I Think the Navy Is Doomed Sooner or Later!

The luxurious nightclub was reduced to ashes.

Amid a crackling roar, raging flames shot into the sky, warping the air.

Neighbors and passersby shouted as they ran about trying to put out the fire, but it did no good.

At first, people could still get close enough to splash on a bucket of water, but as the blaze grew fiercer, the scorching waves of heat forced everyone to stand twenty meters away.

When Bege hurried over from the phone booth around the corner and arrived at the scene, this was what he saw.

"Why did it catch fire?"

"Where's Gotti? Where is he?"

He grabbed a family member whose clothes were in disarray and whose body was drenched in sweat, as though he had just come from fighting the fire, and shouted his questions.

The family member's face had been blackened by smoke. Looking at the young master before him, his pupils trembled, and he could barely speak.

"I don't know... The people who went in..."

"Not one... not one..."

"Not a single one came out, Lord Bege!!"

Bege's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"What are you panicking for? Gotti is the Capone Family's combat captain. With his strength, he won't die so easily in a fire."

He deliberately raised his voice, temporarily calming everyone down.

Then, he led his men in dispersing the crowd gathered nearby, most of whom stood a head taller than him.

He swiftly brought the scene under control.

"Where's the firefighting crew?"

"What are you idiots doing? Why aren't you putting out the fire?" He turned to the people who appeared to be firefighters and frowned.

The firefighters recognized Bege and stammered in fright, "We... we're still... organizing our equipment!"

The firefighting crew was a volunteer civilian organization.

Their funds had long since been used to pay protection money to the gangs. Where would they get any usable equipment?

Bang!

A wisp of smoke rose from the gun barrel. The firefighter fell to the ground as blood spread beneath him.

"Useless trash!"

Bege put away his gun and snorted coldly.

Then he loudly ordered his underlings to get moving.

"Everyone, bring all the buckets and water tanks around here to me!"

A few minutes later, he activated the Fortress-Fortress Fruit and absorbed everything around him into his body. His entire body expanded, transforming into a fortress wall that shoved straight into the sea of flames.

The fortress walls could not ignore the fire, but they could isolate it for a while.

Whenever the walls grew too hot, Bege had his men inside him pour water over them to cool them down.

With smoke billowing around him, he smashed through doors if doors blocked him and tore through walls if walls blocked him. Bege charged and rammed his way forward, breaking into the nightclub at the center with astonishing efficiency.

Crash!

A small piece of burning ceiling fell from above and smashed onto the floor.

Bege casually brushed it aside, but his expression darkened.

He saw countless dense bullet holes in that piece of ceiling.

"Just as I thought!"

"This wasn't an accidental fire. Gotti encountered an enemy!"

He narrowed his eyes, his fists unconsciously clenching.

But he quickly relaxed again.

"Good. It was only a fight!"

As a gang, the Capone Family had suffered far too many incidents like this.

Assassinations, bombings, poisonings, traps... There had been countless moments of extreme danger, but they had survived every single one!

Besides, that was Gotti!

As the Capone Family's combat captain, one could say he lacked ability in other areas,

But when it came to fighting, there were only a few people in the West Blue who could be his opponent!

Therefore, seeing signs of battle actually eased Bege's mind somewhat.

"As long as he wasn't killed without putting up any resistance, Gotti has a high chance of winning in a fight!"

He reassured himself inwardly.

"Maybe he was only injured and didn't have time to get out."

Thinking that, he strode onward, shouting as he walked.

"Gotti—"

"If you can hear me, make some noise!"

"Go—"

Bege's voice abruptly stopped.

After stepping over a charred seat, he saw it right by his feet.

A three-meter-tall body lay silently on the ground, one hand tightly clutching the curved blade plunged into its heart. Its face was twisted in agony, its eyes still open in death.

"...Gotti?"

Tap!

The cigar at the corner of Bege's mouth fell to the floor. His mouth hung open, and after the shock came a surge of furious rage across his face.

"Get out of my way!"

Ten minutes later, Vito arrived at last in a red suit.

He shoved aside the crowd that had gathered again and saw Bege.

By then, Bege had lost all of his usual elegance.

His entire body was blackened by smoke and fire, his curly hair singed and darkened. He looked as though he had just stepped off a barbecue grill, and wisps of smoke still rose from him.

He stood motionlessly beside the massive corpse, staring down at it while holding an unlit cigar, silent for a long time.

