Ash lounged across the soft back seat of the convertible, casually flipping through the VIP list Baccarat had handed over.
Baccarat drove in silence, her smile stiff and unnatural.
Faced with Ash's request, what choice did she have?
Refuse a Shichibukai, the Heavenly Emperor Ash?
That was unthinkable.
This was a man infamous across the seas, someone rumored to have instantly killed Silvers Rayleigh, challenged Kaido and walked away unharmed, and even struck a Celestial Dragon without consequence. A figure people feared to even mention casually.
Yet handing over that VIP list had placed her in a terrible position.
If any of the pirates on that list discovered that Ash had memorized their names because of her, they would hunt her down without hesitation.
With a troubled expression, Baccarat drove him to the entrance of Gran Tesoro's most luxurious casino hotel in the inner district.
She did not dare suggest something trivial like changing into formal attire.
Ash stepped out wearing beach shorts and slippers, still reading the list as he walked toward the entrance.
Baccarat hesitated, unsure whether to continue following him.
Ash suddenly glanced at her, a faint smile on his face.
"By the way, I noticed quite a few visual Den Den Mushi on the way here. Those aren't easy to come by."
"If possible, prepare a batch for me. Include the full surveillance setup too. I'll pay."
Baccarat's smile froze completely.
Is he here to shop?
"This… is beyond my authority. I'll need to submit a request."
Ash waved it off. "Go ahead. I'll entertain myself. No need to stay with me."
"Understood. Please excuse me."
She left quickly, as if escaping danger.
Watching her retreat, Ash chuckled and rubbed his chin before heading into the casino.
Without Baccarat guiding him, there were no special privileges like complimentary chips.
But Ash did not care.
He casually exchanged twenty million Berries for chips, his expression relaxed.
"With Observation Haki, losing isn't even a possibility."
…
Inside a private bar on the VIP floor, Tesoro sat on a sofa, dressed in extravagant gold attire, nine rings gleaming under the lights. His fingers supported his chin as his brows remained tightly furrowed.
Mr. Tanaka emerged silently through the wall.
Tesoro did not look up. "Report."
Mr. Tanaka carefully detailed everything Ash had done since arriving at Gran Tesoro, then added, "He also requested a batch of visual Den Den Mushi. Baccarat has stepped away under the pretense of approval and is currently awaiting instructions nearby."
"Additionally, several witnesses at the inner harbor saw him descend from the sky. Four pirate crews have already departed, and three more are preparing to leave. Once word spreads, more will likely flee."
Tesoro inhaled slowly, then exhaled as he drained the wine in his glass.
"So even Gran Tesoro, a neutral zone recognized by the World Government, cannot suppress the fear he brings."
Mr. Tanaka asked, "Should we arrange something at the tables? A show, perhaps?"
Tesoro finally looked up, staring at him in disbelief.
Do you even understand who we are dealing with?
This is someone who killed Rayleigh, challenged Kaido, and struck a Celestial Dragon.
And you want to provoke him?
Tesoro suppressed the urge to curse.
Instead, he asked, "Are there any important figures from the World Government or the Marines present?"
Mr. Tanaka thought briefly. "A Celestial Dragon, Saint Kamael, is currently docked nearby. From the Marines, Vice Admiral Gion and Vice Admiral Tokikake are also here."
Tesoro considered this, then spoke carefully.
"Have Baccarat guide the two Marine Vice Admirals near Ash. Subtly."
"As for the Celestial Dragon, keep them far apart. I will not risk drawing an Admiral here and turning this place into a battlefield."
He paused before continuing.
"Other than that, let him do as he pleases. Do not interfere."
"Approve his request for the visual Den Den Mushi and surveillance equipment."
"And do not tamper with the monitoring. Keep everything normal."
"As long as he doesn't act here, this situation could become an opportunity."
"Some customers leaving is acceptable. Once word spreads that Ash does not cause trouble in Gran Tesoro, our reputation will only grow. That means more customers, and more Berries."
Mr. Tanaka was surprised but did not question further. He simply nodded and disappeared through the wall.
Tesoro leaned back, his expression still tense.
Showing caution in front of subordinates was embarrassing.
But compared to his long-term plans, pride meant nothing.
From a street thug to a crime boss, and from there to the ruler of a recognized independent territory, Tesoro had survived through calculation as much as strength.
Recklessness would have gotten him killed years ago during his conflict with the Donquixote Family.
Looking across the world, Tesoro held little fear for most powers.
The Celestial Dragons were arrogant and predictable.
The World Government needed his wealth.
The Marines were bound by orders.
The underworld held no advantage over him.
Even among pirates, only Donquixote Doflamingo, the Heavenly Yaksha, had been worth acknowledging, and that relationship had been built through force and mutual benefit.
The Emperors paid him no attention.
Gran Tesoro operated freely, but he had never dared enter their territories.
If one of them ever came, he could simply pay them off, just as he did the World Government.
As long as others followed the rules, Tesoro was confident.
If they did not, and he could not win, then retreating was always an option.
There was no shame in survival.
That was exactly why Ash unsettled him.
Tesoro had thoroughly investigated him, especially after witnessing what happened to the Celestial Dragons three years ago.
Ash's past was not hidden.
Everything Morgans could uncover, Tesoro already knew.
And what he knew made him uneasy.
Despite years of refining his Gold-Gold Fruit abilities, Tesoro understood his limits.
At best, he stood on the same level as Doflamingo.
A Shichibukai-tier fighter.
Before Ash killed Rayleigh, Tesoro believed he could at least compete with most of them.
Now?
He would not even consider it.
A man who killed Rayleigh and walked away from Kaido was beyond his reach.
Tesoro did not even want to meet Ash's eyes.
What worried him most was simple.
Would Ash follow the rules?
The Ash of the past, the one who struck a Celestial Dragon, had been seen as reckless.
The current Ash was something else entirely.
A force that ignored consequences.
Those who once mocked the World Government now only hoped they would never cross paths with him.
Tesoro gave a bitter smile.
Was he acting cowardly?
Yes.
But survival mattered more than pride.
He still had a goal.
He still needed wealth and power.
He still needed to take revenge on the Celestial Dragons.
Dying here over something meaningless was not an option.
Everything now depended on one question.
Why had Ash come to Gran Tesoro?
To gamble?
Or to cause trouble?
As long as it was not the latter, everything could be managed.
Even if Ash intended to take something or demand payment, Tesoro could accept it.
With that thought, Tesoro waited, tension coiled in his chest, hoping for news that would not lead to disaster.
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