Chapter 42: Situation X Speculation
"Father, bad news! The Solomon family is under attack! Their three top fighters have all been wiped out!"
A young man in his early twenties burst into Sosa's office, his face pale with panic.
"Calm down. How many times have I told you to knock before entering my office?"
Sosa narrowed his eyes. "Now, tell me—are you saying the three elite fighters the Solomon family deployed are all dead?
What about the two bounty hunters they hired?"
"No news on them yet, but the rest of the Solomon family members are already showing signs of breaking down."
'So, Tony got lucky this time, huh. Drawing a card like this... not bad.'
'With my abilities, controlling another subordinate family wouldn't be too difficult, but I've invested quite a bit into the Solomons. Losing them now would be a waste.'
"What about the Philip and Medici families? Any movement from them?"
"No attacks so far. Everything seems quiet on their end."
"But, Father, if either of them gets hit next, our losses will be catastrophic. Should we change the plan and send our top fighters to defend them?"
"The Gambino family's reinforcements are still on the way, but if something unexpected happens before they arrive—"
Before he could finish, Sotha shot him a sharp look.
"Have you still not figured it out?"
"Remember this—people can only rely on themselves. Counting on others will only lead to disappointment.
I'm certain the Gambino family's forces have already arrived. They're just staying hidden for now."
"And even if the Philip and Medici families do come under attack, the Gambinos won't move. Not right away. They'll wait until those two families lose at least a third—maybe even half—of their strength before stepping in."
"But you're right about one thing—the Solomon family won't last much longer. They need immediate reinforcements.
If the Gambino family wants to sit back and reap the rewards, they'll have to think again. I'm dragging them into this mess with me."
"Pass down my orders. Send our top fighters—"
"To attack the Hall family."
Alex froze. "Father... did you misspeak?"
"Shouldn't we be sending them to reinforce the Solomon family? They won't last much longer!"
"Do as I say. As for the Solomons, someone else will help them. Now go carry out your orders."
After Alex left the office, Sosa immediately dialed the Gambino family.
He calmly explained that his family's core forces had already been deployed against the Hall family, leaving no manpower to assist the Solomons. He then urged the Gambinos to step in and send reinforcements.
At that moment, inside the Gambino estate, John had just hung up from Sosa's call.
"Father, what now? Should we send Bat to help the Solomon family?"
"What's the latest on the battle there?"
"The reports say the Solomon family has lost nearly a third of their forces. What we can confirm is that their three top fighters are dead, leaving only the two bounty hunters they hired."
"And the attacker... it's just one person."
"Alone?" John's expression darkened.
"Yes. According to intelligence, the attacker is a young boy, possibly underage, and a Nen user."
"He seems to have some kind of cloning ability."
"A child?" John frowned. "Are you sure about this intel?"
"It's been verified by multiple undercover agents, all of whom reported the same details."
John was silent for a moment.
"Father, what do we do? If we send reinforcements now, they might not arrive in time. The Solomon family could collapse before they get there."
"Unless we send Bat immediately. But if we do that, our true intentions will be exposed, and Sosa will figure out our original plan.
We have no choice. We must send help—now."
"Save as many as possible. We can't afford to let the Solomons fall. If they do, Kolobo's influence will be crippled.
Even if Sosa realizes our move, he won't complain. On the surface, we're saving his forces for him."
"Send my orders—tell Bat to move immediately and have himself fly there at top speed. The other two can catch up later."
John paused.
"You said the attacker is a child?"
"That's what the reports say. I was skeptical at first too."
John fell silent for two seconds before speaking again.
"Contact Bat. Tell him to avoid combat if possible. Prioritize negotiation. If he must fight, he is not to kill the target.
Tony... you sly bastard. You really played your hand well this time."
"Father, what do you mean?"
"Think about it. What's your take on the attacker's identity? For someone so young to be this powerful, they must have had an exceptional mentor."
"Or... they could be an adult disguising themselves as a child to lower their enemies' guard."
"Exactly. If it's the second case, then our reinforcements can simply capture or drive them off. But if it's the first case... that changes everything."
"This child must have been trained by a powerful force. This entire mission might even be part of their training. Son, if your little Ricardo had to walk to school alone, would you let him?"
"Of course not! I'd assign bodyguards to protect him. Wait... are you saying—?"
"Now you understand."
"My guess is that Tony realized this the moment he saw that kid. He saw their overwhelming strength and immediately thought of the force behind them."
"That's why he changed his plan.
Instead of sending in his men, he let this child storm the Solomon headquarters alone."
"He doesn't care if the kid succeeds or fails. His goal is simply to drain the Solomons' strength. And if this child's hidden guardians are forced to step in? Even better for Tony."
"I see now. That's why you ordered Bat not to kill them."
"If an organization can raise someone that powerful at such a young age, they must be incredibly dangerous."
"But what do we do now? If we continue down this path, Tony's plan will work perfectly."
"This is an open scheme, not a trick. Unless we can make direct contact with the force behind this child, there's nothing we can do but wait for Bat's report."
"Let's just hope the Solomon family can hold out a little longer."
...........
Meanwhile, inside the Solomon family's headquarters, Ryker continued his rampage.
He had reached the third floor. And soon, he would break out of the building.
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