Chapter 23

[The Gift of Fate]

"Why does it sound like the hero of some famous ghost story...?"

Adrian looked at the panel's description of his first Legend Points and felt strangely conflicted.

In a sense, Legend Points could be equated with an alias.

In other words, unless he did something else memorable, people in this pirate world would know him by the nickname [White Ghost].

That nickname...

Honestly, it wasn't much good.

But the system had given it to him, and Adrian had no say in the matter.

At least [White Ghost] was better than "White Demon" or "White Soul Reaper."

Adrian looked over the panel again.

Setting aside the Devil Fruit reward and Legend Points...

As for experience, the mission reward was only part of it. From the crime boss at the top to the rank-and-file members, the Capone Gang had contributed plenty with their lives. Killing Capone Bege and Capone Bell had counted as defeating higher-level enemies, making those rewards astronomical.

Without giving it much thought, Adrian poured all his new experience into leveling up. He raised [Professional Swordsman] to LV16 and brought his total level to LV36, not far from level 40.

He put every Free Attribute Point from the level-ups and mission reward into Intelligence. It now stood at 300, higher than his other five attributes combined.

With the mission rewards settled, it was time to tell Mrs. Penelope what had happened.

Remembering Capone Bege's dying words, Adrian sighed and vanished from where he stood.

A short while later...

Adrian reached the safe house where he had left the mother and daughter and knocked politely.

"Ma'am, it's me, Adrian. May I come in?"

Inside, Mrs. Penelope had been wound tight with worry. She relaxed at once when she heard the familiar voice.

She let Adrian in and asked anxiously, "Mr. Adrian, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, ma'am." Adrian shook his head, then lowered his voice. "I have some bad news about Captain Clivatt."

Mrs. Penelope's heart sank.

"Capone Bege—the son of the Capone Gang's leader—told me after his defeat," Adrian said quietly. "He said your husband had passed away."

Mrs. Penelope had prepared herself for the possibility, but a wave of dizziness still swept over her.

She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed a hand to her forehead. With the other, she groped shakily for a chair and sat down, her chest rising and falling sharply.

Adrian silently poured her a cup of hot tea.

Before he could offer any comfort, Mrs. Penelope opened her eyes. She did not cry. There were no tears, only redness around her eyes.

Despite her frail appearance, she showed remarkable strength in the face of her husband's unexpected death.

"Thank you for telling me, Mr. Adrian."

Seeing that, Adrian changed his mind. Words of comfort were the last thing he should offer her now.

Instead, he asked, "Ma'am, I plan to stay on Oatfee Island a few more days. What will you do?"

"Me?" Mrs. Penelope gave a bitter smile, unsure how to answer.

"Do you have any acquaintances or family in West Blue?" Adrian asked.

"I only know that Clivatt—" Mrs. Penelope paused, then managed to continue. "He has a distant nephew who also works for Clearwater Trading Company."

"How well do you know him?" There was a hint of recruitment in Adrian's question.

"We're not particularly close," Mrs. Penelope answered honestly, "but I know his background. He's a dependable young man."

"Here's the situation. The Capone Gang has been destroyed. Once I clear out its remaining members on Oatfee Island, it will be history." Adrian laid out his plan. "If that nephew of yours is reliable enough, do you think he might leave Clearwater Trading Company and work for me?"

That was right!

Adrian intended to build an organization!

Trading with beta players in Flower Country had taught him something important.

When the game opened to the public, Adrian could play the role of a "Career Mentor" or "beginner's guide," but he did not have enough goods of his own to trade with players.

Firearms, gunpowder, weapons, medicine...

Adrian had almost no use for any of them, but low-level players desperately needed them!

Obtaining those goods would not be difficult for him, but the time and effort involved would be staggering. It simply would not be worth it.

So why not find the right person to build an organization for him?

The Capone Gang had just fallen. A new organization rising in its place could make a name for itself throughout West Blue overnight.

If possible, Adrian could have it specialize in trading goods with players, freeing himself from the tedious transactions.

After a long silence, Mrs. Penelope asked, "What sort of business are you planning, Mr. Adrian?"

"Hmm..." Adrian rubbed his chin. "A trading company?"

Five days later...

Tommy arrived on Oatfee Island aboard a Clearwater Trading Company merchant ship, weary from his journey.

This "gangster island" was known to everyone in West Blue's underworld. Tommy felt both excited and full of anticipation.

Who in West Blue had not heard by now that the mighty Capone Gang had provoked a terrifying enemy it should never have crossed and been wiped out in a single day?

Tommy had never imagined that a small-time nobody like him would catch the eye of a figure who was already the stuff of legend!

Even if he did have a distant relative to thank for it...

About half an hour later...

Tommy arrived at an unremarkable two-story building. In its sitting room, he finally met the legendary White Ghost himself!

Adrian gave the young man a quick once-over. Tommy wore a tweed coat and a newsboy cap, and he was trembling with excitement. Adrian nodded inwardly. At least he looked the part.

"Your name?"

"Tommy. Tommy Shelby, sir."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "You have a very interesting name, Tommy."

"D-do I?" Tommy Shelby's face flushed as he stammered out his reply.

"I believe in friendship, and I'm willing to offer mine first." Adrian smiled faintly and got straight to the point. "Tommy, will you leave Clearwater Trading Company and work for me—and for yourself?"

