The battle atop the castle grew increasingly intense.
Facing Leo, Tesoro held nothing back.
He unleashed every powerful technique he had developed—[Golden Explosion], [Golden Fountain], even the Awakened Gold-Gold Fruit moves like [Golden Divine Flame] and [Golden Inferno]—in an endless barrage.
Leo handled them with ease, effortlessly blocking every attack.
Countless guests who had come for entertainment looked up at the two combatants.
"The Gold Emperor's got some nerve, daring to provoke Leo."
"No kidding. Leo's the kind of guy who'd even kill a Celestial Dragon."
"Hehehe… Who knows if Gran Tesoro will even exist after today."
"Let's just run. Neither of them are good news. We shouldn't get caught up in this."
After the initial shock, the spectators who had gathered to watch the show began to scatter in all directions.
Hearing these grating comments, Tesoro's face grew even darker. He felt an intense urge to curse.
What did they mean he was provoking Leo?
Leo was the one who had come to his territory unprovoked to cause trouble!
"Leo, I don't want to be your enemy! Why are you forcing me like this?!"
"If you want money, I'll give it to you!!" Tesoro roared at the figure before him.
Compared to the golden giant, Leo seemed so small and thin, yet he contained a power that made one's heart palpitate.
"Tesoro, you're in no position to bargain with me."
Leo chuckled lightly, unmoved.
Once he had Tesoro under control, the man would become his personal money-printing machine.
A continuous stream of Berries and gold would flow into his pockets, far surpassing any amount offered now.
"Leo, you're forcing my hand!!"
"I'll fight you with everything I have!!"
"Golden Divine Judgment!!"
Seeing that Leo was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, Tesoro abandoned his last shred of hesitation.
He unleashed the strongest attack he had developed to date.
He controlled numerous golden pillars, gathering them into the shape of a massive warhead and coating them in high-density Armament Haki.
"Leo, taste this!!"
The golden giant bellowed, its two massive hands swinging down violently.
The golden pillar of light tore through the air, hurtling toward Leo with unstoppable force.
"Is this all you've got?"
Leo remained composed, even finding time to mock him.
How strong could a character beaten by Luffy in Gear Fourth really be?
"I'm bored of playing with you."
"Tremor-Tremor!!"
Leo gave a light shout. A transparent light ring appeared around his fist, which he then threw forward.
The fist, carrying the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, obliterated all the golden beams as easily as crushing dry weeds and rotting wood.
Shunpo!
The next instant, his figure vanished from the spot.
"Dammit!"
"DAMMIT!!"
Tesoro cursed angrily. Had his proudest, strongest killing move been so easily neutralized by Leo?
Just how powerful was this guy?
"Bastard, where did he go?!!"
When his Observation Haki could no longer sense Leo's presence, Tesoro panicked.
"Looking for me?"
Tesoro instinctively shifted his gaze. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a pitch-black leg sweeping toward his forehead.
The powerful kick landed with precision.
The golden giant's cheek distorted instantly, and several bloodied teeth flew from its mouth.
Tesoro's eyes rolled back as he was sent flying like a kite with its string cut.
Soru!
Leo flashed to Tesoro's side and promptly applied the Slave Brand.
Subordinate +1!
"Leo, I brought her to you."
Right then, a familiar voice came from above.
Leo looked up. A cloud of Island Clouds drifted over, carrying Nami and Carina.
"Well done, Nami."
Leo smiled slightly, offering his approval.
"Of course." Nami lifted her chin proudly, accepting the praise without modesty.
"L-Leo… It's really you…"
Seeing him in person, Carina trembled nervously.
In her mind, Leo was a ruthless, bloodthirsty demon.
"Don't be scared. He's only harsh to his enemies. He's quite good to his women," Nami said, lightly patting Carina's shoulder to help her relax.
"Cat Burglar, w-who said anything about becoming his woman?"
"Don't make decisions for me, okay?"
Carina pouted, speaking stubbornly.
"Huh?" Nami's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Foxy vixen, you said that yourself."
"Leo, you heard her. Since she doesn't agree, just kill her then."
"WHAT?!!"
Carina's face paled. She immediately grabbed Nami's shoulders and shook her, spittle flying.
"Nami, you ungrateful wretch!"
"After I lured away those treasure hunters for you back then… Y-you're capable now, you think I'm useless, so you want me dead, is that it?!"
By the end, her voice was choked with sobs.
"Ahem~ Stop shaking me. I was just joking."
Seeing Carina had taken her seriously, Nami hurried to explain.
"You were really joking??"
Carina stopped shaking her, looking at Leo with a mixture of suspicion and hope.
Leo smiled and nodded. He could hardly bear to kill such a beautiful woman.
"Cat Burglar, you tricked me again!!"
