Chapter 9: Negotiation failed?*
In the port of BlackRock, a large white cruise ship with four massive sails was docked at its full glory. It was being manned by many armed mafia men as the sailors were busy preparing for the journey. The magnificent sleek white ship with golden accents and a golden angel figurehead at its bow was the official family ship of the Moriyarty Family called The Uriel. Bypassing the tight security, Mr Hugh escorted a tall, slim young woman with curly dark-blue hair, thick lips, dark green eyes, pale skin, and a curvaceous figure on the ship. Their presence caused the henchmen to become more attentive as they bowed to show respect.
"Zala, Master Victor has changed a lot after that incident so I suggest you should be mindful of your words." Mr Hugh said solemnly.
"Fufufu! That stupid prodigal has changed so much?? I wouldn't even believe it if I heard it from someone else Dad. I still remember I had a lot of fun teasing him when he was a child." Zala Sabini, the future member of the Baroque Works was Mr Hugh's daughter who was currently an infamous bounty hunter in the West Blue.
"He has been through a lot lately after the death of Master Adolf. This time the situation is very serious Zala. So, whatever talks happen inside with Master Victor must stay within the family. I don't want to hear any rumors spreading else I'll have to pick up my sword once again." Mr Hugh said coldly.
"Dadd!! How can you treat your daughter like this? Is the Moriarty brat more important for you than me?" Zala said with a pout.
"Yes! He is." Mr Hugh said with a small smile.
"I hate you too, Dad!" Zala said with displeasure as Mr Hugh patted her head as if she was a little kid.
***
Inside a huge office in the Uriel adorned with intricate designs and art pieces on the walls, Victor dressed like a distinguished gentleman carefully studied the large map of West Blue on the table. It was quite detailed with several strategic markers placed on it. In this world where there were no google maps, this was a strategic resource or large organization as they were mostly hand-drawn by cartographers and explorers. Victor looked at it thoughtfully as he planned his moves when there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Come in!!" He said without looking up as the father-daughter duo entered the room. Zala observed her surroundings and the boy sitting on a chair as she tried to notice any difference in his behavior other than his devilishly handsome looks.
"Master! She has arrived." Mr Hugh said to break the silence.
"Have a seat Zala!! Uncle Hugh, can you please ask someone to prepare some tea for her?"
"I will ask the chef to prepare it immediately!" Hugh said with a bow before leaving the room.
"Miss Zala, thank you for coming on such short notice. I am sure bounty hunting has kept you busy." Victor said as he removed his reading glasses and looked at the curly-haired beauty.
"Tch Tch!! Now that you are married you have forgotten this Onee-san. Acting so distant and stuff after you lusted over my body all these years Victor." She said seductively as she looked at him playfully.
"I was younger then, my taste in women has changed since then," Victor said with a playful smirk, there was nothing he could do about his past self's action but bear with its consequences.
"Let's not mention the past Zala, I have a big job for you. Are you interested?" He tried to change the topic when he saw her looking at him with raised eyebrows.
"Fufu! This honestly makes me a little sad you brat. Well, the job you're talking about, how much are you paying?"
"I want you to train my wife in combat and help her develop her devil fruit powers. Your powers are a little similar, I'm sure you can do a good job. In addition, you will act as her full-time bodyguard for a few weeks. As for payment, you can decide it yourself."
"10 Million $ per week!" Zala stated a ridiculous number just to mess with him.
"I'll pay double that price, but her identity must not be leaked at any cost. Or else you know the consequences." Vicor said as he tapped his fingers on the table.
"Fufufu! Both you and Dad are so overprotective of Mrs. Moriarty!! Now I am very curious about her identity." Zala was a little surprised by his offer.
"The Devil Child, Nico Robin! She has a bounty of 67 Million $ right now." Victor said as he looked into her eyes.
"Oh my! Oh my!! So you like the troublesome kind!! I would have asked for more if I had known before but since you're family I'll agree." She was very surprised by this revelation but she would never refuse easy money.
"You have changed a lot, Victor! You don't have to worry, I know the code of the family, I am his daughter after all." Zala assured with a smirk.
"You sure are Zala, why don't you join our Organization after this is over? You have a lot of potential if you can at least awaken observation haki like Uncle Hugh."
"I'll think about it. How much are you paying anyway?"
"How about I gift you a cafe in a prime location, didn't you always want to own one since childhood?"
