The Beasts' arms trade, Totto Land's intelligence network, the smuggling routes under their control, the funding chains secretly tolerated by the World Government, black markets, channels for nobles to launder money...
After the two Emperors fell, all of these would leave enormous vacuums.
Pirates would scramble for them. Nobles would scramble for them. Underworld kings would scramble for them. The World Government would certainly scramble for them as well.
And Rock had come this time to have Tesoro get there first, blade in hand, and reach into that vacuum.
"I want you to swallow this vacuum whole."
Tesoro was not surprised. His smile merely widened bit by bit.
"What about Doflamingo?"
"He handles the routes. You handle the money."
"He knows how the Underworld works. You know where the funds need to flow."
"After Kaido falls, the arms trade cannot be scattered into other people's hands."
"After Linlin falls, Totto Land's intelligence network cannot be taken over directly by the World Government."
"The slave channels, black-market funds, and the nobles' money-laundering routes should all change owners completely."
As his words fell,
Tesoro lightly tapped the golden armrest with his fingers, once after another.
"Change to me?"
Rock looked at him.
"Change to someone I can keep under control."
Tesoro froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"That really is direct, Mr. Rock."
"But I like it."
As he laughed, there was not the slightest trace of displeasure in his eyes.
Because he knew perfectly well that this was how Rock truly placed his trust in him.
It was not that he believed Tesoro was good, but that he believed he could restrain Tesoro's greed.
Tesoro had never considered himself a good man, nor did he need anyone else to see him as one.
Gold could shine, but it