38 Chapter 37
◇New World, Gran Tesoro◇
◆Hyper suite area◆
I am on the largest building in Gran Tesoro. It is the world-class suite that can even receive the World Nobles.
This is also the place where the money safe of 'Tesoro money' is stored. It also has the room of the Late Tesoro and this guy doesn't know the word simple.
There's so plenty of fancy furniture and stuff in the room.
This luxurious room is now mine. I have bought the property with my own money. I paid every people here in Gran Tesoro.
This city-ship is officially mine.
Being a warlord gave you the right to conquest. Although I need to pay tribute to the WG, It's still minuscule so it really didn't bother me.
This city-ship would be the new main headquarters of the Hunters Guild in the New World.
Word has already spread at different Guild hubs in the New World.
Thriller Bark for Paradise, East Blue, and South Blue.
Gran Tesoro for New World, West Blue, and North Blue.
I didn't think that the Guild would still grow.
Anyways, time to rise from the bed.
"mmhmm..."
A moan escaped from the sleeping lady beside me. It's Carina.
I gently got up and avoid waking her up.
I'll talk later as to why we're both sleeping in the same bed.
I should focus my agenda here in Gran Tesoro.
We are preparing for war. And now we have plenty of money to buy weapons, ships, and more.
I have already contacted the Revolutionary Army.
Boy, I have received congratulations from the supreme leader himself.
The RA had long wanted to stop Tesoro from abusing his influence. They have heard about his dealing with the World Noble in the next month and I was just lucky to stop him before it.
They would soon come here to get the money and for the manpower to help us repair the destruction I have caused during the battle.
Anyways, I'll be preparing myself to have a tour in my newest City-ship.
◇A few hours later◇
It's already afternoon.
I have finished discussing things with my core hunters. This thing with the city-ship felt like deja vu for them.
They have already experienced how to manage the city-ship from Thriller Bark. So, they will surely be able to recover the damaged buildings and streets faster than last time.
I must say that Gild Tesoro is living a luxurious lifestyle. It's such a shame that he's in my way. If only he were to be redeemable, I would've recruited him as our financial advisor or treasurer.
He does have a good mind in business and such. He even has an epithet aside from the Monster of the New World. It's called the Casino King.
The Gran Tesoro is the world's best entertainment city!
So it's easy to imagine how much is this city-ship is making. The Gran Tesoro is currently my property. As for how?
I bought it using all the resources I have. Since the owner is dead, The price went downhill but it is still worth a ridiculous amount of money.
Using 3 billion ฿ to buy the paperwork of the Grant Tesoro and using another 1 billion ฿ to compensate all the workers and visitors for the disruption.
Well, some of them didn't take it since I freed them from being slaves to the previous owner of the city-ship.
It may be foolish to spend all of this but I think not!
Yes, I did spend a lot of money... TO HIT THE JACKPOT~!
Only a few individuals know the 'Tesoro Money' so my strange spending didn't alert those who are clueless about the money.
As for the people who knew it, negotiations are being done! I want war supplies than money since this is supposed to be our goal in coming here.
In any case, The Gran Tesoro will now be in the Guild's possession. Hunters would soon set up homes, shops, factories, and of course, enjoy the different entertainment that the Gran Tesoro provides.
Right now, I am waiting for the representative of the World Government since the take over of this city-ship had alerted them.
I am at the liquid gold pool of the late Gild Tesoro. Damn~! That guy is really disgustingly rich.
Together with me in the pool is the concierge of the Gran Tesoro. The former subordinate of Tesoro.
Oops, Don't misunderstand, she's not with me in the pool but she is serving me some cocktail while standing on the sidelines.
We're currently in the middle of an interview and she's really scared at the moment.
"Now then, Baccarat..." (Shikage)
"Yes, I am here. Guildmaster." (Baccarat)
Oi~ That's a bit...
