Gran Tesoro, Top Level, Golden Tower
This was the core of the entire ship, and the private domain of the Golden Emperor, Gild Tesoro.
Unlike the lower levels, glittering with gaudy, nouveau-riche extravagance, this place was… even more luxurious.
The floor was paved with a single massive slab of obsidian, polished until it reflected like a mirror.
The dome above was made of enormous transparent crystal, allowing the bizarre, ever-changing skies of the New World to be seen in full.
At the very center of the hall stood a gigantic fountain, so deep its bottom could not be seen, slowly flowing with golden liquid.
It wasn't water.
It was pure gold, liquefied by Tesoro's Gold-Gold Fruit ability.
Clap… clap… clap…
Crisp applause echoed from the shadows behind the fountain.
"What a… magnificent performance."
A man's voice rang out, magnetic, yet tinged with laziness and arrogance.
Gild Tesoro slowly rose from his throne, made entirely of gold.
He wore a flamboyant pink suit, his hair meticulously styled, a smug smile of absolute control hanging on his face.
He didn't even glance at the melted door. Instead, he looked with interest at Rehn and Nami stepping out of the elevator.
"Marine… G-5 Branch…"
Tesoro's gaze fell on Rehn's round body, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Lightning Rehn, right? I've heard rumors about you. The most loyal subordinate of that Haiiroyo."
"Oh?"
Rehn raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect a 'small fry' like me to catch the Golden Emperor's attention."
"Of course."
Tesoro smiled and snapped his fingers.
Snap.
The hall's lighting instantly changed, turning dim and dangerously ambiguous.
"After all…"
Tesoro slowly walked toward them, his shoes clicking against the obsidian floor.
"You're the first person to reach this place… after my three capable subordinates failed to stop you."
"Heh, what an honor," Rehn replied with a grin. "But Tesoro, I think you've misunderstood something."
"I didn't break in."
The fat man's face showed a kind smile.
"I came… to collect a debt. And to take possession."
"Collect a debt and take possession?"
Tesoro's smile froze for a second.
"That's right."
Rehn spread his arms as if surveying his own territory.
"This ship… this place… Hmm. The taste is a bit tacky, but it's still worth some money."
"You stole my lord's gold and injured our people. You must pay the price."
"My lord, Renzo, is quite interested in this vacation resort."
"So from now on…"
Rehn pointed to the floor beneath his feet.
"This place has been requisitioned by the G-5 Branch."
…..
Behind him, Nami nervously swallowed.
'This fat guy…'
'His ability to act cool was even more outrageous than Renzo's!'
"Ha…"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
After a brief silence, Tesoro burst into exaggerated laughter, almost tearing up from laughing so hard.
"Requisition?!"
"By you? A fat Marine?"
"And the one beside you… oh, 'Cat Burglar' Nami, right? The navigator of the Straw Hat crew?"
Tesoro's laughter suddenly stopped, a terrifying cold light flashing in his eyes.
"Do you still not understand…?"
"This is my empire!!"
BOOM!!!
Before his words even finished, Tesoro slammed his hand into the golden fountain beside him!
"Gold-Gold Fruit: Awakening!!"
"Golden Domain!!"
BZZZZ!!!
An indescribably terrifying will instantly swept through the entire Golden Tower!
No, the entire Gran Tesoro!
"W-What?!"
Nami's face changed drastically.
She suddenly realized, inside her pocket… the gold chips she had casually taken from the casino… the golden bracelet on her wrist that she loved so much!
Even the gold tooth embedded in her mouth!
At this moment… they all seemed to have come alive, they were trembling and… submitting.
"Yahahahaha!!"
Tesoro spread his arms wide, enjoying the sensation of controlling everything.
"On this ship, every grain of gold dust is my soldier! My eyes! My weapon!"
"Here…"
He slowly raised his hand.
"I am God!"
"Golden Judgment of God!!"
RUMBLE!!!
The floor beneath Rehn and Nami suddenly exploded!
Dozens of gigantic golden spikes, each thicker than a water barrel, shot out from all directions like living venomous snakes, stabbing toward them at lightning speed!
"WAAAAH!!"
Nami screamed.
"Hmph! Cheap tricks!"
Rehn grabbed Nami by the back of her collar and tossed her behind him.
His round body didn't dodge at all.
"200 Million Volts, Thunder God Armor!!"
CRACKLE!!!
Golden lightning armor instantly covered his entire body!
The golden spikes that pierced toward him, the moment they touched the Thunder God Armor, were instantly melted by the 200-million-volt high voltage!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Golden liquid splattered everywhere.
"What?! Such powerful lightning?!"
Tesoro's pupils shrank sharply.
"Surprised, you bum?"
Rehn brushed off the golden liquid splashed onto him, looking disgusted.
"As far as I can tell, attacks as flashy as yours…"
"They're too inefficient."
"You…!"
For the first time, Tesoro's expression became serious.
He had miscalculated.
He originally believed that with his awakened Devil Fruit ability, he was invincible on this ship.
But Rehn's Rumble-Rumble Fruit… was practically the natural enemy of the Gold-Gold Fruit.
The extreme heat of lightning could easily melt gold.
"Very well…"
A ruthless glint flashed in Tesoro's eyes.
"It seems if I don't show some real power, I won't be able to deal with you."
"In that case…"
He stomped the ground fiercely!
"Then let me show you what true despair looks like!"
RUMBLE!!!
The entire Golden Tower shook violently!
The massive fountain of flowing gold suddenly erupted skyward!
Endless liquid gold surged like a tidal wave, completely engulfing Tesoro's body!
"Golden Tesoro!!"
"ROAR!!!"
A deafening roar echoed!
A gigantic golden giant, over 50 meters tall, appeared in the hall.
Its entire body was made of pure gold, covered with a layer of jet-black Armament Haki!
Its size even smashed through the crystal dome at the top of the tower!
"W-WAAAAH!!"
Nami collapsed to the ground in fear from the terrifying pressure.
"Y-You've got to be kidding… That guy… is he a monster?!"
"Yahahahaha!!"
Tesoro's arrogant and crazed laughter came from the giant's chest!
"Lightning brat! Your electricity may melt gold!"
"But!!"
"Can you melt gold covered in Haki?!"
"Come on! Let me see!!"
"Is your lightning stronger?"
"Or is my money… harder?!"
"Golden Punch!!"
That mountain-sized golden fist, coated in Armament Haki, descended from the sky with crushing wind pressure capable of shattering everything.
Its target is the two ant-like figures below.
....
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