained silent.

This was the Ten Dons' territory. No one dared make trouble.

Elsewhere, Oboro walked into a corner and quietly drank the red wine in his hand.

He had no interest in talking with these gang bosses... There was no special reason; he simply found them uninteresting. Talking to them was a waste of time, and he would rather be alone for a while. Even if he did strike up a conversation, Oboro could already imagine the topics they would discuss.

The only reason he had shown up at the gala... was for Brown, one of the Ten Dons. Even if he could not meet him, that did not stop him from making the other man remember the Fills Family more deeply.

If I kill everyone here today... would that mean the gangs throughout this entire region... Oboro took a sip of wine and watched every person in the venue through his glass as a thought surfaced in his mind.

If he truly did that... then he would not be dealing with only Brown, but the Ten Dons as a whole.

Better forget it...

"Hello, I am James Jones, the head of the James Family. May I have the honor of getting acquainted with you?"

However, Oboro had thought things too simply. He had assumed he could enjoy some peace and quiet, but an unfamiliar man soon approached him, handed him a business card, and spoke cautiously.

Looks like I can't avoid this...

Oboro sighed inwardly. Seeing the man's timid manner, he smiled. "That is a good name."

The man's expression brightened, and he hurriedly raised his glass in a toast.

Time passed bit by bit. As more and more people entered the venue, the atmosphere gradually became livelier.

And Oboro had already been surrounded by a circle of people...

Many leaders of small organizations were eager to befriend Oboro and build connections with the Fills Family as it now stood...

"Hmph!"

Not far away, the big shot Oboro had offended earlier saw this scene, his eyes turning sinister.

Something came up today, so this update was late. Sorry!