Listening to Gawain's words, Kalifa gently adjusted her glasses and nodded.
"I understand what you mean, sir. We don't need him right now!"
"Yes."
Gawain laughed.
"Don't be blinded by immediate gains, Kalifa."
For us, the decision to act should never be based on their value, but rather on how much we need and how much we can absorb!
We need to take a longer-term view; hard work is not something that can be accomplished overnight.
But then again...
Gawain pondered for a moment, then muttered something under his breath.
"Lately, I've been feeling that I probably need a team of advisors."
Or, we could call it the staff team.
Otherwise, if I stay with you sword-wielding guys, I'll have to figure out most things on my own.
While Iceburg's emergence helped me clarify my business empire, business alone is far from enough.
We still lack people who can analyze all situations!
Upon hearing this, Gion was sitting upright, chuckled and patted her sword.
"My lord, we swordsmen will certainly clear one obstacle after another for you."
But in other areas, we can't offer you much help.
You're missing far more than just a staff team; you need Franky's technical expertise and Iceburg's business support.
Other talents include excellent doctors, a superb team of navigators, musicians who soothe the atmosphere on board, and outstanding officers capable of commanding the army.
Even our culinary team is currently lacking an excellent head chef.
Even after you assigned Lucci to manage the Black Ice Terrace Intelligence Center, you still needed a steward by your side.
In short, there are far too many roles missing around you."
"Indeed, but it's alright, let's take it slow."
Gawain shrugged, then said.
"We'll have a doctor, and we'll have a head chef. For now, let's focus on doing our current jobs well."
Suddenly, Gawain flashed a bright smile at Rayleigh.
"Grandpa Rayleigh, I'm leaving the casino to you. Your Observation Haki is probably the strongest among us, so we'll mainly rely on you to prevent cheating."
"Haha, I really don't know where this 'we' you're talking about came from, Little Gawain."
After all, you haven't even mastered Observation Haki and Armament Haki yet; you're not among those of us who can use Observation Haki.
Rayleigh patted Gawain on the shoulder jokingly.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of the casino. As long as Whitebeard doesn't suddenly show up, I can handle any disturbances."
"You and Momousagi go to the Fish-Man's side."
"Um."
Gawain nodded, then continued speaking to Kalifa.
"Kalifa, Gion and I will go check on the Fish-Man. You go to Iceburg and give him my orders."
Although both gambling and gambling islands are part of the entertainment industry, we should treat our guests from afar as guests.
But a hostile guest like the Gild Tesoro? Haha, I don't need him to boost my popularity!
After speaking, Gawain walked away on his own, disappearing from the high platform with Gion.
After Gawain left, Rayleigh nodded to Kalifa.
"Let me go to the Iceburg with you. After all, Tesoro is also a young man who is suspected of Devil Fruit Awakening."
Although we have Marine Admiral helping to look after things.
But if we have to trouble the navy to handle our own casinos...
That would be too embarrassing!
As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh led Kalifa toward the scene of the commotion where the Gild Tesoro was located.
Meanwhile, the direction of the Gild Tesoro.
Iceburg rushed to the registration desk with red eyes.
Looking at the receptionist whose cheeks were flushed red from being slapped with money, Iceburg took a deep breath.
"Gilder Tesoro."
"Hey, haha, I thought it was someone else, but it's you, Iceburg!"
The Gild Tesoro curled his lip in disdain, then walked up to Iceburg and arrogantly patted Iceburg on the shoulder.
"Some time ago, I read in the World Economic Journal that the already declining Water 7 had a new mayor."
I thought he was someone important, but it turns out he's just a fool who can't even walk yet but wants to run, haha!
At this point, the Gild Tesoro released Iceburg and raised his hands to the surroundings, speaking with the nonchalant air of an actor making his entrance.
"Instead of focusing on improving shipbuilding techniques, this shipbuilding capital has stepped into the entertainment industry."
"Iceburg, aren't you afraid that you might take this step, but not be able to walk it steadily?"
"Heh, King Tesoro, my affairs are none of your concern!"
Iceburg's expression darkened, and then he patted the young lady at the registration desk on the shoulder.
"Consider that money Tesoro's apology to you; keep it."
In addition, I'll adjust your job assignment; I'll vouch for you and you can try your luck in the secretary's office.
"Why?"
The young woman's face immediately lit up with joy. Although she had been slapped twice, she had not only found a large sum of money, but also gained the opportunity to join the secretariat and serve that Celestial Dragon?!
Now she was no longer aggrieved. She nodded and, clutching the banknotes and gold, jogged away from the vicinity of Iceburg and Tesoro.
Tesoro, watching the woman's retreating figure, curled his lip in disdain.
