Have to Admit It

It must be admitted that Stussy truly lived up to her identity as an intelligence agent who had spent years navigating the Underworld and ultimately rising to the top as its kingpin. Her reaction speed was astonishing, and her eloquent tongue was simply superb! Even the usually arrogant Charlotte Oven and Charlotte Custard were rendered speechless by her words. At this moment, they involuntarily turned their gazes to the other three people.

One of them was exceptionally tall and strong, standing there like an iron tower. He had striking short blond hair and a thick mustache. He wore a yellow cloak that fluttered in the wind, and his whole being exuded an imposing aura. This man was none other than Charlotte Daifuku, the third son of the Charlotte Family.

Charlotte Daifuku, known as the "Bean Minister," is one of the 34 ministers of the Totto Land Kingdom. His bounty of a staggering 300 million Beli is proof of his immense strength. Moreover, he is a powerful individual with the Paramecia Steam-Steam Devil Fruit Ability, a unique ability that often allows him to defeat opponents unexpectedly in battle.

Looking at the other man, he had long, flowing blond hair, but his face was rather pale, as if he hadn't seen the sun for years. He wore a bright red cloak over a purple shirt and white trousers, and gripped a razor-sharp katana tightly in his hand. This man Raisin, the thirty-third son of the Charlotte Family.

In this room sat five young people, each with a distinct air about them. The most striking of them all was Charlotte Custard, a woman with brown eyes, short, lustrous violet hair, and a slender, graceful figure.

Custard, the sixth daughter and sixteenth child of the Charlotte Family, possessed a unique and striking style. She wore a fluffy light pink shawl adorned with pink polka dots on the shoulders, over which she wore a purple-pink bodysuit. This bodysuit tightly hugged her slender waist and long legs, especially the hip design which cleverly accentuated her perfect curves, showcasing her figure flawlessly. She also wore elbow-length gloves, adding a touch of elegance and mystery to the overall look; a delicate belt cinched at her waist not only flattered her figure but also highlighted her slender waist. Most striking of all was the sharp longsword hanging at her waist, its gleaming blade exuding a fierce aura, making her appear heroic and spirited.

Indeed, the five people sitting here are Charlotte Oven, Charlotte Daifuku, Charlotte Raisin, Charlotte Custard, and Charlotte Galette from the Charlotte Family. Although they are the children of "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin, they have absolutely no autonomy. Their marriages are used as political bargaining chips to consolidate the vast sphere of influence of the entire Totto Land. They cannot even choose their own love, and this helpless situation has left most of them still single since birth... and in fact, the kind of singleness that is forced upon them.

Otherwise, considering the Big Mom's age, if things had progressed normally, her children—such as Charlotte Oven, Charlotte Daifuku, Charlotte Raisin, Charlotte Custard, and Charlotte Galette —would all be of marriageable age and have children by now! Wouldn't Big Mom be holding her grandchildren long ago? But what's the reality? Does she have any grandchildren? The answer is no, not even one! But then again, human nature is largely the same; everyone has the instinctive desire to continue the family line. It's just that some people can restrain and control this desire well, while others choose to do so secretly. They secretly indulged themselves. Just like the five members of the Charlotte Family before them. Charlotte Custard and Charlotte Galette exchanged a glance before turning their gaze to the row of beauties standing before them. Looking at the alluring and captivating women, the two women couldn't help but swallow hard. Unlike Charlotte Oven, Charlotte Daifuku, and Charlotte Raisin, as women, if they wanted to fully enjoy the pleasures of the game, they had to sneak off to Stussy's place. Only in this way could they ensure that their secret wouldn't be leaked.

However, judging from the current situation, it seems they really won't be able to have their fun this time. It's truly a pity, especially with such a large group of stunningly beautiful women... Otherwise, tonight would definitely have been an unforgettable and wonderful night. Charlotte Oven, Charlotte Daifuku, and Charlotte Raisin exchanged glances, their eyes also revealing a hint of regret. You see, the three of them each have different responsibilities, and it's not easy for them to go out and explore together! Then, they all turned their gazes to Stussy at the same time.

