Gran Tesoro.
At the very top floor of the Golden Hotel—
ever since returning from Future Island, Yuuki had devoted himself to researching the "Green Blood" technology.
Even with complete technical data in hand, recreating it still took considerable time.
Fortunately—
money was the one thing he didn't lack.
Through Doflamingo's channels, he had also acquired a number of precision instruments and devices that were never sold on the open market.
Thus, for the past several days, Yuuki had remained on the top floor conducting research, leaving everything else to Robin and the others.
But today—
an unexpected guest arrived.
And interrupted his work.
In the resplendent reception hall—
a man stood silently at the center.
He had blond hair styled in a punk fashion, a dagger at his waist, and a laid-back demeanor.
But what drew the most attention—
was the tattoo on his chest.
The mark of the Whitebeard Pirates.
This man was none other than—
Marco the Phoenix, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' First Division.
"When is your captain coming out?"
Marco half-opened his eyes and glanced sideways at Buggy, who was curiously observing him.
"How should I know when the captain feels like showing up?"
Buggy grinned, the gold ornaments hanging from his body clinking softly.
At that—
a trace of irritation flickered across Marco's face.
He folded his arms and stopped looking at Buggy, choosing instead to wait in silence.
As Whitebeard's right-hand man, his status on the seas was unquestionable.
If this had been any other pirate crew—
making him wait this long would've been an outright insult.
He might've already torn the place apart.
But now—
the situation was different.
The Whitebeard Pirates couldn't afford to clash with the newly risen Magic Eye Pirates.
And more importantly—
this visit was a request.
Time passed.
About half an hour later—
Marco opened his eyes again and turned toward the entrance.
Footsteps echoed.
Yuuki walked in calmly.
Meeting Marco's gaze—
his shoulder shifted slightly—
and in the next instant, he was already seated on the red fur sofa at the center of the hall.
"Quite the rare guest."
Yuuki leaned back comfortably, a faint smile on his face.
So fast!
Marco's heart tightened.
No wonder this man could escape from the Admirals and even Kaido.
That movement—
even Observation Haki struggled to track it clearly.
It felt as though Yuuki wasn't even there—
like air itself.
In combat between top-tier fighters, Observation Haki was everything.
And yet—
just now, his eyes had been more reliable than his senses.
This guy is strange.
Marco's thoughts raced, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Old man wants to see you."
He spoke directly.
"Whitebeard?!"
Buggy's eyes widened in shock.
He had assumed Marco came to discuss cooperation—
after all, Gran Tesoro's money-making power had exploded again with Yuuki's newly introduced entertainment systems.
It was now—
the greatest entertainment hub in the world.
Even Doflamingo had wanted to visit personally.
"Sure."
Yuuki smiled.
…Huh?
Marco blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
That was… too easy.
"Then we leave today."
Yuuki stood and walked toward the exit.
Marco followed silently.
"Wait—Captain!"
Buggy snapped out of his daze and hurried after them.
Inside the elevator—
descending to the first floor—
Buggy glanced between Yuuki and Marco, clearly conflicted.
This was—
a meeting between two forces rivaling the Four Emperors.
It should've been a grand event.
And yet—
this felt… strangely ordinary.
Outside the hotel—
a luxurious turtle car awaited.
"Captain, should we inform Marianne and the others?"
"Going alone to Whitebeard's territory is too dangerous!"
Buggy finally blurted out.
"It's nothing."
Yuuki chuckled, patting Buggy's shoulder.
"Just make sure things stay in order on Gran Tesoro while I'm gone."
He stepped into the car and gestured for Marco.
Marco joined him.
The engine roared—
and the vehicle sped toward the port.
Buggy was left standing there—
completely dumbfounded.
Inside the moving car—
Yuuki rested his arm on the window, letting the wind blow past.
"Your Devil Fruit… the Mythical Zoan, Phoenix Fruit, right?"
"Can you really not die?"
Marco's gaze sharpened instantly.
"I don't know. But so far, I'm still alive."
"No need to be so tense—I'm joking."
Yuuki shrugged.
Of course—
he knew the truth.
The Phoenix Fruit granted extreme regeneration—
even from fatal damage to the brain or heart.
But—
to him—
that wasn't particularly useful.
"I don't find that funny."
Marco replied coldly.
"Whitebeard sent you personally. Must be urgent."
Yuuki smiled faintly, eyes drifting over the streets filled with watching gazes.
"…What do you know?"
Marco's voice lowered.
Gran Tesoro gathered information from across the world.
That much was obvious.
"I heard someone in your crew—Blackbeard Teach—killed a crewmate and fled."
Marco's expression darkened.
"And then your Second Division commander, Ace, went after him."
Yuuki paused—
smiling slightly.
"As for what happened next… I'm not sure."
"But I did hear…"
"That Teach has become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Marco's face turned grim.
That was—
a humiliation.
And worse—
new information.
Teach becoming a Warlord…!
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"And I've heard something too," Marco said coolly.
"You rarely show yourself in public."
"So, appearing so openly like this… you must have your own plans."
"Correct."
Yuuki didn't deny it.
"Our crew is too small to fully control Gran Tesoro."
"So instead—"
"We draw everyone out… and wipe them out in one go."
His voice carried unmistakable killing intent.
"I was planning to leave anyway."
"You just made it easier."
Marco studied him carefully.
"The old man was right."
"You're dangerous."
As Marco's arrival—
and his departure with Yuuki—
spread across Gran Tesoro—
the news exploded like bombs.
The already turbulent ship—
grew even more unstable.
Knock. Knock.
Inside a luxurious room—
Usopp, disheveled and exhausted, lifted his head.
He had spent days upgrading his weapons—
even crafting a new Clima-Tact.
Nami would love this…
He placed the pink staff down and opened the door.
"Who is it? Lunch? I said don't disturb me—"
He froze.
A figure stood there—
cloaked in black, face hidden behind a mask.
"Who are you?!"
Usopp's drowsiness vanished instantly.
"Your chance has come."
"The Magic Eye Pirates' captain has left."
"Robin and Cabaji are also gone—currently at Sabaody."
"This is your best chance to escape."
The figure left immediately.
Usopp stood frozen.
Then rushed to check—
but the hallway was empty.
Bang!
He shut the door and leaned against it.
His expression twisted with conflict.
This was—
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But—
he remembered Robin's warning.
In the end—
he sighed.
And returned to his room.
Elsewhere—
"Mm. Understood."
Reiz Max, a Revolutionary Army member known as the Legendary Gambler, put away his Den Den Mushi.
"So, the opportunity has come…"
"What are you hiding, 'Magician' Yuuki?"
His eyes gleamed.
The top floor—
must hold secrets.
Until now—
he had no chance to approach it.
"But first…"
"I'll need a little chaos."
He adjusted his blue hat—
and walked toward the casino.
After all—
his title wasn't for nothing.
No one here could beat him at gambling.
Not anymore.
The woman with the Luck-Luck Fruit—
was gone.
Reiz Max stepped into the golden casino hall.
He took out 100 Beli—
and exchanged it for a single chip.
"Currently on this ship…"
"Buggy, Uta, Marianne, and Mohji."
"The giants… someone else will handle them."
"The only uncertainty is Vice-Captain Conrad."
"But someone will deal with that too."
He placed his chip on the table.
"In that case…"
"I'll start with Buggy."
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