In the shadowy depths of the underworld, on a hidden island stronghold of the Umi Family, plans were brewing.
"Did Brook-sama give the green light? That's awesome! With this, our Umi Family will dominate the industry, just like the Dracula Family in assassinations!"
Umina, the third sibling, practically vibrated with excitement. Ever since the Hell Pirates took out Maxway's New World Dispatch Company, the Umi Family had surged to the top of the transportation game. Now, only Siboshe's Worldcom Shipping Syndicate stood in their way.
"Once we crush Worldcom with Brook's help, the Umi Family will rule the transportation industry like emperors!"
Umide, the eldest, stroked his mustache with a smug grin. Monopolizing the industry meant no new players could rise to challenge them—everything would be under their control.
"That means Brook-sama will hold sway over both the intelligence and transportation industries," Umile, the second sibling, chimed in. "The Du Family's got finance, and the Dracula Family's got assassins locked down. Those are tough nuts for Brook to crack anytime soon. So, what's his next move—commodities and warehousing, or entertainment?"
The entertainment industry—rife with gambling, vice, and games—was a chaotic mess, split among multiple factions, making monopoly a distant dream. Commodities, from raw materials to production and storage, tied closely to transportation. If the Umi Family could seize those, even titans like Rocks or Vesper would be eating from their hands.
In the original One Piece world, even the Whitebeard Pirates relied on the Donquixote Family's drugs, oxygen, and fine liquors.
Pirates didn't produce; they plundered and extorted. But when it came time to spend their loot, the underworld controlled their necessities—food, clothing, shelter, and more. Most taverns, bars, and inns had ties to the intelligence or entertainment industries. Only the Four Emperors, with their vast territories, could sustain full production chains.
Big Mom and Kaido built their own industries, while Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks lagged behind, buying from others. Smaller pirate crews, without territories, were at the mercy of underworld suppliers. And the Navy? Half their intel on pirates came straight from these shadowy networks.
...
The Hell Pirates didn't make a grand entrance. Golden Lion Shiki casually floated an unassuming pirate ship toward the island agreed upon with the Umi Family.
"Captain Brook, I didn't know you had a knack for fashion design!"
Shakky strutted in a dark, gothic lolita outfit, complete with a gilded smiley-face mask that screamed vampire chic.
"Yohohoho! Today's all about Hell Rock vibes—let's get wild! Try not to use your Devil Fruit powers, folks, but play it by ear!"
Brook had laid down the law: if they used their abilities, no witnesses could be left alive to expose them. Seeing the crew decked out in matching dark-themed outfits, he couldn't resist snapping a photo for the memories. Whitebeard Newgate, usually all about white, and Shiki, a lover of gold, rocked black crow-feather cloaks and devilish masks, completely unrecognizable.
Stussy, in a sultry black succubus getup with killer stockings, sported an ornate golden masquerade mask—a touch of flair that stood out.
In the face-blind world of One Piece, this level of disguise was overkill. The Straw Hats got away with flimsier costumes in Dressrosa, after all.
"Time to plunder to our hearts' content!"
Charlotte Linlin's laugh boomed. She'd been pouring her soul into reshaping Whole Cake Island, draining her reserves of soul lifespan and power. Now, she craved souls to replenish her strength.
Brook knew killing wasn't ideal, but this world ran on profit, not fairness. Worldcom Shipping Syndicate's employees might be innocent, but they'd face the Hell Pirates' wrath unless they surrendered and joined the Umi Family on the spot.
"Intel suggests Worldcom's got ties to Vesper's crew," Redfield said suddenly. "If we spot any of Vesper's goons, should we take them out too?"
Though the Hell Pirates had officially cut ties with Vesper's crew, they still had a covert alliance. If Rocks attacked, they'd back each other up.
"Jahaha! We're the Rock Band today, not the Hell Pirates! Who cares about Vesper or Rocks? Wipe 'em all out, nice and clean!"
Shiki made a throat-slitting gesture, his voice dripping with menace.
"Exactly. Keep it clean!"
Brook nodded. Helping the Umi Family monopolize the underworld transportation industry was a massive win for the Hell Pirates. No way they'd let Vesper's crew derail that prize.
"Got it!"
The crew understood the mission's secrecy. Stay under the radar, and if powers were used, leave no trace—eliminate every enemy, no survivors.
Strike hard, leave nothing behind.
The nondescript ship carrying the Hell Pirates touched down on the sea as they entered the designated waters. Flying in with Shiki's Float-Float Fruit would've screamed his identity from miles away.
...
When they arrived, the Umi Family was already assaulting Worldcom Shipping Syndicate's island. Cannon fire roared, and Umide had seized the chance to strike, knowing Siboshe himself was on the island.
Taking out Worldcom's boss, Siboshe, would let the Umi Family swallow the company whole, securing their monopoly over the underworld's transportation industry in no time.
Brook watched the Umi Family's disciplined, ferocious attack—a stark contrast to the chaotic brawls of pirates. The underworld's wars were a different beast, cold and calculated, unlike the wild clashes of the seas.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg