The West Blue, famous across the four seas as the birthplace of notorious mafias, was home to the five mafia families that ruled the Underworld.
Their power is so formidable that even the local Marines Branch dares not provoke them.
It can be said that while living on land, you might not know which Marine Branch you're under, but you absolutely must know which mafia's territory you're living in.
After all, you had to pay that mafia protection money.
After hearing Village Chief Martin's explanation, Ian understood what was going on.
Someone was coming to the Sibia River Archipelago to collect protection money?!
The Sibia River Archipelago is remote, and the villagers have little income.
For years, no mafia has come. Why would these mafias suddenly show up?
"Maybe it's your 160 million Belly!"
Sensing Ian's confusion, Village Chief Martin sighed with a melancholy expression, then angrily declared: "Those hyenas smelled the scent and came over."
"That's not right! Winter's just ended, we haven't even sold any wine yet."
Hearing Village Chief Martin's words, Ian paused. "Then where did they get the news?"
Village Chief Martin and everyone else were stunned.
Yes!
They haven't sold any wine yet, and winter's just ended. No one's coming here, and no one's out to the sea. How did the hyenas know?
While everyone was puzzled, no one noticed that Robin, standing nearby, seemed to have realized something.
Her body trembled slightly, and her face turned dark.
"I don't know either."
Village Chief Martin said with a wry smile, then shook his head and frowned. "Maybe they have a keen sense of smell!"
As he spoke, his face darkened again, as if remembering something. "Oh, right, those guys said their boss wanted to see you and asked you to go with them. They're still in the village, and the villagers are watching them, worried they might run away. But what should we do now?"
As soon as he finished speaking.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Footsteps sounded behind them. Everyone suddenly realized who was coming and turned their heads in anger to look at the group of men behind them, dressed in black suits.
Ian also noticed that there were six of them, and his mind couldn't help but think of what Village Chief Martin had just said.
These guys came to see him?
What for?
"Hey, old man, has your retired marine returned yet? I've been waiting for ages."
The leader said with a sly grin. "And the two hundred million we want, aren't you going to hand it over? We've waited because you told us to. If you don't cooperate, don't blame us for being rude."
"We don't have the money! Get out of here!"
Perhaps because Ian had returned, Village Chief Martin no longer bothered with being polite and snapped back. "Don't think you can take anyone or anything from us!"
"That's right, get out of here! This is the Sibia Village, and you scoundrels are not welcome!"
"Get out! Ian is incredibly powerful. Even a pirate with a 60 million bounty is no match for him. If you don't run, he will kill you all!"
The villagers behind them shouted angrily and raised their weapons to confront the group.
This also infuriated the six mafias.
These lowly creatures!
Without hesitation, the leader's face flashed a sinister grin as he declared: "How dare you lie to me? Let's show these fools what happens to those who cross us!"
But just as the leader finished speaking, besides the other four who echoed him, a younger member of the group hesitated and said: "That's not good! Brother Jax, the boss, wants us to invite that retired Marine over."
"Invite? This is our Grado Family's invitation! Who let you guys come into my turf? You even dare to contradict my words? Want me to make you disappear?"
The man called Jax glared at the other party beside him, then waved his hand, pointing at Village Chief Martin, and roared: "Let these fools know they can't mess with our Grado Family. Cut off that old man's hand! I heard he has a wonderful granddaughter. When we leave later..."
However, before he could finish, a burly figure appeared before him, grasped his head with one hand, and said expressionlessly: "Is it your boss who's looking for me?"
"...?!"
This sudden change stunned all the mafias, especially Jax, who had been held up by Ian's hand. He was completely bewildered.
"You... You..."
"Didn't you say you wanted me to go with you to find your boss?"
"...?!"
That retired marine?
Goddammit, wasn't he just a Lieutenant?
A retired Lieutenant at that!
How could he be so powerful?
It's not like they haven't assassinated Lieutenants before. The five mafias nearby snapped back to their senses and surrounded Ian, their hands trembling as they shouted: "You bastard, let Brother Jax go! Otherwise, otherwise..."
"Shut up!"
Before the trembling underling could finish their words, the bewildered Jax showed a wry smile. "I'm sorry, please spare my life."
"You were so arrogant just now, demanding money and women."
Ian said expressionlessly. "Tell me, what does your boss want me for?"
"I-I don't know. The boss just asked us to come and get you."
Jax pleaded, but as soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly pulled a pistol from his back.
His expression darkened again. "Go to hell, stupid guy! I'll bring your dead body over there..."
Before the pistol could fire, Ian's hand crushed it into a ball.
Then, with a bang, Ian slammed his head into the ground, creating a huge crater.
Blood gushed from all his seven orifices, and he lay motionless on the ground.
This scene also shocked the five mafias nearby and filled them with horror. But before they could react, Ian had already turned his head, glanced at the five of them, and said calmly: "Since you don't know, one person will be enough to lead the way!"
With these words, the silence was instantly broken. The five of them trembled all over. Then, someone shouted: "Run, it's a monster!"
The five of them immediately scattered and fled.
They were just five ordinary people. So how could they be Ian's match?
"Shave!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the blink of an eye, after smashing four heads into the ground in succession, Ian appeared in front of the last mafia, the one who had just tried to dissuade Jax.
Ian stared expressionlessly at the man, who was so frightened that he collapsed onto the ground: "Take me there!"
He turned to look at Village Chief Martin and said: "Take care of these guys."
"Leave it to me! I knew these hyenas were no match for you."
Village Chief Martin gave him a cheerful thumbs-up, but then hesitantly said: "Ian, are you really going?"
"I'll go and take a look. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Ian waved his hand casually.
He didn't believe a yonko would come all the way to the West Blue looking for him.
But still, who could it be?
Just as Ian was contemplating who it could be…
"Dear."
Robin appeared before him, instantly drawing Ian back from his thoughts.
She opened her mouth, as if about to say something.
But before she could say anything, Ian squeezed her hand and said with a smile: "I'll go. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
With that, before the worried Robin could say anything, he picked up the remaining, still trembling mafia and walked towards the beach.
As he walked, he asked the other party: "What's your name?"
"G... Gini, boss. I'm just following the boss's orders and came here to ask you to come. I really don't have any other intentions."
"Gini?"
Ian muttered the name, then, as if remembering something, said with a strange expression: "Your mafia family's name is Grado?"
"Yes, yes!"
"What's your boss's name?"
"Victor, what's wrong, boss?"
"..."
What a common name!
Ian lifted Gini, his eyelids raised, and squinted while saying: "You should be the boss!"
"...?"