Though He Was Arrogant Beyond Measure
Despite his extreme arrogance, it is undeniable that he possesses formidable strength. Gild Tesoro's Paramecia Gold-Gold Devil Fruit Ability has reached its Awakening Realm. His true strength undoubtedly places him among the Shichibukai, and he is comparable to Doflamingo.
After a long period of deep thought, he slowly and gently turned his head slightly, as if every movement was full of profound meaning and consideration. His deep and sharp gaze, like two beams of cold lightning, was fixed directly on Mr. Tanaka, who was sitting not far away. Then, in a low but clearly audible voice, he said, "Send Baccarat to keep a close watch..." Just as he finished speaking, suddenly, as if a flash of inspiration had struck him, he seemed to remember something of vital importance. So, his speech quickened abruptly, and he added urgently, "Let them gain some initial advantage for now."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Tanaka immediately nodded in understanding, indicating that he fully comprehended his intentions. Then, without hesitation, Mr. Tanaka replied, "Understood! I will certainly act according to your instructions. I will secretly send them some money, making sure these men have a good time, enjoy themselves, and leave satisfied... We absolutely cannot let these guys lose money. Because if they lose money and it causes tension or even a deterioration in the relationship, the situation will likely be difficult to control."
However, this does not mean that Gild Tesoro was a coward or incompetent person. On the contrary, as a man of great foresight and strength, his decision stemmed more from a precise grasp of the overall situation and a careful weighing of the pros and cons. After all, given their terrifying strength, if they were to engage in a reckless fight in the city, the resulting destruction and losses would be extremely severe. Therefore, unless forced into a critical moment with no other choice, he would never easily provoke such a potentially catastrophic conflict.
Otherwise, he would never rashly take action in the heart of this bustling city unless he was absolutely certain he could resolve the matter easily and swiftly. After all, for the renowned Gild Tesoro, nothing was more abundant than his mountain of Beli. In his eyes, anything that could be solved with Beli was hardly a problem.
Just then, the Baboon King, Burns, arrived at the bustling casino with a large group of his men, moving with lightning speed. Once inside, his sharp eyes, like those of Hawkeye, scanned the entire place, and soon he spotted Yi Xiao, who was already inside. Without hesitation, he strode towards him, enthusiastically calling out, "Yi Xiao, you've kept me waiting! Today we're going to have a good time!"
Just then, the previously noisy environment seemed to suddenly quiet down, and a deep, slightly mocking voice could be heard. Upon hearing this voice, Yi Xiao's slightly lazy face first paused for a moment, and then he slowly turned his neck and turned his gaze toward the direction from which the voice came.
He tilted his head slightly, and on his sharply defined face, the corners of his mouth gently turned up, like ripples spreading across the surface of a lake in a light breeze. His faint smile was like sunlight filtering through the leaves in the morning, warm but not dazzling.
He responded in a voice so soft it was almost indistinguishable from the air, "Hey, you've finally shown yourself! I've been waiting here like a hunter lying in wait! Let me tell you, these past few days have been a transformative experience for me. My gambling skills have been like a rocket that's been ignited, skyrocketing at an astonishing and unbelievable pace! I'm a completely different person now, my strength has increased dramatically. So, who will emerge victorious in this thrilling contest today, who will ultimately reign supreme? That's truly an unknown!"
Before the words had even finished, their echo lingered in the air. At the same time, the person opposite him couldn't help but smile slightly, a smile as radiant and captivating as spring flowers in bloom. His eyes gleamed with an undisguised excitement, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, instantly illuminating the entire dark heavens; at the same time, there was a hint of anticipation, like the yearning look in the eyes of people who have finally received rain after a long drought.
The two gazed at each other silently, time seemingly frozen in that moment. Though neither uttered a word, the unspoken exchange between them through their facial expressions and eyes was enough for anyone to perceive the familiar yet challenging, profound understanding between them. This understanding was like a wordless poem, requiring no words to interpret, yet allowing one to grasp the deep emotions and intense emotions it contained.
However, just as this brief and solemn silence was about to be broken, the Baboon King, Burns, suddenly and without warning threw his head back to the sky, followed by a deafening, thunderous laugh. The laughter was like a sudden summer Gale, carrying the force of thunder, sweeping across the land; or like a heavy hammer slamming into a calm lake, creating countless waves and splashing water. Its loudness was enough to penetrate thick walls, echoing and reverberating throughout the vast space. Such astonishing laughter naturally attracted the attention of many around, who turned to look, secretly wondering why the Baboon King had suddenly burst into such a wild and earth-shattering laugh.
After laughing, he turned slightly to the side, waved to Gizzas Jesus Burgess, Brook, Ata, and the others standing not far behind him, and loudly ordered, "Guys, stop standing around here! Go find some fun for yourselves! I need to have a good chat with this old friend I haven't seen in years, catch up on old times..."
Upon hearing this, Brook excitedly waved his cane, letting out a series of unique laughs. "Yohohohoho... I'm going to try that exciting and fun roulette!" Meanwhile, the petite and adorable Perona skipped and jumped around, shouting, "Hohohohohoho... I want to play that colorful fruit platter game!" In an instant, the entire casino became even more lively and bustling because of the group's arrival.
