Baccarat of Resort Island

Grand Line, Resort Island.

This island, nestled between Drum Island and Little Garden, was an unspoken stopover for most pirates who had just entered the Grand Line.

Anyone in their right mind would not abandon a comfortable life to plunge headfirst into a primeval forest to feed the bugs, or run off to freeze in a land of ice and snow.

The entire island was a gigantic money-burning machine. Casinos, taverns, brothels, and arenas stretched in endless rows, swallowing Beli and desire day and Yoru.

Since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era, pirates had flocked here one after another with their plundered wealth, squandering the brief remainder of their lives in drunken revelry while filling the pockets of the bosses behind the scenes.

Several hundred meters above the docks, a silver figure was slowly descending.

Lucas had a travel backpack slung over one shoulder. With every step he took, a burst of white air exploded beneath his feet.

He moved unhurriedly, as though there were solid ground beneath his feet instead of empty air.

"Damn! Is that Geppo?"

"Doesn't look like it... When those Marines use it, they're nowhere near that graceful."

"Is that really the important part? The important part is that he's way too handsome!"

The crowd below instantly erupted, discussions rising one after another.

This island had always welcomed all walks of life. Pirates, Marines, and merchants were mixed together in a chaotic crowd.

Geppo was not particularly rare. Every few days, some hotheaded Marine would use it to jump down from a deck in public just to show off, drawing a round of startled cries.

The same technique looked vastly different in different hands.

Those Marines used Geppo as clumsily as flapping ducks; the silver-haired young man before them looked like a god strolling among the clouds.

Lucas paid them no mind. He landed steadily, casually parted the crowd gathered to watch, and headed straight for the grandest hotel on the street.

The receptionist finished handling his registration with a flushed face, her gaze glued to him. Even after he disappeared down the end of the hallway, she craned her neck after him reluctantly.

The room was spacious and luxurious. Lucas tossed his backpack onto the floor and flopped spread-eagled onto the soft bed.

On the Yoru he got rid of Wapol, he had left Drum Island overnight using Geppo.

Without a Log Pose for the first half of the route, he could only travel using an ordinary Record Pose.

After the pointer had fully charged its magnetism on Drum Island, the next destination it indicated was this Resort Island.

The hidden danger in his body had been completely resolved. Now, two paths lay before him:

Either recruit companions and build his own crew, gathering strength to deal with Golden Lion in the future;

Or settle on his third fruit first while he still had an open Lineage Factor slot, pushing his strength to its current limit.

Lucas closed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping against the edge of the bed.

After thinking it over, he chose the latter.

It was never too late to recruit companions, but improving his strength could not wait.

He went over everything he had done since crossing into this world, confirming that he had not altered the future paths of those companions, before finally relaxing and falling into a deep sleep.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already deep into Yoru outside the window.

Unable to sit still any longer, Lucas threw on his coat and left his room.

Before he had gone far, a brilliantly lit casino came into view.

A lifelike rose was carved in the center of its main doors.

"Another one of Du Feld's businesses. That old man really has a huge operation."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. On his way to Drum Island, he had deliberately looked into the God of Fortune Financial Group.

That rose was the symbol of the God of Fortune Financial Group. Du Feld loved decorating all his businesses with roses, from inns to casinos, from merchant ships to banks. They were everywhere.

He thought for a moment before ultimately stepping inside.

He was nearly out of Beli anyway, so he could replenish his funds here.

Of course, he would not gamble.

If he actually sat down to gamble, he would most likely just be giving away money. He had never touched gambling back in the Kingdom of Ye, either.

But who said one had to gamble to make money in a casino?

This was a world where strength ruled.

The moment he pushed open the heavy doors, a wave of noise hit him head-on.

In the smoke-filled hall, gamblers stared at their tables with bloodshot eyes. Roars, curses, and cheers blended into a single din.

The dealers wore professional fake smiles as they dealt cards and shook dice with practiced efficiency.

Lucas's arrival caused no stir at all. Everyone was busy making money, and no one had time to care about a new guest.

He raised a hand, Conqueror's Haki already poised to strike.

Knock everyone unconscious, sweep up the money at the cashier's counter, and leave. Simple and efficient.

Then, his gaze suddenly froze.

At the other end of a gaming table stood a tall woman. Her fiery, wavy hair fell to her waist, and her green eyes carried a lazy smile. Her wheat-colored skin glowed healthily beneath the lights, while a cool red minidress outlined her perfect curves.

Baccarat.

A Paramecia user of the Luck-Luck Fruit.

Lucas recognized her at once, and an idea instantly took shape in his mind.

He withdrew the Haki he had been about to release, a playful smile curling across his lips as he strode toward her.

"Miss, could you share a little of your luck with me?"

He leaned down beside Baccarat's ear.

"I want to play a few rounds here."

Baccarat froze for a moment, then slowly turned her head.

When she saw Lucas's face clearly, a flash of amazement passed through her eyes. It was quickly replaced by her usual alluring yet distant expression, her red lips curving slightly upward.

"Handsome, my luck isn't so easy to use. You may not be able to afford the price."

She had no idea how this stranger had seen through her ability, but she did not want to harm him.

In Du Feld's casino, winning a little money was fine. But if someone won too much, they would die.

This handsome man, who clearly did not look ordinary, had no reason to get himself killed here.

But Lucas did not answer. He stepped forward, grabbed her pale hand without hesitation, and pressed it against his firm chest.

"Do you think I can afford that price?"

The scorching masculine heat hit her face, and Baccarat's face instantly turned bright red.

Embarrassed and annoyed, she was just about to pull her hand back and curse him as a "pervert" when she looked up and met those azure eyes.

Her heartbeat skipped.

"I have a proposal."

Lucas pressed his advantage.

"You provide me with luck. If anything happens, I'll handle it. You get thirty percent of whatever we win. What do you say?"

Baccarat pursed her lips and gave him a quick once-over.

He was tall, solidly built, and had steady eyes. He was clearly a ruthless fighter who had spent years battling and killing. His strength could not be lacking.

Even if something did happen, she could use the Lucky-Lucky Fruit to escape unscathed.

A few seconds later, she lifted her chin and revealed a dazzling smile.

"Deal."

To be continued