Ch. 481What Can't Money Buy?

Austin arrived on Zou during Jack’s invasion, drove off the Beasts Pirates, and took the Poneglyph from the Whale Tree. After settling in at a Mink Tribe banquet, he redirected moonlight to make Carrot transform into her Moon Lion form.

  • Jack and the Beasts Pirates attacked Zou, demanding that Inuarashi and Nekomamushi hand over Raizo.
  • Austin appeared with the Poneglyph, and Inuarashi recognized him as a former companion of Kozuki Oden.
  • Seagull King battered Jack and the Beasts Pirates, ending the invasion while Austin stayed on Zou.
  • At a banquet, Austin asked Carrot about the Minks’ Moon Lion transformation.
  • Austin bent moonlight toward Carrot, triggering her Moon Lion form, and wondered whether Vegapunk could create a transformation for humans.

Ch. 482Situation Analysis, Remember to Send Me a Newspaper

Austin left the Minks aboard a Beasts Pirates ship, where Jack learned that Doflamingo had been captured and set course for Dressrosa. On the Marine warship carrying Doflamingo to prison, he warned Tsuru that Black Spear stood at the center of an approaching struggle for supremacy and asked her to send him newspapers.

  • Austin boarded a Beasts Pirates vessel with the compressed Poneglyph.pdf, and Jack endured his presence under the watch of Black Spear.
  • Jack learned that the Marines had captured Doflamingo and ordered the Beasts Pirates to sail toward the waters around Dressrosa.
  • Ryokugyu and Sengoku drank tea aboard the warship carrying Doflamingo, while Tsuru spoke with the prisoner.
  • Doflamingo told Tsuru that Black Spear was the only man standing at the summit of the sea and predicted a massive world conflict involving the D Clan and Celestial Dragons.
  • Doflamingo asked Tsuru to provide newspapers in prison so he could follow the coming struggle.

Ch. 483The Ship King's Moment of Glory, a Call Bearing Good News

Jack tried to bring the Beasts Pirates’ ship alongside four Marine warships carrying Doflamingo, but the Marines fled after spotting Austin aboard. Austin examined the advanced warships and received a call bearing good news, leaving his reaction uncertain.

  • Jack ordered the Beasts Pirates’ ship to approach the Marine fleet, while Austin added a photograph of Jack’s maneuver to his collection.
  • Sengoku, Ryokugyu, and Grandma Tsuru recognized Austin and ordered all four warships to change course and flee.
  • Jack tried to catch the faster warships with his ship and cannons, but the Marines escaped and Austin watched with amusement.
  • Austin used Observation Haki to inspect the new-model warships and wondered whether Vegapunk had provided the World Government with valuable technology.
  • Doflamingo sensed the Marines’ sudden tension and hoped Austin had come to rescue him, while Austin answered a call from a woman who announced good news.

Ch. 484Pirate King: Golden City (1)

Tesoro received news that Doflamingo had been captured and considered taking over his business, while Stella feared Austin might turn against Tesoro too. A letter from Morgans then revealed that Austin wanted five billion Beli for Mink Tribe research and planned to visit the Golden City, leaving Tesoro confident that his position was secure.

  • Tesoro enjoyed the revelry in the Golden City while Stella worried about how much he had changed.
  • A News Coo delivered Tesoro letters and intelligence, including a report that Doflamingo had been defeated and captured by the Marines.
  • Tesoro considered taking over some of Doflamingo's business, while Stella feared Austin might also target Tesoro.
  • Tesoro reassured Stella that he could not be defeated on the Gran Tesoro.
  • Tesoro showed Stella Morgans's letter requesting five billion Beli for Austin's research and preparations for Austin's planned visit to the Golden City.

Ch. 485Pirate King: Golden City (2)

Tesoro prepared Gran Tesoro for Austin’s arrival, while Stella tried to stop him from punishing a lackey. Austin’s party reached the port, where Tesoro’s crew cleared away even a Celestial Dragon’s ship to welcome them.

  • Tesoro questioned a lackey for laughing before him and threatened him with a gold ring, but Stella tried to intervene.
  • Tesoro used Stella’s gold ring to restrain her and ordered his crew to take her back to rest because she was pregnant.
  • Tesoro’s crew cleared ships from Gran Tesoro’s port, including a New World king’s cruise ship and a World Government vessel carrying Saint Hamoel.
  • The crew told the Celestial Dragon’s party that they were clearing the port to welcome Lord Austin, and the World Government ship sailed away.
  • Austin arrived at Gran Tesoro with a woman in a black robe and a cold-faced swordsman, and he remarked that the city looked like a fun place.