At this moment, Charlotte Daifuku spoke first, "I must admit, what you just said does have some merit, but the problem is... until everything is settled, it's all just wishful thinking on your part." Hearing this, Stussy fell into a brief silence. After a long while, she slowly replied, "In that case, alright! I'll arrange for Gild Tesoro to pay each of you a full 500 million Beli. This money will be considered your due reward and fee for your help... However, it needs to be clarified that this only applies to the deal you made with him. As for him, he still owes our Big Mom Pirates a huge debt!" A huge favor... As for what you can get from him through this favor, that depends on you..."

Before the words were even finished, the underlying meaning was as clear as day. Oven, Daifuku, Raisin, Custard, and Galette stared at each other, their gazes meeting as if countless thoughts were colliding and intertwining in the air. After a brief and tense silence, they finally reached a consensus.

Before long, led by Stussy, the five figures appeared before Gild Tesoro. When Gild Tesoro caught sight of them, his eyes widened in astonishment, as if he had witnessed the most unbelievable thing. Because before this, he had never even realized that these five guys were hiding right under his nose!

At that moment, he couldn't help but turn his gaze to Stussy. For a long time, Gild Tesoro had never really looked at this woman properly. Although Stussy was also in the Underworld like him and was a powerful figure in her own right, in Gild Tesoro's mind, she was nothing more than a nobody who depended on him to survive.

If he felt even slightly displeased, he could easily make her disappear from his sight without a trace, as if she had never existed.

Furthermore, he was perfectly capable of quickly elevating someone else to the throne of Queen of the Pleasure District. Baccarat, for example, would be a good candidate. However, despite the imposing title of "Queen of the Pleasure District," it was merely a title bestowed upon women in the Underworld to signify dominance. For most ordinary women, such a title was hardly flattering.

More importantly, he utterly despised the meager Beli he made through such transactions. After all, with his vision and perspective, how could such petty gains possibly be of any interest to him? But now... the situation has unexpectedly changed, and he has no choice but to re-examine everything.

Just now, these five mysterious figures who appeared before him had managed to sneak onto the island and infiltrate the Pleasure District without him noticing. Clearly, this must be a carefully planned conspiracy by Stussy. And the most crucial point is that the guy belonging to the CP organization just revealed that reinforcements would be coming to his aid.

Just then, Stussy appeared before the group with Oven, Daifuku, Raisin, Custard, and Galette. Watching them approach, he thought to himself, "To say that Stussy has no connection to the CP organization is simply a fantasy! Even if you beat me to death, I would never believe such nonsense."

At that moment, when his gaze met Stussy's, an indescribable expression appeared in his eyes, as if he had already discovered some unknown secret.

However, he quickly averted his gaze in just a moment. He knew very well what Stussy's true identity meant.

Some things are best left unsaid; there's no need for Oven, Daifuku, and the others to know the inside story.

He then nodded slightly, gesturing to Oven, Daifuku, and the others, saying, "I agree with Stussy's suggestion. In that case, let's proceed with this plan. I've decided to directly increase the bounties... Weevil to 1 billion Beli; Gizzas Jesus Burgess and Ape King Burns each to 800 million Beli; Ata, Ulti, and Page One each to 600 million Beli; and finally, Brook and Perona to 500 million Beli."

After speaking, he paused briefly, as if recalling some important additional information, and then added unhurriedly, "As long as you can bring their bodies to me intact, Beli will immediately hand them over without any delay... Moreover, to fully demonstrate my sincerity, after this matter is successfully concluded, I will specially prepare two extremely rare and precious Paramecia Devil Fruit as a generous gift to further deepen our cooperation."

Upon hearing this, Oven, Daifuku, Raisin, Custard, and Galette exchanged glances, each with an exceptionally solemn expression. They were not easily swayed by Gild Tesoro's significantly increased bounty and seemingly sincere offer.

To be fair, Gild Tesoro was indeed extremely generous, but this generosity made them feel a little uneasy... After all, none of them were fools. While Gild Tesoro certainly possessed a mountain of Beli, he was by no means the kind of fool who would generously give Beli to anyone he met.

This time, not only did they proactively increase the bounty, but they also readily agreed to deepen and strengthen their cooperative relationship with the pirate crew they belonged to. Even more astonishingly, to demonstrate their sincerity, they were willing to offer two priceless and extremely rare Paramecia Devil Fruit as a gift.

