The death of Kenny Goler caused his organization to collapse with astonishing speed.
Though some elite members of the Kenny family initially tried to resist, they proved helpless against the calculated "annexation" by the Fells family. The new head of the Fells Family, Oboro, unleashed a terror that baffled even experienced Nen users. In a matter of days, nearly all of the Kenny Family's senior and mid-level officers met sudden, unexplained deaths.
The Fells Family absorbed the Kenny Family's smuggling operations, not only consolidating their position but dramatically expanding their influence. This outcome blindsided the other crime families in the region. They'd all expected the Fells Family to be the ones eliminated.
Whispers began to circulate throughout the underground.
The next day, in a palatial building halfway up a mountain, a man with close-cropped blond hair, blue eyes, and sharp features stood before a wall of priceless paintings. His aura carried the weight of someone who had survived countless battles.
The hall was lined with display cases containing an array of treasures, ancient skeletons, precious gems, antiquities, a collection that would give even veteran hunters pause. Many pieces rivaled those found in the Southernpiece auction house.
"Lord Brown."
A subordinate entered the palace and bowed respectfully to the man. "The Fells family sent Badim with gifts, financial assets, rare collectibles, over a dozen pieces in all."
"The Fells... the rapidly expanding family that has been causing such a stir lately." The blond man turned from the portrait, his Ten perfectly controlled despite his casual demeanor.
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinate straightened.
"Your new head is a recent arrival?"
"Indeed. He's been in the position less than two months. The previous leader, Fells Maibo, and his son, Fells Garou, were eliminated by the Kenny family. There's been bad blood between the organizations for years. Within days of the new boss taking control, he engaged the Kenny family directly and emerged victorious, absorbing their operations. A month ago, the Fells Family eliminated McDormay and claimed a significant share of the transportation industry. The Fells Family now rivals some of the major powers in size."
Brown's expression remained neutral. Though the Fells Family's meteoric rise drew attention, his territory was home to many mid-level organizations. Only the top-tier groups truly warranted his personal attention.
Brown held the position of one of the Ten Dons, the leaders who controlled organized crime on six continents. His authority rivaled that of the leaders of the New York Mafia. Countless organizations sought his patronage. The Fells family's gifts represented yet another attempt to curry favor with the Dons.
"If Badim made the delivery personally, the items must be of real value."
Brown moved with measured steps between the display cases, his En subtly checking each piece for authenticity.
The underling followed close behind. "The Fells family made their fortune in casinos. Their numbers may be modest, but their resources are considerable."
Noting Brown's lack of recognition, the underling offered additional context.
As one of the Ten Dons, Brown wielded immense influence in the underground. Attempts by smaller families to curry favor rarely registered. He only interfered in matters of importance. For the Fells' gift to warrant attention, it must have been extraordinary, valuable enough to tempt even a Don. His inner circle understood Brown's temperament and tastes; otherwise they wouldn't have accepted.
While the gifts were accepted, the Fells family remained unworthy of a direct audience with the Dons. They lacked the necessary standing. Only select crime lords could meet directly with Brown, including Badim.
The Fells Family showed careful planning. Brown took only a passing interest in power shifts within his territory. As a don, he carried himself with the pride his position demanded. As long as his interests remained secure, he let the smaller players have their conflicts. The criminal underworld was inherently volatile, marked by constant violence. While he couldn't micromanage every dispute, he maintained control of the big picture.
Fresh blood kept things interesting; stagnation bred complacency. Most importantly, this new player showed real ability.
"How are the preparations for the meeting going?"
Brown shifted his focus from the affairs of the Fells family and turned to his subordinate.
"Nearly complete, sir. All organizations have been notified. The schedule remains unchanged."
"Excellent."
Brown nodded and headed for the exit. A moment before he crossed the threshold, a dark figure materialized behind him as if from nowhere. The shadow wore clothing reminiscent of a shinobi, face obscured, twin scabbards at her waist, a Shadow Beast, personal guard for the Don as he departed. Their aura control was masterful, almost undetectable even to experienced Nen users.
The subordinates held their bows until he was out of sight.
Days later, as head of the Fells family, Oboro arrived at a charity gala under the banner of the Ten Dons, accompanied by his butler, David. His En spread throughout the room, mapping the positions and relative strengths of the other guests.
On the surface, the evening presented itself as a philanthropic event to benefit the impoverished, a noble endeavor. In reality, it served as an elaborate pretext for the various organizations to pay tribute to the Dons.