"Iceburg, I don't believe you can't see that even without your hypocritical words of comfort, that woman is enjoying herself!"
"Hehe, Tesoro, while dignity may not be able to buy money, money can certainly make people temporarily forget or even abandon dignity."
But I think you can understand that even the most unscrupulous person will cherish the word "dignity" more once they have more money!
At this point, Iceburg coldly glanced at the crowds frantically collecting gold and banknotes around him.
He glanced at it twice, pointed at Tesoro, and said in a cold voice.
"Let's end this farce, Tesoro. As for your purpose in coming here, isn't it simply to snatch the championship from this betting tournament I've organized?"
"I don't need another customer like you. I'll personally register you, and then you..."
"Iceburg!!!"
Just as Iceburg was speaking, another incredibly arrogant voice suddenly came from afar.
At the same time, countless gunshots rang out from afar.
After the gunshot rang out, the people picking up the money paused for a moment, then immediately scooped it up even faster.
More people jumped into the sea, because the ocean not only offered them a chance to make money, but also provided them with shelter from bullets.
At the same time, from the direction from which the gunshots came, accompanied by sounds of punches, kicks, and groans, Rosward rode on his slave and led his men toward them.
Only then, after more and more people were smashed and thrown about by Rosward's men for trying to pick up money, did the surrounding people finally calm down, and one by one they knelt on the ground.
Rosward, however, walked through the crowd and arrogantly stopped in front of Iceburg.
After glancing at Iceburg and Tesoro, who were locked in a standoff, Rosward raised his head and asked.
"Which of you is Iceburg?"
"It is indeed I, Saint Rosward!"
Iceburg bowed respectfully to Rosward.
Seeing that Iceburg did not kneel, Rosward was somewhat displeased, but when he noticed the Dark Bird Emblem on Iceburg's chest, he curled his lip in annoyance.
Another one of Gawain's people, ugh!
Thinking this, Rosward reprimanded Iceburg with dissatisfaction.
"I've finally found you, Iceburg. I need to order a new ship from you. You should know what kind of ship I want, right?"
"Gawain spent a trillion, right? I'll contribute 1.01 trillion, so my ship needs to be a little bigger than his, understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, Saint Rosward!"
Iceburg responded with a smile.
Meanwhile, across from Iceburg, Tesoro's breathing became increasingly rapid.
He suppressed the shadows and anger in his heart, staring intently into Rosward's eyes.
For a moment, he couldn't control his knees. No matter how arrogant he was, he would always have some trouble dealing with the Celestial Dragon.
But then, Tesoro suddenly remembered the Celestial Dragon who had rushed out of the sea earlier.
Recalling the Celestial Dragon's respectful and friendly attitude towards him, Tesoro relaxed a little and then spoke boldly to Rosward.
"Heh, he dares to ask for a trillion for a single ship? You've probably been scammed, Rhodes... Walder Saint!"
Suddenly hearing someone call his name, Rosward looked at Tesoro in confusion.
After noticing Tesoro's straight knees, he looked down at Tesoro's chest.
Very good, no Dark Bird Emblem this time, so he's not one of Gawain's confidants!
So Rosward waved his hand dismissively.
"And what kind of trash are you, daring to stand in front of me!"
Someone, bring me my hand cannon, I..."
"Grown ups!"
His men quickly stopped Rosward's actions and moved closer to Rosward to warn him.
"Sir, you promised Saint Gawain you wouldn't kill anyone on his Entertainment Islands!"
"Snort!"
Upon hearing this, Rosward nodded in displeasure.
"I understand. In that case, let's spare his life for now."
"If I break Gawain's rules, he might try to bomb my big ship someday, and that would be terrible!"
At this point, Rosward, though he had given up on killing, became increasingly uneasy.
So he pointed at the bewildered Tesoro once again.
"You lowly piece of trash, even if I can't kill you, I will never forgive your heinous crime of daring to stand before me!"
"Guards, fetch my hand cannon... not to kill, but to sink his ship!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Rosward let out an angry sigh, then looked at Iceburg.
"Iceburg, take me to a gambling tournament now. I want to start with mahjong."
If I don't hurry up and start playing cards, I'm afraid I'll get so angry at those brainless idiots that I'll lose all my motivation!
I can't kill anyone, ugh, what a hassle!
Let's go!"
"Yes, sir!"
Iceburg smiled and nodded, then followed Saint Rosward as they walked away.
As for Tesoro...
He watched helplessly as Rosward's remaining men raised their hand cannons in unison.
The next moment, dozens of cannonballs hurtled toward Tesoro's Golden Ship.