This series of events, like the dazzling stars in the night sky, Shine brightly, clearly revealing the undeniable truth to everyone: the strength possessed by each of Moke's many crew members was extraordinary and exceptional!

If this were not the case, how could Gild Tesoro, who was renowned for his wit, cunning, and formidable strength, possibly offer such tempting and generous terms to recruit them? The answer is self-evident.

Without a doubt, even a top powerhouse like Gild Tesoro, whose fame spreads far and wide, who inspires fear in all, still harbors a faint, elusive worry deep within his seemingly impregnable and unbreakable mental fortress. It is like a faint starlight twinkling Four Seas the night sky, difficult to detect but always present.

Accompanying this is an unfathomable, unspoken fear, like a giant beast lurking in the abyss of darkness, ready to leap out at any moment and devour everything.

You must understand that his profound and reserved inner world is like a smooth, clear crystal mirror. This mysterious mirror seems to possess the magic to see through everything, able to reflect all things in the world without reservation. No matter how small the change in detail, or the potential crisis hidden beneath the surface, nothing can escape its extremely keen insight.

It was precisely because of his extraordinary, far superior, keen insight and profound understanding that he was able to handle the myriad of complex and trivial matters happening around him with ease. No matter how trivial or fragmented these matters were, he could always discern their origins and evolution with effortless ease, and take every detail into his field of vision without missing a single one, as if he had everything in the world firmly in his grasp.

Such extraordinary abilities make him seem like a wise man standing atop a high mountain, observing all living beings. No matter how complex and ever-changing the situation, he can always maintain a clear mind, analyze the core of the problem with lightning speed, and then predict the general trend of the subsequent development of the situation with great accuracy, truly being fully aware of any situation.

However, everything in the world is constantly changing, just as the old proverb says, "The weather is unpredictable, and people are subject to unexpected misfortunes." The road of life is never a smooth and easy road; on the contrary, it is full of twists and turns, potholes and ups and downs.

The wheels of fate roll ever onward, their trajectory often unpredictable, filled with unexpected variables and endless unknowns. Perhaps on some ordinary day, the situation suddenly changes, becoming exceptionally urgent, with circumstances pressing down on him like a mountain crushing an egg, plunging him into an unprecedented predicament.

In this critical moment, he faced only one path: to personally lead his sworn brothers, as close as family and as loyal as steel, into the smoke-filled battlefield. These brothers not only shared a deep bond with him but had also fought side by side, enduring countless trials of life and death. They trusted and supported each other, becoming inseparable comrades-in-arms to whom one could entrust their backs. Now, however, they were about to face the infamous, brutal Moke and his ruthless, wicked gang. This battle was destined to be incredibly fierce, but for justice and peace, they would not flinch, determined to meet this life-or-death struggle with unwavering will and fearless courage.

When that moment arrives, one can imagine the battlefield engulfed in billowing smoke, obscuring the sky; the shouts of battle will resound through the heavens, deafeningly loud. The two sides will collide like two raging torrents, erupting into a breathtaking, blood-soaked duel to the death. In an instant, blades will flash, blood will splatter, and screams will echo. Every swing, every thrust, will be imbued with the resolute determination of life and death and an extreme thirst for victory. This battle is destined to be exceptionally fierce; both sides will fight with all their might, battling until the sky darkens, the sun and moon lose their light, and the outcome remains uncertain...

And just as this bloody battle raged on, at the most intense and tense moment, perhaps in a fleeting instant, he would suddenly be horrified to discover that the enemy's true strength far exceeded his previous estimates. Their power was astonishing and unbelievable, as if they possessed boundless strength and unpredictable methods, enough to plunge them all into a desperate situation and face annihilation!

If this were to actually happen, even the fearless and unbridled Gild Tesoro himself would probably be terrified and lose his mind, causing his side to become cowardly even before the actual battle begins, ultimately resulting in a disheveled and defeated retreat.

At that very moment, in the focal point, Oven, Daifuku, and three others—a total of five people—all seemed to be drawn by some unseen force, simultaneously taking a deep breath. Then, they each tried their best to suppress the turbulent emotions surging within them due to extreme shock and tension, attempting to gradually calm their chaotic thoughts.

