"The Gambino family really is a generous family." Roy gave Moor Island one last look. With a light wave of his hand, the fleet raised its sails and set off on the return journey to the Zephyr Kingdom.
On the ships, the royal soldiers stared at the holds packed with gold, jewels, firearms, and ammunition, as if trapped inside a dream. Even after the ships had already departed, some still had not recovered from the shock.
Originally, they had all believed this trip to Moor Island would be filled with danger, almost the same as marching to their deaths.
Yet out of duty and a soldier's mission, not a single one of them backed down.
All along the way, tension and anxiety had clung to every heart.
What they never could have imagined was that when they arrived at Moor Island, what greeted them was nothing but ruins.
The Gambino family had already been completely erased.
From start to finish, aside from hauling supplies and collecting spoils, they had played almost no real role at all.
The news left everyone both relieved and filled with awe.
Relieved, because they had survived.
Awe, because the powerful Gambino family had been wiped out in a single night, and the ones who did it were only a forty eight man force.
And what inspired even deeper reverence was the fact that Stanley the Legion Commander had deliberately hinted that this force was the prince's secret Ninja Assassination Tactical Unit.
That name spread through the soldiers like a sudden gale. Along with the shock came a quiet, growing fear and respect toward Roy.
At the same time, the Ninja Assassination Tactical Unit's reputation began to show its first edge.
Inside the ship's luxurious cabin, Roy sat on the sofa as usual, reading books about this world's history.
Since he had decided to live in this world, understanding its past was naturally essential.
Beside him, Cici obediently peeled grapes, her pale fingers placing the clear, glistening fruit into Roy's mouth one by one.
"The Void Century…" Roy chewed the sweet and sour grape as his eyes rested on the brief description of that hundred year gap. He frowned slightly.
Then he shook his head, not lingering on it.
After all, whatever happened in that century had nothing to do with him.
Smack. He closed the book, leaned back on the sofa, and let out a long breath.
Then he opened his mouth and accepted another grape, narrowing his eyes as he sank into thought.
"The Gambino problem is solved. Now the only thing still threatening the Zephyr Kingdom is the pirates running wild inside the country. That's not a big deal. Let the royal army clean them up. If they run into someone troublesome, then the ANBU can act. But compared to that…"
"I'm more excited about the exclusive draw."
A flicker of anticipation shone in Roy's narrowed eyes.
Every man carried a dream of becoming strong, and Roy was no exception.
No matter how powerful the corps he summoned might be, it didn't change the fact that his own personal strength was still weak.
Only by becoming strong himself could he truly stand above the crowd in a world packed with monsters.
"When we get back, I'll ascend the throne and become king." Roy closed his eyes, planning quietly.
Knock knock knock.
The sound broke the cabin's silence.
"Come in," Roy said as he slowly opened his eyes, his voice calm.
"Prince."
Stanley entered with a box held in both hands. His steps were steady as he half knelt before Roy.
With a respectful gaze, he opened the box and presented it toward Roy.
"This is a treasure we found in the Gambino family's warehouse."
"Oh?"
Roy's eyes fell on what lay inside. His expression shifted slightly, surprise flashing across it.
"This is a Devil Fruit?"
The fruit was shaped like a mango, yet it carried a strange pale green color. Its surface was covered in swirling patterns like mysterious runes.
It was unmistakably a Devil Fruit.
"Yes, Prince," Stanley confirmed respectfully.
After witnessing the ANBU's terrifying strength, his awe toward Roy had only deepened.
Roy raised a brow, staring at the Devil Fruit. After a moment of thought, he still shook his head and abandoned the idea of eating it.
A Devil Fruit could boost strength quickly, but eating one without knowing its ability was far too risky, and it would also cost him the ability to swim.
With an exclusive draw system in his hands, getting stronger was not difficult. There was no reason to gamble.
At the side, Cici stared at the strange looking Devil Fruit with curiosity, then brought another peeled grape to Roy's lips.
Roy ate it, chewing calmly, then said to Stanley in an even tone, "As the Legion Commander of the royal army, your strength is still lacking. This Devil Fruit is your reward."
"Rewarded to me…"
Stanley froze for a beat, then wild joy surged onto his face.
He lowered his head, his voice growing even more respectful.
"Thank you for your generosity, Prince!"
"Dismissed," Roy said with a small wave.
"Yes!"
Stanley forced down his excitement and withdrew respectfully.
"Cici, stop peeling grapes. Come over and massage my shoulders," Roy said.
"Yes, Prince."
Cici walked behind him obediently. With her soft, pale hands, she gently massaged his shoulders.
Roy closed his eyes in comfort and exhaled lightly. Before he realized it, he gradually fell asleep.
…
Less than an hour after the Zephyr Kingdom's fleet departed Moor Island, a mid sized sailing ship slowly approached.
On its mast, a flag fluttered brightly in the sunlight, the emblem of one of the West Blue's three great mafia families, the Bluer family.
"What?! What is going on here?!"
"Why is everyone in the Gambino family dead? How is that possible?!"
"Look! That's Clyde, one of the Gambino executives! He was a Devil Fruit user. How could he…"
"My god… look over there. Isn't that Ant, the Gambino leader? Even he was killed?!"
"This… this is absolutely impossible!"
Before long, shocked cries echoed through the ruins at Moor Island's center, filled with disbelief and horror.
Members of the Bluer family gathered around, staring at the collapsed manor ruins and the corpses with terrified expressions, their deaths ugly and brutal.
Especially when they saw the bodies of the Gambino executives, and Ant himself, a thought rose in every heart that made their blood run cold.
The Gambino family had been completely exterminated.
(End of Chapter)
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