(PS: Watching the Gold City movie will make this arc even more enjoyable~)
"Da..."
"Da..."
Resplendent golden steps, a luxurious and extravagant venue. As a snap of the fingers rang out, a fashionably and gorgeously dressed man, wearing a golden top hat and sunglasses, stood atop the high platform. Streaks of lightning burst forth, and the golden microphone transformed into a scepter.
He thrust the golden scepter in his hand into the center of the stage, and the world turned into a sea of gold. The man who controlled twenty percent of the world's Belly and possessed the greatest wealth in the world curled his lips into a smile.
"The show... begins~"
...
"Hahahahaha!!!"
After a song ended, the fervor of the revelry still lingered in Tesoro's heart. He returned to his luxurious private hall, crossed one leg over the other, watching noble beauties dance. With one arm he held a blonde beauty, with the other he swirled a wineglass. Mortal bliss, nothing more than this!!!
Held in Tesoro's arms by his large hand, the movements extremely gentle, Stella at this moment felt somewhat helpless. Watching the increasingly changed Tesoro, a vague worry rose in her heart. Although Tesoro still treated her very well and loved her deeply, she always felt that Tesoro was hiding something from her.
But when she thought of Orin-sama, her heart steadied a little. Tesoro had amassed such immense wealth, after all it was to serve that lord. As long as she held tightly to this point, then even if Tesoro caused great trouble, it should still be...
"These are the secret letters just delivered by the News-Seagull and the recent intelligence from the seas. Please take a look, Tesoro-sama."
Just as Tesoro was resting, from a nearby pillar a figure like a big-headed doll emerged. He bent deeply, respectfully presenting several sealed papers.
Seeing this, the smile on Tesoro's face slowed slightly, and he looked down at the papers in his hands.
Among Orin's subordinates there were connections as well. This alone could be seen from the six kings of the underworld. Although Tesoro did not root himself in the underworld, his Gran Tesoro ship, as the world's largest money tree and den of extravagance, naturally contained all kinds of underground venues such as the Pleasure District. And... which businessman would not want to be friends with the world's greatest "tycoon"?
Tesoro had invested in Morgans' World Economic News, and had even donated many public broadcast Den Den Mushi, the kind used for the worldwide broadcast during the Paramount War. So whenever there was reliable news, the news king, that birdman, would always send a copy to Tesoro as well, looking after each other and carving up the cake together.
"There have never been this many letters before~"
Tesoro opened the first one, and it was clearly a newspaper. What caught his eye was a nation reduced to ruins, and a blond man in sunglasses lying on the ground.
"This is..."
Tesoro's gaze shifted. He pushed his sunglasses up into his hair and carefully read the report.
This was first-hand reporting. Gran Tesoro was also the first stop reached by the News-Seagulls, and compared to any newspaper on the market, the account of events was far more detailed. It even made oblique mention of Orin's name, which most media in the world did not dare to touch. You can doubt his strength, his character, but never doubt Morgans' love and pursuit of big news.
"Doflamingo..."
The smile on Tesoro's face gradually disappeared. The people around, who had been laughing and chatting, also gradually quieted down because of the change in his expression. He was the king of Gold City, the "world's richest man" who ruled everything.
"Never thought that a guy like Doflamingo would actually be defeated by some brat..."
Holding the newspaper, he leaned back against the sofa, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.
He and Doflamingo were old acquaintances. Even the Paramecia Gold-Gold Fruit he used to make his fortune had originally come from Doflamingo. That honest man who never fooled people with fake fruits was also his business partner, someone Tesoro thought he understood fairly well. As for his relationship with Orin-sama, it was even closer than Tesoro's own.
Such is the unpredictability of the world...
But in that case, wouldn't he be able to take over part of the other's business and hold it in his own hands?
The current Tesoro had long since lost any sense of camaraderie. The first thing he thought of was profit. Strengthening his wealth and status—wasn't that a great joy?
Meanwhile, Stella's reaction upon seeing the news was the complete opposite of Tesoro's. Her whole body turned ice-cold, as if falling into an icy abyss, her pupils even trembling slightly.
Why???
Doflamingo, as one of the Shichibukai and a giant of the underworld, had been captured by the Navy?
Wasn't he Orin-sama's subordinate?
And with Doflamingo, who was closer to Orin, being captured, yet Orin-sama still not making a move—then what about Tesoro???
Moreover, she had heard that those powerful subordinates Tesoro had raised were casually wiped out by Orin-sama last time. If that day were to really come...
She looked at her beloved Tesoro beside her and held his hand.
"You've realized it, right? Tesoro."
"Hm???"
Tesoro was reading the newspaper and was startled by the sudden interruption.
If it were anyone else, he might have already struck them down, but the woman before him was different.
"What's wrong, Stella?"
"Doflamingo has been captured, yet Orin-sama hasn't acted. Doesn't that already explain something?"
Hearing Stella's words, Tesoro was stunned for a moment, then burst into loud laughter, as if he had heard a very amusing joke. Even Tanaka, Carina, and Baccarat beside him were smiling.
"Rest assured, Stella..."
Tesoro's remaining gentleness at this moment was all reserved for his wife and the child in her belly not yet born.
"It is impossible for me to be defeated. On Gran Tesoro, I am like a god!!!"
"And..."
Tesoro opened the second letter and confidently handed it to Stella.
"Take a careful look."
Stella accepted the envelope half-doubtfully. The contents of the letter were very simple, only a few lines.
"To Tesoro:"
"Orin-sama has recently taken an interest in the Mink Tribe. An advance withdrawal of fifty billion Belly is requested for scientific research."
"And Orin-sama plans to visit Gold City soon. Please make preparations."
"Signed: Morgans"
For such withdrawals, Tesoro had long been used to them. Though treated as an ATM, he felt immensely reassured in his heart.
"See?"
"I..."
"Will absolutely not fall!!!"