"But now I see that not everyone in the Capone Family is a fool. At least you two have some brains; you recognized me immediately and made the right choice," Li Yuan said, shifting his tone and retracting his Conqueror's Haki.
This brought a sigh of relief to Capone Becca and Capone Remy, who realized their lives might be spared.
"Thank you, Lord Li Yuan, for sparing us. We are willing to bear all the consequences and pledge our loyalty to you from now on," Becca said, bowing in submission.
He understood the implication behind Li Yuan's words: the Capone Family could be spared but not without paying a price. However, if they joined the Infinite Pirates, they would avoid that cost.
Becca, always aspiring to lead the family, saw this as his chance.
"You're quite good. What's your name again?" Li Yuan asked, pleased with Becca's readiness to submit without prompting.
"I am Capone Becca!" Becca replied, trying to contain his excitement.
"Capone Becca? Do you have a son named Capone Bege?" Li Yuan asked, surprised.
"Yes, Lord Li Yuan, I have a son named Capone Bege. He's 25 years old and right behind me," Becca confirmed, anxious that his son might somehow offend Li Yuan.
"That's a good name. He has potential," Li Yuan said casually.
He had asked out of curiosity, recognizing the name. Little did he know that this was indeed the father of Capone Bege, the future Supernova known for his boldness.
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Li Yuan. It is his fortune," Becca said, his emotions swinging from relief to anxiety, fearing his newfound opportunity might slip away.
"Since you're willing to join the Infinite Pirates, you will lead the Capone Family. Members from the Infinite Pirates will assist you in reorganizing the family."
"I don't want any dissent against the Infinite Pirates from the Capone Family, nor any disobedience or undermining of our orders. Do you understand?" Li Yuan said, his gaze piercing.
"No problem, I will reorganize the Capone Family and pledge full loyalty to the Infinite Pirates. Please rest assured, Lord Li Yuan!" Becca promised, thrilled at the prospect of leading the family.
He had come seeking leadership, and with the Infinite Pirates' backing, his position would be unassailable.
"Very well, you are now the head of the Capone Family. As for the previous head and his son, along with the arms they stole from us, you will handle them. Don't disappoint me!" Li Yuan said, satisfied.
To control the Capone Family, it was best to support an insider as the new leader, ensuring their allegiance.
And Becca was a fitting choice, ambitious and smart, with a sense of timing.
"Captain, rest assured, I will handle it!" Becca said, adopting the respectful term for his new leader.
"There's one more thing. I hear the Capone Family has a Paramecia-type Castle-Castle Fruit. Find it and bring it to me. I'll be on this island for two days, and I expect the Devil Fruit before I leave," Li Yuan instructed.
"Yes, Captain, I will find it within a day!" Becca assured, knowing where the fruit likely was.
"Good work. If you do well, the Infinite Pirates will offer arms at a 5% discount to the Capone Family," Li Yuan encouraged before leaving, leaving Becca and Remy to contemplate their new roles.
Once Li Yuan was out of sight, Becca and Remy slowly got to their feet.
"Congratulations, Becca! Your dream has finally come true!" Remy said enviously, regretting not kneeling and speaking first.
Had he done so, he might have been chosen as the leader instead.
"Hahaha, Remy, though I am the head now, I need your help to control the family!"
"You'll be second in command, right after me," Becca declared, laughing and clapping Remy on the back, showing none of the earlier desperation.
"Alright, I'll help you!" Remy agreed, knowing that with Li Yuan's support, Becca's position was secure.
With the Infinite Pirates backing them, they could expand freely in the West Blue.
Refusing Becca's offer would be foolish, especially knowing the brutal nature of power struggles within the Mafia.
"Hahaha, let's wake these guys and start reorganizing the Capone Family!" Becca said, looking at the unconscious Mafiosi, deeply impressed by Li Yuan's power.
The thought that Li Yuan could incapacitate their entire organization with mere presence was terrifying, and Becca was glad to be on his side.
Becca splashed water on a few underlings to wake them, instructing them to rouse the others and begin reorganizing the family while searching for the Castle-Castle Fruit.
