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 carrying the infamous smuggler Hans Naumann, who had returned to San Andreas under contract from an individual operating under the alias “The Phantom.” His return was not opportunistic, but deliberate, with the objective of systematically disrupting the criminal syndicates operating in Los Santos.
Two days later, Hans purchased the McKenzie Field Hangar in Grapeseed and Fort Zancudo Hangar 3499 at the military base in San Andreas. McKenzie became the headquarters of his renewed smuggling operation and the hangar in Fort Zancudo the location where narcotics would be stored and transfered from. Seeking to expand his operation, Hans targeted a newly developed Titan 250-D cargo aircraft manufactured by Eberhard Munitions. Working alongside the Sánchez Cartel, he successfully stole the weaponized transport aircraft and incorporated it into his smuggling network. The increased volume of narcotics entering Los Santos caused drug prices throughout the city to decline steadily.
Central to Hans’ contract was Marty Marcano, whose position within the syndicates made him a strategic pressure point. Acting under instruction from the Phantom, Hans sought to gain Marty’s trust before removing him from play. To achieve this, Hans secretly recruited Marty and his associate Morgan Daniels into H.K.R.N. without informing the syndicates. Presenting himself as a mentor rather than an adversary, Hans provided Marty with work, continued flight training, and access to aviation assets. Through this approach, Hans cultivated Marty’s confidence while integrating him into operations at McKenzie Field. Under the guise of professional development, Marty was gradually exposed to smuggling logistics, allowing Hans to exploit his skills while isolating him from syndicate oversight.
Abduction of Marty Marcano
The abduction of Marty Marcano was executed as a planned extraction under direct instruction from the Phantom. Rather than acting personally, Hans contracted members of the Sánchez Cartel to carry out the operation, deliberately distancing himself from the physical act.
Cartel operatives were stationed outside Marty’s garment factory in La Mesa, monitoring his movements over several days until a predictable routine was established. Late one evening, as Marty exited the factory for a smoke, the operatives moved immediately. He was ambushed by masked individuals, forced to the ground, and restrained. During the assault, Marty was struck in the stomach, incapacitating him and preventing resistance. The man who struck Marty was later revealed to be John Redmond acting on order from the Redmond Group. A bag was placed over his head before he was forcibly loaded into a nearby taco van, a deliberate choice intended to allow the abduction to blend into the surrounding environment without drawing attention.
Following the abduction, Marty was transported to a pre-arranged offshore location controlled by the Phantom and beyond the immediate reach of the syndicates. Upon arrival, Hans briefly appeared on site to confirm the success of the operation. He documented the extraction by taking a humiliating photograph of Marty in a restrained and disoriented state, intended as proof of completion for his employer rather than for ransom or negotiation purposes.
After confirming the handover, Hans departed the location and returned to McKenzie Field Hangar to continue his smuggling operations and broader campaign of market disruption. Marty remained in the custody of the Phantom’s network, where he was subjected to interrogation and torture in an attempt to extract information regarding the syndicates, Hans’ activities, and his personal connections.
On 7 March, Alexa contacted Jim and requested an urgent meeting aboard her yacht. During the meeting, she played an audio recording delivered by an unidentified courier. The recording contained evidence of Marty’s captivity and distress, confirming he was alive but in critical condition. The voice of the Phantom could be heard overseeing the interrogation.
The kidnapping was understood to be a calculated move by Hans’ employer to exert pressure on multiple parties within San Andreas. Marty’s connections to Giuseppe, Jim, and Edward made him a valuable asset for leverage. Hans was fully aware of the operation and allowed it to proceed as part of his contractual obligations. At a later stage, Hans was informed that Alexa had become aware of the kidnapping, confirming that the first phase of the Phantom’s plan had been successfully executed. Believing Marty remained alive, Alexa asked Jim and Edward to help locate him and identify those responsible. Although still resentful over Marty's previous actions, Jim agreed to assist with the investigation.
Discovery at McKenzie Airfield
As Hans' smuggling operation expanded, the criminal syndicates began experiencing declining narcotics sales across San Andreas due to the overabundance of drugs, forcing the syndicates to lower their prices. Acting on intelligence provided by Alexa pointing toward Grapeseed and McKenzie Airfield, Jim and Edward traveled to the area to investigate. Initially suspecting the Alamo Hellraisers, they deployed Edward's drone from Jim's Terrorbyte to conduct aerial surveillance of the airfield.
