Harlem, Abandoned Cathedral.
This had originally been a Catholic church, but it was abandoned due to historical reasons, and everything had become dilapidated.
But with the arrival of the Vongola Family, all that changed.
Although they were a mafia organization, this group possessed craftsmanship rivaling top construction engineers and workers.
What was even more amazing was that the baby named "Verde" took materials on-site and used steel from the abandoned church's basement to build a remarkable machine that could recycle waste with incredible efficiency and convert it into raw materials.
Then the family members transformed into workers and demolished and rebuilt the church. In just one morning, you could already see the basic structure of a villa garden taking shape.
With this kind of infrastructure capability, even the most renowned construction firms would admit defeat.
And James Wesley, who'd been ordered to come discuss cooperation with the Vongola Family, was utterly stunned.
With talent like this, why become mafia?
Start a construction company, then bid on office buildings for world presidents or properties for the world's wealthiest people—wouldn't that make more money than organized crime?
However, although he wanted to complain, Wesley didn't forget Kingpin's instructions. He raised his hands and walked toward the Vongola Family from a distance.
Someone in the Vongola Family spotted him.
A man with short silver hair approached. "This is now the headquarters of the Vongola Family. Where are you from? State your name and purpose."
Ah, this...
Hearing the dramatic (somewhat theatrical) statement from the silver-haired young man, Wesley faintly sensed in his heart: This trip definitely won't go smoothly.
Involuntarily, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
But thinking of the task Kingpin had given him, he still bravely stepped forward. "I'm James Wesley, general manager of Midtown Associates. I'm here to discuss cooperation with your bosses on behalf of all the organizations in Hell's Kitchen."
"I'm Hayato Gokudera, right-hand man to the Tenth Boss. If you want to discuss any cooperation, just tell me." The silver-haired young man raised his thumb, pointed to his chest, and said proudly.
Right-hand man?
So young?
Wesley was momentarily stunned, then came to his senses and looked at Hayato Gokudera in surprise... Judging from his appearance, he was only about twenty-five years old, and his earlier speech was very energetic, fitting for someone that age.
In other words, this guy wasn't just looking young—he really was young.
Thinking this, Wesley felt puzzled.
The right-hand man of the Vongola Family was such a young man—how had they taken over Harlem?
Was it only by force?
Impossible!
There were nearly 1,000 gang members and drug lords in Harlem, all very tough and willing to shoot at armed police in the streets.
Their combined power was enough to start a small war, not something gang strength alone could conquer.
Not even the Hand could do it.
It had to be done through cunning strategy.
But the problem circled back—the boss's right hand was a hot-blooded young man. He genuinely couldn't figure out how they'd devised a plan to unify Harlem.
"Hey, what's with that look?"
The unpleasant voice before him snapped Wesley back.
He raised his head to look at the voice's owner, a natural smile on his face. "Sorry, I just thought of something and lost focus."
"Were you thinking something rude?" Hayato Gokudera stared at him stubbornly. "Do you think I'm not worthy of being the Tenth's right-hand man?"
Wesley hurriedly denied it. "I don't even know the Vongola Family very well, so how could I have such thoughts?"
Although he'd indeed had contemptuous thoughts initially, the Vongola Family had ruled the gangs in Harlem and achieved what many Hell's Kitchen bigshots couldn't do.
In such a family, the boss's right hand—no matter how unreliable his appearance—he wouldn't dare look down on him.
Hayato also thought Wesley's answer made sense and said abruptly, "Right, so what kind of cooperation are you here to discuss?"
"It's mainly about business..."
"Business? I don't know anything about that. Go find someone else!"
Hearing it was business cooperation, Hayato Gokudera didn't wait for Wesley to finish and immediately lost interest, turning around and walking toward the church.
Wesley stared at the departing back, blinked, and looked bewildered.
Wait, gangsters discuss business, and he acts like this?
Or was he still angry about what just happened, so he deliberately acted like he didn't want to talk?
Thinking this, Wesley quickly chased after him. "Mr. Gokudera, please hear me out..."
Halfway through speaking, Hayato suddenly stopped and looked back sharply. His hawk-like eyes made Wesley feel like he was being stared down by a ferocious beast.
The rest of his words were naturally swallowed back.
(Sure enough, even though he's young, this guy being the boss's right hand is no simple matter.) Wesley was thankful he hadn't openly dismissed the young man before him.
At that moment, Hayato Gokudera said, "I was wrong just now. Although I don't understand business and am not interested in it, you don't need to find other people."
"What do you mean?"
"Business between gangsters basically can't escape drugs and human trafficking..." Hayato stared at Wesley coldly, his voice indifferent. "But the Tenth Boss is extremely disgusted and enraged by these things. He'll never allow these two types of businesses on his territory, so it's useless to find other people."
"This..."
Wesley hesitated.
He did believe such gang bosses existed, but he also believed the world was built on interests. As long as the price was right, even gangsters who couldn't stand the world's ugliness and held fast to honor would eventually fall.
He really wanted to speak with the head of the Vongola Family directly.
But after meeting Hayato Gokudera's eyes—which looked at him like he was already dead—he involuntarily swallowed the request.
"It's a wise move not to state your purpose for seeing the Tenth. Otherwise you wouldn't leave here alive today." Hayato seemed to see through his thoughts and snorted coldly. "The Tenth has a ruthless enforcer who stops everyone who violates family rules. If you mention this kind of cooperation when meeting the Tenth, you'll definitely be bitten to death by him!"
(So that's how it is!)
After hearing Hayato's words, Wesley felt relieved.
As long as the other party's boss didn't want him dead, there was room to maneuver.
"Mr. Gokudera, we sincerely want to cooperate, in everything..."
"You don't understand what I'm saying, do you?"
Hayato Gokudera interrupted Wesley again, and he was blunt—no, it could be called harsh in his response. "Get lost. Go back and tell your boss: the Vongola Family's goal is the entire American underground. You only have two choices: destruction or surrender!"
Character Notes:
Hayato Gokudera - From Reborn! The Storm Guardian of the Tenth Generation Vongola Family. Fiercely loyal to Tsuna and serves as his right-hand man. Expert with dynamite and explosives.
Verde - From Reborn! One of the Arcobaleno (cursed babies with incredible powers). A brilliant scientist and inventor who specializes in creating advanced technology and machinery.
James Wesley - From Marvel Comics/MCU. Kingpin's right-hand man and lawyer. Handles much of Kingpin's legitimate business dealings and criminal negotiations.