The transition of power caused chaos on Escobar Island, but it settled quickly once the Infinite Pirates' enforcers arrived.
Though Becca was now in charge, Li Yuan would not give him free rein. The Infinite Pirates would supervise and integrate into the Capone Family, ensuring loyalty.
Li Yuan and Shakky took the opportunity to enjoy a rare honeymoon-like experience on Escobar Island, living in a world of their own.
"Captain, here's the Castle-Castle Fruit you wanted, and the arms shipment is being returned," Becca reported efficiently the next day, even offering two additional Devil Fruits from the family.
"Very good, you're well-suited to lead the Capone Family," Li Yuan praised, holding the fruits. "Now it's time for the family to expand. Don't target the other four major Mafia families, but focus on absorbing smaller gangs and expanding territory. The Infinite Pirates will support you."
"What if the other four families attack us?" Becca asked.
"Don't worry. The other four families are also aligning with the Infinite Pirates. I'll divide the West Blue into five territories, one for each family. Respect the boundaries. Anyone crossing them will face consequences from the Infinite Pirates."
"This doesn't limit your expansion. As long as you move into other seas, the boundaries won't apply."
"Understood, Captain!" Becca said, thrilled at the prospect of expansion with such backing.
With the Infinite Pirates' support, their expansion would be smooth. He wasn't concerned about territorial limits; the West Blue was vast, and a fifth of it was more than enough for years of growth.
"Husband, are we visiting the other four Mafia families next?" Shakky asked after Becca left.
"Yes, let's go. With the Capone Family settled, it's time to visit the others," Li Yuan nodded.
Having decided, he would ensure all five families in the West Blue were under his control.
Thanks to Shakky's intelligence network, reaching the other families' bases through the Mirror World was convenient.
Over the next half-month, Li Yuan and Shakky methodically brought all five Mafia families in the West Blue under their control, then returned to the Infinite Sea.
"The Devil Fruits we've gathered over the years are impressive!" Li Yuan noted, inventorying their collection after returning.
Aside from subduing the Mafia families, he had them surrender their collected Devil Fruits.
Combined with those already gathered by the Infinite Pirates, they now had over fifty Devils Fruits, though only a few caught his particular interest.
"Zoan-type Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Mythical Model: Wind God Pterodactyl!"
"Paramecia-type Causality Fruit, Castle-Castle Fruit, Barrier Fruit, Sharp Fruit, Cold Fruit..."
"Zoan-type..."
Most of their acquisitions were Paramecia-type, given the wide variety.
"If Ares had waited longer, the Mythical Wind God Pterodactyl Fruit would be his, but oh well."
"Still, the Paramecia Comet Fruit he got is good, provided he develops it well," Li Yuan mused, examining the fruits.
"Store these for now. We'll see if worthy subordinates emerge. At least I've got something ready for Rhodes and Asuna in eight years," he thought of his two-year-old children.
After storing the fruits, Li Yuan visited Yadina's office, finding Kaya there as well.
Kaya, the daughter of cadre Howard, was 19 and had grown into a fine young woman.
She had joined the Infinite Pirates with her father at ten, benefiting from their resources, and now served as a squad leader.
Three years ago, Li Yuan gifted her the Logia Cloud-Cloud Fruit.
"Captain!"
Kaya exclaimed, brightening at his arrival.
"You're not a child anymore, Kaya. Try to act your age!" Li Yuan chided, amused by her enthusiasm.
Kaya had been raised by Yadina, almost like a daughter.
"To you, Captain, I'll always be a little girl!" Kaya laughed.
"Alright, how's your development of the Cloud-Cloud Fruit? Can you create clouds like those on Sky Island?" Li Yuan asked.
When he acquired the fruit, he envisioned using it to create Sky Island-like clouds capable of supporting islands or ships, enabling aerial movement akin to the Flying Pirates.
"I can make clouds like those, but I lack the stamina to support an entire island. I can manage up to ten 300-meter ironclad ships," Kaya reported.
"Good. Keep developing that power. I have high hopes for you," Li Yuan encouraged.
"I will, Captain!" Kaya promised earnestly.
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