New World, a certain sea area.
"Look over there~!" An exclamation from Rebecca sounded on the Ark Maxim.
The women looked up, following her gaze. On the distant sea, a luxury cruise ship entirely gleaming with golden light came into view.
"Found it at last!!"
"That's Tesoro over there!!"
From below came Kin'emon's excited voice. He had returned to the original spot based on memory but found no trace of Tesoro. It was Leo, using his Observation Haki and spending nearly half a day, who finally located Gran Tesoro!
"Truly worthy of the legendary City of Gold. So imposing," Robin gazed into the distance at the incredibly luxurious giant ship on the sea, marveling.
"Gold... it really is all gold!!" Nami stared fixedly at Tesoro, losing her composure to the point where drool almost dripped. Compared to this luxurious ship, the gold from Skypiea seemed to pale.
"Since we've found it, let's go!" Leo said cheerfully, waving his hand. Bakkin, Carina, the Golden City—he wanted it all! Another day full of gains.
"Lord Leo, allow me to lead the way!" The long-impatient Kin'emon increased his sailing speed toward Tesoro.
"When did I say we'd go together?" Leo replied, expressionlessly.
"Huh?!" Kin'emon was covered in question marks.
Leo glanced at him, said plainly, "If I recall correctly, I only promised to rescue Kanjuro for you. You and Momonosuke go in first and find a place to hide. After I rescue Kanjuro, I'll find you." Without waiting for a response, Leo directly piloted the Ark Maxim toward the Golden City.
"Is that all?!" Watching their retreating figures, Kin'emon lowered his head somewhat dejectedly. But he soon accepted it. They had no prior connection with Leo. For him to be willing to help save Kanjuro was already the limit of his kindness. Having understood this, Kin'emon stopped dwelling on it and accelerated toward Tesoro. Once Kanjuro was saved, they would leave immediately to search for Raizo.
"Lord Momonosuke, you absolutely must not act recklessly like last time," Kin'emon reminded sternly, as if remembering something. The reason they had been exposed and pursued by Tesoro last time was because Momonosuke failed to control himself while gathering information. First, he drooled at the sight of pretty women, staring at them with lecherous eyes. As more scantily clad women appeared, Momonosuke completely lost control. His body flushed, he jumped out on the spot, trying to bury himself in the women's ample bosoms. This immediately led to a conflict with security personnel. Eventually, the situation escalated, Kanjuro was captured, and Kin'emon fought desperately to escape with Momonosuke.
"I know," Momonosuke said somewhat petulantly, pouting.
Getting Momonosuke's assurance, Kin'emon secretly sighed in relief. As long as the young lord didn't cause trouble, with his Attire-Attire Fruit ability, there was absolutely no chance of a mistake.
As they got closer to Tesoro, everyone could increasingly feel its opulence and extravagance. The women looked closely. The entire entrance passageway was constructed from gold.
"Such a place really exists..." Nami stared blankly at the golden passageway, her lips growing drier. If even here was so lavish, wouldn't the inside be paved with gold?
"Tesoro stole the Gold-Gold Fruit from Doflamingo back then. Who would have thought he could develop to this extent in just a few years," Rebecca couldn't help but sigh, looking at the scene. One had to admit, Tesoro was truly a rare business genius.
"Let's go. Let's take a look inside," Leo called to the dazed women and walked in swaggering.
Rustle—
Rustle—
Suddenly, golden dust shimmering with light sprinkled down from above them.
Snap— Nami snapped her fingers lightly. A sudden gust of wind blew all the golden dust aside.
"Captain, is this the 'golden fountain' you mentioned before?!" Monet looked up at the device above, frowning slightly. The other women simultaneously shot unfriendly looks. On the way here, they had learned everything about the Gold Emperor from Leo and naturally understood what the fallen dust was.
"Correct. Once this dust invades the body, no matter how strong you are, you'll fall under Tesoro's control," Leo glanced up, explaining patiently.
"I actually felt some sympathy for his past circumstances before. Now it seems..." Koala's gaze gradually turned cold, watching the dust scatter in the wind. If Leo hadn't known the trick, this hard-to-guard-against method would likely have caught them all. They would have become meat on Tesoro's chopping block. The other women nodded in deep agreement.
"The current Tesoro has long deviated from his original intentions. After reaching the heights he once dreamed of, he instead stands on the side of the vested interests, intensifying his actions against those who were once like him." Recalling Tesoro's story, Leo couldn't help but sigh: "In this world, not everyone can remember their original aspiration."