Even the host Don himself wouldn't show up. The lesser powers could come en masse and enjoy themselves. Various "treasures" would be auctioned off, though their true value was negligible. Crime lords would engage in bidding wars, paying astronomical sums for worthless trinkets. This served two purposes: first, it channeled funds to the dons under the guise of charity; second, it provided an opportunity for families to demonstrate their wealth and influence before their peers.
The process mirrored the auctions held in the underground market of Yorknew City, albeit on a smaller scale. Upon arriving at the hotel, Oboro realized he'd underestimated the Dons' influence. Even an event hosted by a single Don drew enough luxury vehicles to clog the streets.
The criminal element showed through despite their formal attire. Fights and scuffles broke out over minor traffic incidents. Their refined clothing couldn't hide their coarse nature or the violent auras they barely contained.
Oboro noticed an interesting hierarchy at work. When traffic became congested, the smaller families instinctively yielded to the larger organizations, allowing the powerful families' vehicles unimpeded access to the hotel entrance. Well-known bosses were warmly greeted by the staff, while smaller family heads were ignored.
The contrast was stark. The Fells family, originally mid-level but exploding within two months, had begun to show signs of major family status. As a result, Oboro and David were granted early access without any problems.
"Everyone! Let me introduce the head of the Fells Family, Oboro! He's become quite the rising star in our territory. I'm sure you've all heard the stories, so I'll keep it short." Badim, a short, rotund older man, approached, wine glass in hand, and introduced Oboro to his circle.
These men commanded the center of the room, forming an exclusive group. The others kept a respectful distance, their expressions a mixture of awe and fear. Their auras betrayed both respect and fear. These were the heads of the most powerful families in the region. Each could reshape the landscape with a single command.
Oboro's inclusion in this elite circle drew considerable attention. The opportunity to network with such prominent figures was the greatest aspiration of many family heads.
Oboro glanced at Badim. The man's enthusiasm stemmed from profiting as a middleman in delivering the Fells family's gifts to the Don.
"I hear you're a distant relative of Fells Maibo?"
One of the major players examined Oboro, but found nothing particularly remarkable about him. Still, the Fells Family's recent activities, eliminating both the Kenny and Mike organizations, demanded attention and reevaluation.
"Mm."
Oboro nodded slightly. Instead of meeting the man's gaze directly, his peripheral vision tracked newcomers through the entrance, his En monitoring their auras for potential threats.
This casual dismissal darkened the expression of the questioning boss. The underground world operated according to clearly defined hierarchies. How dare someone as green as Oboro display such an attitude? A junior should at least show humility, if not outright deference. Defying their organization might prove to be unwise for the Fells Family.
Even if the Fells Family managed to join their tier, such arrogance would still be unacceptable.
"Boy!"
A lieutenant behind the boss clenched his fists and barked at Oboro. His aura flared with hostility, though he maintained enough control to keep it from fully unleashing itself in this place.
Oboro remained unmoved, leaving with David without acknowledging the outburst. His behavior left several observers, including Badim, stunned.
"Heh... youth these days."
"A few tastes of success and they forget their place."
"Let him posture for now. We'll discuss it after the meeting."
The major players exchanged knowing glances while Badim remained silent. This event was under the authority of the Dons. No one would risk causing trouble here.
Meanwhile, Oboro retreated to a corner and sipped his wine quietly. He had no interest in dealing with these criminals. He found their company boring, their conversation a waste of time. He preferred solitude. He could easily predict the limited scope of their discussions.
His presence served one purpose: to be noticed by Don Brown. Even without a face-to-face meeting, he could ensure that the Fells family remained prominent in the Don's consciousness.
"If we eliminated everyone here today, would that give us control of this entire territory?" Oboro mused through his wine glass, studying the gathered crowd. His En mapped dozens of Nen users throughout the room, most of middling ability. Such an action would draw the attention of not only Brown, but all Ten Dons in their full authority.
Better to wait.
"Excuse me, I'm James Jones, head of the James family. May I have the honor of making your acquaintance?"
Oboro's hopes for quiet reflection were shattered when a stranger approached and offered a business card with visible nervousness.
"So much for peace and quiet."
Oboro sighed inwardly, but seeing the man's timid demeanor, offered a practiced smile. "That's quite a name."
The man's face lit up as he raised his glass in toast.
As time passed and more guests arrived, the atmosphere grew more animated. Oboro found himself surrounded by a growing crowd. Many lesser family heads were eagerly seeking a relationship with the current leader of the Fells.
"Hmph!"
Nearby, the boss Oboro had insulted earlier watched the scene with venomous eyes, his aura swirling with barely contained rage.