Gild Tesoro was a slave.
In this city named Mariejois, slaves were not a rarity; one could even say they formed the main population structure of the city, although slaves were not considered people, merely objects no different from bricks, stones, or plants.
However, Tesoro was still special among all the slaves.
His uniqueness lay in being the most senior of all the slaves.
Generally, slaves captured and brought to this city who managed to survive for three years were considered fortunate due to the owner's mercy. Those who survived for five years definitely possessed some special skill that attracted the attention of the noble World Nobles, who specifically spared their lives.
Tesoro was enslaved at the age of nineteen, and he was now thirty-seven; he had been a slave for a full eighteen years.
Eighteen years.
This was practically a miracle in Mariejois.
Even the World Nobles had heard his name, "The longest-living slave," a title that made Tesoro sought after in Mariejois, with many World Nobles vying to rent him.
And then, the torture began.
These meddlesome World Nobles were curious to see how long it would take for this longest-living slave to finally anger them and be killed, assuming they didn't intentionally kill him beforehand.
Thus, the highly sought-after Tesoro began to face numerous challenges.
Being sent into a blazing fire to find a key for his master was just an appetizer; facing a pack of hungry beasts unarmed in the arena was nothing.
Yet Tesoro still survived.
A certain power sustained him, making him absolutely refuse to die just like that.
He absolutely had to live.
Because of this determination, Tesoro gradually acquired a new nickname, "The Perfect Slave," because he could always perfectly carry out all his masters' outlandish commands.
Consequently, even more World Nobles came to rent him.
It was a very interesting vicious cycle.
On this particular day, Tesoro faced a new challenge.
It took place by a pool where the World Nobles were gathered.
"Hahaha! Tesoro, my beloved pet accidentally fell into the pool! Go and bring her back to me right away!"
The World Noble who rented Tesoro this time, the dim-witted Saint Charloss, whose stupidity was likely the result of inbreeding, pointed at a struggling woman in the pool and ordered loudly.
Tesoro jumped into the water without hesitation, plunging in with a splash and swimming towards the woman in the center of the pool like an arrow released from a bowstring.
On the shore, Saint Charloss clapped his hands excitedly, "Quick, quick, quick! Release those little darlings!"
Behind him, a butler in a black suit waved his hand, and several nearby slaves immediately began forcefully pushing a winch. The sturdy chains tightened and dragged, causing a metal grate at the bottom of the enormous pool to be pulled open.
One by one, half-human-sized piranhas rushed out from beneath the grate, darting straight towards the woman struggling in the water and Tesoro, who was quickly approaching.
Tesoro's eyes remained calm and unwavering. He even dove beneath the water's surface like a torpedo, shooting towards the woman ahead.
It was at this moment that a piranha, leading the charge, lunged out of the water, eagerly rushing at the woman.
"..."
The struggling woman noticed the piranha opening its mouth, filled with ferocious sharp teeth, towards her. One bite could probably rip off half her face.
However.
The woman stopped struggling. A sense of relieved liberation even appeared on her face.
Meanwhile, on the shore, Saint Charloss was excitedly pointing a flintlock pistol at the center of the pool.
As long as the woman was killed, Tesoro would have failed his mission, and he would finally be due to die!
But, precisely at this instant, the woman's body suddenly rose.
She was sitting on Tesoro's broad back.
The man had surged up obliquely from underwater, using his back to support the woman, even carrying her out of the water.
Then, Tesoro punched away the large fish that was falling towards them.
As he plunged back into the water, Tesoro desperately swam towards the shore.
At the same time, one piranha after another lunged at Tesoro, mercilessly tearing at his body.
Tesoro only had two hands and two legs, and he still needed to swim forward, so there weren't many piranhas he could handle simultaneously.
Blood immediately spread, making the piranhas even more frantic.
Tesoro tensed his face.
I cannot die!
How can I die here just like this!
How can mere fish teeth compare to a body that has crossed countless hells?
Tesoro tightened his muscles, actually managing to prevent the piranhas' sharp teeth from completely breaking through his skin.
Soon, Tesoro carefully clambered onto the edge of the pool, carrying the unharmed woman on his back.
He was covered in blood, but he still knelt respectfully before Saint Charloss like a dog, presenting the woman on his back, who was entirely unscathed, for Saint Charloss to inspect.
"You truly are a useless piece of trash!"
A shout of annoyance.
Bang!
A dull gunshot rang out.
Tesoro remained motionless, but the woman on his back collapsed weakly. Scarlet blood gurgled out from the hole that had been blasted open in her heart.
