The Art Pirates finally arrived at the greatest entertainment city in the world, Gran Tesoro. Even before the Athena reached the enormous golden harbor, every member of the crew had already fallen silent. Towering golden buildings stretched across the horizon. Massive casinos glittered beneath the afternoon sun. Countless airships drifted through the sky while luxurious cruise ships continuously entered and departed from the port. Golden bridges connected one district to another, and countless fountains sprayed streams of shimmering water into the air.
It was less like a city, And more like an entire kingdom built purely for wealth, The Athena slowly docked, The moment the gangplank touched the pier— Sabo whistled.
Sabo: "This place is... ridiculous."
Law: "I've heard the rumors...but seeing it in person is something else." Law folded his arms.
Kuina: "Even the streets are covered in gold..." Kuina slowly looked around.
Bepo: "Captain... is this really a city?" Bepo stared upward with sparkling eyes.
Arthur: "No." Arthur smiled faintly.
Arthur: "It's a hell pretending to be a country." Everyone turned toward him.
Robin chuckled quietly. Hancock simply smiled while observing the crowds flowing through the enormous streets. Even she had to admit... Gran Tesoro far surpassed the luxury of Arthur's mansion in Mary Geoise.
After storing the Athena safely inside the harbor, Arthur gathered everyone together. Without saying much, he placed several thick bundles of banknotes onto the table. One after another, Everyone stared.
Sabo: "...Captain?" Sabo blinked.
Arthur: "Go enjoy yourselves. You've all trained for six months... consider this your reward." Arthur pushed the money toward them.
Law raised an eyebrow. Bepo's eyes immediately sparkled. Sugar quietly smiled. Koala looked delighted. Arthur divided everyone into small groups. Robin, Hancock, and Monet naturally decided to explore together. Sabo, Law, and Bepo immediately headed toward the casino district. Kuina, Sugar, and Koala planned to wander through the shopping streets.
Not far behind them, Ikaros carried Arthoria on her shoulders. Nymph gently held Merlin in her arms. Meanwhile, Astrea struggled to keep Lancelot from jumping down every few seconds.
Astrea: "Stay still! You'll disappear if I let you go!" Everyone laughed.
Lancelot: "I want to go there! Oh, that's looks fun." Arthur watched them leave before turning toward the last remaining person beside him, Baby-5.
Arthur: "Shall we?" Arthur smiled.
Baby-5: "I've been waiting." Baby-5 linked her arm around his and all crew disappeared into the dazzling streets of Gran Tesoro.
High above the city. inside the luxurious Golden Palace... Gild Tesoro silently watched the surveillance Den Den Mushi. One screen displayed the Athena. Another displayed Arthur. A third followed the scattered members of the Art Pirates.
Behind him... Several executives stood quietly. One subordinate hurried into the room.
Tanaka: "Boss. The Art Pirates have arrived."
Tesoro: "I know. Treat them as VIP guests." Tesoro slowly smiled.
Tanaka: "Understood." Tanaka adjusted his hat.
Tesoro: "No restrictions. Whatever they want... give it to them." Tesoro continued.
Tanaka: "Right away." Tanaka bowed.
The moment Tanaka disappeared through the wall using his Through-Through Fruit, Tesoro's smile vanished. His face became expressionless. Then, hatred slowly appeared within his eyes. He quietly looked at his own hand. The hand that had once been wrapped in chains.
...
Long ago, Before he became the ruler of Gran Tesoro, before unimaginable wealth, Before absolute power, He had been nothing. Only a slave, A slave owned by the Celestial Dragons. Every scar upon his body had once belonged to Mary Geoise. He still remembered that day, the screams, the fire, the chaos. Fisher Tiger had climbed the Red Line, He had burned Mary Geoise itself. Countless slaves escaped amidst the confusion.
Tesoro...Had been one of them. He had escaped... but Stella had not. The woman he loved, the only light remaining in his life Had been taken away forever. Tesoro slowly closed his eyes, even after all these years the memory still hurt. Money, Gold, Power, Everything he possessed today had begun from losing Stella.
Tesoro: "...Never again." Tesoro whispered quietly and his fingers slowly tightened.
Meanwhile... Inside one of Gran Tesoro's largest casinos. The atmosphere was filled with excitement. Roulette wheels spun endlessly. Cards flew through the air. Coins clattered across countless tables. People laughed while others cried after losing fortunes.
Arthur and Baby-5 casually walked through the luxurious hall. Neither of them cared much about gambling itself. They were simply enjoying the atmosphere.
Baby-5: "This place really is amazing." Baby-5 looked around with sparkling eyes.
Arthur: "It is." Arthur nodded.
At that exact moment— Someone accidentally bumped into Arthur. A cheerful female voice sounded. Arthur stepped back instinctively. Standing before him... was a beautiful blonde woman wearing an elegant black dress, emerald-Green eyes, a confident smile, and an unmistakably relaxed expression. She tilted her head slightly.
Baccarat: "Oh! I'm sorry."
Arthur: "No harm done." Arthur smiled politely and Baby-5 glanced between them.
Baccarat: "I almost dropped everything." She chuckled.
Arthur noticed several casino chips scattered across the floor. Without saying anything... He bent down and picked them up. Arthur handed them back than the woman smiled.
Baccarat: "Thank you. My name is Baccarat."
Baccarat took one step forward. Then... she extended her right hand and smiled.Baby-5 immediately looked toward Arthur. For the first time since they met... She saw genuine hesitation appear in Arthur's eyes. Only for a split second. Arthur's instincts screamed at him. Jump back, do not touch her. He almost did, his right foot even shifted slightly. But, he stopped himself.
Arthur quietly released a slow breath. A nearly invisible layer of Busoshoku Haki coated his right hand. Only then... Did he reach forward. Their hands met.
Arthur: "Arthur. My name is Phantasm D. Arthur." A brief handshake, othing more, nothing less.
Their conversation naturally continued. She was surprisingly easy to talk to. They joked about gamblers who believed luck could solve everything. They laughed over several ridiculous games they had witnessed only moments earlier. Baby-5 quietly watched the conversation. At first... Everything seemed completely ordinary. But after several minutes... She noticed something strange. Arthur, he never once stepped within arm's reach of the woman.
Every time she unconsciously moved closer, Arthur naturally shifted half a step backward. His smile never disappeared, and his tone remained friendly. Yet... he always maintained distance.
Baby-5: "...Captain is being cautious." Baby-5 narrowed her eyes. The red-hair woman didn't seem to notice. Or perhaps... she did.
Baccarat: "We've been talking for quite a while. You're even more cautious than the rumors say." Eventually... She laughed softly.
Arthur: "I've learned not to underestimate strangers." Arthur smiled faintly.
Baccarat: "I like that answer." She laughed
For several seconds... Neither of them spoke. Then Baccarat looked directly into Arthur's eyes. Her smile gradually softened. Baby-5 quietly folded her arms. Arthur remained calm.
Baccarat: "Actually... I've been looking for you." She glanced around the magnificent casino.
Baccarat: "I was originally on my way here to join the Gran Tesoro. I thought this was where my future would be."
Baccarat: "But then... I heard about you." She looked at him seriously.
Baccarat : "The more I learned...the more my destination changed." She took another small step forward. This time... Arthur did not move.
Baccarat: "Arthur... I want to join the Art Pirates." Baccarat smiled. Then finally spoke the words she had carried throughout her journey.