Amidst a violent explosion of light, sound, and flames, Tesoro's Golden Ship was ripped open with a gaping hole.
Seawater rushed into his cabin, and countless banknotes sank to the bottom of the sea along with the Golden Ship!
Seeing the scene before him, Tesoro gritted his teeth, and veins throbbed on his forehead.
He clenched his fists, ready to make his Golden Ship float.
But at that moment, a white figure suddenly appeared.
Grandpa Rayleigh stood by the dock, watching the sinking Golden Ship, his face etched with trouble.
"Damn it!"
Rayleigh muttered something, then turned to look at Tesoro, who was about to use his ability, and the mob around him who had finally calmed down after being frightened by the explosion.
"How did it get like this? Now we'll have to go out to sea to retrieve it, what a hassle!"
As he muttered to himself, Rayleigh picked up his cane and turned to stand in front of Tesoro.
Looking at Tesoro, who was much taller than him, Rayleigh smiled slightly.
"Young man, you must be Tesoro, right?"
"Who are you...!!!"
Tesoro's anger was somewhat dispelled by Rayleigh's presence. Recalling the newspaper that the seagull had just delivered to him yesterday, how could Tesoro not know Rayleigh's identity?
At the same time, hearing Tesoro's blustering but cowardly voice, Rayleigh casually patted Tesoro's arm.
"Since you know me, that makes things easier."
Just now, my captain really disliked the fact that you caused a disturbance on his dock.
So, haha, we've confiscated your ship.
As for you, we do not welcome troublemakers to our territory. Go back to your New World."
The instant he finished speaking, Rayleigh gently tapped the cane, which concealed the sword blade, against the ground.
Instantly, Conqueror's Haki roared out, its invisible aura stunning all the rioters near the dock.
Rayleigh controlled his Conqueror's Haki very well; his Conqueror's Haki happened to cover the most chaotic area.
Having completely taken control of the situation, Rayleigh picked up his cane, held it lazily in his hand, and continued speaking to Tesoro.
"What are you waiting for, young man? Aren't you leaving?"
That's wonderful! How about we exchange a few moves?
"You!"
Tesoro, unable to bear it any longer, clenched his fists so hard that the gold pendants on his hands and body instantly melted!
Rayleigh grinned with satisfaction as he watched the Gild Tesoro poised to unleash his power.
"Ha ha!"
Rayleigh burst into laughter.
"If you dare to make a move, it proves that you still have some courage, and you have lived up to the name of the Gild Tesoro that you have earned."
"But unfortunately, my new captain doesn't need you yet!"
At this point, Rayleigh slowly drew his sword, then moved his feet and instantly struck first.
Before the Gild Tesoro could even make a move, Rayleigh's blade had already slashed into his chest.
And just then, Rayleigh uttered a sentence.
"The Styx!!!"
Whoosh!
Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki merged into one, whistling out along with Rayleigh's wielding sword.
The black current followed Rayleigh's sword aura, carrying the Gild Tesoro all the way back towards the sea!
If you look back now, the black sword energy that fills the sky is just like a deep river.
And if this great sword came from the hand of Dark King, isn't it precisely the fearsome Styx from mythology?
After the strike, Rayleigh slowly sheathed his sword and then placed his right hand above his forehead.
He glanced at it and couldn't help but shake his head.
"Hey, it's not far enough."
My sword strike is still no match for my old friend's.
That's true, I'm getting old, haha."
Rayleigh chuckled nostalgically.
With his laughter, the Gild Tesoro's men stared wide-eyed. Baccarat pointed at Rayleigh in astonishment, then quickly shifted her finger towards the sea.
"The boss has fallen into the water! Quick, save him!!!"
At a command, Baccarat and her group seized a boat from the dock while everyone around them was unconscious.
They steered their ship to retrieve the Gild Tesoro quickly began moving it around Sabaody Island. It wasn't that they didn't want to return to the New World; they simply needed to coat their new ship with a coating...
And the Gild Tesoro.
After being pulled from the water, he lay on the deck, looking up at the sky in a staring, bewildered manner.
He's not five years from now; his strength is far from what it will be five years from now!
Beside him, Baccarat sighed and softly comforted the Gild Tesoro.
"Boss, there's no need to find it hard to understand. That one is the legendary Dark King, the first mate of the Pirate King Roger!"
People like him are few and far between in this vast ocean; we...!
"No..."
The Gild Tesoro Teuchi Baccarat.
He continued, looking confused.
"I'm not sad about being slashed away by Rayleigh, I'm just thinking about it."
What's the deal with that Celestial Dragon was so incredibly respectful to me?
This makes absolutely no sense!!!
Group number: 1021882759