Selective amnesia!

"Welcome, my most honored guest."

In a luxurious room aboard the Gran Tesoro, Gild Tesoro knelt with one knee on the ground, his arm crossed over his chest, paying his respects to Nicolas with the utmost humility.

Baccarat and Tanaka, standing nearby, were visibly shocked. This posture almost indicated that Tesoro had submitted to Nicolas.

Tanaka and Baccarat couldn't believe what they were seeing. The proud "Golden Emperor" was bowing to another person.

A familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar woman moved beside Tesoro, embracing him as she pleaded with Nicolas.

On the Gran Tesoro, Carina, who had secretly followed the commotion, stared blankly at the scene, utterly confused.

"Lord Tesoro!?" Tanaka finally spoke up, doubting the reality of what he was witnessing. He couldn't understand how Tesoro, known for his pride and refusal to submit to anyone, could be kneeling before Nicolas.

Even Fujitora felt conflicted. Despite knowing the numerous issues surrounding the Gran Tesoro and Tesoro, the world government and navy could do nothing about them. Yet here was Nicolas, just a short time after appearing, seemingly causing Tesoro to kneel.

It didn't make sense!

Fujitora looked at Nicolas with a complex expression, understanding that Tesoro's submission marked a clear stance for the Gran Tesoro.

Nicolas, meanwhile, was surprised to see Tesoro kneeling before him. Using his Observation Haki, he sensed no hostility from Tesoro, only genuine submission and deep-seated hatred toward the Celestial Dragons.

It seemed that the recent events had triggered Tesoro to recall memories he had chosen to forget due to psychological trauma.

Even so, Nicolas remained cautious, sitting back in his chair and observing Tesoro, tapping his finger on the armrest thoughtfully.

"The 'Golden Emperor' I 'know' isn't the type to bow easily to others. Especially someone like you, who has sworn never to let anyone control you again after that tragic slave experience."

Nicolas looked at the kneeling Tesoro, his words laced with a sharp edge.

"Bowing, huh..." Tesoro slowly lifted his head, meeting Nicolas's gaze. "Yes, I swore never to let anyone control me again, but this is different. You deserve it. And it's not bowing; it's respect."

"Respect?" Nicolas's expression remained calm.

Tesoro grinned, a wild look in his eyes. "Yes, respect for a hero brave enough to strike at the Celestial Dragons!"

"..."

Nicolas gave Tesoro a long look. However...

He had to admit that in just a few decades, Tezoro had risen from a slave to one of the world's top powerhouses. Tezoro was undoubtedly intelligent.

Tezoro's current submissive posture, along with Stella's pleading, made Nicolas momentarily reconsider attacking him. If Tezoro hadn't acted this way, or if there were any lingering resentment, Nicolas would have killed him and taken all his treasure.

"I'm curious," Nicolas said directly, "what happened at Mariejois that made you change your attitude so drastically?"

Nicolas didn't mind reopening old wounds and asked the question he was most concerned about. After all, Tezoro's shift in attitude was too dramatic.

Tezoro did not answer immediately but glanced at Stella and Baccarat. Seeing this, Nicolas realized that what Tezoro was about to reveal might be difficult to discuss. So, without waiting for Tezoro to speak, he suggested, "Let's go somewhere quieter."

"Alright," Tezoro agreed, appreciating the suggestion.

After all, it was about painful memories...

Though Tezoro knew this was a test from Nicolas and didn't mind revealing it, he wasn't ready to let others, especially Stella, know.

"Please follow me."

Tezoro led the way, and Nicolas followed with a smile. Given his current strength, he had no fear of Tezoro doing anything.

Before leaving, Tezoro instructed Baccarat and the others to take good care of the other distinguished guests.

Soon, in a room at the top of the Gran Tesoro's tower, Nicolas listened silently as Tezoro recounted his tragic past.

"Selective amnesia," Nicolas said slowly, looking out the window.

Everyone faces many disappointments in life. Some are quickly forgotten, while others are hard to erase, no matter how hard one tries.

These events continuously torment fragile nerves, pushing a person to the edge of collapse. When such emotions reach their limit, forgetting becomes the body's most instinctive defense mechanism.

In simple terms, if someone encounters a powerful stimulus that is unbearable, when their mind is on the brink of collapse, their body subconsciously chooses to forget the event, resulting in "selective amnesia."

Some people, after major setbacks, wish for selective amnesia. Under immense mental pressure, they might feel that certain events never happened or even fabricate a different scenario to deceive themselves, firmly believing in false memories.

However, even if it seems forgotten on the surface, the shadow of the memory remains. With just one trigger, it can resurface.

Tezoro's recollections were that trigger, bringing his humiliating memories back to the forefront.

Nicolas understood why Tezoro's attitude had changed so much. After all, for a straight man like Tezoro, being violated by another man in every way possible was a devastating blow both physically and psychologically.

[AN - There was even more graphic scene but i want to protect your innocent souls from the filth of the celestial dragons]

But, to be honest, Tezoro was quite good-looking and had a talent for singing, so it wasn't surprising that some perverse Celestial Dragons took interest in him.

"I want to kill all those scum!"

Every time Tezoro recalled his nightmarish experiences, an uncontrollable murderous intent emanated from him.

 [AN - Its my oath that if i skip a day of upload then i will upload 5 chs the next day, you better hope im absent some days lol 😂😂]