Chapter III: Shifting Tides

Rise of the Marcano Mob

A week later, Giuseppe received word from his brother, Giovanni (Gianni), about an upcoming visit to Los Santos. Gianni had booked a ticket from Sicily and planned to arrive soon. Upon landing at the airport, Gianni contacted Marty to inform him of his arrival. Marty extended an invitation to Gianni to visit his newly acquired house. Gianni brought Giuseppe along, much to Marty's disappointment, as he had no desire to see his father.

Upon arrival, Giuseppe was shocked to find Marty residing in a penthouse at the Diamond Casino, extravagantly decorated with bright, party-themed colors. The penthouse was in poor condition, littered with wine stains, takeaway bags, and empty pizza boxes. The presence of pizza Hawaii was a significant disappointment for Giuseppe. Giuseppe expressed his disappointment with the poor condition of the penthouse and prompted Marty to call the cleaning service, which he refused. Marty himself appeared markedly changed, adopting a stylish appearance with fresh, expensive clothing. He welcomed his family and offered them drinks to start with.

Gianni, still seeking a temporary residence, accepted Marty's offer to stay in a spare bedroom at the penthouse. During his time in Los Santos, Gianni visited Marco, a barber at the Diamond Casino with whom he shared a complicated sexual relationship. Soon after, Gianni purchased a house in the hills at 3655 Wild Oats Drive, marking a seemingly hopeful period for the family.

However, during a subsequent visit to Marty's penthouse, the atmosphere was notably tense. When questioned, Marty attributed his stress to challenges in his construction business. To relieve the tension, Giuseppe, Marty, and Gianni embarked on a road trip to Paleto Bay, a location where Giuseppe had previously established his businesses. On their way, the trio was ambushed by masked mercenaries. Despite the attack, they narrowly escaped and returned to Los Santos.

The following day, Marty revealed the source of his troubles: he had taken a loan from Milbanks, a bank infamous for financing wars and conflicts. He explained that failure to repay the loan would result in relentless pursuit by the bank. Giuseppe, leveraging his influence and contacts, reached out to Milbanks. He successfully negotiated a halt to the attacks on Marty, vouching for him and promising repayment of the debt.

As a result, Marty was forced to rent his penthouse to the bank to amass the necessary funds. The family relocated to Paleto Bay, where Giuseppe began reestablishing a business to address the debt. The modest lifestyle proved challenging for Marty, who deteriorated both physically and mentally, succumbing to old habits, including a porn addiction, watching tapes he secretly recorded of himself and Claire having pleasure, while jerking off. Disturbed by Marty's decline, Gianni stepped in to motivate him to focus on paying off the debt. Together, they devised a plan, with Giuseppe’s expertise, to rob the Diamond Casino and Resort. Marty's improvement coincided with their preparations for the heist. In the meantime, Giuseppe’s brother, Salvatore, reached out to express his desire to reunite with his siblings after years of estrangement caused by his severe alcohol addiction.

On December 2, 2024, the Marcano Mob (excluding Salvatore) executed the Diamond Casino Heist with an estimated take of $5.600.000. After the conclusion of the heist Gianni opened a nightclub in Vespucci Beach named Paradise. Thanks to the heist Marty paid his debt to Milbanks and he returned to his penthouse. To the disappointment of the rest of the family Marty’s behavior worsened due to the ‘rich’ lifestyle it gave Marty. In secret, Giuseppe called the bank to seize the penthouse again and put it on his name. Within two days Giuseppe and Gianni announced to Marty that they seized the penthouse. Marty’s relationship with the family deteriorated, especially his father.

Marty, feeling betrayed by his father and desperate for cash, returned to his old habits and moved from Paleto Bay to live in a bar in Pillbox Hill. Around this time, Alexa discovered a ‘worn’ Marty when she was visiting Premium Deluxe Motorsport. Seeing opportunity in the situation, she helped Marty by getting some cash together by robbing the Casino yet again and selling some narcotics. On December 10, 2024, Marty bought himself a garment factory in La Mesa, formerly owned by the Darnell Brothers. Giuseppe and Gianni visited Marty at his new ‘crib’ where Marty explained that Alexa helped him get the money together. This angered the normally calm Giuseppe who stormed out the garment factory learning about Alexa’s involvement.