"Foxy vixen, you're no match for me now!!"
"I'll fight you!!"
Once again, the sound of the two women's playful bickering filled Leo's ears.
A faint smile touched his lips as he turned his gaze downward, toward the base of the castle.
The battles down there should be wrapping up too.
"I can't take it~"
Dice, who had been slashed over a dozen times by Baby 5, shuddered, a look of pleasure on his face.
"What a pervert~"
Baby 5 snorted coldly, her eyes filled with undisguised disgust and killing intent.
In this short time, Dice had uttered his catchphrase over a dozen times, giving her the chills.
"I'll finish you right now!!"
Baby 5 took a deep drag from her ladies' cigarette, then threw the butt to the ground and stomped on it hard.
"Weapon Transformation: Missile Woman!!"
Seeing Baby 5's upper body transform into a missile, Robin, who had been observing from the sidelines, paled.
She quickly crossed her arms, releasing her Flower-Flower Fruit ability. Countless blackened arms interwove into four massive nets, forming a containment cage.
"Just DIE!!"
Baby 5 shouted, shooting toward Dice like an angry rocket.
Dice's face twitched. The Observation Haki within him grew restless like never before.
"Haki Defense!!"
In desperation, he mobilized all the Armament Haki in his body, condensing it into an indestructible layer of armor over his skin.
The next second, the missile detonated completely!!
A violent explosion rocked the entirety of Gran Tesoro.
A powerful shockwave of energy spread outward at a visible speed.
Gritting her teeth, Robin controlled the four giant nets to block all of the shockwaves.
If left unchecked, many buildings would be destroyed by the explosive aftermath.
That was definitely not something Leo wanted to see.
Slowly, the aftershock subsided.
At the center of the explosion, Baby 5's figure was revealed.
She lit another cigarette, calmly exhaling a smoke ring.
Beside her, a burly figure lay on his back, eyes rolled up white.
"Baby 5, you should… use that ability a bit more carefully in the future."
Robin walked over with graceful steps, a wry smile on her face.
The Arms-Arms Fruit was just too overpowered.
Who knew how terrifying its destructive power would be if developed to the Awakening level someday.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away," Baby 5 said with an awkward chuckle, scratching her nose sheepishly.
A few days ago, she had eaten the Observation Haki Fruit and Armament Haki Fruit Leo gave her, successfully awakening both types of Haki.
Baby 5 had been eager to test the combined power of Haki and her Devil Fruit ability.
The results seemed pretty good.
"Shark Brick Palm!!!"
A light shout came from not far away.
Robin and Baby 5 turned to look simultaneously.
Koala leaped into the air, delivering a kick to Baccarat's abdomen and sending her flying.
She was already intimately familiar with the characteristics of the Lucky-Lucky Fruit.
Anyone whose body Baccarat touched would have their fortune altered.
She could absorb an enemy's luck to make them unlucky and convert that luck for her own use.
Therefore, during the fight, Koala had been careful to avoid Baccarat's touch.
Defeating her was easy.
With the conclusion of the various battlefields, everything settled.
On the neon-lit street, in a certain dark corner, two furtive figures watched the scene atop the castle before emerging.
"Lord Momonosuke, Kanjuro is saved."
Kin'emon gazed at the defeated golden figure, overjoyed.
He had witnessed the entire process.
Against Leo, Tesoro had been utterly helpless.
Leo's 5-billion-Berry bounty's true value was still rising~
"My Lord, let us go to Master Leo now."
Kin'emon cautiously stayed alert, leading Momonosuke toward the castle.
Half an hour later.
In the most luxurious room on the castle's top floor.
Tesoro had already used his Gold-Gold Fruit ability to repair all the damaged areas. Everything was restored to its original state.
Present in the room were:
Leo and his fifteen women.
Gold Emperor Tesoro.
Officers Mr. Tanaka and Baccarat.
Songstress Carina.
Kin'emon and Momonosuke.
"Master Leo, this is the scoundrel who had Kanjuro kidnapped!!"
Kin'emon pointed at Tesoro, cursing loudly.
Though Tesoro hadn't done it personally, he had given the order.
"You'd better shut up, or I'll kill you right now."
Tesoro narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in their narrow depths.
Small fries like Momonosuke and Kin'emon weren't even qualified to see him under normal circumstances.
Daring to shout in his presence? They had no idea how precious life was.
"Enough," Leo waved his hand, cutting them off.
"Mr. Tanaka."
"Master."
Having regained consciousness and bearing the Slave Brand, Mr. Tanaka stepped forward respectfully.
"Where is Kanjuro being held?"
Mr. Tanaka reported truthfully, "That fellow is imprisoned in the dungeons."
"Release him."
"Yes, Master!"
"Thank you, sir."