Vito ran over to Bege's side and leaned closer. Only then did he recognize the corpse on the ground.

"This is... Gotti?"

He was first startled that someone in the West Blue could actually kill Gotti.

Then he flew into a rage.

"Who did this?!" He turned to look around.

Someone actually dared to assassinate the Capone Family's combat captain on the Capone Family's turf!

But soon, he noticed the icy expression on Bege's face, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.

"Lord Bege, could it be..."

Before he could finish, Bege grabbed Vito by the collar and yanked him down, gritting his teeth into his ear. "The list is gone."

Vito's entire body shuddered, and his eyes widened.

Gone?

It had not been destroyed. It had not disappeared. It had been taken...

That meant someone else had obtained the list!

How was that possible?

He lowered his head and looked at Gotti's miserable corpse, disbelief still filling his eyes.

As another loyal member of the Capone Family, he knew how much Gotti valued that list.

Saying it mattered more than his own life would not have been an exaggeration.

Even if he had been defeated, he would definitely have tried every possible way to destroy the list!

But now... the list was gone.

That meant Gotti... the family's powerful combat captain, had been taken down by the enemy almost instantly, without any ability to resist!

How was that possible?

Was there really someone that powerful in the West Blue?

Before Vito had time to process his shock, Bege hurriedly lowered his voice and spoke into his ear.

"Go take people to guard the goods immediately! Do not let anyone else get near them!"

Vito's pupils contracted violently. He had already thought of something. "Could it be those families? Are they trying to steal them?"

"What else could it be?!!"

Bege could no longer suppress the fury on his gloomy face. "Do you think it was some historian?!!"

The Capone Family's combat captain, with a bounty of twenty-three million, had been killed by some roadside historian?

That joke was not even funny!

"Go now! Gather more men!"

Bege's tone was cold and sinister.

"I'll go find Father... This time, things might turn into an all-out war!"

Several dozen minutes later, inside the luxurious office of a low-rise building.

Exquisite porcelain from the Flower Country flew out from behind the desk.

Crash!

It shattered all over the floor.

"Is this how you handle things?!"

The Capone Family head's face had turned completely red from rage.

Damn it, he had only told them the truth that morning.

And an accident had already happened that afternoon!

If the person standing in front of him had not been his own son, he would have suspected him of being a spy!

"I've already sent Vito to guard the goods."

Bege lowered his head, his expression as dark as water, allowing his father to berate him. "There shouldn't be any problems in the short term."

"But the problem is..."

He gritted his teeth. "We still don't know which family killed Gotti!"

Or perhaps all four of the other families had been involved?

Neither of them said it aloud, but one look between them was enough for both to understand.

After all, they had once joined forces in exactly this way to hinder the progress of other families.

The office fell silent.

At that moment, a phone suddenly rang.

Buru buru~ buru buru~

Suppressing his irritation, Bege answered the Den Den Mushi.

"Who is it, Vito? Did you find anyone suspicious?"

Vito said, "N-no."

"Have they already made their move?"

Bege's expression turned cold as he thought of the worst possibility.

They weren't even giving us a moment to breathe! You bastards!

Vito said, "No, Lord Bege..."

Not that either?

Bege froze, then let out a breath of relief as a little relief welled up inside him.

"Then that's fine. Relax and speak slowly."

As long as the other families had not acted yet, things were fine... Heh, it couldn't possibly get worse than this, could it?

Vito's panicked voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

"Lord Bege, the Navy is here!!!"

With a crack, the cigar at the corner of Bege's mouth snapped in two!

"What!!!"

What did he mean, the Navy was here?!!

At a time like this... Of all times... the Navy had come?

Bege said, "Wait there. I'll be right over!"

After hanging up, Bege looked at his father.

The Capone Family head had already regained his composure and told him,

"Go deal with the Navy first."

Bege answered affirmatively and quickly left the office.

The office fell quiet.

The Capone Family head sat back in his leather chair, his fingers interlaced before his chest as he gazed quietly at the ceiling.

Before the Navy arrived, he had thought things were doomed.

But now that the Navy had come, he was no longer worried.

"It can't have been the other four families!"

He murmured softly.

"They wouldn't let the Navy get involved."

"Then who was it?"

"...An unexpected enemy?"

He narrowed his eyes, rose to his feet, and rang the bell on the desk.

Soon, a Capone Family member in a gray suit entered through the door and lowered his head slightly. "Boss."

