"Among the cowards you took down," Bege said, gesturing vaguely at the depressed figures on the upper deck, "there were some Marines, weren't there?"
"Those traitors?", Kuro scoffed.
"That's right," Bege confirmed. "They're list makers and transporters to this ship."
With dozens of chained Marines in the background, the conversation between the gangster and pirate continued.
"The list maker is deeply involved in Marine personnel affairs. Based on requests from Celestial Dragons, he finds people who fit the criteria and lists them up."
"So instead of restaurant menus," Kuro remarked dryly, "it's creating menus for Human Shops."
"Exactly," Bege confirmed with a grin.
The pirate had sent his companions back to the ship just in case. Both the gangster and pirate are outlaws, and their natures vary wildly.
The pirate—the man who had become the being called Kuro—knew the "possibility" of what Capone might become in the future, but as a captain, he couldn't unconditionally trust the current Capone.
"And the honored Marines chosen from that menu, during missions or navigation training... ah, they have accidents. Insidious, inexplicable, unlucky accidents."
At the gangster's words, emphasizing each one, the pirate furrows his brow in disgust.
"And the Marines who have accidents get shipped out," Bege finished.
"The Red Line bandits you crushed were also involved, you know?" he added casually. "Well, they mostly just lent their names to be suspected as the cause of accidents."
"...So that's why they had such high bounties...", Kuro muttered, understanding dawning.
"Well," Bege elaborated, shrugging, "Red Line bandits are basically guys who were discarded from Mariejois and are somehow surviving in the Underworld."
"Why does crushing that make my name rise...", Kuro asked..
"You crossed Red Line, didn't you?" Bege pointed out. "Just climbing that cliff is an achievement."
"Climbing would be tiring...", said the pirate.
"Then what did you do?" Bege asked, intrigued. "Is there another route?"
"I ran up it."
"That makes no sense!!!" Bege retorted, baffled.
Ignoring the gangster's retort, the pirate glances once at the Marines who are literally being shipped out.
"Still, there are many young female Marines, so I had my suspicions... but as expected.", said Kuro.
"Is there any other reason Marines would be transported like this?" Bege asked sarcastically.
"I was also considering the possibility that guys who were in cahoots with the Family but betrayed them at the crucial moment were being handed over for punishment."
"...I see, certainly possible," Bege conceded, nodding. "You really are sharp."
"But," Kuro added, testing him, "while I hate to say it, I'm surprised this hasn't leaked until now. They are... easily bored, right?"
When the pirate said this from his knowledge as a reader, the gangster laughed.
"There are proper rules," Bege stated.
"It's not something like 'never abandon them,' is it?", Kuro asked sarcastically.
"Ah," Bege explained, "they only keep them within their own property. And when they get bored and dispose of them, they absolutely kill them. That's the rule."
The gangster continues with a malicious smile twisting his face.
"They don't just kill them. The clothing that's evidence of being Marines, and of course their bodies, are disposed of so not even bones remain. Some customers even turn their death throes into shows."
"...And that is informed to the products being delivered?", Kuro asked, feeling sick.
"That's right," Bege confirmed cheerfully. "They're shown disposal shows and such. Thanks to that, most are obedient. No matter what humiliating things they're ordered to do."
The Marines hanging there listening to the conversation each have their faces pale as they listen. With mouth gags on, they desperately try to raise their voices or struggle to remove their chains.
"What's your purpose?" Kuro asked Bege directly.
"I'm a gangster, you know? It's decided—money."
The gangster looks at those Marines with cold eyes. Not eyes that see people, but eyes that count money.
"I'm going to take over this sales route," Bege declared. "The trash getting soft up there could only kidnap rookies and desk Marines, but I'm different. I'll skillfully make even the guys that trash couldn't catch and wouldn't put on the list have accidents."
"Strong Marine slaves...", Kuro questioned. "Is there even demand for such things?"
"If you pay, you can obtain things others don't have—or at least can't get easily. The more powerful Celestial Dragons will definitely take the bait. Even knowing it's risky, the greedier they are, the more likely they are to go for it."
The pirate rubs his brow in displeasure, as if he can understand this from the heart.
"First I want to sell off these guys," Bege continued, gesturing towards the Marines, "And through that exchange, get a grasp of the routes and involved parties to some extent."
The young Marines are desperately struggling. Trying desperately to somehow escape.
"How about it, 'Silent Step'? Won't you get involved in just this business for now? I'll split the profits fifty-fifty."
With tears in their eyes, trying to at least voice something, just one word—trying to call for help,
"Capone Bege," the pirate said, his voice dangerously calm.
"Yeah," Bege replied, sensing the shift in his tone.
The Pirate said slowly, "I'm grateful you invited me."
Bege's eyebrow twitched upward.
"But sorry," he continued, "I decline this off--"
"Use your words correctly, pirate," Bege interrupted, lightly straightening his suit and coat, a sneer forming.
"...You bastard," he accused, "you plan to crush it, don't you? This entire deal."
"That's right," the pirate confirmed, meeting his glare.
--
Powerstones Goal: 30