Even though night had fallen completely, Chaniaral Island was far from dark.
The entire town was bathed in a warm, golden glow.
Strings of colorful paper lanterns hung across the streets, swaying gently in the evening breeze.
Raleigh, Gion, and Alice walked slowly through the bustling town streets.
They wandered aimlessly, observing the people. Raleigh wanted to see with his own eyes if his methods were actually working, or if Alice was just boasting.
The air was filled with delicious smells.
The scent of grilled seafood, sweet sauces, and fried dough wafted from the stalls lining the road.
"Grilled octopus! Come try it while it's hot!" a vendor shouted enthusiastically.
"Fried rice cakes, made with a secret family recipe!" cried another.
"Freshly made takoyaki! Would you like some, miss?" A young man waved at Gion with a bright smile.
The night market was vibrant and full of life.
It was a completely different world compared to their last operation here. Back then, the streets were empty after dark.
Vendors wouldn't dare risk their lives doing business at night for fear of getting robbed or caught in a gang fight.
But now, the genuine smiles on their faces proved this wasn't an act.
The fear was gone.
"One order of takoyaki, please," Raleigh said, stopping at a stall.
The smell was too good to resist!
He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet.
"That will be three hundred Belly. Thank you, sir!" the vendor greeted him warmly, deftly flipping the round dough balls with two metal picks.
Raleigh nodded.
He pulled out three one-hundred Belly notes and placed them in the vendor's hand.
The vendor handed Raleigh a paper boat filled with steaming hot takoyaki, covered in dancing bonito flakes.
Then, he did something strange. He took the money Raleigh gave him and put it into a large glass jar on the counter.
Immediately after, he reached into the large jar, took out a few smaller notes, and deliberately placed them into a separate, smaller container sitting nearby.
Gion, who had been watching closely, tilted her head.
"Boss, why are you separating the Belly like that?" she asked curiously. "Wouldn't it be easier to keep all your money together?"
The vendor wiped his hands on his apron and smiled cheerfully. "Ah, customer, you must be new here. This is the rule."
He pointed to the small jar. "Ever since the Salisbury Family took over Chaniaral Island months ago, we have to give a part of our earnings to their family at the end of the night."
Gion's smile instantly vanished.
Her expression turned cold.
'So, it's protection money,' she thought.
She knew the Mafia couldn't be that benevolent. They were extorting the citizens after all.
Just as she was about to say something sharp to the vendor, she felt a firm grip on her hand.
Raleigh suddenly pulled her away from the stall, leading her back onto the main road.
"Raleigh!" Gion protested.
They walked until they were just outside the noisy night market, where it was quieter. Gion looked at Raleigh with eyes full of confusion and disappointment.
"Raleigh," she said, her voice serious. "I originally thought you unified the Mafia families to maintain stability and protect the civilians. Tokikake and I even spoke highly of you in our reports to Headquarters."
She gestured back toward the market.
"But if they are just squeezing money out of the poor citizens, how is this 'Justice'?"
Raleigh looked at Gion.
Her cheeks were puffed out slightly in anger, which he found secretly amusing.
She was very idealistic.
Before Raleigh could answer, Alice stepped forward quickly to defend her boss.
"No, Gion-san! You misunderstand," Alice explained waving her hands. "It's not Raleigh-sama's fault. And the people... they are giving the money voluntarily."
"Voluntarily?" Gion asked skeptically.
"Yes," Alice insisted. "Think about it. Before, they worried daily about being displaced, shot in a crossfire, or even captured and sold by human traffickers. Now? They just pay a small percentage of their earnings as a 'tax' to the Salisbury Family."
Alice looked at the lights of the market. "I've asked them before. They said having a stable, peaceful environment under our control is well worth the cost. They are making double the money they used to, so the fee doesn't bother them."
Alice's words challenged Gion's understanding of the world.
Gion had grown up in the Marine Headquarters.
She had been taught a strict code: Pirates and criminals are evil (Black), and Marines are good (White).
She believed in absolute justice.
She had been too sheltered. She had little exposure to the world's most common shade—Gray.
Though she had experienced many dark things alongside Raleigh recently, his methods continued to shock her.
Without her noticing, Raleigh's large, warm hand had already enveloped her small hand.
Gion looked up, startled. She met Raleigh's gaze. His eyes, usually lazy and tired, were now sharp and resolute.
"Gion," Raleigh said softly but firmly. "Whether it is allowing the Mafia to remain or collecting protection fees from civilians, these are temporary measures. They are choices we make under unavoidable circumstances."