However, just as Gild Tesoro confidently presented those tempting offers, the people present did not respond immediately as he expected. Instead, as if by telepathy, they spoke almost simultaneously, "This matter is far from ordinary; its far-reaching impact and wide-ranging implications are beyond imagination."

Therefore, we must treat this matter with caution and calmly discuss it further..." Before he finished speaking, eight figures suddenly appeared in the distance, walking steadily towards them in an orderly formation. Upon closer inspection, they were Ata, Weevil, Brook, Perona, Gizas Jesus Burgess, Ape King Burns, Ulti, and Page One!

The eight walked side by side, each step carrying an invisible pressure, as if the entire space had become heavy with their arrival. Especially the three in the middle— Weevil, Gizas Jesus Burgess, and Ape King Burns —radiated an unparalleled aura of power. That overwhelming, unstoppable momentum gave those before them the illusion that they were facing the Three Admirals of the Marine Headquarters in person!

"What?"

Stussy, in the Gold City's Pleasure District, looked surprised because she had received a power-on from CP0.

The other party replied, "This is an order from above."

A flicker of disdain crossed Stussy's mind. She'd entered the Underworld and even risen to the level of a powerful figure. How could she not know the intricacies of the game?

The orders from above most likely mean this guy took Gild Tesoro's Beli.

Of course, there is another possibility.

The guy above him took Gild Tesoro's Beli.

Or perhaps, all of these guys took them all.

Even knowing this, Stussy couldn't object. It was an order from above, and she had no choice but to carry it out.

But she still casually remarked, "No need to get so worked up... I'm just a little confused. Do we need to take action against pirates? Isn't my main task intelligence gathering? Besides, I can't handle them alone."

The other party said, "Naturally, someone will come to your aid. The nearest Marines and CP will also rush there. What you need to do is, as the king of the underworld, help Gild Tesoro hold out until the reinforcements arrive."

Stussy's brow remained furrowed, because the task was still quite challenging.

However, she was, after all, a queen of the Underworld, and she still had some tricks up her sleeve. At this moment, sitting high up in the Pleasure District, her gaze fell on a certain spot.

A slight smile involuntarily appeared on his lips, for he already had a plan in mind.

So he said, "I understand."

He hung up the Den Den Mushi and then leaped up, landing in that spot.

Happy House...

This is the most upscale area on the entire Pleasure District, and also an important place for her to cultivate relationships and gather intelligence. And right now, a very important person is enjoying himself here!

After thinking it over carefully, she went inside.

There were five people in the room, three men and two women. At that moment, they were choosing who they would spend the night with.

Stussy's sudden intrusion greatly displeased the five men.

Qi Qi looked over, her eyes filled with extreme hostility.

Stussy had already prepared himself, so his face immediately plastered with a smile, "I apologize for disturbing everyone, but... something really important has happened. Please forgive my intrusion."

"Something big has happened?" The four were slightly taken aback.

The leader's expression immediately changed, and his pupils shrank to pinpoints. "Could it be that Mom knows we came here to play?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the other four people changed again.

At the same time, their gazes towards Stussy became even more hostile. If Stussy couldn't give them a reasonable explanation today, they wouldn't mind tearing this place down.

Although Stussy is one of the kings of the Underworld, he is nothing compared to them.

Stussy's eyes flickered, then he immediately waved his hand. "No... no... I kept it a secret from you guys coming to my place, not to mention my mother, I even kept it from Gilles Gild Tesoro."

The four exchanged glances, utterly puzzled.

The leader asked, "What major event has occurred?"

"Don't tell us it's about Whitebeard and the Marine Headquarters!"

This is something almost everyone knows; how could they not know?

Stussy: "No... it's the Moke Pirates members Ata, Weevil, Brook, Perona, Gizas Jesus Burgess, and Ape King Burns, as well as former Kado Pirates Ulti and Page One, who have already landed here. And judging from their posture, they want to take over this place."

"What?"

The five people couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Who are they?

One of the Four Emperors' pirate crews, a minister of the Big Mom Pirates, and also Big Mom's child. What kind of situation hasn't he seen?

But at this moment, they were truly shocked.

What kind of place is this Gold City?