In the afternoon at Paradise, Giuseppe calmed down while having a drink with Gianni. Giuseppe, expressing his concern that Alexa would manipulate Marty into leaving the family behind and worsening the already tense relationship. In the evening Giuseppe and Gianni visited Marty at Pillbox Hill where Giuseppe apologized for his tense behavior and explained his concern. Marty shrugged it off saying that it was not a big deal.

On 15 December 2024, Giuseppe informed Gianni about the Clucking Bell Factory in Paleto Bay, run by the Latin American Cartel named the Clucking Bell Cartel. Giuseppe explained that the Cartel was undermining his business and was some good money to earn. To restore some kind of relationship with Marty he invited Marty to help Giuseppe with the problem. The next day, the Marcano Mob attacked the factory seizing a large part of cocaine and selling it later.

After the attack, Gianni visited Marty in his house in Pillbox Hill. Marty informed that he was dating Alexa for two weeks now and implying that she approached Marty about it. Gianni texted Giuseppe who came straight over to Marty. Marty, already drunk walked away from the laptop in his office. Curious about the laptop, Gianni and Giuseppe logged in and found a horrifying number of images and videos of Marty with Claire ‘doing things.’ They also found a naked photoshopped image of Alexa, which Gianni sent to Edward for ‘blackmail’. Giuseppe tried to talk to Marty about why he was dating Alexa again. Marty, due to his drunkenness, could not respond. Giuseppe suspects that Marty approached Alexa instead of the other way around because of the vast amounts of wealth Alexa possessed. On 25 December, the family celebrated Christmas at Giuseppes house in the hills. While Giuseppe continued to govern Paleto Bay, Giovanni continued with his nightclub. The Marcano Mob had grown.

Return of the Smuggler

On 3 March 2025, an unregistered B-11 Strikeforce landed at Sandy Shores Airfield with no other than infamous smuggler Hans Naumann who returned for a client in San Andreas. Two days later, Hans bought the McKenzie Field Hangar in Grapeseed where he started his arms trafficking business and also resumed the smuggling of narcotics into Los Santos. Hans set eyes on a brand-new Titan 250-D, a weaponized cargo plane from Eberhard Munitions. Carefully planning the operation with the Sanchez Cartel, he stole the plane and claimed it for himself. With Hans continuing his smuggling operations the drug prices in Los Santos dropped steadily.

In the meantime, Hans temporarily employed Marty and his friend Morgan into H.K.R.N without the syndicates' knowledge. With employment, Hans continued Marty's flying lessons who in return helped him source narcotics into the hangar.

Two days later, Alexa called Jim distressed and asked him to meet on the yacht. When Jim arrived Alexa played an audio tape that she received from an unknown courier. Here they heard a mysterious man known as the Phantom had kidnapped Marty and made him be tortured. Alexa insisted that Jim (and Edward) helped her figure out where Marty is and to rescue him. Jim reluctantly agreed, still bitter that Marty damaged his house.

Five days later, the syndicates started noticing worsening drug sales. After Jim and Edward got a clue from Alexa that there is a growing power in Grapeseed, at McKenzie Airfield. Jim and Edward initially thought that this growing power was the Alamo Hellraisers, but they couldn’t confirm anything so far. After arriving with Jims Terrorbyte, Edward launched a drone to observe the place. Edward was shocked to see Hans Naumann working on his Duster 300H. Jim didn’t hesitate a moment and got out of the truck to go after Naumann, shooting at his airplane, but Hans got in the air in-time to escape them. Jim immediately called Alexa, telling her Hans was back in San Andreas, despite his warning. Alexa was worried where Marty was and suspected that Hans had something to do with it.

Three days later, Jim and Edward continued the pursuit to find Hans. They both went back to McKenzie. However, when they arrived Edward noticed a large weaponized cargo plane on the radar. Using the rockets on the Terrorbyte they attacked Hans, while he shot back with a large 40mm gun. Sustaining damage, Hans retreated back to Fort Zancudo. Later a B-11 Strikeforce attacked Jim and Edward who suspected that it was Hans flying in the plane. After going back and forth it into the Alamo Sea. Jim and Edward getting out revealed one of Hans his goons. Holding him at gunpoint, the man revealed that he works for Hans. After some threatening from Jim and Edward in order to reveal more information about why Hans was back in San Andreas and where Marty was, the goon took his own life. Afterwards Jim called Alexa to inform her what had happened and that they were attacked. Alexa suggested that Jim contacted Giuseppe to tell him that Marty was kidnapped. After the call with Alexa, Jim called Giuseppe and told him about the situation. Giuseppe, angry that Hans took his son promised to help them Marty back and deal with Hans however they saw fit.

