One Piece: Sticky fingers

The sound of Victor's leather shoes echoed through the long, empty corridor. He walked slowly, wearing a black cloak that swayed gently with his steps. The high dome above was painted with grand, old murals, adding a sense of history to the quiet space.

Following close behind him was Perona, a girl with pink hair, dressed in a black gothic dress. Even indoors, she held a small parasol tightly, as if it was part of her outfit.

The two stopped in front of a large, wooden double door.

Creak… groan…

Victor pushed the door open, and the sound of the old hinges filled the silence. The room beyond was dark and cold, with no windows or decorations. The faint light from the corridor spilled in, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

At the center of the room was a thick iron cage. Inside sat Capone Bege, a stocky man wearing a tattered suit. His chest and arms were wrapped in bandages, and his eyes were shut as if he were asleep.

Perona walked to a small candleholder on the wall and lit it. The dim flame flickered, revealing more of the empty chamber. She then dragged a wooden chair to the cage and placed it in front of Victor.

Victor sat down calmly, his sharp gaze fixed on Bege. "Mr. Bege," he said softly, "why are you here again? We had an agreement. You were supposed to join Coral."

Bege's eyes opened, burning with anger. He stood up and grabbed the iron bars. "Join Coral? You didn't tell me joining meant destroying the Capone Gang! You didn't just recruit us—you erased everything I built! I spent years building my gang, and you ruined it with one deal!"

Victor didn't flinch at Bege's outburst. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small box. He opened it, revealing two fine cigars, and handed them to Bege through the bars along with a match.

Bege hesitated, his anger still simmering, but eventually took the cigars. Lighting one with practiced ease, he puffed on it a few times, his fury cooling as the rich smoke filled the air.

Victor spoke again, his voice calm but firm. "So, to get back at me, you attacked Dr. Rulta? The man who healed you? That's not how a gentleman behaves, Mr. Bege."

Bege stayed quiet for a moment, the smoke swirling around him. Finally, he asked, "Why are you really here, boss? What do you want from me?"

Victor leaned forward slightly, his tone dropping. "The world," he said simply.

Bege blinked, stunned for a moment, before breaking into loud, mocking laughter. His voice echoed in the empty chamber, and Perona frowned, muttering, "How rude…"

When his laughter finally stopped, Bege shook his head, smirking. "Victor, you're ambitious, I'll give you that. But compared to the monsters out there, you're nothing."

Victor didn't react to the insult. Instead, he stood up, walked to the cage, and leaned in close. He whispered a few words, too low for Perona to hear.

Whatever Victor said made Bege's face turn pale. He stumbled back, his eyes wide with fear. "You're crazy… completely crazy…"

Victor straightened, a slight smirk on his face. "Crazy? Maybe. But aren't we all a little mad in this game, Mr. Bege?" He gestured to the cage. "The world is changing, and I'm offering you a front-row seat. Join me, and you'll see what's coming."

Bege took another long drag from his cigar, his mind clearly racing. Finally, he dropped the cigar to the ground and crushed it underfoot. "What's your plan?" he asked.

Victor smiled. "First, we're heading to the Land of Flowers."

Bege frowned. "The Land of Flowers? Why?"

Victor turned to Perona, who unlocked the cage. "Because that's where we'll find the power we need," he said.

Two days later, Victor's ship was docked at Sound Wharf. The early morning light cast a golden glow over the bustling harbor. A crowd of black-suited gang members gathered to see Victor and his crew off.

Among them was Mihm, a wiry, energetic boy with wide eyes. "Boss! Please take me with you!" he shouted, running toward Victor.

Perona rolled her eyes. "You're not coming, monkey! The Land of Flowers isn't some playground!" she snapped.

Mihm ignored her completely and looked up at Victor with determination. "I'll do anything, boss! I've been training! Look!" He rolled up his sleeves to reveal his scrawny arms, flexing what little muscle he had.

Victor sighed, rubbing his temples. "Mihm, if you come, you have to promise to obey Perona's orders. No questions asked."

Mihm turned to Perona and bowed. "Yes, boss! I'll listen to her!"

Victor nodded, then turned to an elderly man standing nearby. "Wendrew, I'll be relying on you to keep everything in order while I'm gone."

The old man gave a respectful bow. "Of course, boss. Safe travels."

With his small crew—Perona, Bege, Mihm, and the silent but capable Cransner—Victor boarded the ship. As the anchor was lifted and the sails caught the wind, he stood at the bow and smiled.

"To the Land of Flowers," he said. "The next step to the top."