But what I didn't know is that Baccarat is already thinking of me as a monster. After she woke up from her battle, she saw the bloody and listless Tesoro on the ground. It wouldn't matter that much since this world is not strange to killing and such but what made Baccarat afraid of me is that death isn't the end for those who are against me.
Baccarat saw the moment that the dead Tesoro stand up by himself and transform into a smoky shadow warrior with armor.
She swore there that she wouldn't be thinking of going against that monster.
"Inform me about the status of the ship and also the deal of your group to the World Nobles." (Shikage)
"Certainly, Guilmaster." (Baccarat)
Eh? Aren't you a bit too formal?
"Uhm... You kno-" (Shikage)
"Hieeck! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" (Baccarat)
Ugh...
Fine~! I hope time will tell you that I'm not scary. I just have to avoid being scary again right?
Then, I silently listened to the mature lady and finish bathing in liquid gold. After putting on a bathrobe, We walked side by side.
"... So in summary, 60% of the shops are still open in business while the remaining 40% are in reconstruction. The battle between you and Tesoro has destroyed many establishments. It may take months until the Gran Tesoro is back to its normal productivity." (Baccarat)
Yikes, Sorry Baccarat-san. It's because Tesoro transformed into a large golem so I thought it's appropriate to battle it with its own size. Tee-hee~!
"Fortunately, the VIP and the regular customers have been compensated as well the workers. So there's no unrest and the business is thriving as always... That's all the report for the ship." (Baccarat)
"I see, Thanks. Then tell me about the deal." (Shikage)
Baccarat gulped since the next topic is sensitive.
"Ehem... Let me first say that this is all Tesoro's doings. We, the executives can't pick the decisions. He likes to be in total control... So, In order for Gran Tesoro to continue its neutrality, Tesoro has paid a large amount of tribute to the World Government." (Baccarat)
"Hmm... I know this since I also pay tribute to them. But with my title as a warlord, It isn't much for me." (Shikage)
And then I noticed her fidgeting while looking down. Looks like something isn't right. I ended up raising my voice.
"Speak up, Baccarat-san!" (Shikage)
"Yes yes!.. Uh, It's not only money that Tesoro is giving to the World Government... People who are in large debt are sent to the World Nobles. Tesoro would also tip off the Navy if there are any prominent pirates who visited the city-ship. He's really a..." (Baccarat)
"a dirty bastard!" (Shiage)
I finished her sentence. So there's really no neutrality in this city-ship. It all goes along with Tesoro's wishes. Then I am glad I ended it.
"Hmmph. That doesn't excuse you Baccarat-san. You'll have to redeem yourself bit by bit." (Shikage)
I reminded her that she is still under probation. Since her job is concierge then she'll have to continue this until she can be part of the Guild.
"Of course, Guildmaster. Then I'll be going now. You can call me anytime using the transponder snails." (Baccarat)
"Okay. Go on then." (Shikage)
She left before we reach the master room. I entered it and saw that Carina isn't there. Our relationship quietly ends in just one or two nights but I'll be seeing her soon. Why? It's because a certain ox-like man is interested in her.
I sure hope that he won't be taken advantage of by that thief girl since Blueno's ability is the dream and best ability for any thief.
I dressed up neatly and relaxed in my room until I would be summoned for the expected meeting.
◇Room of Authority◇
On the couch, Two elders are there while the other 3 are uneasy.
"It's that kid again!"
"Who? Garp grandson?"
"Wrong, It's that bounty hunter kid. We should've forced him to become a Cipher Pol agent."
"True, In just 2 years, he managed to grow this far... Since we are still his superior I think we should use him more frequently."
The Gorosei is discussing things about a young man. This man had been long under observation since he has accomplished a major feat of capturing Jack.
At first, they just thought of him as the obedient warlord that hunts pirates.
But then this kid showed everyone how strong he is.
"Still, I didn't expect that a strong man like Kuzan would join him."
"This is really a disgrace to the Navy. Sakazuki said that he's not the Navy's problem anymore after he retired."