Five days after the encounter, Hans made the biggest smuggling deal in San Andreas history, netting him millions and dropped the prices of narcotics to an all-time low. He secretly did this in collaboration with Edward who needed money for his second “revolution”. On 30 March, Hans secretly met Edward at Thomson Scrapyard in the Grand Senora Desert in the early morning. Here Edward promised to spare Hans's life while Hans would supply Edward weapon and supplies for his revolution, as a “thank you”. A few hours after their secret meeting Alexa tracked Hans who was visiting the Observatory. Immediately, Alexa called Jim (who contacted Edward) who quickly drove to the Observatory to confront Hans.

At 16:00, Jim and Edward confronted Hans who already expected them to show up. Jim pointing his WM 29 pistol against Hans who did the same. Hans said that he had an ace in the hole. The ace in the hole was Marty, who was “safe” with his employer. Jim, itching to shoot Hans slowly moved his finger to the trigger. Unexpectedly, Edward pointed his gun at Jim, saying that Hans should be kept alive because they agreed to a weapon deal. Jim, disillusioned by the revelation immediately thought back to the first encounter he had with Hans. Hans, smirking and silently laughing mentioned that “Even your best friends are not really your friends” and Edward helped him with the smuggling sale. Hans also said that the conflict between Jim and Hans was over, and that Jim should bury the hatchet after nine years. Hans, continuing smiling left for the stairs behind him where a motorcycle was conveniently parked drove from a hill and unto the street leaving the Observatory.

Hans leaving Los Santos in his Titan 250-D

In the aftermath, a disillusioned Jim asked Edward why he made the deal with Hans. Edward responded that he desperately needed money and weapon for his “revolution”. Jim disappointed and frustrated in Edward, told him that he damaged his trust. Jim proceeded to drive to his home on Sustancia Road where he started drinking excessive amounts of whiskey to battle his guilt, becoming drunk and pondering about his life choices. Jim realised he would never get the chance of avenge the death of wife. Jim wandered in his thoughts the entire night, asking himself “Was this Edwards plan all along? What if I pulled the trigger?”. In the early morning, the doorbell rang, where Alexa was standing in front of the door. Jim, looking miserable let Alexa in, who immediately jumped to business by asking if Hans was dead. Jim said Hans was alive, that Marty was still in captivity with Hans’s boss and that Edward had “betrayed” him for an arms deal. This stunned Alexa, but it didn’t surprise her at all. She was more worried about Marty, his safety and what would happen next. In Jims bad state, he walked back to the counter to grab a bottle of whiskey, which triggered Alexa to call him out to get over the loss before leaving for her office. In the late evening, the large Titan 250-D left for the East Coast marking an end to the storyline of Hans and the Return of the Smuggler, thus beginning the Yakuza Resurgence.

The Yakuza Resurgence

On 2 April, a Yakuza expedition arrived off the coast of San Andreas aboard a submarine after a month-long voyage across the Pacific. The expedition consisted of three principal members: Yorinobu Honda, the submarine's captain and field leader; Yue, a Yakuza operative who had previously operated in Los Santos during the organization's second campaign; and Ryōma Kuroda, a younger member whose enthusiasm often contrasted with his lack of experience.

The expedition's primary objective was to weaken the city's syndicates before eventually dealing with Edward McHaggis. After surfacing near Chumash, the group disembarked and travelled through Los Santos in an armored Karin Kuruma. Yue introduced Yorinobu and Ryōma to locations considered strategically important, including Jim's residence and arcade, Edward's businesses, Yue's office at Manta Trading & Exports, the Maze Bank Tower, and the Diamond Casino. During the tour, Ryōma repeatedly questioned Yue about the city and the operation, drawing increasingly impatient responses from both Yue and Yorinobu.

Following the reconnaissance, the group visited the Yellow Jack Inn before travelling through Sandy Shores and Raton Canyon to inspect several additional locations, including Giuseppe's bunker. With no immediate objectives remaining, the three separated to await further instructions from Kensuke, the Yakuza Oyabun.