Tesoro had no reaction; he didn't even shift his gaze, despite seeing the faint smile on the woman's face as she slowly lost her life.
I absolutely cannot die!
Not before achieving that goal—
"Quite lively, huh? Are you playing some kind of game here? Can I join?"
Tesoro heard a completely unfamiliar voice.
Then.
"Who are you? Why are you here! Seize him quickly!"
"Wait! You, you are—"
"Why is this monster here!! Quick, take Saint Charloss and run!!"
Amidst terrified screams, the unfamiliar youthful voice rang out again, "So noisy. Is this how the locals welcome tourists?"
Tesoro felt a rush of wind.
Then, one figure after another dropped to the ground with a thump-thump sound.
Even the condescending World Noble Saint Charloss instantly went limp on the ground. Though he didn't pass out like the others, he became listless, his voice impossibly weak.
"You commoner, what, what did you do to me?"
This—
Tesoro's pupils suddenly contracted.
What's going on?
Could it be that someone broke into Mariejois and even dared to strike a World Noble?
Tesoro subconsciously raised his head. Facing the sunlight, he couldn't immediately make out the young man's face.
"Oh, brother, you're really ugly."
The young man, standing with his back to the light, looked down at him, "If I looked like you, I probably wouldn't want to live anymore."
Tesoro blinked.
He finally saw clearly.
It was an extremely handsome young man, with jet-black hair that looked fluffy and soft, and equally dark eyes that were as captivating as an abyss. A smile that felt like a warm spring breeze played on his lips.
Tesoro's eyes widened.
He recognized this young man.
He had known him eighteen years ago, even before he was captured and made a slave to the World Nobles.
"You are, Disaster Roa?"
Tesoro was still a child when Roa was rampaging across the seas.
But even then, the name Disaster Roa had been notorious.
Tesoro's eyes suddenly trembled.
Over these eighteen years, in order to survive, his control over his emotions had become truly masterful.
But at this moment, he couldn't stop his tears from gushing out, "Lord Roa, have you finally come to destroy this Mariejois?"
Roa scrutinized the ugly man before him with interest.
He was covered in blood, with few patches of undamaged skin. Yet, even so, one could clearly see the numerous older scars all over his body.
Burn scars, bite marks, sword wounds, gunshot wounds—the man was practically enveloped in countless injuries.
One could only say he barely retained a human form.
However.
"You do seem like a very interesting fellow."
Roa lifted the corner of his mouth.
This kind of hatred, this kind of tenacity, was not something ordinary people could possess.
He glanced at the fat World Noble sitting slumped to one side, still muttering curses, "How about it? Do you want to kill this guy with your own hands? I specifically saved him for you."
Tesoro's body trembled abruptly. He subconsciously looked at Saint Charloss beside him, who hadn't yet grasped what was happening.
Thump! Thump!
He suddenly heard the sound of his own heart beating.
The heart that had been dormant for eighteen years began to beat fiercely at this moment.
It was screaming, screaming for Tesoro to take his revenge.
"Tesoro! What are you still doing? Can't you see that I've fallen? Hurry up and help me up!"
Charloss was also shouting, his tone full of annoyance and dissatisfaction.
And then.
Tesoro lunged at him.
The man, like an evil spirit, slammed Charloss to the ground.
The high-and-mighty World Noble hadn't even processed what was happening, and was about to loudly demand an explanation, when a blood-stained fist smashed the fishbowl atop his head.
"Waaah!!"
The resentment accumulated over eighteen years. This single punch directly deformed Charloss's face, his cheekbone caving in instantly.
"Die! Die! Just die already!!"
Tesoro roared hysterically, his fists raining down relentlessly.
After the initial shriek, Charloss remained completely silent.
His skull was already dented from the beating.
"Shoo."
Roa whistled softly, his arms crossed, looking utterly relaxed.
Tesoro, huh.
In this world, Tiger hadn't become a slave, so naturally, he hadn't thought about freeing slaves.
Thus, Tesoro, who had still been enslaved, was not rescued and could only live as a slave until now.
But this guy is really tenacious, managing to survive all these years with such difficulty.
Mm, no wonder such anger has accumulated within him.
"Ha— Ha— Ha—"
Tesoro finally stopped. Saint Charloss, before him, had been beaten into a completely unrecognizable state, his body twisted like a pretzel.
I killed him!!
Tesoro stared blankly at his bloodied and bruised fists.
I killed this World Noble!!
"Tesoro, right?"
Roa spoke with curiosity, "You are right. I did come to bring destruction down upon this city, but before that, how about you take me on a tour? It is a world-famous city, after all; it would be a shame to come all this way and not look around."
