black lagoon v14c120.jpg
Title El réquiem de los Desalmados Part 4
Release date July 18, 2025
Chapter number 120
Volume 14
Previous chp. El réquiem de los Desalmados Part 3
Next chp. El réquiem de los Desalmados Part 5

El réquiem de los Desalmados Part 4, also called Chapter 120, is the one hundred twenty-first chapter of the Black Lagoon manga. It was originally released on July 18, 2025.

Plot

At their operation headquarters, Boris and Balalaika listen to the Vysotniki communicate the status of their counterattack operations. Boris mentions to his captain that four of Hotel Moscow's establishments in Roanapur were hit simultaneously by the men of Los Soldados. Adding that explosives were rumored to be carried inside by guests in exchange for a payoff, he clarifies that eight lower organization Russians were killed but no Vysotniki casualties occurred. Balalaika wonders why the guests were not searched, to which the sergeant surmises that they could not be that thorough for their non-casino businesses. In response to learning that Los Eses attacked go-go bars with lax security, she asks if there is any good news at least. Boris merely states that the assailants stopped their pursuit while squads Perun and Volos are in pursuit. At that moment, the two squads pursue one of the Hispanic gangsters' cars and shoot at them, but the Russians hit the brakes when a semi-truck blocks off their path, cutting them off between Chalquam Street and Sokrat Street.

As Balalaika guesses that the only thing they can do is to find the enemy hideout, the soldiers of Squad Perun return to base while Squad Volos continues their pursuit. Returning to Balalaika, one Russian man pulls out a video disk with the inscription "Estimado amigo" (Spanish for "dear friend"), telling her that they found it at the scene. Accordingly, Balalaika and her subordinates play the recording of Gris el Tigres directly addressing the Vysotniki. Gris emphasizes that he had no intention of messing with Hotel Moscow's business but asserts he had no choice due to their refusal to hand over Krivchenko. Surrounded by two soldiers, the sitting boss says his group knows everything about Hotel Moscow's operations, taunting them by bragging about fighting a guerrilla war in Guatemala previously. Nonetheless, he proposes to end the bloodshed if Balalaika agrees to his sole demand, rejecting the idea that he cares about territory or money. After playing the video, Boris admits that the enemy attacks were perfectly executed. Balalaika orders him not to spread out their personnel any further and wonders if they can identify where Gris filmed the video from the background. Though saying it will be difficult, the sergeant confirms it can be done.

Meanwhile, at Rock's_hotel_room">his own residence, Rock reviews the various maps plastered across his bedroom wall. The ex-salaryman thinks about the connections between a governor from Mexico's Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), the former governor's corrupt relationship, and the impact of NAFTA on 275 foreign companies and Hermosa Verde Co.'s operational status. As he continues sitting in thought, Revy and Le Majeur visit with food, so they begin eating. Summarizing the maps' significance, Rock claims that his "final stroke" to end the feud will have to be done by his own contact. Revy advises against it since Dutch will be mad if he bails out of work, asking if he has at least informed Mister Chang of the idea. Rock answers that the Council has reached the point of no return and therefore the current situation appears to be that either the Council or Hotel Moscow will be wiped out. He elaborates that their final play involves the Lovelace foundation, one of South America's thirteen noble families.

Skeptical, Revy reminds him that Garcia does not like them, to which Rock states he likes the perceived odds. She agrees to inform Dutch about his plan but declines to accompany him due to the sea routes being impassable because of the gang war. Although explaining he is not asking for her presence, Rock professes he wants to visit Cananea with a bodyguard after he makes a trip to Venezuela. Majeur volunteers to assist him, but Revy warns her that she is still Balalaika's lapdog. Not deterred, the Frenchwoman jokes that it will be a good opportunity to test out her forged passport. Declaring that they will leave tomorrow, Rock notes they will start with Venezuela first. At the same time, Boris's men relay to their commanders that they have not been able to track the enemy group they lost at Chalquam Street. The sergeant adds that the Roanapur City Police have sealed off six locations and set up checkpoints but have not spotted any of the gangsters, assuring Balalaika they will keep looking. The soldiers point out that the enemy split into three trails in the red-light districts without leaving a trace, prompting Boris to wonder if Los Soldados has their base outside the surrounding city.

Recalling that they have had eight years of peace thus far, Balalaika agrees that they will need to seek out the Council's help to prevent war breaking out despite Hotel Moscow's influence at national and state levels. Thinking about the past, she and Boris reluctantly concur they may have to resort to the old days of solving things with bullets. A day later, after a long trip from the airport, Rock's group arrives at the Lovelace estate and are greeted by Shane Caxton, who informs Rock that Fabiola Iglesias has refused to let him speak with Garcia. As Rock and Caxton acknowledge their differing perspectives of the latter's last mission, the ex-soldier says he will need time to convince Fabiola otherwise.

Rock posits to Majeur that he will wait as long as possible, but is immediately surprised to see Roberta in a wheelchair greeting him. The ex-salaryman assures the peace-adhering maid that he is the one involved in the chaos and has no desire to drag her or Garcia into the mess. Roberta asks if he regrets the outcome of his gamble with her, to which he answers he wished for a situation where she was unharmed. Accepting his answer, she argues the world has a light and dark side and postulates they cannot combat evil if they cannot understand it. Though she emphasizes understanding both sides of an argument, Roberta assesses that someone must stand in Garcia's place if the boy refuses to accept the existence of both good and evil. However, the maid warns Rock that she "can still crush [his] spine" even in her current condition.

Notes

  • This is the first chapter since Chapter 16 that a colored title page has been featured in the main manga.
  • Balalaika's map of Roanapur shows the relative positions of certain locations, including that Visconti Foods and Hamipong Street are to the southeast of Palcana Square, Rachada Street and its businesses such as Jackpot Pigeons are directly east of Palcana Square, and Chalquam Street is to the northwest.
  • This chapter continues the manga canon of Roberta lacking any major injuries as a result of her battle with Grey Fox; in the anime she notably lost her left arm and right eye.