Five days later, Yorinobu and Ryōma returned to the submarine to receive orders from Kensuke. After a lengthy delay, Kensuke instructed the expedition to prioritize destabilizing the syndicates, describing them as the greater threat. Yorinobu opposed the strategy, arguing that Edward was currently vulnerable and should be eliminated immediately. Ryōma supported Yorinobu's proposal. Kensuke rejected the suggestion, stating that Edward's whereabouts were unknown and warning the expedition against underestimating him. The meeting concluded without agreement. After Kensuke departed, Yorinobu privately remarked to Ryōma that Kensuke still loved for Edward.

Yue's Investigation

The expedition later regrouped at Manta Trading & Exports, where Yue was instructed to focus her efforts on gathering intelligence concerning Jim and Alexa. Two days later, Yue located Jim at the Yellow Jack Inn after his Übermacht Sentinel experienced mechanical problems. Assuming the identity of "Yeorum," a Korean newcomer to San Andreas, Yue assisted Jim with repairing the vehicle while secretly placing a tracking device on it. Although Jim appeared suspicious of her, he accepted the assistance and invited her to help transport customer vehicles from his auto shop the following day.

After Jim departed, Yue informed Yorinobu of the successful installation of the tracker. Dissatisfied with the overall progress of the mission, Yorinobu revealed that he and Ryōma intended to pursue Edward independently despite Kensuke's orders. Yue reminded him that such actions directly contradicted their instructions, but Yorinobu dismissed the warning and instructed her to contact him if Edward's location became known.

The following day, "Yeorum" assisted Jim with deliveries from the auto shop. During their work, Jim discussed aspects of his upbringing, previous occupations, his late wife, and his legitimate business ventures. Yue gathered information throughout the conversation before the two parted ways.

Seeking to investigate Alexa's business activities, Yue later arranged a meeting at the Manta Trading & Exports office while still posing as Yeorum. When Alexa arrived and discovered Yue's employer was absent, she immediately cancelled the meeting. Alexa questioned Yue's authority to negotiate on behalf of the company and accused her of deception. Before leaving, Alexa insulted both Yue and Manta Trading & Exports, reinforcing Yue's assessment that infiltrating Alexa's operations would prove significantly more difficult than approaching Jim.

Breakdown of the Expedition

Over the following week, Yorinobu became increasingly dissatisfied with the expedition's progress. He concluded that Yue had become more invested in cultivating a relationship with Jim than in gathering intelligence capable of destabilizing the syndicates. In Yorinobu's view, Yue had chosen the easier assignment by approaching Jim rather than attempting to infiltrate Alexa's operations.

Seeking an update, Yorinobu contacted Yue and again questioned her about Edward. Yue reiterated that Edward was not her assignment and reminded Yorinobu that Kensuke had instructed the expedition to focus on the syndicates. Unsatisfied with her response, Yorinobu decided to continue pursuing Edward independently and instructed Ryōma to accompany him.

By coincidence, the pair spotted Edward driving a brown Corvette through Strawberry toward the highway leading to Sandy Shores. Travelling in a black Karin Previon, Yorinobu and Ryōma followed at a distance in an attempt to avoid detection. Edward eventually disappeared along the desert highways, causing the pursuit to fail.

Refusing to abandon the search, Ryōma suggested travelling to Paleto Bay. The two searched several locations throughout the town, including Procopio Drive and the pier, but found no trace of Edward. With nightfall approaching, they remained near the Great Ocean Highway and spent the night inside their vehicle before resuming the search the following morning.

The search continued at McKenzie Airfield, where Yorinobu acquired an aging aircraft previously associated with a German smuggler. Ryōma questioned the decision to use the plane, but Yorinobu ignored his concerns. The pair spent nearly an hour flying over Paleto Bay, Sandy Shores and Grapeseed while searching roads and rural properties for Edward.

At Ryōma's suggestion, they diverted toward the El Gordo Lighthouse. During the flight they observed Edward's brown Corvette parked near a coastal property. Yorinobu immediately landed the aircraft at McKenzie Airfield, intending to continue by road. Upon returning to the parking area, however, they discovered that their Karin Previon had been impounded.