Pfft— The moment Leo finished, Kalifa couldn't help laughing. "Captain, I believe you won't. After all, from the moment you set sail until now, your original aspiration of liking to recruit beautiful women has never changed."
"Hahahaha..."
"Hahaha..." Kalifa's explanation made all the women laugh.
Leo darkened his face. That didn't sound quite right.
"I'll deal with you all later." Ignoring everyone's teasing, arcs of electricity flickered in Leo's eyes as his powerful Observation Haki enveloped the entire golden ship. On the castle's highest floor, he detected an extremely powerful presence.
"You all go shopping first. I'll go deal with Tesoro," Leo instructed, then flashed away instantly.
"What's this, leaving just like that?" Nami stamped her foot in anger, watching Leo suddenly vanish.
"The Captain must have business to attend to. Let's look around," Rebecca was full of curiosity about everything around her. Amusement parks, casinos, stages, shops—all sorts of entertainment facilities were a dazzling sight.
"Since Leo doesn't need our help, let's enjoy ourselves today." Hancock took the lead, walking with an alluring stride toward the bright lights and vibrant scene. The women exchanged glances, then followed closely behind.
Meanwhile, in the most luxurious room within the castle.
On a soft sofa with golden patterns sat a tall man wearing sunglasses, a pink suit, and nine rings on his hands.
The Gold Emperor.
Gild Tesoro!
The renownedGolden Emperor who used money to dominate the underworld!
"Have you caught those two rats yet?" Tesoro swirled the red wine glass in his right hand, asking casually.
"Not yet~" A man in black tights with a large headsuddenly emerged from the wall nearby. One of the Gold Emperor's officers, user of the Paramecia Door-Door Fruit, Mr. Tanaka.
"We can no longer contact Bilu," Mr. Tanaka replied with a grave expression. In this situation, there was basically only one possibility. The Silver Pirate Alliance had likely met with misfortune.
"Hmm?!" Tesoro set down his glass, his eyebrow rising involuntarily. The entire Silver Pirate Alliance mobilized, yet couldn't catch one severely injured man and a brat?! What a bunch of useless trash.
"Keep sending people. They must be captured," Tesoro ordered in a tone brooking no argument. So far, no one had escaped his grasp. No matter where they fled, they would ultimately become his prisoners.
"Understood," Mr. Tanaka bowed respectfully, then withdrew immediately.
However—
"Boss!" Not long after Mr. Tanaka left, he emerged from the golden wall again, his voice carrying a trace of panic.
"What is it now?" Tesoro frowned slightly, his tone somewhat displeased.
"Boss... Leo is here!!"
"What?!!" Tesoro's pupils constricted sharply. His Observation Haki rapidly spread out.
The next second, he sprang up from the sofa, as if facing a great enemy, staring at the doorway.
Bang— The golden door was pushed open. A tall figure walked in.
Leo wore a faint smile, walking toward them as if taking a leisurely stroll.
Tesoro took a deep breath, his expression returning to normal, and launched into a string of flattery: "Hahahaha... The name of Leo, captain of the Leo Pirates, has long been reverberating like thunder. I never thought I'd have the honor of meeting you today." As he spoke, Tesoro had already spread his arms, welcoming him warmly.
Leo smiled slightly and, at the other's invitation, took a seat. As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. He hadn't come to kill Tesoro.
Seeing Leo not making the first move, Tesoro secretly felt relieved, his mind racing. Mr. Tanaka, showing good awareness, poured a cup of tea for Leo and withdrew respectfully.
"Leo, I wonder if you've come here for pleasure... or if there's another purpose?" After some simple pleasantries, Tesoro tentatively asked.
If it was the former, everyone would be happy.
If it was the latter... Mr. Tanaka already had half his body inside the wall. If Leo made any suspicious move, he would immediately go get help, even seek aid from the World Government. Given Tesoro's importance, they would absolutely not stand by.
Leo swept his gaze over the jewels and finery on Tesoro and got straight to the point: "I want your Golden City."
Tesoro was taken aback. The smile on his face slowly faded. "Leo, I may have misheard. Could you repeat that?" His tonegradually turned unfriendly.
Leo scoffed, looking directly into Tesoro's eyes, pronouncing each word clearly:
"I said, I want your Golden City. Now do you hear me clearly?"
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T/N :
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