"Okay, I'm going to start with you, Nicholas," I say confidently, my gaze steady as I look him over. "The job I want you to have will be mainly intelligence gathering, but you'll also need to master negotiation, recruitment, finance, and organizing ranks. You'll be the business guy, the one who knows everyone and maintains good relationships. For today, though, we're focusing on your friendly voice and persuasive skills."
Nicholas nods, looking a bit nervous but eager. He's in his element when it comes to gathering intel, but I can tell this is outside his usual comfort zone. Still, his focus is admirable.
"For your job, you'll be mostly working with the women back there," I continue, motioning toward the group overseeing various operations. "They're in charge of those jobs right now, but eventually, you'll take over some of those responsibilities. Right now, though, I want you to work on your friendly tone. I want you to convince this clone to join our cause. Understand?" I say, forming three Phantoms. One of them morphs into a shape I'd seen earlier a man walking down the street. The others remain as simple observers, standing quietly in the background.
"Yes, sir," Nicholas replies, though his voice betrays a hint of uncertainty. He stands at attention, giving the best salute he can muster, and I can't help but notice the slight quiver in his hand.
"Now for you Ponzu. I want you to be a strategist and military commander, your knowledge of traps and your control of those neurotoxin bees will help greatly. Knowing how to create traps and lure opponents into traps is key to this being able to strategically place units and traps along the battlefield in the perfect places. Your bees can carry messages around the battlefield as well telling different groups where to go to lure people into traps you set up."
"For your training, I will have a clone teach you strategic board games like Shogi, Gungi, Chess, Go, and Risk. Your training will be the most Mentally taxing."
"Got it," Ponzu replies before going off to a corner and sitting down while both of my remaining phantoms follow one turning into a Shogi board and the other sitting on the other side of the board.
"Lastly you Hanzo. I would like you to become the leader of our 'Shadow Syndicate' a group of our most elite fighters who will take on the most secretive and hardest tasks. Before I officially create the group I need at least 7 more highly talented or skilled fighters so we got a bit of time. Most of what you are going to be doing is combat training with the old man so he knows what you're going to learn."
"Oh, and Gramps if you need a bigger space for Hanzo to train I can create a big artificial room out of shadows. If you need it I'm going to be helping Nicholas."
"Nah I'm good we're not sparring today so this space is fine," Gramps replies.
I walk over to Nicholas, over the next few days I have to focus on him since he's not going to be coming to Heaven's Arena, Meteor City is where his journey traveling with me ends. "So how's it going, Nicholas?"
"Pretty good boss I think I'm getting this fast. So far I've just been asking one simple question and judging the reaction of the clone to see what I need to do."
"Okay well, I'm going to be focusing on your training for the next few days. Let's see what you got."
"So, uh… what brings you to this part of town?" His voice is hesitant, but it's friendly enough.
The phantom remains neutral, but there's a subtle shift in his posture, the beginning of a reaction to Nicholas's tone.
"I was just passing through," the clone replies, his voice flat, as if testing Nicholas's sincerity.
"Okay, Nicholas there are 2 problems I automatically see. The first problem I see is your pitch your voice is currently up here..." I say raising my hand like it's a level and raising it up, "When it's really supposed to be down here." My hand slowly goes down until its waist level.
"To do this focus on engaging your diaphragm through deep breathing, speak slower, use proper breath control, and consciously resonate your voice in your chest to access a deeper register. The second thing I noticed was how fast and nervous you sounded. To sound more convincing speaking slow and clear is key. If they don't know what you are saying then they can't even try to join us. The easiest way to fix this is to think of what you want to say like a script in your head and read it aloud with Fluency. Ok now try again with those tips in mind."
Nicholas, standing a little too stiff, takes in the feedback with a quick nod, trying to shake off the nerves and refocus. "Okay," I say, adjusting my stance, hands now folded in front of me. "You've got this. Now, let's break it down step by step. You're going to focus on your breath first. I want you to take a deep breath through your nose... good, now let it out slowly through your mouth. Again, in... and out."
He follows, watching me intently, trying to mimic the movement of my chest as it rises and falls.
"Now, we're going to work on making sure you're using your diaphragm. Imagine your voice coming from the space just below your ribs. You know that feeling when you speak and you feel your stomach pull in? That's your diaphragm. Breathe from there, not from your throat."
I watch him carefully. His posture remains too rigid, but his breathing is slow. Still, his voice when he speaks sounds thin, betraying his uncertainty.
"Alright, try again, but this time, remember the second part. Slow down, speak clearly, and leave space between your words. It's not a race." I pause, letting him absorb the point. "You're trying to command attention, not rush through. The key to convincing anyone is that calm confidence."
Nicholas nods again, his eyes momentarily flashing with understanding. He takes a deeper breath, setting his shoulders back, and tries once more.
"So, uh… what brings you to this part of town?" His tone is slower, lower more measured. It's a noticeable improvement, but still shaky.
"Better," I say, nodding. "Now let's work on the rest of your delivery. You're doing fine with the pitch and speed, but your body language is still too stiff. You're coming across like you're trying to prove something, instead of just being in the moment. Relax. When you're speaking, lean in slightly, and let your body take part in the conversation. A relaxed posture will make you more approachable. You can still exude authority, but you have to seem human. Show warmth."
He looks at me, a little unsure, but follows the instructions. His stance softens, his shoulders finally settling into a more natural, open position.
"Try again, but this time, keep your body relaxed while you speak. Think of yourself as a confident, easy-going individual who's not trying to hide anything. Go ahead."
