There are two legends in New York's underground world of contract killers: one about Baba Yaga, and the other about the Butcher.
Baba Yaga's legend is widely known because his combat skills are extraordinary—every target he sets his sights on ends up dead. The Butcher, by contrast, wasn't particularly famous at first. He only rose to prominence in the underworld after he transformed into a dove of peace. Perhaps it is that stark contrast—from executioner to peace angel—that has led many to speculate whether Luca has found religion.
A flicker of fear crossed the manager's eyes; he knew the Butcher's methods all too well. Gritting his teeth, he protested, "But they attacked my men for no reason. How do you explain that?"
"Huh?"
Luca turned around and saw several Mafia members immediately jump in to explain.
"That waiter disrespected us and insisted we take off our shoes!"
"Who the hell takes off their shoes while eating? Sicilians don't take off their shoes at the dinner table!"
"This is an insult!"
Luca was taken aback. Did Sicilians really have a hard rule about keeping their shoes on while eating?
Well, starting today, they would—at least in Chinese restaurants.
Luca turned back to the manager and warned him, "You heard them. This is just a clash of cultural customs between different ethnic groups. A simple misunderstanding."
What kind of cultural clash is that?!
The manager's expression shifted. They had already offered him a way out—should he take it or not? With the Butcher standing here, he clearly wasn't getting anything out of this situation today.
He suppressed the resentment in his eyes, waved his hand to dismiss his subordinates, and said, "Alright, Dove, I'll show you respect this time. I'll follow your rules—for now. But when you come to a Chinese restaurant in the future, I expect you to follow Chinese customs first."
You prevented a gang conflict and preserved the peace of the hotel.
[Gain Skill Points +6]
[Gain Skill Fragment +2]
[Remaining Skill Fragments: 33]
At this point, the group had moved from the battleground to an Italian restaurant. Several members of the Bonanno family chatted warmly with Luca, thanking him for his earlier help.
"Hahaha, did you see the looks on those Chinese guys' faces when the Dove announced his name? It was like they'd seen the Emperor himself!"
Lefty raised his glass to Luca. "That's the reputation of Luca the Dove! There's not a soul in New York who hasn't heard of him!"
This guy is the classic "wiseguy" rather than a "cash cow," with a strong street-smart edge. Lefty—a kind and fundamentally honest man—had spent decades in the Mafia, devoting half his life to it. He followed the rules, stayed loyal to his brothers, and even sent money to the wives of imprisoned associates. Affairs are rare in the Mafia.
Yet he remained a low-ranking soldier, dreaming that one day a major figure would notice him and lift him to the top.
In Luca's memory, among the most rule-abiding Mafia members—aside from Paulie Cicero, who never dealt drugs—was the loyal Lefty.
Seeing that Lefty was still alive and hadn't been taken out, Luca smiled warmly, slung an arm over his shoulder, and drank with him.
"Lefty, when my father was alive, I used to hear him mention you all the time. He told me plenty of stories. He thought highly of you—he even considered asking you to baptize me when I was born."
"Old Greco? I remember him." Lefty sighed. "Back when we were partners, we even hijacked a truck from a distillery together. I never expected him to go so soon. Dove, your father would be proud to see how well you're doing."
Donnie listened carefully, eavesdropping. Even though the conversation revolved around small matters of family and friends, it was invaluable in shaping a clearer profile of Luca.
This was the first time he had heard that Luca had followed in his father's footsteps—two generations working for the Mafia.
"Dove." Sonny Black raised his glass. "I owe you one for today. If you ever need anything, just say the word."
This guy is a D-card. Though he doesn't have many skills, in the original storyline he rose to become a crew boss in the Bonanno family thanks to his prison connections with the underboss and his ruthless methods.
More friends mean more options. Luca chatted politely with Sonny Black for several minutes.
After dinner, Lefty's bond level increased to "Familiar," while Sonny Black and Donnie's bonds reached "Follow." That alone shows who is the most straightforward.
__________________________________________________________________________
Character Card: Donnie
Rank: A
Source: Donnie Brasco
Skill:
The Infiltrator — When you infiltrate a criminal organization, your cover becomes harder to detect, reducing the probability of exposure by 25%; when conducting surveillance, the probability of your listening devices being discovered is reduced by 20%.
Learning Requirement — Bond level must be Close Friend or above; 60 Skill Fragments required.
Jewelry Appraisal — You can distinguish real from fake jewelry with greater accuracy; your intuitive judgment of jewelry increases by 30%.
Learning Requirement — Bond level must be Friend or above; 30 Skill Fragments required.
Bond: Follow
Character Card: Lefty
Rank: B
Source: Donnie Brasco
Skill:
Emotional Leverage — When you establish a bond with subordinates, their loyalty increases by an additional 5% for each bond level advanced; if the subordinate is an undercover agent, their loyalty increases by an additional 10% once the bond reaches "Close Friend."
