Bubble helmets.
Bloated space-suit–like attire.
Hideous hairstyles.
Grotesque faces.
Celestial Dragons.
World Nobles.
The gamblers, flushed from betting fever moments ago, immediately fell silent. No one dared make a sound that might displease the Celestial Dragons and cost them their lives.
Crocodile, however, was different.
He held no reverence for the World Nobles.
Leaning back with one leg crossed over the other, he watched the two figures with an amused expression.
Were these nobles insane?
Not long ago, three Celestial Dragons had died on the Sabaody Archipelago—killed by Roldy 's forces.
And now they swaggered right back into Sabaody—
Roldy 's stronghold.
Several agents trailed behind the two nobles. Upon entering the casino, they scanned the room before approaching a gambling table.
Without ceremony, the agents threw two unfortunate gamblers aside.
The Celestial Dragons sat.
Agents exchanged money for chips—piling them high. By visual estimate, no less than 1,000,000,000 Berries in value.
"Trash! What are you staring at? I'm here to play!"
"Keep babbling and I'll have your head!"
These two were clearly seasoned gamblers.
Among the Celestial Dragons, they were known for their skill.
They had grown bored gambling in Mary Geoise; their fellow nobles no longer wished to play against them. So they chose Sabaody.
Though three Celestial Dragons had been killed here, the World Government had officially labeled it an accident. Nobles of their rank would never learn the truth.
And besides—
Sabaody now boasted the largest entertainment district in the world.
How could they not visit?
Though an order had supposedly been issued forbidding Celestial Dragons from entering Sabaody, they considered themselves gods.
Gods did not obey such trivial commands.
As long as they paid their debts and didn't cause major disturbances, even killing a few "commoners" wouldn't matter.
The dealer began shaking the dice, trembling.
The two Celestial Dragons listened carefully, focusing on the sound of the dice.
Simple.
Bet big or small.
Thrilling.
The six remaining gamblers at the table had no desire to continue—but with agents behind them, they dared not leave.
"Place your bets!"
"I'm betting small!"
"So am I!"
The two nobles tossed out 10,000,000 Berries in chips without hesitation.
The six gamblers attempted to follow their choice—
But guns were pressed to their heads.
Forced at gunpoint, they placed all their chips on big instead.
"Open!"
"Five, four, four—Big!"
The Celestial Dragons had skill.
One round after another, the six gamblers lost everything.
The agents dragged in fresh victims, shoving them into seats to continue the cycle.
There were skilled players in the casino.
But few possessed the composure to remain calm before Celestial Dragons.
And even if they won—
Who could guarantee they'd be allowed to leave alive?
A deadlock formed.
The nobles' pile of chips grew higher.
The number of gamblers dwindled.
After another large win, one noble scoffed arrogantly:
"Pathetic. With skills like that, you dare enter a casino?"
He spread his arms dramatically, scanning the room—
And then he saw Crocodile.
He froze.
Crocodile's bearing still carried the aura of an underworld boss. His features were striking, his attire refined.
The noble stared, entranced.
"You there, woman! Come over and gamble with me!"
A crooked thought formed.
Because of Roldy 's ban, slaves were now scarce. High-quality slaves were nearly impossible to obtain.
For the World Nobles, slaves were status symbols. Without them, they were mocked.
Some nobles had devised a workaround.
Instead of outright trafficking, they entrapped targets in crushing debt through schemes and contracts—forcing them into "labor repayment." If discovered, the paperwork protected them.
It eased the shortage.
But exceptional slaves remained rare.
And Crocodile—
Was an exquisite prize.
With such presence, she would make a magnificent wife—or slave.
Either way, a tremendous showpiece.
Crocodile widened his eyes slightly.
Oh?
He rose without hesitation.
After weeks of boredom, something interesting had finally appeared.
Approaching the table, he noticed the second noble eyeing him with greedy hunger.
"Brother, give her to me!"
"Impossible. But we can share."
They were brothers from the same family.
And they had already decided Crocodile belonged to them.
Crocodile's lips curled in faint disdain.
Who would devour whom—
Remained to be seen.
He was, after all, a master gambler.
And this—
Was Roldy 's territory.
They thought they could beat him here?
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