Weevil followed closely behind Perona with hurried, small steps, his eyes fixed on her, not daring to blink for fear of losing her. After all, Perona's petite and delicate figure stood out conspicuously in the group, as if a gentle breeze could knock her over. It was for this reason that before setting off, Moke had repeatedly instructed Weevil to stay by Perona's side at all times to ensure her safety.
Meanwhile, Gizzas Jesus Burgess and Ata, this pair of lovable goofballs, were exchanging knowing glances! To be honest, these two were worlds apart. Gizzas Jesus Burgess was like a belligerent rooster, his mind constantly preoccupied with thrilling fighting techniques, always looking for an opponent to spar with whenever he had a spare moment; while Ata, on the other hand, was completely absorbed in his culinary world, single-mindedly pondering how to cook even more delicious dishes. Faced with this unpredictable and uncertain gamble, neither of them showed the slightest interest.
After a brief silence, Gizas Jesus Burgess and Ata finally reached a consensus—to split up! Gizas Jesus Burgess darted off like an arrow, quickly chasing after Brook in the direction he had gone; while Ata leisurely moved to Perona's side, a harmless smile on his face, seemingly wanting to amuse the seemingly timid girl with his superb culinary skills.
After everyone had left, Yixiao turned to face Baboon King Burns and finally couldn't help but voice the question that had been on his mind, "Why did you bring so many people with you on this trip? Back in the day, you and I were used to venturing into the world alone!"
Upon hearing this, Baboon King Burns appeared remarkably candid, recounting the entire incident in detail without reservation. His words flowed like a torrent, vividly depicting every detail. Towards the end, a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on his face. Shaking his head, he sighed and said, "Oh dear, to be honest, you've really gotten me into trouble this time! It was because of that deadly bet we made; who could have predicted that I'd end up getting myself into this mess!"
After hearing these earnest words, Yi Xiao was initially taken aback, then fell into a deep silence as if frozen in place. Time seemed to stand still; he stood there, his mind racing, but he couldn't find the right words to respond. The words he wanted to utter were now stuck in his throat, as if an invisible hand was gripping them tightly, preventing him from expressing himself no matter how hard he tried. At the same time, his brow furrowed deeply, forming a deep trench, as if bearing endless worry and anxiety.
It turns out that Issho had never had a good impression of pirates. In his eyes, these pirates were nothing more than a group of lawless, unruly madmen. They burned, killed, and looted, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and bringing endless disaster and suffering to the people. Now, faced with the olive branch extended by the Baboon King, Burns —an invitation to join his pirate crew and a promise to gamble and have fun together often—Issho was filled with contradictions and entanglements. On one hand, he really didn't want to associate with such a notorious group of people; on the other hand, the other party's sincere attitude made him hesitate, unsure of what to do.
With a slight raise of an eyebrow and a faint smile, Issho said, "As for your choices, I can't comment, but asking me to become a pirate? Absolutely not!" Standing opposite him, Baboon King Burns crossed his arms and replied confidently, "Knowing you as I do, don't I understand your character? If I wanted to join a pirate crew that committed murder, robbery, and all sorts of evil, I wouldn't even bother asking you!" Hearing this, Issho couldn't help but chuckle, "Haha, so you're telling me there are actually 'good' pirates in this world?"
Baboon King Burns shook his head and explained seriously, "Good and bad are relative. As for whether purely good pirates exist, I really can't say for sure. However... pirate crews like Whitebeard and Red-Hair can't be considered inherently evil, can they?" After saying this, he stared intently at Yi Xiao, observing the other party's reaction.
After listening, Issho's smile faded, and he fell into a brief moment of contemplation. He knew perfectly well that these two pirate crews treated the island residents under their jurisdiction quite kindly. As long as the islanders paid a certain amount of Beli annually as "protection money," they could enjoy their protection. Moreover, these pirates didn't bully ordinary people without reason, especially the Red-Haired Pirates. Thinking of this, Issho's previously firm refusal to become a pirate began to waver slightly.
Baboon King Burns quickly added, "Our captain, despite being a pirate, harbors a grand dream deep within his heart—to build a kingdom filled with peace and tranquility. Because of this, he desperately seeks a person with a righteous heart and a just spirit to serve as the kingdom's sheriff. After observing and understanding him for some time, I believe you are the most suitable candidate... Furthermore, if you are willing to join us, the justice you uphold can be thoroughly implemented and enforced in this kingdom. Not only that, but every island currently under our pirate crew's control will become orderly under your protection. What do you say, consider it carefully?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Xiao's face was filled with astonishment, and it took him a while to recover. His expression changed instantly, filled with doubt and disbelief, as he cautiously asked, "Could it be... that your captain is actually a member of the Revolutionary Army?" After all, from what Baboon King Burns had just said, it sounded exactly like the legendary Revolutionary Army led by the dragon.
