Letting out a deep breath, Wright silently approached Weevil's corpse, carefully removing and storing the Seastone handcuffs.
Miss Buckin and Weevil—a pair infamous even in the original canon—had their story come to an abrupt end before it could truly begin.
After taking some time to handle their remains, Wright intended to rest briefly before returning to Gran Tesoro. From the time he arrived on the island until now, six or seven hours had passed; the colossal ship should still be within range.
However, when Wright habitually activated his Observation Haki to survey the area near the island's center, he sighed.
"Though I had anticipated this possibility, I didn't expect it to turn into one of the worst-case scenarios."
Turning, Wright faced a massive, untouched rock formation.
"Hmm... Lord Gild Tesoro, for someone of your status, spying feels a bit beneath you, doesn't it?"
"..."
After a moment of silence, a towering figure in a pink suit slowly emerged from behind the rock. His slicked-back gray-green hair gleamed under the light, accentuated by purple sunglasses with golden rims, gold earrings, a heavy gold necklace, and hands adorned with golden rings.
Gild Tesoro—the "Gold Emperor," a Paramecia-type Gold-Gold Fruit user and the master of the "Gran Tesoro" floating city!
"To think I'd be discovered..." Tesoro remarked.
Beside him, a childlike figure with a disproportionately large head emerged from the rock itself—his chief security officer and one of his most trusted confidants.
"Hmm, we seem to have stumbled upon something remarkable, haven't we, Mr. Tanaka?" Tesoro wore a smug smile. "Initially, my men reported some climate anomalies on this island. I assumed it might mean something promising—"
"Rich mineral veins often exist on rocky islands like this one. With the New World's chaotic magnetic fields causing unusual climate changes, perhaps this island contains some magnificent, glittering metals?"
Wright sighed inwardly. He hadn't expected this.
"You, the mighty Gold Emperor, personally scouting for mining resources?"
"Gran Tesoro is still in its early stages of construction," Tesoro replied nonchalantly. "Naturally, it requires vast amounts of gold to complete. By coming here myself, I'm saving a great deal of cost—a simple matter, really."
He spread his hands, flashing a wealthy grin. "A city of gold, after all, must be built from gold!"
"Though I'm wealthy, one can never have too much gold!"
The overwhelming aura of extravagance nearly made Wright choke. Thirty years ago, he might have fallen to his knees in awe. But now, he remained indifferent.
Seeing Wright's cold expression, Tesoro's smile twitched, his irritation rising.
"Your cleanup work was thorough," Tesoro continued. "But, Mr. Blazer, you and those two... Ah, the previous two, were all my esteemed guests in Gran Tesoro."
"Never did I expect guests as powerful as you to be among them—or rather, now just you."
Tesoro spread his arms wide, his tone growing enthusiastic. "Mr. Blazer, though I don't know why you killed those two, that's your private affair."
"They were merely pirates, after all. Dead is dead. But your reputation—I've never heard of you before!"
"Considering the climatic disturbances caused by your battle, your strength must be extraordinary!" Tesoro's voice trembled as he extended an invitation. "Mr. Blazer! Whatever your reasons for staying in the shadows or keeping a low profile, partner with me!"
"With my business acumen and your unparalleled power, we could amass infinite wealth!"
Wright glanced at Mr. Tanaka, who wore a smug grin. It was impressive—in such a short time, Tesoro's men had gathered substantial intel on him. Truly, money could achieve almost anything.
But... Tesoro wanted to recruit someone as enigmatic as himself?
What an audacious man.
At least Tesoro didn't know why Weevil had been killed.
"It was a personal vendetta, long overdue. I regret that it caused such a disturbance, troubling even the Gold Emperor himself," Wright replied coolly. "I have little interest in money beyond what's necessary."
"Hmm? Mr. Blazer, you're quite the free spirit," Tesoro mused, his gaze narrowing as he smirked. "You're not affiliated with any major force, are you?"
"The three 'Emperors' have no subordinate like you. If they did, they would have publicized it far and wide."
"As for the underworld, I have significant influence there too—yet your name eludes me."
Wright pinched the bridge of his nose. Tesoro was relentless.
"Then, perhaps you're part of the mysterious 'Revolutionary Army'?" Tesoro laughed heartily. "Or are you secretly a Marine?"
"No need to guess," Wright said dismissively. "We have no ties, so don't overthink it."
"..."
Tesoro's face darkened, a sinister grin replacing his earlier smile. "No ties? That's where you're wrong."
"Mr. Blazer, someone as powerful as you—meeting you under these circumstances makes it impossible for me to let you leave."
"I don't trust anyone except my few confidants. Promises mean nothing to me!"
"The deception, betrayal, and slaughter in the business world are more brutal than real wars!"
"While I, Gild Tesoro, am as reliable as gold with my business partners, I never underestimate my opponents. I always assume the worst of them!"
"Money! Only money can be trusted! Subordinates obey because of it; enemies fear it; partners rely on it!" Tesoro declared fervently. "If you accept my offer, today's events can be forgotten. Money will bind us together!"
Pointing at Wright, Tesoro's tone grew harsh. "But if you refuse, how can I let someone as mysterious and powerful as you leave, leaving such a threat unchecked?"
Wright's head began to ache. Tesoro's paranoia, born of his past as a slave, had clearly left deep scars.
"You're like a zealot preaching the gospel of money," Wright muttered, watching Tesoro's frenzied devotion.
"Do you have no goals beyond wealth?" Wright asked solemnly. "Money, to me, is merely a means to an end."
"It should serve as a tool to achieve your goals, not the goal itself. If you're earning money solely for the sake of having it, you've become a slave to it."
"So tell me, Lord Gild Tesoro, are you the master of money, or its servant?"
"..."
Tesoro's maniacal expression froze. "A slave to money? What nonsense!"
He chuckled darkly, his laughter growing louder and more hysterical, until tears streamed down his face.
"Hahaha! How can someone who's never lost what's most important due to a lack of money possibly understand?" Tesoro's voice cracked with fury
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here: patreon.com / juanpiece
There are more than 100 advance chapters available for you!