"I'd be delighted, sir!" Tommy Shelby nodded at once and answered loudly.

Wasn't that why he had come all the way to Oatfee Island?

After a moment, Tommy lowered his head and awkwardly added, "Godfather!"

Adrian smiled. "No need for that, Tommy. I didn't ask Mrs. Penelope to bring you here so I could start a gang. I'm going to establish a company—a legitimate trading company. Would you still be willing to help me?"

Tommy Shelby looked up, bewildered. "You're starting a trading company, sir?"

"Yes." Adrian nodded. "It won't be connected to me, at least not on the surface. I'm thinking of calling it Shelby Company. What do you think?"

"I think..." A brilliant light came into Tommy Shelby's eyes. "It's absolutely wonderful!"

"Of course, as the company grows, it may occasionally have to resort to violence," Adrian added. "It can't be helped. The cruel sea is always testing the noble character of businesspeople."

Tommy Shelby's mind raced, and excitement crept into his voice. "So we'll also need a little muscle from the underworld."

Adrian smiled in satisfaction. "Exactly. Do you think 'Razor Gang' would make a suitable name?"

[Return to Ohara]

Several days had passed since Shelby Company had officially opened its doors.

Preparations had been brief, and its public head, Tommy Shelby, was still an unknown young man. Most islanders had no idea a "maritime trading company" had suddenly appeared in their midst.

Adrian was in no hurry to make Shelby Company famous. Its main customers were players who had yet to arrive, and nearly a full year remained before the public launch. There was plenty of time.

Behind the scenes...

The celebrated Capone Gang had been wiped out in a single day, and its remaining influence and territory instantly became prizes for others to fight over.

The gangs beyond the island could fight over those spoils as fiercely as they liked.

On Oatfee Island, once the Capone Gang's headquarters, a small outfit called the Razor Gang rose seemingly out of nowhere. It recruited fighters and seized territory without restraint, uniting the island's underworld at an astonishing speed.

By the time people recovered from the big news of the Capone Gang's destruction, Oatfee Island already had a new master.

After driving off gangs from other islands in several head-on clashes, the Razor Gang established itself in West Blue's underworld. It had become another force that could not be ignored.

And Tommy Shelby, the Razor Gang's leader, began to make a name for himself.

But that would come later.

With Oatfee Island's remaining underworld factions cleared out and Shelby Company's opening ceremony behind him, Adrian considered his work done. He prepared to leave the gangster island.

That morning...

A brand-new two-masted sailing ship lay moored at the harbor.

Its figurehead was a goddess's bust, a common sight at sea. What made it unusual was the lifelike little bird perched on the goddess's raised right hand.

The hull had a sleek design. Emblazoned across its billowing sails was Shelby Company's emblem: a crossed cigarette and whiskey bottle.

Leaning against the deck railing, Adrian looked down at Tommy and waved. "I'm leaving Oatfee Island in your hands, Tommy. Don't forget what I told you."

"Rest assured, sir." Standing on the dock, Tommy gazed at him with fervent eyes and spoke with deep respect. "I won't let you down!"

Tommy Shelby unconsciously touched the inside pocket of his coat. In it lay a newly bound booklet titled Godfather's Classic Quotes...

Adrian gave a slight nod and turned toward the cabin.

Mrs. Penelope followed close behind, carrying one-year-old Perona in her arms.

That was right.

After discussing it with Adrian, Mrs. Penelope had decided to leave painful Oatfee Island behind. She would accompany him to Ohara and settle on that world-famous island of knowledge.

Adrian had no reason to refuse her.

Three days later...

The merchant ship reached Ohara's harbor.

As Mrs. Penelope admired the island's distinct scenery, so unlike the rest of West Blue, she spotted a little girl waiting eagerly on the dock.

"Mr. Adrian—"

"Just call me Adrian, ma'am."

"Adrian, that little girl on the dock—do you know her?"

"Hm?"

Adrian looked where Mrs. Penelope was pointing. Little Robin was waving excitedly at him, and his expression turned a little odd.

If he remembered correctly, he had only met Little Robin a handful of times. Why did it always feel as though she was unusually attached to him?

Was it because of the few comforting words he had offered when they first met?

"Her name is Robin. Nico Robin." Adrian gave Mrs. Penelope a brief introduction. "Her father died long ago, and her irresponsible mother... left Ohara for some reason. She's living with her aunt now."

Mrs. Penelope's eyes filled with sympathy.

After speaking, Adrian leaped from the merchant ship's deck and landed in front of Little Robin. "It's been a while, Little Robin."

"It has, Big Brother Adrian!" Little Robin answered brightly.

Mrs. Penelope came down from the ship with Perona in her arms and smiled at Little Robin.

"This is Aunt Penelope, a friend I met at sea. The little one she's holding is Little Perona. She's only one year old." Adrian crouched to meet Little Robin's eyes. "I need to look up some information at the library. Could you show Aunt Penelope around the island for me?"

Little Robin puffed out her cheeks at Adrian's request. She looked up at the gentle Mrs. Penelope and, at last, reluctantly nodded.

"Good girl!" Adrian patted Little Robin's head and took a small Den Den Mushi from his pocket. "Here's a reward for you."

"A Den Den Mushi that can make long-distance calls!" Little Robin's eyes lit up. She reached for the pink-shelled creature, then immediately shrank back and pulled her hands away.