Night soon arrived. Whether on Earth or in the world of One Piece, for entertainment venues, night is when things truly begin.
The area around the golden fountain at the entrance, which had been empty before, was now bustling with people. Guided by Baccarat, Sherwin group arrived at the VIP seats arranged for them in advance.
"I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave for now," Baccarat said with a bow after escorting them.
"If you have any needs, Lord Sherwin, you can ring the bell at your side, and another attendant will come to serve you."
With that, she departed.
Sherwin and the others didn't mind, finding their seats and quietly waiting for the night opening.
However, the VIP seats were currently missing the two Logia Felynes, Klee Meow and Shermie Meow. Replacing Klee Meow on Sherwin shoulder was that unlucky fellow, Touma Meow.
"So this is what the view from Sherwin shoulder looks like? No wonder Haibara and Klee like staying up here meow!"
(=ω=)
The little cow-patterned Felyne stretched his neck, looking around excitedly.
On the other shoulder, Haibara Meow moved toward the very edge with a look of disdain, whispering to Sherry and Vermouth who were on her: "Be careful, don't let Touma bad luck rub off on you meow."
( 一︿一)
"That so mean! What you said is so mean, Haibara meow! My bad luck won't spread to others! Even I'll get sad if you say things like that meow!"
(=QДQ=)
Touma Meow cried out, sounding very hurt.
"That right, Haibara, you're worrying a bit too much."
Sherwin nodded, stroking Touma Meow head while "defending" him: "Touma bad luck doesn't just avoid spreading to others it actually sucks away the bad luck of those nearby... just like that bottle of Satan Medicine you tried to prank me with before."
"Oh, right meow!"
(=△=)
Haibara Meow realized the truth and decisively leaned back toward Sherwin head, staring at Touma Meow on the other side with glowing eyes:
"No wonder you've been making sure Touma stays close to you meow!"
"So that was the reason?! I thought you wanted to be close enough to save me in time meow!"
∑(=⊙Д⊙=)
Touma Meow looked at Sherwin in total shock.
"Ahem... It both, it both. Primarily I'm worried about you being in danger the rest is just a bonus..."
Sherwin shifted his gaze guiltily.
"The way you're acting makes you look totally untrustworthy meow!"
(=`ω=)σ
Touma Meow pointed at Sherwin, exposing him without hesitation...
And then he accidentally slipped and fell right off Sherwin shoulder.
Fortunately, Sherwin reacted quickly and caught him.
"See? Didn't I say the main reason was to protect you?" With this little accident, Sherwin suddenly felt much more justified. "You need to have confidence in your own luck!"
"The kind of confidence is something I'd rather do without!" The little cow-patterned Felyne, now back on Sherwin shoulder, let out a familiar, depressed sigh: "Such misfortune meow!"
(=`︿=)
Gurgle gurgle gurgle...
While Sherwin and the Felynes were enjoying their usual banter, a massive amount of bubbles began to churn within the golden fountain ahead. Before long, a huge, ornately designed golden pillar burst forth from the water.
At the same time, the stage facing the entrance of the golden fountain instantly lit up. As the band on stage began to play their instruments, Shermie Meow and Klee Meow stepped onto the stage, surrounded by a troupe of showgirls.
Sherwin and the others were naturally very familiar with the Hunting Horn in Shermie Meow paws, but they had no idea where the electric guitar—which also looked suspiciously like a Hunting Horn—in Klee Meow paws had come from.
"You also made a Hunting Horn for Klee Meow?"
Sherwin looked over at Purah Meow.
"I made them for Shermie Meow! Besides the electric guitar, I've made traditional Hunting Horns, basses, flutes, trombones, harps, and the drums that best suit Shermie Meow fruit ability... I've made Hunting Horn versions of all sorts of different instruments meow! Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
Purah answered triumphantly.
As they spoke, the two Felynes had already begun playing and singing along with the band melody.
Shermie Meow musical talent went without saying, but Klee Meow guitar playing was actually quite impressive as well.
As for the singing, the little Ragdoll naturally lacked professional technique, but her milky, cute voice didn't seem out of place amidst the stirring music instead, it added a touch of freshness.
This definitely wasn't just Sherwin looking through a filter at his own Felynes the enthusiastic cheers from the rest of the audience were proof enough.
Immediately after, the top of the golden pillar opened, and Tesoro, holding a golden microphone, joined the two Felynes in their chorus.
It had to be said that this Golden Emperor singing was indeed not bad—at least, it was much stronger than the weak-voiced Tesoro Sherwin remembered from the movie.
With Tesoro arrival, several more golden pillars rose from the pool. Once the tops opened, they revealed scantily clad dancers, and countless small golden airships resembling hot air balloons rose into the surrounding air.
People aboard were tossing down gold flakes, candy, and ribbons, pushing the atmosphere of the scene to a new climax.
At the same time, from the entrance and harbor channels, several more pirate ships flying different flags sailed into the golden pool. They ignored the singing and dancing Tesoro and Felynes, instead turning to confront one another.
"I wonder if some blind fool will start trouble this time!"
An audience member not far from Sherwin shouted excitedly.
Clearly, this person was a regular at Gran Tesoro far from being worried, he was actually looking forward to pirates making a scene so he could enjoy the show.
Bang!
Shortly after he finished speaking, the pirate ships below began firing upon their own kind. Before long, every ship was swept into the fray, and several pirate crews instantly devolved into a chaotic brawl.
"Tsk, tsk... as expected of the Gildo Tesoro, he certainly knows how to put on a show."
The resourceful Hunter had seen through it all long ago. Regardless of whether any shortsighted pirates started trouble on their own, Tesoro would likely have arranged for a group of pirates to stir up chaos anyway, serving as an opening act to entertain the surrounding audience.
Even...
Sherwin glanced at the bunny girls weaving through the spectator stands.
Just as he suspected, Tesoro was already taking bets, allowing the audience to gamble on which pirate crew would win or who would sink the most ships.
Amidst the sounds of cannon fire and war cries, Tesoro and the two Felynes finished their entire song undisturbed. As the singing came to an end, Tesoro simultaneously activated his fruit ability.
Massive golden tentacles rose from the pool, entangling the group of pirates who had initially started the trouble and turning them all into golden statues.
Whether they already knew the procedure or were truly intimidated by Tesoro, the other pirates ceased their fighting one after another.
"Gold Splash!"
Tesoro pointed a single finger toward the sky. The fountains surrounding the Gran Tesoro erupted into pillars of golden water, and even the giant index finger atop the Guild Tesoro Hotel shot out a massive golden geyser.
Then...
From among the spectators around Sherwin and within the airships overhead, more than a dozen CP0 agents wearing white suits and strange masks suddenly lunged out. Simultaneously, the nearby golden chairs and golden ground transformed into tentacles, coiling toward them.
A similar situation unfolded on the stage where Shermie Meow and Klee Meow were located.
"Give yourself up, Hunter Sherwin!"
"Oh? A familiar face."
Sherwin looked up at the person speaking and greeted them with a light chuckle, "It been a while, hasn't it, Guernica?"