"Ohhh my!! Victor, you are starting to sound more tempting. Why don't you pursue me once more then I will think about it?" She said with a giggle, her mood also improved a little.
"Thanks but I think I will have to look for someone stronger."
"What did you say, you bastard!! Do you want to fight?" She said like a little thug ready to roll up her sleeves but fortunately, Mr Hugh arrived in time with a maid carrying a teapot.
"Dad, this bastard is bullying me."
***
After the deal with Zala was over, Hugh assigned a gang member to escort her to her new accommodation near the Moriarty Manor. As evening dawned on BlackRock, many executives gathered in the conference room to report progress on their assigned tasks to Victor. Using the list of names that Mayor Deez snitched, they conducted sweeping raids on the housed corrupt wealthy businessmen and officials in the town. They rescued more than 200 slaves and children, some of them even belonging to other races like fishmen and mermaids.
"Imprison the offenders in the dungeon for now, they will be judged in the court later! I'll be sailing away for a month, in the meantime everyone will strictly follow the 'Code of Conduct' properly. Assign men to create large farmlands in Tropico, we need to improve our self-sustainability and make sure that more schools and orphanages are built in every town. I'll provide further instructions through Mr Hugh. Meeting adjourned!!"
"Yes Boss!!" Everyone stood up and bowed in unison before leaving. 'Code of Conduct' was a new rulebook that was being sent to everyone in the gang, made by Victor himself it listed various rules that everyone in the organization must follow. If they don't abide by it, they will be kicked out of the family irrespective of their ranks and influence.
"Tesoro, from now on you'll be training under Mr. Hugh until you learn the ropes of running the Casino business and also improve your strength. I have very high hopes for you," Victor said to the green-haired man standing beside Mr Hugh in the empty conference room.
"Understood boss! I will not disappoint you." He bowed respectfully, his heart filled with gratitude. A few hours ago he was just a street thug but Master Victor gave him a chance to prove his worth, he'd be an imbecile to let go of this chance.
"Be on alert for sneak attacks during my absence Uncle Hugh, I want you to take command of the family until I am ready," Victor said to the consigliere who silently nodded in assurance. Mr Hugh lets his actions do the talking.
***
When Victor finally returned to the mansion after finishing important meetings it was already midnight. He had been busy managing temporary accommodations for the slaves and cleaning up all the mess in this 'Vice City', it's all baby steps but something is better than nothing.
When he entered the dimly lit master bedroom, he was a little surprised to see Robin sitting on a comfortable sofa reading a thick ledger. She was dressed in comfortable clothes but it didn't diminish her natural beauty at all.
The sound of his footsteps alerted her as she looked towards his direction but she looked relieved when she saw him. He suddenly felt a pang in his heart, she probably had suffered a lot in all these years that she had to become so cautious like a cat. A genuine feeling to protect his 'wife' started to well up within him, for whom he would go to unimaginable lengths in the future.
"Victor! You're back? Did you have your dinner?" She said while yawning cutely.
Victor approached Robin, his gaze filled with a mix of tenderness and concern. He nodded his head gently. "I already had my dinner after the meeting. Are you alright, Robin? You look more tired."
She closed the book and stood up while stretching her arms. "I'm fine, Victor. I was just going over some of the financial reports. I want to help as much as I can but I still need to learn a little I suppose. I got carried away while reading I guess." She had been busy too since morning.
"You don't have to do everything, Robin. We're a team, and I want you to take care of yourself. Don't have to push yourself so hard." He tried to console her when Victor noticed the fatigue in Robin's eyes. He couldn't help but feel a growing affection for her knowing that she had been trying to do her best too.
"Robin, I want you to know that I'm here for you. We'll face whatever challenges come your way together."
She looked at him with gratitude and a hint of surprise. "Thank you, Victor. I appreciate your support. And I'm willing to do reciprocate your trust in whatever way I can."
It was a strange arrangement, a marriage born out of necessity and weird circumstances, but as the night went on, they couldn't deny the growing closeness they had for each other. The future was uncertain, but for now, in the quiet of their shared space, they found solace in each other's company. Unbeknownst to both of them, their broken hearts gradually drew closer in the shadows of the grand Moriarty mansion.
A\N: Before anyone can comment Zala is younger than Robin, I confess that I'll make slight changes to the age of a few side characters for the plot's sake. Peace out.
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