"Hahahaha, take me up."
Tesoro rose with a cold laugh and extended his arm.
Tanaka, the chief of security and defense for the entire entertainment city, placed his hand against Tesoro's arm. His Devil Fruit ability activated at once.
Boom!
The two figures rose instantly, passing straight through the pure gold ceiling as if the solid surface did not exist at all.
In the next moment, they arrived inside the vast and luxurious VIP room, a chamber specially designed to host the most distinguished guests from across the world.
"Stay downstairs and keep order," Tesoro said calmly with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Tesoro sama."
Tanaka lowered his oversized head and slowly sank into the floor once more, disappearing as if he had dived into deep water.
…
Tesoro walked toward the massive floor to ceiling window and gazed down at the dazzling golden city below. A strange smile crept onto his face.
"I do not know your true purpose for coming here, but this is a rare opportunity," he muttered.
"I control most of the wealth in this world, yet in the end, I still rely too much on the strength of others."
He spread his fingers and pressed his palm lightly against the glass, staring at his faint reflection.
"Gran Tesoro is a magnificent city, a nation built on gold, yet there is only one person with truly overwhelming combat power supporting it. Me."
His eyes darkened.
"Money can buy powerful people, but no matter how many fighters I hire, they are nothing before the Four Emperors, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, or those detestable Celestial Dragons."
Tesoro's hand slowly clenched.
"Stella, even I am beginning to lose sight of who I used to be…"
His reflection stared back at him, distorted by the glittering lights.
"I already possess more Berries than most people could ever imagine, and I will seize even more in the future. Yet that is still not enough."
A dangerous glow flashed in his eyes.
"The bodyguards of the Celestial Dragons are no ordinary trash. If I can force those so called gods to bow before money itself, then even their guards will fall with them."
A wave of cold killing intent surged from Tesoro's body.
"Shirogai Yamikuro. A monster who defeated Kaido, the Beast, and Charlotte Linlin, Big Mom."
"Even the Marines fear him to the extreme. An Admiral cannot stop him. Because of him, they shamelessly fabricated the title of Navy Chief Instructor."
Tesoro let out a low laugh.
"At first, I intended to manipulate Gran Tesoro's route and arrange a so called coincidence with the Straw Hat Pirates. I planned to slowly earn his trust and pull him into my faction."
"But I never expected the prize to walk straight to my doorstep."
His lips curled into a sinister grin.
"Since he came on his own, there is no way I will let him escape."
Tesoro's voice grew colder.
"Whatever he desires, as long as he is willing to stay and become my subordinate, I will give it to him."
"Money. Women. Power. Anything in this world that can be bought."
"Even the title of Pirate King."
His eyes burned with obsession.
"I control money itself. In this world, that makes me a god. I can fulfill every desire in his heart."
"There is no reason for him to refuse."
Tesoro straightened his back and turned away from the window.
"One day, I will become the true god of this world. Even the Celestial Dragons will kneel before me."
"I will rebuild the order of this world with my own hands."
"Who is allowed to laugh, and who is forbidden from smiling, I alone will decide."
His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"No one can stop my revenge. Not pirates, not the Marines, and not even the World Government."
…
Ding.
The elevator reached the highest floor.
"Shirogai sama, this way please."
Baccarat smiled and gestured ahead as she led Shirogai toward the VIP room.
"Quite a quiet place," Shirogai said lightly.
Baccarat laughed softly. "This floor is reserved exclusively for Tesoro sama's most important guests. There are no entertainment facilities here, so silence is only natural."
Before they even reached the door, the massive golden gates swung open with a heavy bang.
"Hahahaha! What an honor!"
Tesoro's hearty laughter echoed from within as he stepped forward with arms wide open, his smile warm and welcoming.
"To think that such a distinguished figure would grace Gran Tesoro with his presence."
His gaze swept over Shirogai, and he clapped his hands with visible delight.
"It truly is the Fifth Emperor himself. Today is a fortunate day for Gran Tesoro."
"Yes, Tesoro sama is absolutely right," Baccarat said with a modest smile.
"Shirogai sama's arrival is a blessing to the entire city."
"Please, Shirogai sama, come inside," Tesoro said as he gestured toward the hall.
Once they stepped inside, Baccarat stopped at the doorway and sent Tesoro a discreet look.
Success?
Tesoro's eyes flashed with excitement. With a wave of his hand, the massive golden doors slammed shut.
"Please, take a seat."
Tesoro sat at the head of the table and looked at Shirogai with a friendly smile.
"Recently, the Straw Hat Pirates have stirred the entire world. Enies Lobby was defeated, and even the flag of the World Government was burned."
"Even the Buster Call failed to harm your crew in the slightest."
Tesoro clapped slowly.
"In the end, the World Government had no choice but to fabricate a new explanation for your existence."
"They now claim that you once belonged to the Marines, and that you became a pirate purely to research their nature so you could one day eradicate them."
"Shirogai sama, that is quite a heroic story."
"So that is their explanation now?" Shirogai said with an indifferent smile.
"In truth, Tesoro, you should know very well that I am simply a pirate."
Tesoro was silent for a moment before breaking into laughter.
"You really are direct."
"That is correct. Since they cannot defeat you, they attempt to smear you with lies and drag you into their own faction."
"But such tricks could never fool me."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What truly puzzles me is why you traveled all this way to Gran Tesoro of your own will."
Tesoro leaned forward.
"No matter what it is you seek, I can give it to you."
"All I ask in return is one thing."
"Join us. Become the Vice Captain of Gran Tesoro. Become my subordinate."
Tesoro waited for excitement, greed, or hesitation to appear on Shirogai's face.
Instead, he saw only calm amusement.
"What a coincidence," Shirogai replied with a faint smile.
"I was planning to invite you to join my side as well."
"The empire you dream of cannot be built on money alone. A kingdom supported only by Berries may appear indestructible, but in truth, it is the easiest thing in the world to shatter."
He looked directly at Tesoro.
"Join my organization. I will help you achieve what you truly want. Ain't my offer better?"
Tesoro froze for a brief moment, then burst out laughing while clutching his stomach.
"Hahahahaha! That is a fine joke!"
"You want me to become a pirate?"
"Hahahaha…"
---