Gran Tesoro

Chapter 143: Gran Tesoro

Gran Tesoro

This is the world's largest entertainment city, built on a colossal ship spanning ten thousand meters in length. It's a grand and opulent city, a place of extravagance and luxury.

It was Gild Tesoro who single-handedly created this city that never sleeps. He used his immense wealth, capable of shaking the world, to gain recognition from the government, turning it into an independent nation and a demilitarized zone, an "Absolute Sanctuary" where even the World Government and the Marines dared not easily interfere.

Here, Tesoro, who possessed absolute authority, was the indisputable top dog.

This place was also the world's largest casino, where every form of gambling imaginable could be found, and even some exclusive games and equipment not seen anywhere else.

Here, you could become unimaginably rich overnight, or lose your entire fortune in a single night.

You could leave empty-handed, but if you couldn't repay your debts, you would become a slave in this place. The upper echelons reveled in luxury and excess, while the struggles and sorrows of the lower class played out in stark contrast.

Rodney had come alone this time, without any companions. He sailed into this city of eternal revelry on a ship of his own.

"Welcome, Lord Rodney, the Shicihibukai, to our grand city!" 

Golden water splashed high into the air and landed on Rodney, who gave a cold smile, completely unfazed by the extravagant welcome.

A slender, mature beauty stepped gracefully down from a car. Her sun-kissed healthy skin was complemented by a high-slit long skirt – so high that it almost reached her waist. She had a graceful smile. 

"Oh my, Lord Rodney, the Seven Warlords, and a master magician, your presence graces us. Please forgive any inconvenience. I am Baccarat, Lord Tesoro's secretary. You can call me Baccarat."

She extended a hand without wearing gloves. Rodney chuckled and didn't shake her hand. 

"Sorry, there are some things inside my cabin, I'll be right back." 

With that, he left Baccarat standing there and quickly went into his cabin. Soon, he returned.

With a smile on his face, he said, "Miss Baccarat, isn't it? Your reputation precedes you. I heard your luck has always been outstanding. Indeed, beautiful women always seem to have good luck."

Baccarat raised an eyebrow at his words. Did he already know about my ability? That couldn't be possible.

She possessed the Luck-Luck Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allowed her to change the luck of anyone she touched, either making them luckier or stealing their luck to make herself luckier. It was a rather exceptional and unpredictable ability. 

After all, luck was a fickle thing. You could win the lottery one moment and be hit by a falling flower pot from the sky the next. Life was unpredictable.

And now, her ability was pitted against Usopp, who had the King's Haki of Luck on his side!

To use luck against luck!

Compared to the seemingly unstoppable King's Haki of Buggy the Clown, it wasn't that strong. Otherwise, ordinary people wouldn't be helpless against her until she depleted her own luck.

"Ah, come on, don't be modest," Bacara replied with a smile. "Someone like me is hardly worth your praise. You must be quite extraordinary to know about me."

"Hehe, is that so? I've only taken down a few pirates, nothing to boast about."

The pirates you've taken down happen to be the Seven Warlords, the monsters of the sea!

Baccarat simply smiled and said to the man before her, "Lord Rodney, please don't jest. I heard you were coming to see Lord Tesoro. Shall we head straight to the Golden Emperor's location?"

"Sure, let's go straight to Goland's place. Games can be played anytime, but I should meet Gild first."

"Understood. Right now, Lord Gild is hosting a concert. You can witness Gran Tesoro's magnificence." 

Baccarat smiled as she drove the muscle-powered car into the tallest building.

Once they got out of the car, with Baccarat leading the way, they traversed lavishly decorated hallways. Before they even reached the entrance to Tesoro's concert, they could already hear thunderous applause.

"Hehe, it's coming back to me. Mr. Tesoro is truly a world-class artist."

Tesoro had loved singing since he was a child. Even as the world's wealthiest man, he had not changed. He had used money to package himself as a top-class artist, but the quality of his singing remained unknown.

After all, Rodney had never heard him sing.

As they walked through the entrance to the concert, they were greeted by an arena resembling the ancient Roman Colosseum. The central stage was made entirely of gold and adorned with top-notch lighting and equipment.

A man wearing gold earrings, rings, large gold chains, and a gold watch was passionately singing on the stage. Every lyric he sang was heartfelt; it was his passion, one that had never changed since childhood.

The audience below cheered enthusiastically, offering him their utmost support. But how many of them genuinely enjoyed his singing?

That was uncertain.

"So, what do you think of Tesoro's singing, Lord Rodney?" Baccarat asked with a smile.

"It's decent." 

Rodney scratched his ear and said, "This is the first time I've attended such a lively concert. Come to think of it, I haven't had much rest since setting out to sea."

"Even busy individuals like you should take care of themselves."

"I'm not like Mr. Tesoro, who controls a huge percent of the world's Berries. I do envy that kind of life." He chuckled. 

"Money, it's something I both love and hate. Let's go, Miss Bacara. Is this the place to meet Mr. Tesoro?"

"Yes, it is. Please follow me, Lord Rodney. We have prepared a suite for you, and we will provide you with the best service." Bacara smiled and led him to the most luxurious suite, where they awaited Tesoro's arrival.