"Boss, this is all the money in the Grado Mafia Family."
Gini, carrying a small treasure chest with his subordinates, looked at Ian in excitement.
Even now, he could hardly believe it; Ian had really made him the new leader of the Grado Mafia Family.
You had to remember that he had just joined not long ago, a mere underling among underlings, yet now he had become the boss ruling the entire island of Baiscaiborg.
Of course, he knew that publicly he was Grado's boss while the real boss was the man before him.
But he was still the boss!
As for any resentment within the mafia about an underling among underlings becoming the new boss?
Don't be ridiculous, seeing the situation inside, who would dare complain?
He then respectfully presented a small treasure chest with both hands and said: "And this is the treasure of the sea that Victor mentioned."
"Treasure of the sea..."
He had originally thought that guy was deliberately trying to trick him before his death, but he didn't expect this small mafia family to actually have a secret treasure!
Ian looked at the small treasure chest in surprise, took it, and opened it.
When he saw a Devil Fruit shaped like a castle inside, his eyelids raised.
"Is this... The Castle-Castle Fruit?"
After borrowing the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia from Enchi, he had been flipping through it from time to time, just in case he found a Devil Fruit and didn't know what it was.
He looked up at the respectful Gini before him while frowning. "How did this Devil Fruit end up with you?"
"...?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Gini's face at Ian's words, but he remained honest. "Victor stumbled upon this and was about to offer it to the Capone Mafia Family. But I didn't expect..."
With a wry smile: "The boss to show up!"
He hesitated again. "I don't know the details. Do I need to ask anyone else in the family?"
"No, and I told you to just call me Ian. I'll take this Devil Fruit."
Ian waved his hand and looked at another box. "Only 60 million Bellys? You guys are really broke!"
"..."
60 million Belly is a lot!
Of course, Gini didn't dare to contradict Ian. Instead, he nodded in agreement and said with a resigned tone: "Most of the money has to be turned over to the Capone Mafia Family. Add to that Victor's own expenses and the Grado's funds, and there might not be much left. I'm sorry for disappointing you, boss."
He bent down and said seriously: "From now on, I will definitely collect protection fees seriously."
"Protection fees? How much?"
"Only 100,000 Belly per person per month!"
"What about children?"
"Adults and children, the same price!"
"You're more ruthless than a certain fish!"
Ian raised his eyelids and looked at Gini in front of him, speechless. After a moment's hesitation, he said: "Change it to 50,000 and rename the protection fee to security fees and sanitation management fees, and don't charge children!"
"...?"
Gini was stunned by Ian's words, and then he said hesitantly: "Won't we be charging too little like this? 100,000 is already a small amount, and currently, only our mafia is collecting. When all the mafias used to collect, many people couldn't pay and were sold as slaves."
"And now?"
"There are still quite a few who can't pay."
Gini gave another wry smile, but continued: "But most mafias in the West Blue charge this price!"
"From today on, the Grado Mafia Family is different. To me, 100,000 Belly and 50,000 Belly are the same. I value sustainable development."
Ian glanced at Gini and said expressionlessly: "50,000 is just right, not too much, not too little. After paying, they will work hard and create more wealth for us. And the children represent the future. When they grow up, they can pay too. And this is just for security and sanitation fees. If they develop well, there will be other expenses."
As he spoke, Ian rubbed his head again with a headache. Honestly, he really wasn't cut out to manage this!
He just spoke casually, relying on memories from his past life.
"Forget it, let's not dwell on it. I'll have someone write you a plan later, and you'll just follow it. From today on, you have only one mission: manage sanitation and safety on the island. As for the Capone Mafia Family, you don't have to hand over any money to them anymore."
"This..."
Sanitation?
Is this still the mafia?
And this sustainable development... Is it about getting others to continue working for them to develop?
Gini looked at Ian in front of him with confusion and shock, but seeing Ian frowning, he quickly held his head high and said seriously: "You're worthy of being the boss. I get it, boss. I will follow your instructions strictly."
"A batch of green wine will arrive soon. You should also promote it well. Oh, by the way."
Seeing Gini's answer, Ian nodded in satisfaction. Then, as if remembering something, he said meaningfully: "Keep an eye on the black market. You should know what's going on."
"Yes, boss."
Boss, surely he didn't keep this mafia family around just to promote their village's wine and to see who was looking for his wife, did he?
Although Gini thought this inwardly, he didn't dare say it out loud. He nodded respectfully: "I'll definitely keep an eye on it and see how many guys on the black market are after my sister-in-law!"
"... That's it, then. Keep the 60 million and decide how to use it yourself."
Ian stretched, stood up, and said: "I'm heading back now. If anyone causes trouble, tell me. Also, there's a Bounty Hunter in the West Blue named Daz Bonez; you could try recruiting him."
"Understood."
"Get me a ship now!"
"Yes, boss!"
After Gini bowed his head respectfully again, Ian didn't hesitate. He grabbed his axe and the box containing the Devil Fruit and headed for the dock.
Gini had already arranged a ship.
Compared to that broken-down ship from before, this one was much more presentable, a three-masted sailing ship.
According to Gini, Victor had specially prepared this ship for himself, intending to use it to conquer nearby islands. But who would have thought that before the plan even began, the man would already be gone.
After boarding the ship, Ian took another look at Baiscaiborg Island and couldn't help but sigh.
It seems... The peaceful days are coming to an end!
That's right, where in this sea is there peace?
Even a village protected by the Hero of the Marines is subject to occasional attacks by bandits and pirates.
Turning to look at Gini, who waited respectfully nearby, Ian waved his hand and said: "Let's go!"
"Yes, boss!"
...
Elsewhere, at Marine Headquarters.
With the gathering of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the chaos in the Grand Line subsided considerably.
While most of those guys were merely trying to take advantage of the situation, their influence, coupled with their official titles, was enough to deter ambitious pirates, even if they weren't truly carrying out the World Government's mission.
This, in turn, gave Marine Headquarters a bit of breathing room.
But unlike the headquarters' bit of breathing room, for the Fleet Admiral…
Right now, Sengoku was looking with some concern at his comrade, whose right hand was still bandaged.
In a consoling yet helpless tone, he said: "The Warlord's policy is set by the World Government, Zephyr. Even if you don't like it, the headquarters must carry it out. And look..."
He pointed at the intelligence presented above: "Hasn't the situation in the Grand Line stabilized somewhat?"