The head of the Capone Family said, "Investigate Gotti's cause of death. Also, look into any suspicious people who've entered or left Sunflower Island these past few days, including those private Dark Harbors. Be quick!"

The man in gray acknowledged the order and withdrew.

It did not take long. Two hours later, a magazine was placed on the office desk.

On the cover, Jogo flashed a peace sign with a bright smile.

—<The youngest historian in history makes his grand debut!>

Night had fallen.

The Capone Family's private Dark Harbor on Sunflower Island had unusually lit its streetlamps.

Gang members in suits patrolled the area nervously, not letting a single unfamiliar face slip by.

"Who are you?"

Near the cargo by the docks, a member called out to a suspicious figure.

Jogo turned around in a fitted gray suit, an unlit cigarette hanging from his lips. He looked like some gang member who had sneaked off here for a smoke.

He put on the air of an old acquaintance.

"It's me. Don't you remember?"

[...]

Conqueror's Haki (Awakened)

Trait loaded: "Otherworldly Soul (Silver)" "Spy (Blue)"

[...]

Conqueror's Haki released: 1%

"Oh... it's you~"

The member clearly did not recognize Jogo, but his instincts told him that this person was probably a colleague he had seen often before.

"Don't slack off. This is a critical time!"

He gave him a stern warning, then turned and left.

"Got it, got it~"

Jogo waved impatiently. Still crouching beside the cargo with the unlit cigarette in his mouth, he continued observing the situation at the docks.

"Spy" really was useful!

Listening to the footsteps retreating behind him, Jogo thought to himself.

Just by changing clothes, every gangster here took me for a Capone Family member.

Too bad there's still a chance of being recognized.

As long as someone compared him with the photo in West Blue New Discoveries, the Trait's effect would immediately be broken.

So no matter what, he did not plan to stay on Sunflower Island after tonight.

After all, this damn place even had trashy science magazines with his face printed on them in nightclubs.

It was seriously cursed.

As for why he had shown up here...

Naturally, he had come to check on the aftermath.

Unless he saw the Capone Family and the Marines start killing each other with his own eyes, he could not rest easy.

Once the gangsters and Marines began fighting, he would blend into the crowd and leave with the Acne Pirates.

Then he would call Ohara, exchange information, and ask what exactly the old man was thinking.

After that, he would make his plans.

He did not have to wait long before the crowd below began to stir.

He could vaguely hear people shouting, "Marines!"

A smile appeared on Jogo's lips.

The Marines were here!

Soon, under Jogo's expectant gaze, an azure Marine warship charged into Dark Harbor at an awkward angle. Led by officers wearing capes of justice, Marine soldiers leaped onto the docks.

At the same time, the gang members led by Bege also stepped forward to meet them.

Jogo perked up and clapped in delight.

Good, good, good. This was exactly what I wanted to see—blood flowing like a river!

Then...

Under Jogo's expectant gaze, Bege warmly embraced the Marine officer in the cape of justice...

"..."

Fuck!

Watching from afar, Jogo slammed the cigarette in his hand onto the ground. "Is something seriously wrong here?"

"They're in cahoots!"

"What kind of rotten vermin are the Marines in the West Blue?"

"I'd say the Marines are doomed sooner or later!"

Jogo turned and walked away with a sour expression.

He should have realized it sooner. As one of the largest gangs in the West Blue, how could the Capone Family not have its own umbrella of protection?

Good thing he had come tonight...

Just as he was fuming, he suddenly stopped and frowned toward Dark Harbor's exit.

—Dark Harbor's only exit had somehow been blocked off!

A new group of gangsters stood at the entrance like a black wall, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving.

"What's going on?"

Jogo stood at a distance and observed the situation.

Soon, he noticed something was wrong. A gang member seemed to have received a book at the entrance, then hurried toward Bege.

A book?

Jogo felt PTSD flare up and immediately strode closer.

He looked carefully.

Huh~ That was not a book. It was a magazine!

And a very familiar magazine at that!

He could even see the last few words of the article title on the rolled-up cover.

—...makes his grand debut!

"Fuck me..."

Jogo had nothing to say. He felt that Sunflower Island might be cursed against him.

Looks like they've already found out.

My ultimate move is still on cooldown. This isn't a good time to fight.

It'll be troublesome if Bege catches me.

His gaze swept over the tightly guarded Dark Harbor entrance, then the gangsters wandering everywhere, before finally settling on the Marine warship.

He quickly headed toward the harbor.