The two dice were hurled high into the air.
Dice wrapped his arms around the steel dice bell and shook it with all his strength.
In that moment of extreme tension, everyone's nerves were stretched taut.
Tesoro watched with anticipation, which made Baccarat feel even more certain she had done the right thing.
As for Zans, he was beyond nervous—he had bet on odd.
The other side had chosen even.
One round.
Less than a minute.
What was being decided was capital worth hundreds of millions—or even a life.
That was exactly why so many people were willing to spend money on Gran Tesoro.
You couldn't see scenes like this anywhere else.
You're dead for sure!
A Marine officer present revealed a gaze filled with malice.
Even though Gran Tesoro forbade open conflict, that didn't stop Marines from hating pirates.
A pirate worth four hundred million—one who had even defeated Vice Admiral Onigumo.
No one knew how many Marines had died at this monster's hands.
If Tesoro could be used to kill him here, it would at least count as avenging Vice Admiral Onigumo.
As for the reason—
Just look at that dangerously seductive woman touching Ren earlier.
Though it was never officially announced, according to Marine intelligence,
the woman called Baccarat was very likely a Devil Fruit user tied to luck—someone who could drain all of a person's fortune through physical contact.
From minor misfortune like stomach trouble or slipping on a banana peel,to major disasters like being crushed by falling rocks.
She was Gran Tesoro's most vicious cheating trap.
Violence won't help, the Marine officer sneered inwardly.Tesoro is far too insidious.
From the moment you saw the golden spray and got gold dust on your body, there was no escape.
He smirked coldly, pouring himself a glass of wine, ready to celebrate once the outcome was sealed.
Likewise, Zans was trembling with tension—far too much was at stake.
If I win this round…
Whether it's killing Ren through Tesoro to curry favor with the Marines and World Government,
or waiting until he becomes a gold statue and then handing him over to the Donquixote Family—
either path leads straight to the top! My business—
While Zans was still fantasizing about the future—
Clang—!
The sound of steel shattering rang out.
Dice, wearing a look of pure bliss, shook slightly, then calmly looked at the numbers.
But after one glance—
He froze.
This number… Didn't Baccarat do her job?
He couldn't help glancing backward.
But someone had already seen it.
"Four! Eight! Even?!"
The Marine officer crushed his wine glass in his hand, stood up in fury, and stormed out.
Damn it—what a waste of excitement!
"How is this possible?!"
Baccarat was utterly stunned.
She had clearly used her ability!
That man's luck shouldn't have been this high!
Something unexpected happened… Did he do something?
Tesoro's expression shifted slightly as he recalled the moment when Ren and Baccarat had interlocked fingers.
His subordinates had clearly harbored hostility toward Ren—there was no way they'd help him.
Which meant—
Some kind of undetected cheating technique?
"This is impossible!!"
Zans shoved Baccarat aside and staggered upward, finally reaching the second-floor corridor where he could see the dice clearly.
At the same time, Dice's voice rang out.
"Four! Eight! Even!"
Like a trumpet of judgment, those words hit Zans head-on.
His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, face deathly pale.
Then—
As if suddenly realizing something, he scrambled to his feet and pointed at Baccarat, screaming in rage:
"You bitch! You lied to me!
Was one hundred million Beli still not enough to satisfy you?!
What do you gain by sucking up to that pirate?!"
"Shut up!"
Baccarat's expression darkened, momentarily at a loss for words.
Had she forgotten to use her ability?
"Nonsense! This is your fault!"
Zans continued screaming hysterically.
This was supposed to be a guaranteed win.
Once Baccarat touched Ren and used her ability, his luck would vanish completely.
Zans had seen her ruin pirates this way countless times.
This was Gran Tesoro's greatest cheat—its most vicious fraud.
Yet it perfectly aligned with Tesoro's creed.
Those who are deceived are losers—and losers have no value.
Once you became a loser, so what if you were a four-hundred-million pirate?
On Gran Tesoro, you were still livestock waiting for slaughter.
But why—
Why was he the one becoming livestock?!
Didn't Baccarat always target pirates?
He had even added another one hundred million Beli to bribe her—so why hadn't she acted?!
For what?!
For a handsome face?!
There was no answer.
Then Ren's cold voice rang out, like a declaration from the god of death.
"Looks like the winner's been decided.Then it's time to carry out the wager, isn't it?"
He looked toward Tesoro, who was smiling brightly, eyes glittering with excitement.
"So, what does the king think?"
"Win means win. Lose means lose," Tesoro laughed loudly, clapping his hands."Here, those who are deceived are losers—and losers have no value!"
Without sparing Zans a glance, he continued:
"Winner, how would you like to proceed?"
Right—
There was still a chance!
He was a prominent merchant president in the West Blue—couldn't he buy his life with money?
A mere pirate—he could pay whatever price was needed!
