Mafia

The cruise ship sailed slowly toward the island. A group of Elite Camp members in recruit uniforms hid beneath the cover of night, all eager for action.

There were watchtowers on the island. When the sentries inside spotted a cruise ship sailing straight toward them from afar, their faces filled with confusion.

Then, with practiced efficiency, they signaled with flags for the ship to come ashore for inspection.

"Hahaha! Everyone, I'm heading out first. Try not to die!" A veteran laughed heartily, stepped on Geppo, and shot into the air, flying toward the watchtower at top speed.

"I'm not letting you have the head of Cas, the Mafia boss!" another veteran shouted, launching himself into the sky with Geppo.

One after another, the veterans who had learned Geppo took off.

"Looks like the veterans are already competing for Military Merit. I'm heading out too. Be careful, everyone!" Smoker called to the others before turning into a cloud of smoke and flying into the sky.

Luo Sa watched the others take off, his eyes flickering. In the end, though, he chose not to transform into a Winged Gull and compete for Military Merit.

This Mafia outfit was on Capone Bege's turf, after all. Until he understood the situation, he wasn't going to take any risks.

"Luo Sa, how about we work together?" Sakartam asked with a smile as he stepped forward.

Luo Sa looked at Sakartam, feeling a little puzzled. Sakartam had been acting far too strangely lately!

Nobody was ever generous without a reason!

So Luo Sa had been keeping his distance from Sakartam, deliberately or otherwise.

"Be careful, you guys. I'm going to scout things out first!" Ignoring the expectant looks from Hina and the others, Luo Sa transformed into a Winged Gull and flew into the sky.

But he didn't join the battle right away. He watched what was happening below from the air and planned to go earn some Military Merit only after making sure it was safe.

As time passed, the battle raged on.

"That figure is... Capone Bege!" Luo Sa, flying overhead, narrowed his eyes. On a raised platform, he spotted Capone Bege watching the city below with great interest.

The battle had already begun. The innocent townspeople had long since fled and hidden in their homes, so Capone Bege stood out starkly on the otherwise deserted platform.

An idea struck Luo Sa. He transformed into his Winged Gull Half-Beastman form and slowly approached Capone Bege.

"Who are you?" Luo Sa asked outright, staring fixedly at the man before him.

"Hm? You're a Marine? Why aren't you helping wipe out the Mafia? What are you doing here?" Capone Bege asked with a grin.

"You're not with the Mafia?" Luo Sa furrowed his brow again.

"No, of course not! In fact, I'm a great hero who helped wipe out the Mafia. How could I be one of them?" Capone Bege waved his hands repeatedly, as if pleading not to be falsely accused.

"If you're not a member of the Mafia, then let me take you somewhere safe. It's far too dangerous here!" Luo Sa's eyes flickered as he suddenly reached out to grab Capone Bege.

Capone Bege quickly dodged to the side, avoiding Luo Sa's grasp.

Luo Sa pressed forward, and Capone Bege kept dodging.

"Looks like you're suspicious too. I hope you'll come with me." Luo Sa's movements gradually sped up, and before long, the two were fighting.

"Marine, is attacking an innocent civilian what you call justice?" Capone Bege said angrily.

"I just think something's off about you. And now you're resisting arrest!" Luo Sa used Soru and unleashed Wing Chop against Capone Bege.

Capone Bege fought back, pulling two guns from his clothes and firing at Luo Sa.

Looks like he hasn't eaten the Castle-Castle Fruit yet, Luo Sa guessed.

He could now be fairly certain that Capone Bege wasn't with the Mafia.

Or, at least, he wasn't with them yet.

In the anime, Capone Bege had risen to power by taking down a Mafia boss. This time, he was planning to use someone else to do the dirty work and rise through the ranks himself!

Clearly, Capone Bege was the one who'd informed on the Mafia, and the Marines were the weapon he meant to use!

That was the real reason Capone Bege had come here!

But if Capone Bege hasn't gotten the Castle-Castle Fruit, where is it? Another question arose in Luo Sa's mind.

Then he looked toward the battlefield, and an answer began to take shape.

"Looks like you came here for the Castle-Castle Fruit too, didn't you?" Luo Sa said to Capone Bege with a sudden sneer.

Capone Bege's pupils contracted sharply. Having his deepest secret seen through left him momentarily shaken.

How could Luo Sa let such a perfect opportunity slip by? With a slight flap of his wings, he silently sent two blades of wind slicing toward Capone Bege at high speed!

Capone Bege reacted with incredible speed. His two guns spat fire, blasting the wind blades apart in midair.

Luo Sa had already used the moment to close the distance. Against Capone Bege's dual guns, getting in close was the best approach.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Once Luo Sa was close, Capone Bege used his guns like daggers and engaged him head-on.

To Luo Sa's surprise, Capone Bege was no slouch in close combat either. He traded blows with Luo Sa in his Winged Gull Half-Beastman form without falling far behind.

"Damn it, I'm an honest citizen!" Capone Bege was furious that Luo Sa had acted so unpredictably.

"Capone Bege, you call yourself an honest citizen?" Luo Sa sneered. His attacks grew even more ferocious; he was determined to keep Capone Bege here!

When Luo Sa called him by name, Capone Bege's expression turned cold.

His operations had always been conducted underground, and the Marines had no information on him. If this Marine knew who he was, he must have investigated him in secret!

"Go to hell! Wing Chop!" Luo Sa repeatedly attacked with Wing Chop, using Soru to support his strikes.

Capone Bege wasn't the man he would be ten years later, and he hadn't eaten the Castle-Castle Fruit yet. Compared to Drake, another Supernova, he was far weaker at the moment!

"Damn it, you bastard!" Capone Bege was getting desperate. Suddenly, he yanked at his shirt, violently tore it off, and threw it to the ground.

Luo Sa's gaze instantly sharpened. Capone Bege's body was covered in explosives!

"Come on, Marine! Come on! If nothing else, we'll die together!" Capone Bege stared at Luo Sa with a crazed look.

Luo Sa hesitated.

Die together?

As if!

A glint flashed in Capone Bege's eyes. Then the ground beneath his feet suddenly collapsed, and he plunged down with it.

Clearly, Capone Bege had prepared this escape route in advance. If Luo Sa chased after him now, the cramped interior meant there was a real chance he'd go down with him!