He squeezed her hand gently. "To change the structure of the world, we must first strengthen our own forces. And the most crucial aspect of getting stronger is maintaining absolute control over our foundation."
Raleigh looked up at the moon hanging over the North Blue.
"The North Blue is vast," he continued, sounding like a teacher. "It is dotted with islands and densely populated. The people here have a history of war; they are tough. Their physical fitness is high. With just a little training, any civilian here could become a strong soldier... or a dangerous criminal."
Raleigh knew what was coming in the future—the Great Age of Pirates.
If he failed to manage the North Blue properly now, the people of these islands would suffer.
Poverty and chaos would push them to the sea. They would turn to piracy or join violent gangs to survive.
'I want to avoid that' Raleigh thought.
Under his manipulation, the Mafia families in the North Blue now each controlled one island.
Because Raleigh had blocked them from expanding to other islands, they were forced to focus inward.
To make money, they had to develop their own territory.
"Developing their existing territory doesn't require war," Raleigh said aloud. "It requires peace. And their current manpower is enough to keep the peace."
Alice nodded in agreement and picked up the conversation.
"It's true. Over the past few months, our Salisbury Family has actively fought against invading pirates and human traffickers to protect the town," Alice said proudly. "In the hearts of the islanders, our reputation has actually grown stronger."
However, Alice's face suddenly grew worried.
She looked at Raleigh nervously.
"But... there is a problem, Raleigh-sama. Recently, a mysterious force has emerged on the island."
"A mysterious force?" Raleigh asked.
"Yes. They have abducted dozens of islanders in the night," Alice whispered. "We tried to stop them, but we are powerless against them. That is why we sought your assistance."
Alice looked down at her shoes. "If this mysterious force isn't resolved soon, the Salisbury Family's credibility will be completely destroyed. The people pay us for protection. If we can't protect them... they will turn against us."
Hearing Alice's words, Raleigh realized the danger.
Currently, the Salisbury Family held more power and respect than the island's official government.
Through them, Raleigh controlled Chaniaral Island.
But if they were defeated by these kidnappers, Raleigh's carefully laid plans would crumble.
The other Mafia families he had subdued were only loyal because of fear. If they saw the Marines and the Salisbury family fail, they would rebel immediately.
"This is indeed troublesome," Raleigh muttered, rubbing his chin.
He wasn't personally worried about the fight.
Since Borsalino had left the North Blue, Raleigh was likely the strongest Marine combatant in the public eye.
He could handle a fight.
His concern was time.
Alice said this force hadn't appeared for over a week. He didn't want to be stuck waiting on this island forever.
"We will handle the kidnappers," Raleigh decided. "But first, let's pay a visit to the government offices."
"The government offices?" Gion asked.
"Yes," Raleigh replied. "My last visit was too rushed. I didn't have time to properly greet Chaniaral Island's officials."
Politics, Raleigh knew, was about making friends and minimizing enemies.
The relationship between the Marines and the World Government officials was always complicated.
He didn't fear trouble, but there was no reason to be rude. A visit would show respect.
They walked toward the center of the town, leaving the noisy market behind.
The City Hall was a large, stone building that looked serious and stiff compared to the lively town.
Before Raleigh even reached the entrance, the heavy doors swung open.
A man in a suit came jogging out.
It was Mayor Frank.
He was a gaunt man with black-rimmed glasses and a side-parted hairstyle that was plastered to his head with too much gel.
"Welcome! Welcome, Rear Admiral Raleigh!" Mayor Frank panted, stopping right in front of them.
"To think you would visit us... We are honored by your guidance on our work!"
His voice was high-pitched and obsequious—he was clearly trying very hard to suck up to Raleigh.
"No need to be nervous, Mayor Frank," Raleigh said with a polite, professional smile. "I'm just here to take a look around."
"Of course, of course! Please, follow me," Frank said, bowing low.
He led them through the hallways into his spacious office.
"Get out, get out!" Frank shooed his secretary away frantically.
Once Raleigh was seated on the plush leather sofa, Frank rushed to a painting on the wall, moved it aside, and opened a hidden safe.
He retrieved a wooden box and presented it to Raleigh with trembling hands.
"Please, Commander. These are premium cigars. The best on the island."
Raleigh looked at the man's eager face.
He accepted the box without ceremony, opened it, and selected a cigar.
He leaned back into the soft leather, lighting the tobacco, and exhaled a cloud of smoke, ready to play the game of politics.
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