The atmosphere shifted as Lucas’s words hung in the air. The members, who had initially underestimated him, now felt a sense of anticipation and unease. They were about to witness firsthand why Lucas commanded such respect and fear from those who knew him well.
Jose and Vlad remained silent, observing the scene unfold. Tiger gave a nod to Diego, who led the Iron Wolves forward. Lion signaled Marco and Carlo to join them in front of Lucas.
“Give it your best,” Tiger encouraged.
The group, though skeptical, thought Lion and Tiger were exaggerating. They doubted that even the six of them together could be bested by Lucas. Still, they nodded, keeping their thoughts to themselves.
Lucas, sensing their doubts, simply smiled. He was ready to let them play their game. “Come on,” he said calmly, one hand casually tucked in his pocket.
The six men charged at Lucas, each employing their unique fighting styles. Diego and the Iron Wolves moved with precision, attempting coordinated strikes. Marco and Carlo, known for their speed and agility, tried to flank Lucas, aiming for his blind spots.
Yet, Lucas moved with an effortless grace, as if he were dancing. He sidestepped punches, ducked under kicks, and spun away from grapples, all while keeping one foot planted firmly in place. It was as if he were toying with them, his movements fluid and unhurried.
The onlookers watched in disbelief. The six men, despite their best efforts, couldn’t land a single hit. Lucas nodded approvingly, “Not bad.”
“Did you see that?” someone from the Abate Familia exclaimed. “He didn’t even move his other foot!”
Realizing this, the six fighters decided to give it their all, pouring every ounce of strength into their attacks. Lucas noticed their increased speed and power, smiling as he continued to evade them with ease.
The spectators were mesmerized, their eyes wide with astonishment. Don Giovanni’s jaw dropped, as if he could fit an ostrich egg in his mouth. Members of the Mercado, Abate, and Gallo Familia swallowed hard, some rubbing their eyes in disbelief. They knew these six were the best trained by Lion and Tiger, yet they were utterly outmatched by one man.
As the six men launched their assault on Lucas, the spectators couldn’t help but murmur among themselves, their disbelief palpable.
“Is this really happening?” one member of the Abate Familia whispered to his companion. “I thought they were exaggerating about the alliance leader.”
“Me too,” his friend replied, eyes glued to the scene. “But look at him. It’s like he’s not even trying.”
Another spectator from the Mercado Familia shook his head in amazement. “I’ve seen Diego and the Iron Wolves in action. They’re no joke. But the alliance leader… he’s on a whole different level.”
“Did you see that?” someone from the Abate Familia exclaimed as Lucas effortlessly dodged a particularly swift kick from Marco. “He didn’t even move his other foot!”
“How is he doing that?” a young recruit asked, his voice tinged with awe. “It’s like he’s predicting their every move.”
Don Giovanni, still in shock, muttered to himself, “This man… he’s truly not just the Tyrant Boss; he is something else. I underestimated him.”
As the six fighters intensified their efforts, pouring every ounce of strength into their attacks, Lucas continued to evade them with a serene smile. His movements were so fluid and precise that it seemed as though he was merely playing a game.
“He’s not even breaking a sweat,” a senior member of Gallo Familia observed, shaking his head in disbelief. “And these are the best we’ve got.”
“Imagine what he could teach us,” another chimed in, his voice filled with newfound respect. “With him leading us, there’s no telling how strong we could become.”
As the realization of Lucas’s prowess settled in, the initial skepticism among the spectators transformed into a deep-seated admiration and respect. They understood now that Lucas was not just a strategist or a wealthy supporter; he was a formidable leader whose strength and skill were unmatched.
As the relentless attacks continued, the six fighters began to tire, their energy waning with each failed attempt to land a hit on Lucas. Finally, one of the Iron Wolves, panting heavily, admitted defeat. “I give up,” he said, breathless and clearly exhausted.
His surrender was quickly echoed by the others, each acknowledging their limits. Despite their best efforts, they realized that the man standing before them was far more formidable than Lion and Tiger. They knew Lucas hadn’t even unleashed his full potential, yet they were already struggling. It was clear now that Lion and Tiger hadn’t exaggerated; Lucas was indeed a force to be reckoned with. A mix of fear and admiration settled over them.
Lucas nodded, acknowledging their efforts. “Good work,” he said, turning to Lion and Tiger. “Continue their training.”
With a clap of his hands, Lucas introduced himself to the group. “You’ve heard of the Luca Group,” he began, his voice commanding attention. “I’m the chairman and the leader of this alliance. Our goal is exactly what Lion and Tiger have told you.”
He paused, letting his words sink in. “We need to accelerate your training,” he continued, raising two fingers. “In two weeks, we must need to act before the enemy do and realizes that the Gallo Family is no longer on their side.”
Don Giovanni, still processing the display of skill he’d just witnessed, stepped forward with a question. “Do you have a plan, Lucas?”
Lucas nodded, his expression serious. “Our initial focus won’t be on the Sicilian Familia. Instead, we’ll target the Costa Familia. They have many connections that need to be severed. We’ll make it appear as though the Gallo Familia remains part of our alliance.”
“Tiger,” Lucas called out, his voice steady and authoritative.
“Yes, Lucas,” Tiger responded respectfully, his tone firm and attentive.
Lucas turned his attention to a specific matter. “Tell me about the con artist you’ve been working with.”
Tiger nodded and gestured towards a man standing nearby. “This is Julyan,” he introduced. “He has the capability, in my opinion, boss. Two weeks should be enough to fully mold him.”
Lucas studied Julyan for a moment before outlining his plan. “We can use a skilled con artist like Julyan to disrupt the smaller networks of the Costa Familia. Our goal is to weaken their foundation without alerting them to our larger strategy.”
He continued, “Julyan, you’ll focus on infiltrating and destabilizing three key businesses that serve as fronts for the Costa Familia’s operations. First, there’s the import-export company that handles their smuggling operations. Second, the chain of laundromats they use for money laundering. And third, the small casino that acts as a hub for their illegal gambling activities.”
Lucas paused, ensuring everyone understood the importance of these targets. “By targeting these businesses, we can cut off their resources and create confusion within their ranks. The key is to execute these operations subtly, so the Costa Familia remains unaware of our involvement.”
The room was filled with a sense of purpose as Lucas laid out the strategy. His plan was clear: to weaken the Costa Familia from within, using Julyan’s skills to create a ripple effect that would destabilize their operations without raising suspicion.
“These will be our initial targets,” Lucas concluded. “By the time they realize what’s happening, it will be too late for them to respond effectively.”