"Seriously…"
"At your age, you still love stealing the spotlight, old man."
Looking at the newspaper, at that little old man standing with his hands behind his back, calm and composed while surrounded by countless Marines, Orin bared his teeth and smiled.
Well… as long as he's happy.
Sitting on the back of the Seagull King, Orin flipped through the latest newspaper.
Having lived on Amazon Lily for a while recently, he felt his body couldn't quite keep up anymore.
So even though the addicted Hancock tried to persuade him to stay longer, Orin still firmly refused. He wanted to go out and clear his head.
Right now, he was on the way to the Gran Tesoro.
"Whoa, so Kuzan really did quit the Marines~"
Looking at the photo in the newspaper—Punk Hazard, which had already fallen into a land of ice and fire—the headline read that Kuzan had been defeated by Sakazuki.
That meant he was a pirate now, right? Then maybe it wouldn't be impossible to recruit him?
After all, their relationship had been pretty good.
With so many years of friendship, it wouldn't be impossible for Orin to give a junior a nickname.
What should it be called…
Hahahahahahaha!!!
But it was just a thought. Kuzan wasn't exactly easy to get along with.
There was other news as well.
For example, many bounties had changed.
For example, Roger the Captain's bounty poster—no one knew why—had been reprinted again, and even replaced with a photo of him in his old age.
[Pirate King]Roger,
Bounty, 5,564,800,000 Belly.
[Fire Fist]Ace,
Bounty, 1,011,000,000 Belly.
[Straw Hat]Luffy,
Bounty, 400,000,000 Belly.
[Blackbeard]Teach,
Bounty, 2,100,000,000 Belly.
And Orin himself, with over six billion Belly.
Countless pirates had seen their bounties skyrocket because of that war.
And because of the Summit War—where countless legendary pirates appeared, along with exaggerated yet vivid depictions of the battlefield—
For a time, all those brimming with ambition rushed out to sea.
The World Government and the Marines, in order to respond to the even more berserk era catalyzed by Orin, had no choice but to launch a World Military Draft,
Inviting powerful individuals with justice in their hearts from all over the world to join the Marines at this time.
"That's great, everyone's so motivated~"
Two years of calm, with power continuously accumulating, would surely show even better results in the new era~
Sitting on the back of the Seagull King, Orin gazed down at the vast ocean, a faint sense of anticipation rising in his heart.
...
Before long,
By nighttime, he arrived at the Golden City.
Before even getting close, a burst of lights dazzled Orin's eyes—brilliant beyond compare.
Even just sweeping it with Observation Haki from afar was enough to know just how lively that enormous den of extravagance was.
"Looks really fun~"
Compared to the headquarters at the Sabaody Archipelago, this place was even more luxurious. After all, the [Golden Emperor] who wielded the Gold-Gold Fruit controlled twenty percent of the world's Belly cash flow.
Its level of luxury could be said to be world-class.
"It's been many years. Tesoro has managed this place really well~"
Many years ago, he had visited the Golden City, but back then it was far from being this extravagant and comprehensive.
Now, it was truly as large as an island.
"So this is the Golden City?!"
"It's insanely luxurious—everything is gold!!!"
"I wonder if we can steal a little…"
At the massive entrance, pirates bathed in golden powder cheered excitedly on the decks, unaware that this was a deadly weapon.
And right at that moment,
A violent gale howled past, wrapping around their bodies and sweeping away all the gold powder in an instant. Countless pirate ships were blown over, plunging straight into the interior of the Gran Tesoro.
"So many people~"
With his hands in his pockets, Orin looked at the incomparably luxurious spectator stands and performance stage inside.
Countless dancers performed synchronized atmosphere dances, fountains sprayed in unison, lights dazzled, and the band played.
Although he had seen it at the beginning of the movie, witnessing it in person was truly eye-opening.
And at the center of the stage, a man wearing a yellow-and-white formal suit danced to his heart's content.
"Hahahahaha!!!!"
"There's nothing you can't buy~"
"There's a voice that says~"
The music was explosive and cheerful, the lights flashing wildly.
"The power of money is invincible~"
"Gold and dance make us forget everything!!!"
Orin admired the performance as his figure instantly appeared at the very top of the audience seats, a seagull standing on his shoulder.
Golden light illuminated Orin's face as he watched Tesoro's performance on stage with great interest.
"Orin-sama, please enjoy."
A glass of juice was presented. A red-haired beauty about the same height as Orin twisted her waist as she approached, bowing respectfully.
Orin took it.
"It really is nice, the Gran Tesoro. I like it a lot."
"Tesoro-san said that if Orin-sama likes it, you can come here as a guest anytime, free of charge."
Baccarat said with a smile, bowing.
But as soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere inexplicably turned a bit cold.
She looked up.
"Oh???"
The smile on Orin's face didn't change, yet it somehow felt off.
"A guest, huh~"
"Interesting. So I'm just a guest?"
Orin asked with a smile, but Baccarat didn't know how to answer.
"It seems a life of indulgence really does erode one's will,"
A hint of regret appeared on Orin's face.
"It seems that even Tesoro—who was very smart back then—couldn't escape being corrupted by money~"
Orin grabbed Baccarat's face in one hand. His smiling eyes slowly opened, and reflected in her vision was a pair of eyes blazing with crimson light.
Ignoring Baccarat's surging curves and alluring face, Orin slowly stood up.
The gold powder that had somehow clung to his body was instantly shaken off.
Her pale, terrified eyes stared at that figure as Baccarat silently cried out in misery.
In truth, regarding Tesoro becoming a bit carried away, even they subordinates had felt uneasy.
But Tesoro, who controlled immeasurable wealth, had at some point developed a mysterious confidence.
Even Stella couldn't persuade him anymore.
It was as if he believed that as long as he had money, he could do anything—even influence the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, making them give him leeway in many matters.
Because he controlled too much wealth.
This rise in status, combined with his belief in what Orin once said—[Money is enough to settle everything]—gave him an inexplicable confidence.
He, too, was now a big shot.
Perhaps his relationship with Orin could shift from a simple superior-subordinate one into a pure bond of favor?
But clearly,
Tesoro miscalculated.
The once lively and cheerful venue suddenly became oppressively heavy for no apparent reason. Everyone felt as though they couldn't breathe.
Countless audience members clutched their chests and dropped to one knee.
Tesoro froze in place, then, as if sensing something, looked toward the high platform.
A figure sat there with one leg crossed over the other, scrutinizing him.
"Continue the performance."
Like a divine decree.
The next second, the gold that once changed at his will—including his own body—seemed to lose all control,
And began to dance.
A chill surged up from the depths of his heart!!!