The surveillance instead revealed Hans Naumann performing maintenance on his Duster 300H. Although briefly caught off guard by their presence, Hans reacted quickly and managed to take off without sustaining any damage, successfully evading confrontation. Following the encounter, Jim informed Alexa that Hans had returned to San Andreas despite previous warnings. Alexa immediately suspected Hans was connected to Marty's disappearance.
With Hans’ presence now confirmed, the syndicates became aware of his return to San Andreas. In response, Hans initiated the next phase of his operation. He ordered H.K.R.N. forces to establish air superiority over key smuggling routes, personally commanding the operation from his B-11 Strikeforce. Utilizing coordinated aerial strikes, Hans’ forces intercepted and destroyed multiple cargo shipments belonging to the syndicates. The attacks were carried out with minimal resistance, further destabilizing the already weakened narcotics market and escalating tensions between Hans and the criminal organizations operating in the region.
Three days later, Jim and Edward returned to McKenzie Field in search of Hans. Upon arriving, Edward detected a large weaponized cargo aircraft on radar, identifying it as Hans' Titan 250-D. Using the Terrorbyte's missile system, they engaged the aircraft while Hans returned fire with its mounted 40 mm cannon. After sustaining damage, Hans retreated toward Fort Zancudo.
Later that day, Jim and Edward were attacked by a B-11 Strikeforce, which they believed was piloted by Hans. Following an aerial pursuit over the Alamo Sea, one of Hans' associates was forced down and captured at gunpoint. During questioning, the man admitted to working for Hans but refused to provide further information regarding Marty's whereabouts or Hans' activities before taking his own life.
Jim informed Alexa of the confrontation, after which she advised him to contact Giuseppe regarding Marty's kidnapping. Jim relayed the situation, prompting Giuseppe to pledge his support in rescuing his son and dealing with Hans.
Gas Station Confrontation
A few days later, Jim was contacted by an anonymous number, which was later confirmed to belong to Hans. Hans requested a meeting at a gas station along the Palomino Freeway to negotiate a potential deal. Acting under orders from the Phantom, Hans had been instructed to attempt a bargain with the syndicates, though the underlying intention was to place him in a vulnerable position where he could be eliminated.
Anticipating a possible trap, Jim contacted Edward for backup and chose to approach the meeting using his Terrorbyte, positioning it behind a nearby building to remain concealed. Hans arrived alone at the gas station and waited for Jim, aware that the situation carried significant risk but proceeding regardless.
After a period of waiting, Jim exited the Terrorbyte and revealed himself to Hans, immediately confronting him and stating that he should not have returned to San Andreas. Hans attempted to employ the same psychological tactics he had used previously, attempting to disorient Jim and provoke hesitation. However, Jim responded by opening fire.
Hans managed to evade the initial shot and fled toward a dirt bike positioned near the adjacent Ammu-Nation. As Jim attempted to pursue him by vehicle, he was inadvertently rammed by Edward, who also attempted to intercept Hans. Despite the coordinated effort, Hans successfully escaped the scene once again.
Secret agreement and Second Observatory Standoff
Five days later, Hans and Edward met covertly at Thomson Scrapyard in the Grand Senora Desert, where Edward agreed to ensure Hans’ survival in exchange for weapons and supplies for his planned Second Scottish Revolution. Following this agreement, Hans, who was assisted by Edward successfully completed the largest smuggling operation in San Andreas history, earning millions and driving narcotics prices to an all-time low.
After fulfilling his side of the arrangement, Hans ordered his operatives in Namibia to transfer the agreed weapons and supplies to Edward. With the deal concluded, Hans traveled to the Galileo Observatory, where he remained unaware that Alexa had begun tracking his movements. Upon confirming his location, Alexa immediately contacted Jim, who in turn informed Edward.