Ch. 486Pirate King: Golden City (3)

Austin and his companions explored Gran Tesoro, where Tesoro offered Crocodile money and Austin stopped him from punishing flower-selling children. After the group joined a no-rules race, Tesoro learned the Straw Hat Crew was approaching and saw a chance to entertain Austin.

  • Little Sand admired Gran Tesoro's gold, and Tesoro offered to invest ten billion Beli in her ambitions.
  • Tesoro moved to kill a subordinate and several flower-selling children, but Austin stopped him and spared them.
  • Austin and his companions rode through the city in Turtle Slice as Austin reflected on Tesoro's methods of building wealth.
  • Austin suggested a no-rules race, and Crocodile drove a race car with Austin and Mihawk aboard.
  • Tesoro learned that the Straw Hat Crew was approaching Gran Tesoro and welcomed the prospect of keeping Austin entertained.

Ch. 487Pirate King: Golden City (4)

The Straw Hat Crew entered the Gran Tesoro, where Tesoro plotted to capture them while Baccarat welcomed them as VIP guests and guided them into a no-rules race. Austin watched the race preparations with Little Sand and Little Hawk, leaving the outcome unresolved.

  • The Thousand Sunny entered the Gran Tesoro, and Tesoro decided that destroying the Straw Hat Crew would amuse Austin.
  • Baccarat greeted the Straw Hat Crew and showed them the city, including a golden statue of Austin as a young man.
  • Baccarat gave the crew twenty million Beli in chips, and they headed to a racing attraction.
  • Baccarat warned that the race was a no-rules event and persuaded Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji to compete together.
  • Zoro spotted Little Hawk in another car, while Austin watched from the backseat with Little Sand and Little Hawk.

Ch. 488Pirate King: Golden City (5)

Crocodile, Mihawk, and Austin beat the Straw Hat Crew in the race by warping to the finish line, while the Straw Hat Crew won tens of millions of Beli in other events. Baccarat guided them into the VIP room, where they encountered a long-haired man betting 10 billion Beli.

  • Sanji drove the Straw Hat Crew's race car toward the lead, but Crocodile kicked up dust and Mihawk cut through the road to hold them back.
  • Luffy launched the Straw Hat Crew over the mysterious car, but Austin, Crocodile, and Mihawk warped ahead and won the race.
  • Austin took Crocodile and Mihawk to the mall, while the Straw Hat Crew won tens of millions of Beli in other casino events.
  • Baccarat encouraged the Straw Hat Crew to gamble bigger and introduced Mr. Tanaka, the casino's security chief and user of the Pierce-Pierce Fruit.
  • Mr. Tanaka led the Straw Hat Crew into the VIP room, where a long-haired man bet 10 billion Beli on odd.

Ch. 489Pirate King: Golden City (6)

Austin won every wager in the Golden City and offered the Straw Hat Pirates and Tesoro’s people a chance to fulfill any wish if they could beat him. Tesoro accepted, and Austin asked the gamblers to stake what they considered most precious.

  • Austin beat the VIP guests at gambling, while Hawkins warned the losers that the underworld would collect their debts.
  • The Straw Hat Pirates recognized Austin, Crocodile, and Mihawk, and Zoro confronted Mihawk about the slash that had struck him during the race.
  • Austin invited Luffy and his companions to gamble, but the crew except Luffy guarded themselves because of Austin’s reputation.
  • Austin promised to grant any wish to anyone who could defeat him, tempting the Straw Hat Pirates and Tesoro’s subordinates.
  • Tesoro accepted Austin’s challenge and asked what he had to wager, so Austin told him to offer his most precious possessions.

Ch. 490Pirate King: Golden City (7)

Austin challenged the Straw Hat Crew to a gamble in the Golden City and used an old contract concerning Robin to make Luffy accept. Tesoro secured permission to use Baccarat’s luck-altering ability, leaving the gamble about to begin.

  • Tesoro considered wagering his wealth and believed Baccarat could improve his odds, but Luffy refused Austin’s offer of any wish, saying he would pursue his dreams with his companions.
  • Austin stopped the Straw Hat Crew and his allies from fighting, then revealed a contract signed by Robin that gave him a claim to her life once she came of age.
  • Robin confirmed the contract was genuine, while Mihawk explained its connection to the destruction of Ohara and Little Sand recognized Austin’s long-term planning.
  • Luffy accepted the gamble, demanding that Austin return Robin to the crew if they won.
  • Tesoro asked whether Baccarat could use her ability during the game, and Austin allowed her to absorb as much luck as she wanted.

