"Huh... Huh?"
After hearing those words, Capone thought Griffin's next sentence would be demanding his allegiance as a subordinate, but instead...
A seventy-thirty split?
In their underworld mindset, the defeated didn't even have the right to live.
Although the seventy-thirty ratio was outrageous, compared to the expectation of losing his life, losing just forty percent more than originally anticipated...
Seemed... acceptable.
...
Ancient wisdom.
Griffin deliberately escalated the atmosphere to the point of execution, then played the profit-sharing card, making Capone subconsciously feel his losses weren't that significant.
Capone hesitated for a moment, testing the waters: "Thirty percent... is too little. Can we increase it a bit?"
Even if the losses weren't huge, they were still losses. Since there was room for negotiation, fighting for his own interests was inevitable.
Griffin's eyelids drooped slightly, his smile not reaching his eyes.
"Keep asking and you won't even get thirty percent."
If you aim to extort ten thousand, you must demand exactly ten thousand—not a single unit less—or others will see your weakness!
...
...
"Can I have a cigarette?"
Capone reached out his hand, using action to convey his decision.
Looking at the ordinary cigarette handed to him, Capone felt disdain inwardly.
For people like them who preferred cigars, ordinary cigarettes were something women smoked.
But he didn't show it, obediently taking it and lighting up.
Wisps of smoke rose in the dim dungeon.
...
"I mean... with strength like yours, you were only a Lieutenant Colonel before? The Navy really has no eye for talent."
Capone took a deep drag as he spoke.
Although he hadn't intended to harm Griffin initially, after his men charged in and were swiftly defeated, he'd lost his temper too.
He had a clear understanding of his own capabilities—roughly on par with a Navy Captain—yet he was defeated so thoroughly, without any ability to resist.
This kid was definitely not at the level of an ordinary officer!
Leading Capone out of the cell, Griffin said casually, "If strength determined military rank, Garp wouldn't be a Vice Admiral."
"The Navy isn't like your mafia. Whoever has the biggest fists... wait, no—actually, everywhere, it's those with the biggest fists who rise to the top."
"I'm not familiar with you, so there's no need to continue this topic."
...
Exiting the dungeon, Capone noticed the sky was faintly bright...
Had that much time passed?
He vaguely felt the timing didn't quite add up, but didn't pay it much mind.
——
——
——
At the port, after dealing with Capone's matter, Griffin came to see Smoker off.
"You released Capone?"
Smoker asked.
Griffin nodded: "Yeah, we reached an agreement. From now on, I take seventy percent of his earnings."
Smoker frowned deeply: "This is abusing your power for personal gain! How many times have I told you, this is wrong!"
"Hey, I haven't tried to change your values, so don't interfere with mine." Griffin rested his hands on the ship's railing, speaking calmly.
"Pirates can't be eradicated, and neither can the mafia."
"Arresting Capone would just mean someone else taking his place soon. Compared to an unknown replacement, Capone at least follows some rules."
Capone had investigated Griffin, and Griffin had investigated him too.
So far, the people this guy had killed were all gang leaders—he seemed only interested in taking out the bosses.
Part of the weapons he sold went to the Navy, the rest to armed forces of other countries.
Compared to that deranged clown, Capone could be considered a white lotus in the underworld.
...
"Capone is different..."
Smoker said in a low voice, "What I told that shitty commodore wasn't just angry words. I truly believe he'll grow into a great pirate!"
His intuition had always been accurate.
Just like eight years later, when he saw Luffy's smiling face facing execution, he immediately knew that guy would turn the seas upside down.
Intuition could be considered the initial manifestation of Observation Haki.
"I think so too."
Griffin didn't contradict Smoker, speaking calmly, "Don't worry... by the time he becomes a great pirate, I'll already be a great navy officer."
"Pfft—"
Smoker couldn't hold back his laughter, "What kind of title is 'great navy officer'? You might as well say you'll become an admiral!"
"Great navy officer is the abbreviated form of Grand Naval Governor, just like the Pirate King."
Smoker slapped Griffin's shoulder heavily, "That's called Fleet Admiral! How can a newly promoted officer like you even think about that!"
Griffin pushed Smoker's hand away with slight disgust, "A marine who doesn't aspire to become Fleet Admiral isn't a good marine. Who's as unpromising as you?"
...
Smoker's slapped hand hung in the air for a moment before slowly lowering.
"Griffin, we've been together for about six years now."
"To be precise, five and a half years."
"And don't use ambiguous words like 'together.' We're just simple colleagues."
Smoker's fierce face twisted into an ugly smile.
"You'll have to rely on yourself from now on."
"Although you're a lazy, greedy, and lecherous bastard, I know your heart isn't bad..."
"Hold it right there!"
"You can call me lazy and greedy, but where did the lecherous part come from?"
Throughout the entire Uchiha clan, only a handful were actually interested in women!
...
Bloodline had a tremendous influence on a person's character. Griffin never denied the effects of the Sharingan and Ice Release Bloodline Limit on himself.
A person couldn't even empathize with who they were just minutes ago.
Having experienced transmigration and rebirth, changing bodies... how could his personality remain exactly the same?
Spending childhood alone in this pirate-dominated world...
Every evolution of the Sharingan was accompanied by pain. Awakening the Three Tomoe already spoke volumes.
I just need to make sure I'm still myself.
Anyway... the lecherous accusation is pure slander!
...
Smoker narrowed his eyes slightly, "Then what about the Hancock wanted poster in your room?"
Griffin's expression darkened, "You bastard! You actually entered my room!"
As he spoke, he drew the standard navy longsword from his waist, making as if to strike at Smoker.
Clang—
Although he knew Griffin wouldn't actually cut him, to save face for Griffin, Smoker still raised his jitte to block.
"Who knows when we'll meet again, let's not make it bloody."
"There's nothing wrong with admiring that woman's beauty, just don't forget your naval justice. After all, she's still a pirate. There's no future for you two..."
After years together, Smoker had always seen Griffin as a disobedient younger brother. Though he normally hated noisy and impatient people, he had become the annoying one himself.
Hmph!
I was collecting the Seven Warlords of the Sea's wanted posters, Hancock just happened to be the first one! You didn't even bother to look at t
he others!
Griffin couldn't be bothered to explain, sheathing his sword.
"Get lost already, you're so annoying!"
Until Smoker's ship disappeared from the coastline, Griffin straightened his Justice Coat and turned around.
He walked toward his own destination—Branch 179.