However, Baboon King the Burns shook his head without hesitation and quickly explained, "That's not the case... Our captain has made it clear that he only wants to protect the people within his sphere of influence. As for overthrowing the World Government, he has never had such an idea. Because doing so would only lead to the loss of more innocent lives, bring unbearable pain to countless families, and at the same time, could plunge the entire world into chaos and disorder."
However, there was one crucial sentence he never uttered: With unparalleled, unshakeable absolute power, he could annihilate all the Celestial Dragons in one fell swoop. In doing so, he would transform into the new creator, controlling the entire world. Why bother overthrowing the so-called World Government? After all, once he successfully ascended to the top and became the new Celestial Dragons, the entire World Government would naturally belong to him.
At that moment, Issho's expression changed again. It's well known that Issho has always been driven by a sense of justice, and logically, the Revolutionary Army led by Dragon should have been a better fit for him. However, what's puzzling is that he ultimately chose to join the Navy. The reason is actually quite simple: he couldn't bear to see the world consumed by endless war and conflict. Therefore, he decided to join the Navy, hoping to gradually change the situation through his actions. In the long run, perhaps he could have a profound impact on the entire World Government!
He had to admit that these remarks had indeed touched him. After all, at this point, he had already begun to consider joining a certain faction. The reason was simple: after careful consideration, he realized that no matter how strong he was personally, he could not possibly stand alone. To try to provide substantial assistance to more people with his own strength was nothing short of wishful thinking.
Baboon King Burns saw that Yixiao hadn't immediately rejected him, his previously dim eyes instantly lit up, like two sparks suddenly ignited. This subtle reaction was enough to show that Yixiao was seriously pondering what he had just heard deep in his heart. For Burns, this was undoubtedly an encouraging sign, because it meant that he had successfully taken the first step towards his goal.
Burns, seizing the opportunity, quickly added, "Our captain is no ordinary man! He's now one of the new Shichibukai Four Seas, backed by the incredibly powerful World Government and the Might-Shaker Navy. Moreover, our captain's own strength is unfathomable, and with the support of our loyal and capable crew, I firmly believe that it won't be long before we carve out our own territory and establish a force to be reckoned with! If we could gain the assistance of a powerful figure like yourself, we would be even more formidable, perhaps even able to create a vast and prosperous kingdom like the legendary 'Totto Land'! At that time, your principles of justice would be able to permeate the entire 'Totto Land' without hindrance, bathing every inch of land in fairness and light."
Upon hearing this, a subtle, almost imperceptible change finally appeared on Yi Xiao's usually expressionless face. However, he remained silent, his lips tightly pressed together.
Seeing this, Baboon King the Burns was not discouraged and continued to elaborate on their grand plan, "Our captain once said that trying to save the whole world by oneself is simply a pipe dream. It's better to be realistic and do our best to protect the kingdom we can control within our own power. Only by ensuring the peace and tranquility of the kingdom, and allowing the people living here to live peaceful and happy lives, can we find the most practical way out!"
Upon hearing these words, Yi Xiao's previously calm face instantly rippled, like a lake surface rippled by a boulder thrown in; his expression underwent a dramatic change. Surprisingly, although his heart was clearly in turmoil, his lips remained tightly sealed as if glued shut, and he remained silent, as if burying all his emotions deep within his heart.
At this moment, Yixiao was like a dormant volcano. Although his appearance seemed calm and still, a thrilling and intense internal struggle was taking place. Various thoughts and ideas surged in like a tide, colliding and intertwining, making it difficult for him to make a decision.
"Hahaha, let's go... let's go gamble." Standing to the side, Baboon King Burns naturally noticed Yi Xiao's change, but he knew that Yi Xiao needed time to think and digest this information, so he did not rush to force the other party to give an answer immediately. He waved his hand, pulled Yi Xiao with a big smile, and strode towards a gambling table with dice games set up.
Just then, an elderly man wearing a black top hat and a dark suit sat at the gambling table. His slightly hunched but still upright back exuded an indescribable air of authority. At that moment, the old man was completely absorbed in the endless pleasure brought by gambling, oblivious to everything happening around him.
With his back to Yixiao and Baboon King Burns, he deftly and rapidly manipulated the pile of chips in front of him. His fingers danced and weaved among the chips like nimble dancers, while he muttered words unintelligible to others. From his focused expression, it was clear that this gamble was not a simple pastime for him, but a fierce contest of wits and luck.
However, just as the Baboon King, Burns, stopped smiling and was about to quietly turn and leave, the old man who had been concentrating seemed to suddenly sense something amiss. As if some mysterious force had touched his sensitive nerves, he slightly turned his head and quickly glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye. Although it was only for an extremely brief moment, this fleeting glance made everyone present feel an invisible but powerful pressure.
The old man's eyes, deep and like a vast ocean, were now gleaming with a strange light. That light sometimes shone brightly, sometimes dimly, as if it contained all the secrets of the world. And when his gaze fell upon Yixiao and Burns, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned upwards, forming a slightly meaningful smile, "Heh, how interesting! I originally just wanted to come here for a casual stroll, but I never expected to encounter such an interesting thing... Shichibukai Moke..."