Chapter 1. Forewarning from the Strange Thief.

Notice: April Fool. Under the red moonlight, at the crossroads of the world, I will deliver a wonderful performance ...

-- Phantom Thief Kid

　　...

"... In response to a number of vicious deaths that have happened in recent days in the third block of West Midtown Manhattan, the district's police said ..."

"Um, sorry to interrupt you, Kate."

New York, NBC, the news anchor covering the story, seemed to have suddenly received some kind of message and hastily spoke up to interrupt the reporter who was broadcasting.

"Now. Breaking news: The New York City Police Department has received the latest letter from the Phantom Thief, signaling a new wave of criminal theft. In response, the Commissioner said he would do his best to bring the Phantom Thief to justice ..."

Phantom Thief Kid was the new criminal to emerge from New York City in recent months.

Unlike other common criminals who were cautious or wary, the Phantom Thief became the darling of the New York news media and a stain on the NYPD with his daring and flamboyant style of thievery and his bizarre methods.

Although, after a vast number of successful crimes, Phantom Thief Kid would return the items he stole to their owners.

It still couldn't conceal the fact that it was a crime.

In front of the NYPD, after a flurry of interviews and coverage by the media, Commissioner George Stacy returned to the station with a dark look on his face, "Have you confirmed the contents of the letter, whether it was written by that damned thief or not?"

Phantom Thief Kid's unpredictable style of crime, coupled with a frenzy of media coverage, had won the support of a large number of fans on the Internet.

As a result, the NYPD often received fake letters from some fans of the Phantom Thief, causing a certain amount of disruption and hindrance to the police's work.

"According to Forensics, comparing it to the last letter the Phantom Thief sent us, they're pretty sure the Phantom Thief sent this letter."

"In that case, let's move. I want everyone available on it. Tell forensics to decipher it, and tell them to inform me as soon as possible!"

Phantom Thief Kid's special characteristic was that he sent out letters with the signature "Phantom Thief Kid" and a clue before each theft. However, the content of the advance notice was often obscure and extremely difficult to understand. A certain level of intelligence was required to get the answer.

The NYPD sometimes had to spend a great deal of time cracking it. Sometimes, Phantom Thief Kid would already complete the crime before the NYPD could find the answers in the letter.

As a result, naturally, there was a flurry of criticism from the New York media, reporting on the incompetence of the NYPD.

In response to the outcome, Commissioner Stacy, while disgraced by the media's tendency to criticize without knowing the truth, also gnashed his teeth at Phantom Thief Kid, who had disgraced the entire NYPD. He vowed to bring this lawless man to justice and make him confess his crimes in prison.

"Sid, you take the lead in this. It's in your hands now."

"But, Chief, I'm still working on that homicide case ..."

Hearing the arrangement, a black woman with braids spoke up as if she wanted to say something more.

"Put the murder investigation aside," said Commissioner Stacy, interrupting his subordinate with a firm tone, "Right now, your first priority is to catch this damn thief! I've had enough of listening to the media, treating us like clowns!"

"Well, you are the boss."

George Stacy went back to his office with a gloomy face, while the policewoman, Sidney, had a helpless look on her face. She had just gotten some leads on the District 3 homicide investigation and found that it might be linked to an extraordinary event.

"Hey Sidney, you're pretty brave to talk to the chief like that." The officer who was close to her spoke jokingly.

"I'm just stating the facts," Sidney shrugged, "Not to mention that all of New York knows that Phantom Thief Kid can't be caught that easily." As a member of the NYPD, Sidney didn't want to see a criminal like Phantom Thief Kid go unpunished but had to admit that catching the Phantom Thief was a challenge, even with the NYPD's current capabilities.

"Careful, Sidney, you can't let the Chief hear that." Stealing a glance at the Commissioner's office, a colleague couldn't help but speak up and warn her.

"Of course, Ray, I'm not an idiot."

　　...

New York, the highest floor of the iconic New York City tower.

A large figure sat there, looking down at the letter in his hands.

The long silence didn't bring peace, but rather, a deeper sense of darkness that wrapped around the people in the office.

"Have I been dormant in the darkness for too long, causing people to forget what the name Kingpin means?"

After a while, a deep voice came from the figure.

"No, your name has always been in the dark, and everyone has surrendered to your shadow." A man in black tights spoke.

"Why, then, would a guy like the Phantom Thief Kid send a letter to me?" While the Phantom Thief was a lawless criminal in the eyes of the media and the police, Kingpin, the king of a criminal empire and the man in charge of nearly forty percent of criminal activity throughout New York, apparently dismissed him.

Kingpin rose to his feet. His massive frame projected like a huge shadow, his far larger than normal size, and the distinctive muscles beneath his white suit made him appear both dark and menacing.

He loosened his wide palm to reveal the contents of the letter.

Notice: With the thoughts of the dead, on the eve of the night, the king who lies dormant in the shadows, I will take his staff of power.

-- Phantom Thief Kid.

"It's just a wannabe."

"No, Lester." Kingpin spoke, in a low, unhurried voice, "Even the most insignificant guy, who dares to flash his claws at us, should be dealt with and destroyed. Let them know exactly what they can and cannot do. The world needs order, and Kingpin is that order."

Reaching for his cane, Kingpin strode past Lester and stood at the huge floor-to-ceiling window behind him, looking down at it all in silence.

He enjoyed the feeling of having the whole of New York at his fingertips.

Provided that there were no nosy vigilantes.

A haze flashed in his eyes as Kingpin stroked his cane and spoke in his own low, slow but furious voice.

"Only death can wash away the insolence of the ignorant against this King."

...

-:Binge:-

A new book and a new journey.

Hope to see you till the end :)

Translated by: RandomAlex

Edited By: LuffyLucy