Chapter II: Ashes of the Pact
Yakuza Crisis
The syndicates celebrated the Bay Rebels' departure with a large party at Alexa’s penthouse. This would be noticed by Edwards former employer, the Yakuza. They visited him when he was driving back home, demanding he would work with them for leaving the Yakuza dishonourably. However, the Yakuza’s demands were not over. They insisted Edward pay an enormous sum of $100,000,000. Unable to pay this alone, Edward’s debt affected the rest of the Big Four. The Yakuza embargoed the Big Four seizing any supplies, drugs and money that they pay off the debt. To avoid payment, they employed a renowned German smuggler, Hans Naumann, who agreed to handle the Big Four’s business exports (such as narcotics and illegal crates) in exchange for a share of the gross earnings.
Unhappy with this arrangement, the Yakuza raided Hans's safehouse and stole a USB stick containing sensitive information about his dealings. A few days later, Billy located the Yakuza’s base and eliminated their presence in San Andreas, retrieving the USB stick. This marked the end of the Yakuza’s influence in San Andreas.
Later, Alexa conducted a background check on Hans and discovered his involvement in Jim’s wife’s death. Jim confronted Hans at the Observatory without consulting the rest, creating a tense situation. Though Jim pointed a gun at Hans, he ultimately chose to forgive him. Hans fled Los Santos, marking the end of the Yakuza plot.
Police Interference
With the Yakuza gone, the Big Four resumed business. Two new officers, Sergeant Ron Milliken (a former coworker of Jim’s) and Deputy Archie Calloway, joined the Sheriff’s Department in Sandy Shores. Their highlight was the capture and subsequent death of the infamous Slasher, earning them a promotion.
Sometime later, the two officers investigated Pixel Pete’s, Damian’s former arcade, and discovered a case file on the syndicates. They decided to investigate it further without involving the Sheriff, whom they viewed as corrupt.
The syndicates learned of this investigation and set up a trap by staging a gang shootout near the Yellowjack Bar. When Ron exited his car to investigate, Jim detonated a car bomb planted in the vehicle, killing Archie. Jim then revealed himself and shot Ron in the head, eliminating both officers. Legend says that the ghost of Ron Milliken is in that place and terrorises the locals.
The Great Breakup
After the deaths of the Blaine County officers, the Big Four enjoyed a brief period of peace. On October 27, 2024, Giuseppe returned to Los Santos to start a private business, Giuseppe & Co, catering to high-profile clients. Edward, aware of Giuseppe's return, requested he “babysit” Paleto Bay again, but Giuseppe refused, feeling unsupported by the Big Four and Edward. A few days later Giuseppe got a request from the IHA about a large client that needed to be dealt with. Giuseppe temporarily left Los Santos and abandoning his business for the foreseeable future.
On November 1, 2024, Edward learned that several members of his motorcycle club, Claymore MC, were leaving due to disagreements with management. Around the same time, a man named Jeffrey Cooper met Edward and Billy at a car meet in Cypress Flats. Billy took Jeff to see his car collection at a former government facility, where they were ambushed by an unknown biker gang. They later reported back to Edward, who identified the attackers as defectors who had betrayed them. Jeff officially joined Claymore MC as a Prospect. That afternoon, Claymore MC, with Billy’s help, sent a message to the Alamo Hellraisers, a splinter faction of Claymore by shooting up Sandy Shores (without causing any fatalities).
On November 8, 2024, Edward set up a Big Four meeting to discuss the recent attack on Billy and Jeff. Alexa expressed doubts about Edward’s ability to handle the situation, prompting Edward to lash out and berated Alexa. The meeting underscored the deteriorating relationships within the Big Four. Later, Edward and Jim met privately at Jim’s arcade, Videogeddon, where Jim suggested that Alexa was trying to prevent the situation from escalating as it had with the Bay Rebels.
That same day, Billy was approached by members of the Alamo Hellraisers MC, led by Caroline and Aiden Reed. They explained their side of the story: Edward had sent two members of Claymore MC on a mission, only for them to be outgunned and left for dead. Edward did not send any men to assist, and they felt betrayed, ultimately leaving to form the Alamo Hellraisers.
Sympathetic to their cause, Billy requested a meeting on the evening of November 8. At the meeting, Billy expressed his frustration with recent events and declared that money was destroying their friendship. He officially left the Big Four. Shortly after, Edward also stood and left, followed by Jim, symbolizing the end of the Big Four. Left alone, Alexa eventually walked away, marking the official dissolution of their partnership.
A few days later, Claymore MC investigated and concluded that there were rats in their organization. As a result, multiple informants of the Hellraisers in Claymore were assassinated. This came at a cost, as on 16 November a large munity occurred in Claymore MC effectively destroying Edward business empire. Only relying on Jeff and Jim, Edward slowly builds up his empire again. Around this time, Giuseppe returned to Los Santos to restart Giuseppe and Co. Giuseppe, without any resistance went back to Paleto Bay to restart the Marcano Mob. Jeff left his criminal life behind and left Los Santos for San Fierro after fulfilling his obligations to Edward.