Nicholas shifts again, takes a deep breath, and finally says, this time with more steadiness:
"So, what brings you to this part of town?"
There's a new warmth in his voice, a subtle authority, and he stands with a more inviting posture. It's worlds away from his original attempt.
"Better," I say, stepping back and giving him a quick appraisal. "You've still got some work to do, but now you're starting to sound more convincing. Keep practicing that breath control, slow it down when you speak, and always think of your body language as an extension of your words. Your presence has to match your tone. Keep those adjustments in mind, and you'll start making a real impact. But remember when in doubt, slow down. You'll always sound more in control."
He nods, his posture now even more relaxed. "Thanks, I think I get it now."
"Alright, Nicholas," I say, taking a step back and studying him. "Now that we've got your tone and presence sorted, let's move on to something just as important, negotiation. Being convincing in a conversation is one thing, but convincing someone to do what you want, especially when there's something at stake, requires a different set of skills."
He shifts slightly, his eyes focusing on me with intent. "What exactly do you mean by 'negotiation'?"
"Good question," I reply, walking over to a nearby table where I keep a stack of folders. I pull one out, flipping through a few pages. "Negotiation isn't just about getting someone to agree to your terms. It's about understanding their needs, offering value, and positioning yourself as the best option. There's an art to knowing when to push and when to pull back."
I set the folder down and look him in the eye. "For instance, if you're trying to convince someone to join our operation, you need to be able to read them, understand what they want, what they're willing to give, and what motivates them. You can't just say, 'Join us,' and expect them to jump in unless you are strong enough to threaten their life. You have to make them see that it benefits them in some way, even if it's subtly."
Nicholas nods, clearly following along. "So... it's like selling them something."
"Exactly," I say, crossing my arms. "And just like any sale, you need to focus on leverage. Leverage is power. What does the other person want? What are they willing to risk or sacrifice to get it? In a negotiation, your job is to find where their needs and your needs overlap and create an agreement where both sides walk away feeling like they've gained something."
I take a step closer to him, gauging his readiness. "Let's do a mock negotiation. You'll be the one convincing a potential client of our cause. I'm the client's representative. I'll throw objections at you, and your job is to read between the lines and adapt your approach. Ready?"
He takes a deep breath, steeling himself. "Alright, let's do it."
I cross my arms and take on a defensive posture, glancing around the room like I'm not entirely sure I'm interested. "So, what's the deal? Why should we join you?"
"Alright," Nicholas starts slowly, adjusting his stance. "Well, what is it that you're looking for? What are you trying to achieve?"
I pause, considering the question. "I'm looking for stability, maybe some respect in the underworld. I'm tired of my family being overlooked."
Nicholas listens carefully. This is good. He's asking the right questions. "I get that. We offer more than just stability here. There's room to grow, and the respect you're looking for? You'll earn it, not just from the people you work with, but from people in positions of power. We value initiative, and we make sure the people who contribute are rewarded accordingly. If you join us we can assure you that you'll be feared throughout the mafia world."
I raise an eyebrow, still skeptical. "And what do you get out of it? Why should I trust you?"
Nicholas doesn't hesitate. "What we get is loyalty. We need people who are committed to the cause, people who are willing to move things forward and take risks. But, in return, you'll get access to opportunities you won't find anywhere else. We're looking to build something bigger, something long-term. That's where the respect comes from, and it's what we offer in exchange for your family's loyalty."
I let the silence hang for a moment as if weighing his words. Then, I let out a small chuckle. "Alright, I'm listening. But you'll need to do better than that to convince me. There's got to be more."
Nicholas takes a breath, his posture becoming more confident as he shifts his weight, understanding that the conversation is now moving into deeper territory. "I can promise you something else we'll give you the tools and the support to be someone who is seen. People will respect your work, and you'll have the chance to build your own legacy. But, most importantly, you'll be a part of something bigger. You won't just be working for the next paycheck or title you're building power. And that's something that doesn't come easy."
I nod slowly, impressed. "That's better. You're speaking to my family's 'need for power and purpose' now, not just the transaction. But I still need to know I'm not just a cog in the machine. I need to know my role will matter."
Nicholas leans forward slightly, his voice dropping just a touch lower, making his tone more intimate and personal. "Your role won't just matter it will shape the entire operation. We need people who can think for themselves, and who can lead others. If you're willing to commit to us, we'll give you the tools, the autonomy, and the respect to do things your way. Your success here will be a reflection of your efforts."
I pause for a long moment, before finally nodding. "Alright, we'll join. But if things don't go the way you said they would, don't expect us to stick around as allies."
Nicholas smiles slightly, as though he's just won a battle. "I understand. You'll have everything we've promised and more."
I step back, a little impressed with how he handled himself. "Not bad. You've got the right foundation, but it's going to take practice. You need to work on adjusting your approach based on the person you're talking to. Some people respond to a softer touch, others need more assertiveness. Keep fine-tuning that balance."
He nods, taking it all in. "Got it. I'll keep practicing. So, if I really recruit someone like that into becoming allies what would happen to them, the character seems kind of untrustworthy."
"Well yeah it was untrustworthy, we would probably kill the leader and recruit from the remains of their family for the past 3 weeks the fighters have been taking jobs in other families as protection and that's exactly what we are doing. We are currently close to taking over 4 more families from the skill of our main force." At this, Nicholas looks sick and I say "Okay, lets take a break for now."