Ten million, one hundred million, even three hundred million—he could find a way!
Zans jolted, hastily composing himself and forcing out a smile.
Just as he was about to speak—
Ren's command cut through him, icy and merciless.
"Since that's the case—kill yourself, Zans."
"What did you say…?"
Zans's face drained of all color, his lips trembling.
Then he reacted instantly, forcing a smile again.
"Please don't rush—actually, I can offer—"
"Kill yourself, Zans."
Ren turned his head, his cold, sharp features unchanged.
In that instant—
Zans understood.
This was a dead end that money couldn't solve.
This was a pirate who cared about reputation and pride—not wealth.
"I see the loser isn't very willing to accept defeat," Ren said indifferently, turning his gaze away."What should we do about that, Mr. Tesoro?"
"So that's how it is," Tesoro said thoughtfully, pulling out a ring as sparks danced across the gold.
"Wait! Lord Tesoro, listen to me!
I paid to board this ship! I paid protection fees for multiple projects—I—"
Zans couldn't finish.
Tesoro flicked the golden ring toward him.
Electric light flared as the gold expanded like a tidal wave.
"No—!"
Zans turned to flee—
But as an ordinary man, he was utterly powerless.
Golden metal engulfed him instantly, sealing him into a motionless statue.
"What an exhilarating game," Tesoro applauded happily, admiring Ren with open interest."So—may I ask what trick you used?"
"Those who play with luck will eventually be played by fate," Ren replied lightly.
He toyed with the coin in his hand and looked toward Baccarat with a half-smile.
"Don't you think so, Miss Good Luck?"
Baccarat instinctively stepped back—
Crack.
A sudden sound rang out.
A chandelier on the ceiling came loose and fell straight down.
The screws gave way, and it crashed toward Baccarat's head.
She tried to dodge—
But her ankle twisted, and she fell hard to the floor.
Looking up, the chandelier was already upon her.
Tesoro raised his hand casually.
The falling golden chandelier instantly deformed, transforming into a veil-like golden garment that draped over Baccarat's body.
She shuddered, relief flooding her face as she let out a shaky breath.
"How interesting," Tesoro said, curiosity lighting his eyes."May I know why?"
"Secrets," Ren replied calmly, "have value too."
"Is that so?"
Tesoro suddenly spread his arms wide, smiling enthusiastically.
"Then how about another round with me?
I told you before—I've been eager to match wits with someone like you."
"Oh?" Ren replied."What's the bet?"
"Still odd versus even—or we can change it if you prefer."
"And the stakes?" Ren asked coolly."I'm not interested in ordinary money.
Money means nothing to someone like me.
What I need are channels, opportunities—or something else."
"You sound rather similar to that man earlier," Tesoro said with interest."So what exactly do you want?"
"A deal.
I have a great deal of gold—but I lack suitable channels to sell it.
I just happen to hear that you enjoy collecting gold, Lord Tesoro.
Would you be interested?
Of course, this transaction would only be the beginning.
There may be further cooperation in the future."
"A deal? A beginning?" Tesoro laughed loudly."You have many ideas. Very well—I'm in!"
He turned toward the gaming platform.
"Odd versus even—prepare to begin!Place your bets!"
Dice brought out another iron bell as the two giants once again carried the house-sized dice into place.
But—
At that instant, lightning suddenly crackled through the hall.
Before the shocked eyes of the elite spectators, violent arcs of electricity surged across one corner of the platform.
"Watching him smash it with his head is far too tedious," Ren said calmly, pointing forward."Let's do it ourselves."
The Spear of Thunder transformed into a lightning domain, thick bolts weaving together like a massive net across the ceiling.
Under the control of the lightning spirit, magnetism formed—electricity converted into heat.
The iron bell and dice began to move chaotically, steel glowing red-hot.
"Please," Ren gestured lightly, his eyes filled with provocation."I'm still betting even."
"How interesting," Tesoro laughed heartily."I'll take odd."
He pointed as well.
The four massive pillars at the platform's corners trembled as the golden dragons coiled around them came alive.
They danced through the air like living beings, clashing against the lightning.
Opening their jaws, they spewed scorching flames.
The entire dice arena was engulfed in thunder and fire.
The bell and dice completely lost their original forms, melting rapidly into liquid metal.
Within that—
Two drops of gold separated from the molten mass, forcibly bound by lightning.
"Heh—so the deceived are the losers?" Ren sneered, curling his finger.
Thunder Governs Gold!
Gold alternated between yielding to the might of lightning and obeying the will of the Golden Emperor.
Thunder and golden flame clashed violently.
The surrounding elite no longer dared to watch, fleeing under guidance.
Only the two giants remained at their posts, faces tense but unwavering.
At that moment—
Ren suddenly stepped forward and opened his mouth to speak—
(End of Chapter)