Ryōma offered to use his personal vehicle instead, prompting an angry response from Yorinobu. After several unsuccessful attempts to secure alternative transportation, Yorinobu assaulted a passing motorist, forcibly removing him from a Dundreary Regina and stealing the vehicle. Ryōma intervened before the assault became fatal, after which the two departed for the lighthouse.

Confrontation with Edward

Yorinobu and Ryōma arrived at a house overlooking the coast, where Edward emerged carrying a railgun. Yorinobu and Ryōma responded by drawing pistols, resulting in a prolonged standoff.

Following a brief exchange, all three lowered their weapons and began negotiating. During the conversation, Ryōma inadvertently revealed that the Yakuza were holding Marty captive, despite Yorinobu previously instructing him to keep the information confidential.

Attempting to recover the situation, Yorinobu offered Edward a proposal. He promised that, in exchange for assisting the Yakuza during a future operation, Edward would be released from further pursuit and all remaining obligations between them would end. Edward declined to commit to the proposal, stating only that he would consider it before leaving the property. In accordance with Yorinobu's earlier orders, neither Yorinobu nor Ryōma attempted to stop him.

As Edward departed, he contacted Jim and informed him that two Yakuza members had approached him with an offer of cooperation. The conversation quickly shifted toward the deteriorating relationship between the two men following the events at the observatory. Edward stated that the matter was now Jim's responsibility and indicated that he no longer considered himself part of the syndicate. Jim suggested that Edward should at least pretend to cooperate with the Yakuza to gather information, but Edward gave no clear answer before ending the call. The exchange reinforced Jim's belief that Edward had effectively severed his remaining ties to the organization.

Yorinobu's betrayal and Ryōma's Death

Another week passed without meaningful progress. Yorinobu again demanded information regarding Edward, but Yue remained unable to provide any new intelligence. Concerned by Yorinobu's increasingly erratic behaviour, Ryōma secretly met Yue at the Manta Trading & Exports office. During the meeting, Ryōma questioned Yorinobu's leadership and expressed concern that he had abandoned Kensuke's objectives. Yue acknowledged the situation but noted that Kensuke remained in Japan, leaving Yorinobu in effective command of the expedition.

Three days later, Yorinobu contacted Ryōma and claimed to have discovered one of Edward's hidden supply caches. He instructed Ryōma to meet him at the recovered Karin Previon before travelling into the hills surrounding an abandoned mine.

After entering the mine, the two advanced toward what appeared to be a dead end. When Ryōma turned to question the location, Yorinobu drew a pistol and accused him of jeopardizing the mission. Without further warning, Yorinobu executed Ryōma with a single gunshot to the head. Ryōma's body was abandoned inside the mine, where it remained undiscovered.

Shortly afterward, Yorinobu contacted Yue and falsely reported that Ryōma had been killed during an ambush orchestrated by Edward. Yue immediately questioned the account, reminding Yorinobu that Edward had never been their assigned objective. Yorinobu responded with a prolonged outburst, accusing Yue of neglecting her duties before abruptly ending the conversation in a calm and courteous tone.

The exchange convinced Yue that Yorinobu was no longer acting in the interests of the Yakuza expedition and had instead begun pursuing his own objectives independently.

Yue's Defection

While Yorinobu continued operating independently, Jim met with Giuseppe at the Giuseppe & Co headquarters in Rockford Hills. The two discussed Marty's captivity and the growing pressure placed upon the syndicates by the Yakuza. Jim relayed Edward's account of the recent encounter with Yorinobu, including the offer of cooperation that had been made.

During the meeting, Giuseppe expressed disappointment in Edward's actions since the failed revolution in Scotland, describing the former protégé as increasingly detached and unreliable. Jim and Giuseppe agreed to continue sharing intelligence. Before departing, Jim revealed that he intended to confront "Yeorum," believing she was concealing her true identity.

Later that evening, Yue decided to abandon the expedition. Believing Yorinobu was responsible for Ryōma's death and fearing that she could become his next target, she travelled to Jim's residence. After a brief hesitation, she approached the front door and requested to speak with him.

Jim immediately recognized that Yue was distressed and invited her inside. During their conversation, Yue admitted her true role within the Yakuza expedition and disclosed the events surrounding Ryōma's disappearance. She also revealed the expedition's objectives, Yorinobu's increasingly independent actions, and the location of the Yakuza submarine anchored off the coast near Chumash.

