If they had stopped him earlier, things would never have escalated this far.
They could have risked Haze's life, but the cost would have been far too high…
Instead, the terms for recognizing the Field family as a "crownless nation" were never made public. The leaders only needed a verbal agreent.
Implenting a few administrative privileges within V5 was harmless perhaps even beneficial.
If possible, they could even cooperate with the Field family… letting them handle the dirty work.
It was the perfect arrangent for the underworld.
The only difference was that this ti, it wouldn't be a command it would be a partnership of equals.
But if Haze truly was a madman, V5 would eliminate him at any cost, because such a man represented an uncontrollable threat to the human world a destabilizing elent.
Ironically, it was precisely V5's desire to suppress the criminal world that had caused this situation to spiral out of control.
Taking a step back, perhaps they could still find a new direction forward.
"Let's calm him down first…"
"Treat him kindly, let him think he's won. If the Field family infiltrates the politics of multiple nations, they'll beco an invisible asset for us."
"Let him try first. Make him believe we've surrendered, let his guard drop then, when the ti cos, we'll replace him with one of our own."
Inside the secret V5 conference chamber, the leaders exchanged glances no words were needed. They all understood each other's intentions.
A re gang boss daring to deceive and defy V5… how arrogant!
"Very well, we agree," one woman said coldly.
"You'll have full autonomy over all gangs, equivalent to the status of a national ruler. That's as far as it goes. But your Field family must unify the criminal organizations across all six continents as quickly as possible and make those politicians change their stance. As for your demand that such a lowly force as the gangs join V5… forget it. Impossible. You're an independent entity, without the protection of our treaties."
"Deal," Haze replied, lowering his hands and smiling.
Monts later, his Nen aura dispersed, and the projected screen vanished.
The woman who had been channeling the connection regained her senses, the antenna still tangled in her hair.
"Congratulations, Mr. Haze ... no, perhaps I should say, Your Majesty," Bruce said as he stepped forward, offering a handshake.
A catastrophe had been averted.
Everyone present exhaled in relief.
They had truly feared witnessing a turning point in history because if it ca to that, the entire world would be dragged down, and no one could escape.
"The Field family welcos you anyti," Haze said, shaking his hand.
"Since this matter is settled, we won't disturb your rest any further. Farewell," Bruce replied politely.
Haze gestured to David, ordering him to escort the V5 delegation out.
As they left the grand hall, Bruce, leading his group, allowed himself a small, quiet smile.
He wondered if Haze realized… that he had just been played.
It was a classic political maneuver.
Even if Haze did realize it, it didn't matter the mafia could never truly escape V5's grasp.
There was a simple truth: V5's power far exceeded that of the Field family. They were not equals.
In this world, might makes right an eternal truth.
Even a "nation without a crown," capable of swaying politics, shaping public opinion, and stirring conflict…
only wielded soft power.
The greatest weakness of the underworld was the lack of real territory.
To occupy even a small piece of land required war and ti.
A "fictional nation" with no physical defenses was exponentially more vulnerable to attack.
For example, the NGL Autonomous State of the Mitene Federation (a V5 mber nation) had been untouchable precisely because it possessed its own territory completely shielded from external interference.
All of V5's plans, from military strategies to infiltration, had failed against it because of that territorial barrier.
The first step to true power was to seize land start a war and only then plan further strategies.
The Field family could control gang leaders, sure…
But so could V5 and perhaps even more effectively.
Human nature seeks profit, and V5 could always offer better terms and rewards.
The sa applied to the politicians of those nations.
But there was a risk. If Haze discovered their sches too early, there was no telling whether that madman might actually ignite an international conflict.
The V5 leaders wanted to avoid risk and chaos.
So their plan was simple: make Haze a "partner," use him as an employee, and then quietly take over his empire.
Let the Field family enjoy their short-lived victory.
Bruce put aside his thoughts and departed with his n.
The gunpowder-free war of that night had finally ended.
The process had been tense even thrilling.
Despite his years in V5's leadership, Bruce felt there was still so much left to learn…
"Are they all gone?"
David returned after seeing the delegation off.
"Hmm?" Haze asked without turning.
"Let's begin the real plan," David said.
"Good," Haze replied. "It's ti for those pawns we planted to start playing their part."
"The V5 leaders…" David hesitated. "They're just trying to hypnotize us. Even with all these trump cards, the Field family still doesn't have the real strength to threaten V5 only to bluff. There's a reason those five superpowers hold their place in the human world. Even if we control a few politicians, disrupt national affairs, and trigger a war… do you really think anyone could overthrow them if they joined forces?"
Haze chuckled softly. "Using ordinary people as bargaining chips, huh? Do you really think they care about civilian lives or the destruction of other nations? They have the ans to shield themselves from the consequences. Their outrage is nothing but moral theater hypocrisy perford for the crowd."
"To truly dismantle them, we must empower our allies within the Visegrad Group give them both influence and the ans to act. This negotiation only gives us a temporary advantage… but that's enough."
"With that edge, the Field family can provide resources, allowing our agents within the Visegrad Group to rise steadily through the ranks. Sothing we couldn't do before."
Haze walked to the window, looking out at the night sky, and smiled faintly.
"They think they're using … wanting sothing for nothing, using a bit of sweetness to gain bigger rewards. Well… who doesn't?"
"I've always been good at stealing from people," Haze said, turning back with a grin.
David smiled faintly as well.
In the past, the Visegrad Group had never taken the mafia seriously but now, their structure and efficiency had earned respect. They were starting to look useful.
And since they wanted to use them, Haze thought, let them have it.
But the process would be long long enough to make V5 believe that the Field family had fallen into their trap.
Given enough ti, the Field' hidden agents within V5 would grow stronger and more influential…
And in the end, the ones who would profit most from this ga ...
would be the Field family.
As David thought about it, a chill ran down his spine.
Haze's cunning was terrifyingly deep or rather, his mind was too precise.
Every link in the plan connected seamlessly; every move had purpose.
What made this man truly terrifying wasn't his strength…
but his intellect.
And yet, too many people only saw his power.
David watched Haze's back as he walked away, a faint tremor in his chest.
(End of Chapter)
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