On Pineapple Island, gunshots and battle cries shook the heavens. The island's Marine branch swiftly mobilized, with nearly a hundred Marines forming a gun line and charging out of their base.
However, they were ambushed by gunmen prepared in advance by Bege, who blocked their advance.
"Captain Gut, this is a matter between us gangs. I hope you won't interfere," said Sam, who was in charge of intercepting the Marines.
Among the Marines, a middle-aged captain with a bushy mustache and a Justice cloak draped over his shoulders had a grim expression. "This island will not tolerate criminals like you indiscriminately killing innocents. Get off Pineapple Island, or you will be killed without mercy."
Sam sneered disdainfully. "Captain Gut, you can save your righteous pronouncements. Pineapple Island already had two mafia families controlling it, and you Marines did nothing. Now we're helping you Marines clean up these sinful mafias. Isn't that exactly what you want?"
"You bastard! Don't think I don't know you're also trying to control Pineapple Island," Captain Gut glared.
"Even if we control it, it won't be any different from before. You Marines can just turn a blind eye, as usual. Let me tell you, your small number of men are no match for us. The attacks on those two mafia headquarters are already over. Captain Gut, if you don't know what's good for you, don't blame us for wiping out your Marine detachment," Sam threatened coldly.
"Damn it! All troops, attack! Attack! Eliminate these vile criminals!" The Marine captain roared, and the two sides quickly engaged in a gunfight.
Sam dodged behind a building, humming a tune leisurely. His men returned fire. Bege had ordered them only to obstruct the Marines, not to eliminate them. So he was holding back.
After eliminating the two mafia families, Bege personally came to the Marine base and saw the stalemate between the two sides.
Bege stepped forward and called out, "Captain Gut, I found some interesting things from the mafia. Would you like to have a chat?"
Captain Gut's expression changed, his face becoming extremely serious.
After hesitating for a few moments, he said to a Marine lieutenant beside him, "If anything happens to me, immediately notify headquarters and exterminate these criminals."
"Yes!"
Captain Gut walked out of the base and stood face-to-face with Bege.
"Which mafia family are you from?" Captain Gut asked coldly as soon as they met.
"The Capone Family of Sassi Island," Bege said with a smile.
"The two mafia families on the island have now been completely eliminated by me. I know Captain Gut had some… cooperation with the two mafias. Now that our Capone Family is taking over Pineapple Island, we also hope to cooperate amicably with Captain Gut," Bege said, smiling.
"Ridiculous! I am a Marine. How could I possibly cooperate with the mafia?" Captain Gut's expression changed, and he said sternly.
Bege laughed contemptuously. "Captain Gut, don't deny it. Your cooperation is a well-known fact. I've already extracted information about your dealings and have solid evidence. If this evidence were to be handed over to Marine Headquarters, you'd probably be sent to a Marine prison and never see the light of day again."
Captain Gut's face was filled with shock and anger. He growled, "What exactly do you want?"
"Our Capone Family is willing to continue cooperating with Captain Gut, and I guarantee you'll receive even greater benefits than you did from Sid and the others," Bege said seriously.
Captain Gut's expression softened considerably.
Bege continued, "Moreover, our Capone Family intends to cultivate our own influence within the Marines. If you agree, we can provide you with opportunities to gain merit, allowing you to rise in rank."
Captain Gut's eyes lit up, then he snorted coldly. "I won't interfere with your affairs on Pineapple Island, but don't let any innocent islanders die, or I won't be able to cover it up. As for other matters, I need to see what capabilities your Capone Family actually possesses."
"Good, it's a deal. Captain Gut, please wait and see," Bege laughed heartily and turned to leave.
The next day, Pineapple Island was subjected to a bloody cleansing. Core members of the former mafia families, as well as all those who resisted, were exterminated. Hundreds of corpses were thrown into the sea, disappearing without a trace. The entire island was brought under the control of the Capone Family.
The wealth of the two mafia families was also seized by the Capone Family, yielding a very rich harvest.
Bege continued his bloody expansion with his disciples. His goal was to conquer more than ten islands near Sassi Island. Bege and his disciples were overwhelmingly powerful. Dozens of underground gangs on more than ten islands were subjected to a bloody purge, and these islands were now officially incorporated into the Capone Family's sphere of influence.
The Capone Family's power had skyrocketed during this month-long expansion. Thousands of people joined the Capone Family. They were now in the process of establishing the islands' commercial structures, rapidly connecting businesses and rebuilding new trade routes to acquire more profit.
On Sassi Island, late at night, Bege was sleeping in his bedroom when he suddenly woke up, his gaze instantly locking onto a slender figure in the room.
The figure was sitting in a chair, holding a cup of tea, and enjoying it with relish.
Bege's expression was grave as he sat up, looking at this person. To be able to enter his room without a sound, this person's strength went without saying.
This person was slender and thin, with legs that were a full two meters long. This person was a member of the Longleg Tribe.
"Who are you, and why have you broken into my room?" Bege asked sternly.
"I am Wright, an executive of the West Blue Office under the Shipping King. I came here specifically to find you, Capone Bege," this person said calmly, looking at Bege.
"The Shipping King?!" Bege's face darkened. The Shipping King was one of the six Emperors of the Underworld in the world of One Piece, controlling the world's shipping industry. He was a figure of imperial stature.
"May I ask why Mr. Wright has come looking for me?" Bege said gravely.
Wright nodded slightly. "Not bad. As expected of someone who took down dozens of gangs, you're quite composed."
"Capone Bege, among the dozens of gangs you eliminated, some were secretly controlled by our West Blue Office. I've come here specifically to demand compensation from you," Wright said.
Bege's face twisted, then he broke into a light smile. He lit a cigar and said, "Then I apologize. I had no idea that some of those were forces under the Shipping King. But Mr. Wright, what could a few small gangs possibly do for the esteemed Shipping King? Their destruction is negligible, it should be insignificant to the Shipping King."
"Our Capone Family has just taken control of more than ten islands. I believe our Capone Family can cooperate with the Shipping King. We can do better than those small gangs and bring the Shipping King even greater profits," Bege said with a smile.
Wright's calm and composed face immediately turned icy. A cold glint flashed in his narrow eyes.
"We'll see if you have the qualifications."
Wright instantly vanished from the chair and appeared directly in front of Bege. His two-meter-long legs, like battle-axe staves, smashed down towards Bege's head.