Only hours later, Jim and Edward arrived at the Galileo Observatory to confront Hans. At approximately 16:00, the three men faced each other, with both Jim and Hans drawing their weapons. Jim also brought a helicopter with his men as backup to shoot Hans if he tried to escape. Jim once again threatened to kill the smuggler, but Hans remained composed, claiming he still possessed an ace in the hole. He revealed that Marty was alive and being held by his employer, warning that killing him would result in Marty's death. Jim was not amused by the threat of Hans and mentioned that he did not care for Marty.
As Jim was going to pull the trigger, Edward pulled his gun at Jim and waived his hand for the backup to leave the perimeter. Jim was completely disoriented by Edward's betrayal and was unable to shoot Edward nor Hans. Hans then smirked at Jim, remarking that even friends could not be trusted in this business. After the exchange, Hans turned away and told Jim that he should have been less moral and more decisive. Hans then departed the observatory using a pre-arranged motorcycle.
Following Hans' departure, Jim confronted Edward over the agreement. Edward explained that he needed Hans' money and weapons to support his planned revolution. The revelation severely damaged the trust between the two men.
Jim returned to his home on Sustancia Road, where he spent the night drinking heavily while reflecting on Hans' escape, Marty's continued captivity, and Edward's decision to work alongside his longtime enemy.
The following morning, Alexa visited Jim to learn the outcome of the confrontation. Jim confirmed that Hans had escaped, Marty remained in captivity under Hans' employer, and Edward had chosen to protect Hans in exchange for weapons. Alexa expressed concern primarily for Marty's safety and the uncertainty surrounding his fate before leaving to continue her investigation. Later that evening, Hans departed San Andreas aboard the Titan 250-D and getting a staggering reward from the Phantom.
Post-Arc Developments
Note: these developments are necessary to understand the narrative later on, hence why I placed it here.
The Great Bargain
Approximately three months after his departure from San Andreas, Hans was approached by the Alamo Hellraisers with a request to import weapons from the famed smuggler. Hans accepted the contract under the condition that he would deliver an individual from Ghana to the Hellraisers as part of the exchange.
To avoid renewed scrutiny from syndicate observers, Hans altered his flight path and transponder data before landing a large cargo aircraft at Sandy Shores Airfield to avoid unwanted attention. On board were both the weapons shipment and the individual in question, a man known as Ted. Although presented as a hostage, Ted was neither restrained nor coerced. He identified himself as a religious priest and self-described shaman, frequently preaching about what he referred to as a “Puppetmaster” controlling the state of San Andreas. According to Ted, the region was governed not by leadership or chance, but by unseen forces manipulating events from behind the scenes.
During transport, Hans engaged Ted in extended discussions regarding power, governance, faith, and human agency. Hans reportedly found Ted to be highly intelligent and articulate, later describing his voice as hypnotising and his beliefs as delivered with unsettling conviction. Hans recognised that Ted’s inclusion in the contract was intentional and that he was intended to serve a purpose beyond simple leverage.
As part of the same arrangement, Hans imposed an additional condition: he would take custody of Hellraiser hostage Victor Donovan; former smuggler of Claymore MC and son of FIB agent Jack Donovan. Victor was not affiliated with the Alamo Hellraisers or any active motorcycle club at the time. He had previously been a loyal member of Claymore MC and had refused to renounce that loyalty following the club’s disbandment. This refusal led to his capture and continued detention by the Hellraisers during the period of biker fragmentation that followed.
Hans viewed Victor as a strategic asset rather than a liability, especially because Victor was the grandson of Samuel Redmond. Victor’s knowledge of aircrafts and his inexperience in the criminal underworld made him a great assest for Hans. Securing Victor’s release was incorporated into the transaction, effectively providing him with a means of escape from captivity. Hans intended to observe and potentially develop Victor into a reliable partner over time.
Following the exchange, the Alamo Hellraisers initially believed the arrangement to be favourable. This perception quickly deteriorated. Ted’s persistent preaching regarding control, destiny, and inevitable collapse proved disruptive within the biker environment. His fixation on the “Puppetmaster,” combined with his refusal to moderate his rhetoric, led to increasing tension.
Within days, Ted was isolated by the Hellraisers and eventually released. After his release, Ted contacted Hans directly, informing him that he had delivered what he described as a final warning to the Hellraisers’ de facto leader, Aiden Reed, stating that very bad things were coming their way.
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.