Tesoro suddenly turned and looked at him.
Then, he nodded forcefully, "Yes, Lord Roa!!"
No matter what kind of destruction this newly reappeared Lord Roa could bring to Mariejois, as long as it meant killing a large number of World Nobles, Tesoro felt he would die without regret!
And so, Roa's tour began.
"Oh! This is nice."
Roa stood on a moving walkway, the scenery on both sides constantly receding behind him, muttering in wonder.
"Lord Roa,"
Tesoro looked at the moving walkway and the World Nobles and slaves on the walkway going the opposite direction, with some concern.
Lord Roa's attire was very unique in this city, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
However, interestingly enough, perhaps because Lord Roa's expression was so carefree, the World Nobles couldn't quite determine whether or not he was one of them.
Of course, since Lord Roa didn't seem to care, Tesoro wouldn't say anything either.
He only remarked, "It only looks advanced. In reality, slaves are dragging the winches to make the walkways move."
"Hmm?"
Roa glanced at Tesoro with a little surprise, "I know. That's why I said, 'This is nice.'"
"Yeah, it's just as I thought. Mariejois is truly a wonderful city. It was definitely the right decision not to rush to destroy it and to explore it first."
Eh?
Even after being tormented in Mariejois for eighteen years, Tesoro was still somewhat bewildered at this moment.
Then.
"You, you bastard are—"
"Be quiet, you're interrupting my enjoyment of this beautiful city!"
Roa frowned and turned his head.
And in that instant, the eyes of everyone nearby were dyed jet black.
Then, as if nothing had happened, these people went back to doing what they were supposed to be doing.
This—
Tesoro was completely confused, unable to understand what had just occurred.
What did Lord Roa do to these people?
I don't understand.
However, what was even more incomprehensible was Lord Roa himself.
What kind of person could leisurely sightsee in Mariejois?
This was Mariejois!
Lord Roa, is he not taking the World Government seriously at all?
This was not something a normal person would do.
But, regardless, the fighting would begin soon, right?
Excitement flickered in Tesoro's eyes.
Slaughter! Destruction!
Turn everything here to dust, Lord Roa!
If you do that, even if I die, I'll be perfectly content!
Following the continuously stretching automated walkways, Tesoro gave Roa a general tour of Mariejois.
Ultimately, this city was the gathering place of the World Nobles, roughly divided into twenty areas. Nineteen of these areas were the respective gathering places for the nineteen families of the World Nobles.
The last and smallest area was the headquarters of the Holy Knights.
The Holy Knights were not only the fighting force protecting the World Nobles, but also the actual administrators of the World Noble group.
After all, the Five Elders were busy managing the entire world and didn't have much time to handle internal group affairs, so this administrative work had to be left to the Holy Knights.
Of course, during the tour, Roa also converted batch after batch of ghouls. The number was indeed quite large, but he deliberately commanded them not to reveal their identities for the time being, so it was fine!
He casually toured all the major areas of Mariejois, behaving no differently from an ordinary tourist.
Though Mariejois had never welcomed a tourist before.
Finally, Roa stopped at the entrance of the massive building known as Pangea Castle, right outside the World Nobles' gathering area.
"Well, the tour ends here."
Roa stretched, a joyous smile on his face, "Time for business."
"Who are you people!"
The Holy Land Guards protecting this central building of the World Government had already spotted their presence and quickly surrounded them, shouting.
This time, Roa did not turn them into ghouls.
He simply lifted the corner of his mouth, "Tesoro, are you ready? Divine punishment is about to descend!"
Tesoro's eyes widened. He saw the horns on Roa's forehead begin to twist and rise.
At the same time, a golden color instantly spread across the sky, covering approximately half of Mariejois within mere seconds.
There was no helping it; the city was truly vast.
Then, sulfur and fire rained down from above, scattering like golden blizzards over Mariejois.
Roa's smile widened.
World Nobles should be burned with sulfurous heavenly fire!
More than that, higher up in the sky, a massive floating island, large enough to overshadow a small island, hovered over the city.
On the deck.
"Has that Roa finally finished playing? That bastard, he kept me waiting! Let's go down!"
"Wait! Kaido! Roa said he wanted to test the ship's firepower first!"
"How troublesome! Then what are we waiting for! Dylan! Open fire!"
"Preparing now! This is the first time in a real combat situation. The World Nobles, they are truly lucky!!"
From the underside of the huge floating island, massive cannon barrels emerged, and light began to gather within them.
Chii-chii-chii-chii!
In the next moment, enormous beams of light slammed down towards the city below.
Destruction descended from the heavens!
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