Ch. 491Pirate King: Golden City (8)

Tesoro had Baccarat use the Luck-Luck Fruit to drain Austin’s luck, then sent King Luffy to gamble against him. King Luffy won the dice roll despite Austin’s ability to foresee the result, leaving Tesoro’s side believing their luck had prevailed.

  • Usopp learned that Baccarat’s Luck-Luck Fruit let her absorb the luck of anyone she touched.
  • Baccarat drained Austin’s luck but found his fortune so vast that she struggled to absorb it all.
  • Tesoro sent King Luffy to gamble against Austin after Baccarat reported that Austin had not resisted with Haki.
  • Austin foresaw that his guess would be wrong, called odd, and King Luffy called even.
  • The dice showed one and five, so King Luffy won, prompting him and the Straw Hat Crew to celebrate.

Ch. 492Pirate King: Golden City (9)

Austin revealed that the Straw Hat Crew had lost the wager when the worn die split and exposed two upward-facing sides, which counted as one point for him. Tesoro accepted the result, while Austin held Nami and explained that the crew’s luck had kept them alive.

  • The Straw Hat Crew and Tesoro celebrated after the die initially appeared to show an even number, but Austin questioned whether they had truly won.
  • The die cracked apart, leaving two fractured surfaces facing up, and Austin declared that he had won.
  • Nami accused Austin of tampering, and he teleported her to him and seized her face as the Straw Hat Crew tried to intervene.
  • Tesoro blocked the crew with a wall of gold and said the wager had to be honored; Sanji used Observation Haki to confirm the die had split from years of wear.
  • Austin told Nami that the crew’s luck had saved them because his thought of killing everyone aboard had made sparing their lives the better outcome.

Ch. 493Pirate King: Golden City (10)

Austin revealed that only one side had to pay the wager, then transformed Gran Tesoro into a battlefield for a final contest over what each side treasured most. The Straw Hat Crew had to seize a box from Tesoro’s defenders to avoid the wager’s punishment.

  • Austin suspended Nami in Space Confinement and made Robin disappear, while Little Sand and Mihawk kept the Straw Hat Crew and Tesoro’s subordinates from intervening.
  • Tesoro accepted his defeat and resolved to rebuild his empire, believing he still had Stella and time on his side.
  • Austin explained that only one side needed to pay the price and that the losing side could still preserve what it treasured most.
  • Austin transformed Gran Tesoro, freed Nami and Robin, and set up a contest in which Tesoro’s side would guard a box atop a tower while the Straw Hat Crew tried to take it.

Ch. 494Pirate King: Golden City (11)

Tesoro resolved to defeat the Straw Hat Crew and protect the Gran Tesoro, while Stella learned about the wager and remembered the man he used to be. As Carina set a plan in motion to steal the Black Box, the Revolutionary Army and CP0 also prepared to respond to the escalating conflict.

  • Tesoro regretted making the wager but decided to take the initiative against the Straw Hat Crew rather than wait for them to reach the Black Box.
  • Stella brought Tesoro food, learned the stakes of his wager, and remembered how he had once worked to free her before becoming obsessed with wealth and power.
  • Carina told the Straw Hat Crew that she had stolen the key to the Black Box's room, then planned a heist with them after Nami demanded a ton of gold.
  • Koala told Ace and Sabo that the Revolutionary Army was watching the wager and that CP0 would likely arrive soon.
  • Lucci objected to Sakazuki's order to send ten warships to assist Tesoro, but Sakazuki told him to dispatch them.

Ch. 495Pirate King: Golden City (12)

Sakazuki confronted Rob Lucci over CP0’s demand for Marine warships, while Lucci argued that Tesoro’s wealth sustained the World Government and its ties to the underground world. At Gran Tesoro, Crocodile discussed the city and Tesoro’s wager with Austin, who hoped Luffy and his friends would help Tesoro understand what truly mattered; the Straw Hat Crew then began their operation to steal the Black Box.

  • Sakazuki crushed his cigar and challenged Rob Lucci for treating the Marines like Tesoro’s servants.
  • Lucci explained that the World Government depended on Tesoro’s money and ordered Sakazuki to provide ten warships for the mission.
  • Crocodile considered how Gran Tesoro could serve as a headquarters if Tesoro lost his wager against Luffy.
  • Austin reflected on how his words and Tesoro’s past had made Tesoro pursue wealth at the expense of what he valued most.
  • Crocodile asked Austin who would win, but Austin refused to spoil the outcome.
  • The Straw Hat Crew split into two groups and set out to steal the Black Box.

Ch. 496Pirate King: Golden City (13)

The Straw Hat Crew split up to disable the Golden City’s Den Den Mushi and steal the Black Box, while Stella secretly joined Luffy and Franky in the tower. Tesoro’s trap began to collapse when the crew revealed their real plan to defeat him, and news that Stella had disappeared sent him into a rage.