Seeing Leo act so decisively, Kin'emon bowed deeply to him in gratitude.
"My Lord, let us go find Kanjuro now."
Kin'emon, impatient, prepared to turn and leave with Momonosuke.
"Hold on. You can go. Momonosuke stays."
Leo's voice stopped the two who were about to depart.
"Master Leo, what is the meaning of this??"
Kin'emon frowned slightly, looking at Leo with confusion.
"One for one. I want him."
Following the direction Leo pointed, Kin'emon turned to look at the utterly bewildered Momonosuke.
He immediately pulled Momonosuke behind him, staring at Leo with full vigilance.
"Sir, do you mean to go back on your word?"
"Go back on my word??"
Leo shook his head, his voice low. "What I promised you was only to rescue Kanjuro."
"Mr. Tanaka, take him to find Kanjuro, then escort them out of Gran Tesoro."
"Sir, if you please."
Mr. Tanaka walked to Kin'emon's side, issuing the dismissal.
"You bastard! I won't let you take the young master!!"
Kin'emon immediately drew the swords at his waist—Sukesan and Kakusan—his aura turning sharp and fierce.
As the only son of his lord, Kozuki Oden, Momonosuke bore the mission of restoring Wano Country.
No matter what, he would not let any harm come to Momonosuke.
"My Lord, run!!"
"Oden Two-Sword Style: Paradise Totsuka!!"
Kin'emon acted decisively. He threw Momonosuke out the door, then swung his dual blades, charging at the group.
"How dare you!!"
"Trying to escape?!"
Two graceful figures shot out simultaneously.
Doll moved fast as lightning, instantly appearing at Kin'emon's side and delivering a kick to his chest.
Thud!
Kin'emon was sent flying back even faster than he had charged. He slammed heavily into the golden wall before collapsing to the floor.
At the same time, Monet's talon-tipped feet snatched up Momonosuke mid-air and brought him back.
"Y-young… cough..."
Excruciating pain wracked his body. A sweet taste filled Kin'emon's throat, and he uncontrollably spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Kin'emon, consider this me giving you a chance. Get lost. Now."
Seeing Leo's growing displeasure, Mr. Tanaka immediately summoned guards, who dragged Kin'emon away.
"Y-you… what do you want to do??"
Momonosuke curled into a ball, trembling with fear.
He still didn't know how he had offended Leo to warrant such targeting.
Leo looked at Momonosuke, who was shaking uncontrollably from terror, and a cold smirk lifted the corner of his mouth.
He'd held back long enough. It was time to make this little brat pay.
"Tesoro, how many indebted gamblers do you have here?"
Leo asked.
Gran Tesoro never lacked for gamblers.
And it especially never lacked gamblers who owed debts after losing.
These people, unable to repay their massive debts, were forced into working off-the-books jobs here.
But with their pitifully low income and the exorbitant interest rates, the debt kept snowballing.
Even if they worked themselves to death, it would only be a drop in the bucket.
Tesoro was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Baccarat.
Such matters were usually handled by Baccarat and Mr. Tanaka.
Baccarat thought for a moment, then replied, "Roughly a few thousand."
"How many are male?"
"About ninety percent."
"Ninety percent… that's still a few thousand." Leo stroked his chin, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"W-what… what are you planning??"
Momonosuke's Adam's apple bobbed repeatedly, his voice trembling.
He had never seen such a terrifying smile.
"Tesoro, put out an order. Any male gambler in debt can have 2,000 Berries deducted… per session."
Hearing this, Tesoro frowned slightly, feeling utterly baffled.
But soon, understanding dawned.
Having lived in this morally complex environment for so long, some things didn't need to be spelled out.
Specifying male gamblers, mentioning 2,000 Berries per session…
The belated realization hit Tesoro, and he shot a look of pity at Momonosuke.
Who knew how this kid had managed to provoke the Master to incur such a horrifying punishment.
"Understood? Then go handle it." Leo waved his hand.
"Yes, Master."
Tesoro picked up the still-panicking Momonosuke and strode directly out the door.
"Oh, one more thing—" Leo added as he remembered something.
"Make sure he doesn't die."
"Understood."
Tesoro acknowledged and quickened his pace.
Watching their retreating figures, a triumphant smile appeared on Leo's face.
Those indebted gamblers were no choirboys.
They wouldn't show the slightest mercy just because Momonosuke was young.
Let Momonosuke enjoy the dark life that awaited him.
"Baccarat, Carina. Are you two willing to join the Leo Pirates?"
Having dealt with the Momonosuke matter, Leo looked at the two women.
Baccarat and Carina exchanged a glance, identical wry smiles on their faces.
Did they dare refuse?
"Captain, I'll join."
"I'll join too."
"Good. Now go wait in the rooms."
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T/N :
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