Chapter 7
With this, Squalo and Tizzano’s job was finished. The implications of this trial would most likely reach the furthest edges of the justice system. It was also thought that decades of anti-gang legislation would heavily regress. Italy would fall right into Passione’s hands—that notion, too, seemed like it could become reality.
Squalo and his companion distanced themselves from the chaotic site of the trial and headed to Palermo’s market. After reaching a pay phone at the end of the road, Squalo called his leader to give a mission report. The conclusion Tizzano had led the trial to was the best-case scenario for the group.
But all the leader had to say was this:
“I see. Stick with the plan and kill Tizzano with Clash after this.”
When Squalo asked why, his leader responded:
“This was just a fluke. Tizzano doesn’t have that kind of power.”
“…”
In other words, the leader refused to believe in Tizzano’s strength to the very end. The conversation ended with Squalo failing to change his mind. Squalo looked to the man standing right next to him. Tizzano, who had heard the whole conversation, now had a pensive look on his face.
“So that’s how it is. My orders were to kill you, whether the mission ended in success or failure. And if I disobey his orders, odds are he’ll come after me, too.”
Tizzano hummed in thought, raising a hand to his chin.
“Then our only option is to try and convince him. Don’t worry—I have ways to negotiate. I can probably win the other members over, too. We’ll resolve things peacefully.”
“Resolve things peacefully? Win them over? You’re being too soft, Tizzano.”
Squalo offhandedly gave voice to the thoughts he had been having since the trial.
“I’m going to kill him.”
He had decided at the trial’s beginning to kill the leader as soon as it adjourned.
“…Calm down, Squalo. That’s not a good plan of action. We’ll be the ones put in danger. Doing something like that would be the same as rebelling against Passione itself.”
“That won’t happen. No, there’s no way it could.”
“…How come?”
“Our leader’s feeling cornered. He’s been struggling to get his assets back lately, and his payments to the top brass are overdue. His insistence on my killing you is just more proof of that. He’ll do anything to prove that he’s getting something done to his superiors. What use is a man as short-sighted as him to Passione… to the boss?
“…”
“I’m positive the boss will be satisfied with how things have gone here. Your power acts as Passione’s shield, but it can also be its sword. It is the people who look down upon your power who are a cancer on this organization. They must be removed as soon as possible.”
It fought not with violence, but words. It was a new kind of strength for Squalo, one different from the many he had encountered thus far. He had absolute faith that Tizzano would become the very core of their organization.
“It seems you have a habit of getting a bit too fired up about things, Squalo. Not to mention, my Stand is miniscule. On my own, it’s a struggle to move it far away, or even kill a baby. But your Clash changes everything.”
Squalo and Tizzano quietly looked into each other’s eyes as they walked together. There was no need for words. They both knew exactly what the other was thinking.
Together, the wielders of Clash and Talking Head were invincible.
There was just one thing that concerned Squalo.
What did Falco mean by those words he said in his final moments?
Justice will prevail.
Why? He should have known that he was going to die the moment he bit off his own tongue. So why did he seem so full of willpower? What pushed him?
The pair would later find themselves in a fierce battle with a traitor once again. Those questions welled up in Squalo’s chest. He would never know their answers in his lifetime.