  • The Straw Hat Crew divided into two teams, with Luffy and Franky assigned to destroy the city’s Den Den Mushi and the others preparing to infiltrate the tower.
  • Tesoro learned that a Marine warship led by CP0 was approaching and that Stella had entered the Golden Tower, so he ordered his men to bring her back.
  • Stella escaped her guards, met Luffy and Franky while they climbed the tower, and told them about the Black Box and her wish for Tesoro to change.
  • Luffy and Franky were caught and imprisoned, while Nami and the others reached a stage where Tesoro revealed he had been watching their movements.
  • Nami revealed that the crew had never intended to steal the Black Box, and seawater from the fountains weakened Tesoro’s control of the gold as Luffy returned to the fight.
  • Tesoro learned that Stella was missing and that the Straw Hat Crew might have taken her, then erupted in fury.

Ch. 497Pirate King: Golden City (14)

Tesoro’s grief over Stella’s death triggered a surge of power from the Gold-Gold Fruit and Pure Gold, turning the Gran Tesoro into a sea of gold as he attacked King Luffy. The chapter left King Luffy flying toward the golden tower, where a pregnant woman holding a Black Box appeared in the path of Tesoro’s Golden God Fire.

  • Tesoro’s grief and killing intent intensified after he learned Stella had died, and Austin watched as Tesoro neared a complete loss of control.
  • Little Sand reacted with disbelief when she sensed that Tesoro also possessed Conqueror’s Haki, while Austin and Mihawk chose to observe rather than intervene.
  • Tesoro recalled his life with Stella, then unleashed a vast golden sea as the Pure Gold on his ring shone and the Gran Tesoro regained its brilliance.
  • Tesoro formed the gold into a giant wreathed in black-red lightning and struck King Luffy, blasting him through buildings and leaving him badly hurt.
  • Tesoro fired Golden God Fire at King Luffy as he flew toward the tower, where a pregnant woman holding a Black Box appeared at the window.

Ch. 498Pirate King: Golden City (End)

King Luffy defeated Tesoro after Stella appeared to die in the burning tower, but Austin revealed that she had survived inside the Black Box. Tesoro reunited with Stella as the Straw Hats left, while Fisher Tiger and Ace, Sabo, and Lucci continued fighting elsewhere.

  • King Luffy shielded Stella from Tesoro’s beam, but the blast ignited the tower and Stella was swallowed by flames as Tesoro watched.
  • Austin declared the game complete, while Lucci ordered the Marines to attack and Fisher Tiger arrived to stop their cannon fire.
  • Ace and Sabo confronted Fisher Tiger and Lucci as the battle spread across the Golden City.
  • King Luffy knocked the despairing Tesoro down, then left the Black Box with him after Carina explained Stella and Tesoro’s past.
  • Fisher Tiger drove off the Marines and stayed beside Tesoro, and Austin revealed that Stella was alive inside the Black Box.
  • Tesoro and Stella embraced, while Austin told Tesoro he would have to keep working to repay him.

Ch. 499God Valley Arc (Backstab Remastered Edition)

Austin received photographs from Sabo and Ace that brought back memories of God Valley, then recalled a clash between the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates in 1483. As Whitebeard prepared to attack, Austin shot him in the chest.

  • Austin ordered Carina to work for him and Tesoro after she tried to escape the Golden City.
  • Sabo and Ace delivered Austin an envelope of copied photographs taken in God Valley.
  • Austin examined the photographs and remembered his younger days with the Roger Pirates.
  • The Rocks Pirates approached Roger’s ship, and Austin recognized Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Shiki, and an old acquaintance.
  • Whitebeard gathered power for a Sea Quake, but Austin fired Black Spear and wounded him in the chest.

Ch. 500God Valley Arc: Let Rocks Come Himself!

Austin wounded Whitebeard and the Rocks Pirates’ captains with Haki-infused shots, then confronted Charlotte Linlin aboard Rocks’ ship. He demanded that Rocks come negotiate with him directly.

  • Austin shot Whitebeard in the chest from the Roger Pirates’ ship, leaving Whitebeard bleeding and stunned.
  • Shiki, Big Mom, Kaido, and the others noticed Whitebeard’s wound and spotted Austin holding a Black Spear.
  • Austin appeared on the Rocks Pirates’ ship and shot the captains and officers, including Kaido, as the crew panicked.
  • Austin confronted Charlotte Linlin and wounded her with a Conqueror’s Haki bullet.
  • Austin told Linlin that Rocks had to come speak with him himself.
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