Chapter 16 – Baccarat’s ambition
In the first half of the Grand Line, the world's largest maritime entertainment city, Gran Tesoro, is bustling with activity.
At this moment, Baccarat, the guide on the Gran Tesoro and one of the trusted fruit users of the Golden Emperor Tesoro, is looking at a diary that others cannot see. On the cover of this diary, the words "Arton's Diary (Baccarat's Copy)" are clearly written.
"The Yae Miko character template, huh? Truly a beautiful and powerful force."
"That Arton is planning to actively give such power to that Carina?"
"However, it seems Arton has seen through her character and has abandoned the idea of giving her Yae Miko's power."
Baccarat sits in a chair, sipping her tea while smiling and looking at the diary. As a member of the Gran Tesoro crew, she has been particularly attentive to the diary ever since Arton mentioned that Carina would steal the Gran Tesoro from the Golden Emperor in the future.
She wanted to see if Arton would reveal how Carina manages to steal Gran Tesoro in the future. However, she didn't expect to wait not for Arton's spoilers about the future but for a Yae Miko template more precious than a Devil Fruit.
"Devil Fruits should not conflict with Arton's character templates, right?"
"If I could gain the power of Yae Miko, that would be wonderful."
"Perhaps, even without relying on Tesoro, I could have the highest quality of life in this world."
Baccarat stretches slightly, her eyes full of fondness for a high-quality life. For her, joining the Golden Emperor was entirely because he could provide her with the lavish lifestyle she desired.
She doesn't have much loyalty to the Golden Emperor.
Not to mention, she has now learned that Carina will steal Gran Tesoro in the future.
This has inevitably made Baccarat think about leaving the Golden Emperor.
After all, if Carina can steal Gran Tesoro in the future, it only means something has happened to the Golden Emperor.
And if something happens to Golden Emperor Tesoro, then those under his command, like her, probably won't be spared either.
For her own safety, Baccarat naturally does not want to continue staying by the Golden Emperor's side.
Especially now that Carina has met Arton. If Carina doesn't ultimately receive help from Arton, it might still be okay. But if Carina does get Arton's help, whether in terms of strength or future insights Arton shares with her, it could significantly increase the chances of Carina taking away the entertainment city of Golden Emperor Tesoro.
Just thinking about this possibility makes Baccarat increasingly reluctant to stay by the Golden Emperor's side. If it weren't for the fact that Arton and Carina are now in the East Blue, and Golden Emperor Tesoro's Gran Tesoro is in the New World, Baccarat would already be thinking about packing her bags and leaving.
"East Blue, huh? If I go there now, is there a chance to obtain the power of Yae Miko from Arton?"
"But the distance from the New World to the East Blue is indeed too far."
"Moreover, Arton could see through Carina's insincerity about wanting to be his crewmate."
"That means deception is futile with him."
"If I don't go there with enough sincerity, even if I meet him, he probably won't give me the Yae Miko template or any other template."
Baccarat murmured to herself.
After noticing no new content in the diary, she became interested and pulled up her own photos and doujinshis.
"It's intriguing artwork. That man must have created similar doujinshis for many people in this world."
"It seems he has quite a fondness for sexual matters."
"I wonder if he would be willing to sell me templates like Yae Miko's if I allow him to do some of the things depicted in those doujinshis."
Baccarat's lips curved into a smile, and as her gaze swept over a scene in the drawing where she danced upon Arton, she couldn't help but lick her lips unconsciously.
"Perhaps, it's worth trying to trade using the scenes depicted in these drawings."
"Arton, a man like you, will come to the New World, won't you?"
With a slight blush on her face, Baccarat chuckled softly.
…..
In the East Blue,
["Let me think, if not giving the template to Carina, then to whom should it go?"]
"Give it to me, if Carina doesn't want the template, you can give it to me."
Nami couldn't help but stand up, vigorously waving her small fist as if her words could somehow reach Arton.
"If I had the power of Yae Miko, I wouldn't need to continue saving up 100 million Berries to buy back Cocoyasi Village."
"With that power, I could definitely defeat Arlong and save Cocoyasi Village, even avenge Bellmere!"
Nami nearly gritted her teeth as she spoke, her hatred for the Arlong Pirates evident.
The intense desire to defeat the Arlong Pirates and avenge Bellmere momentarily made her forget that the initial version of the Yae Miko template could not directly bestow all of Yae Miko's powers on the user.
"No, I can't just watch."
"If Arton is looking for someone other than Carina to receive Yae Miko's power,"
"Why can't that person be me?"
"I must find him before Arton gives Yae Miko's power to someone else."
Nami's eyes sharpened, and she immediately took out a map of the East Blue to calculate the possible location of Arton and Carina.
She is different from Carina.
If it means redeeming Cocoyasi Village, she's willing to join Arton wholeheartedly.
Since Arton can sense whether someone truly wishes to join him, Nami believes Arton can also sense her sincere desire to join.
Not just Nami, but at this moment, other women in the world of pirates facing difficulties and hoping for power, upon seeing Arton's intention to find someone to inherit Yae Miko's power, also harbored the thought of finding Arton, joining him, and ultimately obtaining Yae Miko's power.
This includes Princess Vivi, who wants to save her country from peril;
Princess Viola, who wants to defeat Doflamingo;
Rebecca, who seeks to avenge her mother;
Kozuki Hiyori, who wants to save Wano Country, among others.
Of course, this also includes Nami's adoptive sister, Nojiko, who shares the goal of saving Cocoyasi Village.
***
300 power stones = 1 extra chapter