"And what of Marco? The intelligence has discovered his trails in that kid's ship. I can't believe that all those strong men are gathering around the kid."
"Do we know his name? Maybe he's hiding his true name."
"Nevermind all of that, we should do something about the growing force called the Guild."
"You're right, But we should also prepare for the Reverie. Doflamingo's defeat to Garp's grandson really shook the balance of the world."
Reverie, The gathering of kings and queens of the kingdoms/country under the World Government.
According to the plan, It will be held next month since they require to prepare the Pangea castle as well as the list of those who will participate.
The 5 Elders are still brainstorming about what to do with the young man called Shikage.
Shikage didn't know that he's being noticed by an even more important person than these old people.
An individual with red eyes is inspecting the file of Shikage.
The mysterious air that this guy gives off is unbelievably strong.
"..." (Mysterious individual)
Meanwhile, at the God's Domain. The place where the World Nobles resides.
Two young people with Bubbly masks in their heads are complaining to their father.
"Father, I want to visit the Casino!!"
"You're right, Charles! We haven't visited it for the past months."
"I understand, my children. Also, the slaves that we got there are top-class. Let me ask the CP-0 about the travel."
Troublesome individuals are approaching Shikage. Trouble is brewing!
◇Grand Line, Kurogoina Island (Mihawk place)◇
"Hmm... Another country that has been threatened by a warlord... It seems that Kage-kun is right at predicting what would happen." (Mihawk)
"Look, The Straw hats gang has new bounties!" (Perona)
The two are reading the news. It's still about the defeat of Doflamingo.
(If things went as he had predicted, Then I'll have to pick sides.) (Mihawk)
"Oi. Ghost girl, prepare all our things. We should visit the Headquarters soon." (Mihawk)
The A-rank hunter will be treating the Headquarters as his main base in the next few days.
He actually becomes fond of being a hunter. Together with the Ghost girl, only a few people have managed to get away from them.
For now, He plans on getting to S-rank since he didn't like Shikage being ahead of him.
◇Wano Country, Onigashima◇
"Uwaaah! Jack! How can you be so weak to be captured by a kid! Uwaaaah!"
(He's a weepy drunk today.)
This is what the subordinates of Kaido thinking after seeing him.
"Oooh Joker! You too?! Are you two so weak that you can't handle some upstarts brats?! That means we can't have more Gifters! Uwoooh! Sniff..." (Kaido)
Yes, It's Emperor Kaido. The captain of the beast pirates.
Currently, He's grieving for the people who were beaten by young men.
"Oi!! Tell me the name who captured Jack and also the man who destroyed our SMILE business?!" (Kaido)
"YES! Etto..."
The pirate mob took out the wanted poster and a newspaper.
"It's Straw hat Luffy, Trafalgar Law, and Shadow hunter Shikage."
"Damn them! Joker promised me that we will build the strongest military force in the world! I needed those SMILE!!" (Kaido)
*Gulp*
He took a mouthful of alcohol and cried yet again. After a few hours, He regained his cool.
"So, Is King already there?" (Kaido)
"There's no report yet, Captain."
The plan is to intercept the marines from taking Doflamingo to the Impel Down.
Just as he continues to drink, something happened.
*Puru Puru*
A transponder snail rang. Kaido accepted the call and heard the voice.
"Zehahaha..."
◇New World, Zou◇
The Straw hats arrived at the gigantic elephant and had a sad farewell to Ryunoske who brought them to the top of the elephant.
They explored the ruins. Robin informed everyone that a battle happened in this area recently.
Once they arrived at the gate, they fought a furry people and Robin verbalized that the group had been cannibalized since Nami's clothes are being used by a dog-like woman.
After the misunderstanding is resolved, Luffy's group managed to regroup with Sanji's group but without Sanji and their prisoners.
Later, They have come to know what happened.
◇◇
(a/n: Next chapter will be the start of the preparation for the big battle. But Zou's situation should be clear first.)