Learning Requirement — Bond level must be Close Friend or above; 60 Skill Fragments required.
Bond: Familiar
__________________________________________________________________________
Luca sighed. "Lefty, you really are the kind of wiseguy the FBI would hesitate to take down. You almost turned their only undercover agent just through emotional loyalty."
That's incredible.
Luca thinks this skill is outstanding. Increasing subordinate loyalty is rare. A Godfather-tier ability.
Good, good—you've broadened your path. The Peace Ambassador is pleased.
As for Donnie, "The Infiltrator" is tailored for undercover agents, reducing exposure risk. Luca doesn't need the first half, but the second half—reducing the chance of surveillance devices being discovered—is decent. Worth considering.
Luca glanced at Donnie discreetly, wondering if he was wired right now.
Not taking off shoes? Hiding something inside them?
Undercover agent Donnie had no idea he'd already been exposed. His elite training was useless against Luca, who was effectively running cheat codes.
He approached proactively. "I've had extensive training in jewelry appraisal. If you ever need an expert opinion, I can take a look. I can usually spot a fake at a glance."
Before going undercover, the FBI had given him specialized training in jewelry identification. Donnie was confident in his expertise.
Luca didn't question his analytical skills—he questioned whether he was wearing a wire.
"I'll reach out if I need anything," Luca replied cautiously.
If Donnie's loyalty could be swayed by Lefty, why not by me—the Peace Ambassador?
If the opportunity arises, I'll recruit him as a subordinate and use Lefty's loyalty skill to cement him in place. If that still fails to turn Donnie, then Luca will have no choice but to sacrifice him.
After a hearty meal, Lefty left with Luca. He suddenly mentioned wanting to visit Luca's father's grave—though he didn't actually know where the man was buried.
In the underworld, it's easy to claim brotherhood with a few sentimental stories. Ask for details, and most people draw a blank.
Luca understood that his father's relationship with Lefty had been average at best. In fact, his baptism had been performed by Marigio—his father had never truly considered Lefty.
He also knew that Lefty was broke and likely hoping to make money through him.
But when a rare card takes the initiative to build a bond, how could Luca refuse?
He had already mapped out a path for Lefty and Sonny Black's crew—narcotics.
Let's hijack Frank's shipment.
Given the poor blood between the Bonanno family and Frank, these cash-strapped wiseguys wouldn't refuse. They might even earn favor with the family leadership.
As the so-called "cash cow," Luca possessed inside information about Frank that even Frank's closest associates didn't know.
If the two major drug pipelines don't clash, how can law enforcement make a move?
Meanwhile, Donnie returned home.
He dropped to the floor and did one hundred push-ups straight to burn off the violent urges stirring inside him. Earlier, while beating those Chinese men, he had—just for a moment—fully embraced his Mafia identity.
That scared him.
If you get too deep into the role, even after shedding the undercover identity, the shadow lingers.
After cooling down, he retrieved his recording device and played back the audio, listening to the curses from Sonny Black, Lefty, and the others as they beat the Chinese men.
"You like shoes that much? Jesus Christ! Fuck!"
"You bastard!"
"Watch it, Donnie!"
"Finish him, Donnie!"
With a long sigh, Donnie put the recorder away.
Outside the window, the night was dark and oppressive—just like his eyes.
The next day, Donnie received a coded message from his superiors and went alone to a restaurant for a meeting. He assumed it was to pass along intelligence, but to his surprise, a senior FBI official from Washington was present.
"Your actions are starting to have an impact," the official said. "Headquarters has assigned me to this city."
"To spy on me?"
Years in the underworld had given Donnie a hardened, defiant edge.
"To provide backup—so we don't miss an opportunity."
The official continued calmly, "Additionally, an agent from Los Angeles—Brian O'Conner—is working on infiltration."
"Los Angeles?"
"He gained experience infiltrating biker gangs in L.A. That background could help him blend in. He already has the right underworld profile."
The official leaned forward. "Headquarters needs you to go deeper and gain their trust. If you vouch for Brian, he can enter the Mafia more smoothly."
Damn it.
Donnie's expression shifted. I've barely stabilized my own position, and they're already trying to insert someone else? Do they understand how dangerous this is? These men beat people without hesitation—and shoot without blinking.
Even alone, he had to tread carefully. Add another agent, and exposure risk doubles.
"I won't vouch for someone I don't know," he said firmly.
"It's not complicated," his superior replied. "Just give him credibility. Let him appear publicly first and work alongside you for a while."
"If this leaks, I'm dead."
"Brian is risking his life too."
Donnie's expression changed several times. Finally, he stood. "I need time to think."
Brian O'Conner? A biker?
Mafia guys drive classic Cadillacs—who's going street racing?
Go back to L.A. Don't try to go undercover in the Mafia. This isn't a game.
Even if someone has to infiltrate…
Why not approach the Dove instead?
That guy seems a little easier to talk to.
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