Jim assured Yue that she would not be harmed if she cooperated fully and urged her to remain honest going forward. Before leaving, Yue finally disclosed her real name, abandoning the "Yeorum" identity she had used since arriving in San Andreas.

After Yue departed, Jim immediately contacted Alexa and informed her of the information she had provided. The following morning, Jim met Alexa at her office inside Maze Bank Tower to discuss the situation.

Although Alexa recognized the strategic value of Yue's intelligence, she initially ordered Jim to kill her, arguing that Yue had previously worked against the syndicates and could never be trusted. Jim refused, maintaining that Yue's decision to defect had provided them with their first genuine advantage against the Yakuza.

The disagreement escalated into a heated argument. Alexa questioned Jim's loyalty and accused him of allowing personal feelings to influence his judgment. Jim defended both his decision and his record of loyalty, reminding Alexa that he had consistently remained at her side while others had abandoned or betrayed her.

After further discussion, Alexa reluctantly accepted Jim's position. She agreed to spare Yue's life but made it clear that she never wished to encounter her again and warned that any future meeting would end with Yue's death.

With the matter settled, Jim and Alexa redirected their attention toward the Yakuza expedition. Using the intelligence supplied by Yue, they developed a plan to locate the submarine and rescue Marty. Alexa also insisted that she would personally lead the operation, making it clear that Giuseppe would not be the one to recover his son.

Pursuit of Yorinobu and freeing Marty

Approximately one week later, Jim observed Yorinobu near Del Perro Pier and immediately informed Alexa of his location. Viewing the sighting as an opportunity to eliminate the expedition's leader, Alexa equipped herself and travelled to the pier.

Upon arriving, Alexa located Yorinobu among civilians and confronted him at gunpoint. As Yorinobu attempted to distract her while moving toward the edge of the pier, an unrelated pickpocket briefly interrupted the confrontation by attempting to rob Alexa. The unexpected distraction allowed Yorinobu to dive into the water below.

Yorinobu reached a nearby jet ski and attempted to flee across the ocean. Alexa commandeered another jet ski and pursued him. During the chase, she successfully struck Yorinobu with a gunshot, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and fall into the water. Believing Yorinobu had drowned, Alexa focused instead on recovering a locator beacon that had detached from the jet ski during the crash. The device provided the final information needed to locate the Yakuza submarine.

Using the locator beacon, Alexa travelled by boat to the submarine anchored near Chumash. She boarded the vessel alone and advanced through its interior, systematically eliminating the remaining Yakuza personnel stationed aboard.

After securing the submarine, Alexa reached the detention area where Marty was being held. She found him severely weakened after his prolonged captivity. Marty showed clear signs of malnutrition and was barely capable of responding when Alexa entered the cell.

Alexa immediately contacted her personnel, who extracted Marty from the submarine by helicopter and transported him to one of her secure medical facilities. Before losing consciousness, Marty quietly told Alexa that he had known she would come for him. Marty remained under medical supervision for approximately one and a half weeks before making a full enough recovery to leave the facility.

Yakuza Aftermath

Following his recovery, Marty returned to Los Santos and resumed contact with his family. One of his first visits was to his bar in Pillbox Hill, where Giuseppe was waiting for him.

During their meeting, Marty expressed disappointment that his father didn't do enough to secure his release during his captivity. Giuseppe explained that he had exhausted the options available to him while attempting to balance the growing threats facing both his family and the syndicates. Although the conversation remained tense, the two reconciled before parting ways, marking Marty's return to the Marcano family following his rescue.

Several days later, Giuseppe contacted Marty and asked for assistance relocating assets from Paleto Bay. When Marty questioned the decision, Giuseppe stated only that his obligations in the town had come to an end. Father and son subsequently coordinated the discreet removal of business records, valuables, equipment and other remaining assets from Paleto Bay. Throughout the operation, Marty assumed an active role in overseeing the relocation, demonstrating a more measured and dependable approach than he had previously displayed.

Following the withdrawal, Giuseppe formally concluded his operations in Paleto Bay. The businesses under his control were closed, and employees received one-time payments in recognition of their service before the remaining assets were consolidated elsewhere. Although Giuseppe & Co continued operating, its focus shifted away from Paleto Bay toward more specialized operations throughout San Andreas.