On the lead warship, four Celestial Dragons stood proudly at the bow.
"Golden City—we've finally arrived!"
The one at the front exclaimed with excitement, and the other three Celestial Dragons looked just as thrilled.
Behind them stood the agents of CP0. If Elior were here to see them, he would instantly recognize one of them—Rob Lucci.
Of course, in Elior's eyes, Rob Lucci was nothing more than a disposable pawn.
Alongside CP0 were the Celestial Dragons' personal guards and their retinue of slaves.
Under Tezoro's watchful eye, the Celestial Dragons disembarked at the port, ready to make their grand entrance into the Golden City.
"Are you Tezoro?"
The only female Celestial Dragon present spoke, her figure grotesquely bloated—easily weighing over three hundred pounds at a glance.
"I am Tezoro," he answered calmly.
"Have our tributes been prepared?" another Celestial Dragon demanded.
Normally, Tezoro would hand over immense amounts of gold, silver, and jewels as "tributes"—gifts that far exceeded the regular Heavenly Tribute demanded by the World Nobles.
After all, Tezoro wasn't merely "as rich as a nation". Controlling twenty percent of the world's wealth, armed with the powers of the Gold-Gold Fruit, he effectively gripped the economic lifeline of the world in his hands. Even the World Government feared him.
This time, however, his reply stunned everyone.
"There's no need."
Tezoro smiled, a mocking edge behind his composure.
Baccarat and Tanaka, standing just behind him, froze in disbelief.
Lord Tezoro… what are you saying? No tribute? To Celestial Dragons?
"Tezoro, what do you mean? No tribute?"
"You dare withhold our offerings?"
"You're just a mortal! Do you even comprehend how much the Celestial Dragons demand? Insolence!"
"Kneel!"
The four Celestial Dragons erupted in fury.
Yet Tezoro remained utterly unmoved.
The CP0 agents and guards frowned, tense and ready to act. At a single command from the Celestial Dragons, they could crush Tezoro to the ground.
Meanwhile, bystanders at the port—pirates, marines, and common travelers—turned their eyes to the scene.
At that moment, Elior arrived, with Gion by his side.
Reiju and Bonney kept to the crowd further back.
Gion—her flowing hair tied up, dressed in casual clothes with a mask—was unrecognizable to anyone here. After all, who would ever suspect that a candidate for admiral would appear at the side of a Yonko?
"Husband, why did you bring Gion along? What are you planning?" Reiju asked softly.
"No idea…" Bonney muttered, just as confused.
Elior's arm tightened around Gion's slender waist.
"Come with me and kill the Celestial Dragons, will you, Gion?" he whispered.
Her heart trembled. Elior's smile carried a chilling, almost deranged glint.
She felt as if she were back in that moment when he had first taken her.
Now he wanted her to kill Celestial Dragons.
One, two—or all of them.
Today, blood would be spilled.
Was Elior angry? She couldn't tell.
Gion had never once considered killing a Celestial Dragon… but now, here she was, staring that choice in the face.
"Don't disappoint me, Gion. Among all my women, you know I love you the most."
"H-Husband… you love me the most?"
Her chest tightened. It was true—Elior had always favored her above the rest.
But she also understood the hidden weight of his words.
I love you most… but I can stop loving you entirely if you fail me.
She clenched her fists. "I won't let you down!"
Celestial Dragons? So what?
Her eyes burned with clarity and resolve.
Hand in hand, waist to waist, Elior and Gion strolled straight toward the nobles.
Recognition spread like wildfire among the crowd.
"That's… that's the Yonko, Elior!"
"Oh my God! Why is he here?"
"Is he… is he actually going to attack the Celestial Dragons?"
"Impossible! No one would dare!"
"Wait—wasn't it just a few months ago he beheaded three Celestial Dragons? It was even broadcast live!"
The crowd buzzed in terror and disbelief.
Elior's mere presence was enough to shake thousands, for everyone knew he already had three Celestial Dragon lives on his hands.
And now he was walking directly toward them.
"Celestial Dragons, beware!"
Rob Lucci and the CP0 agents immediately rushed forward, placing themselves as a human wall before the nobles.
They knew better than anyone how terrifying Elior was.
If he wanted to kill a few more Celestial Dragons, there was no doubt he would. And if something happened here, CP0 wouldn't live to return.
Lucci himself felt the weight the heaviest. Freshly promoted, desperate to cling to his position, he couldn't afford to lose everything now. Even if it meant debasing himself as the World Nobles' attack dog, the Celestial Dragons gave him everything he craved: power.
At that moment, Tezoro turned and bowed deeply to Elior.
"King."
Baccarat and Tanaka went pale. Their nerves had been taut before, but now their minds spun in confusion and dread.
What is Lord Tezoro doing? Has he surrendered?
He actually addressed Elior as king—no sarcasm, no arrogance, no act.
Coming from the ever-proud Tezoro, it could only mean one thing: he had truly submitted.
And with Elior standing here—a Yonko who had already killed Celestial Dragons—it could only mean one terrifying conclusion.
Baccarat trembled.
She didn't know what was about to happen, but she had a very bad feeling.