The Golden Casino blazed under the night sky. Intoxicated nobles reveled, blind to the coming storm.
Tesoro stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, fingers drumming the glass. His smile was ice.
"Lord Tesoro, CP0 agents have infiltrated the city. They're expected to arrive at the casino in ten minutes," a black-clad bodyguard reported.
"How many?"
"Twelve. Their leader is 'White Serpent' Abraham."
Tesoro's pupils tightened. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the gold ring on his left hand.
"Abraham... is it?" he murmured, lips curling into a ferocious grin.
Stella stood behind him, fingers light on his shoulder. "Lord Rhett has already arrived at the observation deck. He says he's looking forward to your performance."
Tesoro shook his head, cold fury burning in his eyes.
"Good. This time... I'll crush them with my own hands."
Stella embraced him. "Darling, stay safe. I'll be waiting for you."
Tesoro kissed her. I will.
Twelve shadows moved through Gran Tesoro's dark alleys, white suits fluttering in the wind.
"Target confirmed: Gild Tesoro, former Celestial Dragon slave, became the underground world's 'Golden Emperor' in a few years. A Gold-Gold Fruit user, suspected of dealing with Rhett," Abraham's voice was low and hoarse. "Gorosei's orders—eliminate."
Here we go, into the belly of the beast.
"Welcome, honored guests."
Tesoro sat at a gambling table, legs crossed, flipping a gold coin. His smile was elegant, dangerous. He'd been waiting.
Abraham narrowed his eyes. "You knew we were coming?"
Tesoro chuckled. "Of course. Money buys anything."
"Including your lives, it seems. This isn't a transaction. You're a crude performance for the King."
Before the words finished, he clenched his fist.
"Golden Dominion!"
The casino—floors, walls, ceiling—transformed into flowing gold! The ground beneath the CP0 agents collapsed as golden tendrils, like venomous snakes, coiled around them.
"What?!"
"The whole castle is gold! Fall back!"
Tesoro rose, the gold morphing into a massive battle-axe, which he hoisted onto his shoulder.
"Did you really think... I'm still that groveling slave?"
The battle erupted.
CP0 agent "White Serpent" Abraham struck first, using "Soru" to close the distance, finger gun aimed at Tesoro's throat.
"Clang!"
The golden axe blocked the attack. Tesoro countered with a heavy slash, forcing Abraham to retreat. Golden spikes erupted from the ground, impaling his shoulder.
"Gah—!"
"Captain!" The remaining CP0 members roared, unleashing Rankyaku, Tekkai, and Kami-e—the Six Powers on full display!
Tesoro smirked.
"Golden Judgment."
The casino collapsed in a thunderous roar! Waves of gold swallowed the CP0 agents, the liquid metal seeping into their mouths, veins, organs!
"Cough... th-this is...!"
"The gold dust from earlier?!"
Tesoro strolled through the golden hellscape, gazing at his struggling enemies.
"You Celestial Dragon lapdogs love branding slaves with 'marks,' don't you?"
He raised his hand—and clenched it shut!
"Now, it's your turn."
"AAAAAAHHHH—!"
Amid the screams, golden slave brands appeared on the CP0 agents—before—
"Burst."
The gold detonated from within, reducing the twelve corpses to glittering golden dust that scattered into the night wind.
On the observation deck, Rhett leaned against the wall, watching.
"Tch. That was brutal."
Enel muttered, "Reminds me of when he fought the Captain—crazy and flashy."
Rhett grinned and appeared behind Enel. "Young Enel, were you just complimenting my handsomeness... or calling me pretentious?"
Enel gulped. One wrong answer, and he'd be flying.
"Ah—Captain, Tesoro's back!" Enel blurted, spotting Tesoro like a lifeline.
Tesoro emerged from the ruins, golden axe back to a ring on his finger.
"Well, Lord Rhett? Is my... 'qualification' sufficient now?"
Rhett studied him for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.
"Not bad! Though you're still a notch below me in the coolness department, I'll acknowledge you!"
Tesoro dropped to one knee, right hand on his chest.
"Then, from this day forth, my wealth, my influence, my life—all of it is yours to command."
Seeing Tesoro kneel, the others followed suit, dropping to one knee.
Rhett maintained his serious demeanor for maybe three seconds before snorting with laughter.
Ugh, seriously? What's with the attitude? It's a bit much, isn't it? Cringe.
Then, with a grand flourish, he declared,
"Let's... overturn this world together."
The crew exchanged glances before erupting into laughter. Moria shrugged. "Captain, you started the edginess."
Enel rolled his eyes. "Yeah, 'overturn the world'? Really?"
Rhett glared. "Young Enel, do you want to take another flight?"
Enel immediately shut his mouth and stood at attention.
Just then, a slender figure stepped forward from the crowd.
Her steps were firm as she approached Rhett. Taking a deep breath, she knelt on one knee.
"Lord Rhett, I have a request."
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Stella, what's this about?"
Tesoro was equally stunned. "Stella?"
Stella lifted her head, eyes shining with determination. "Please allow me to join your crew."
Silence.
Rhett rubbed his chin. "Oh? And your reason? My crew's dangerous. You'd be in serious peril aboard my ship."
Stella slowly opened her palm, revealing a soft green glow.
"I ate the Heal-Heal Fruit. I'm a Healing Human."
"Six months ago, Tesoro bought this fruit with gold to heal my leg injury. But its abilities go far beyond that," she said quietly. "I can heal wounds... and I can soothe hearts."
Rhett narrowed his eyes. "'Soothe hearts'?"
Stella smiled faintly. "For example, I can calm your spirits when you're disheartened... or pacify those burning with battle lust."
Damn, a debuffing cleric?! Rhett thought.
Rhett was genuinely tempted—manipulating hearts was terrifyingly powerful. But his gaze shifted to Tesoro. He knew Stella was Tesoro's very life.
The Crimson Dawn pirate flag now flew proudly over the highest point of the casino.