"Kaito sama, it is truly our honor to welcome you to the Golden City," Baccarat said with a respectful smile, her tone flawless. "Before your arrival, Tesoro sama personally ordered that all of your expenses here will be completely covered."
"So that's how it is," Kaito replied calmly. "Then it's time to enjoy ourselves."
He led the group further inside without hesitation. To him, this Golden City was already something he would claim sooner or later. Whether things were free or not made little difference.
As they advanced, countless gazes gathered on them. Whispers spread rapidly, fingers pointed openly, and Kaito and his companions became the absolute focus of the casino.
Kaito paid it no mind. Attention like this was something he had long grown used to.
The interior of the casino was dazzling. It looked less like a gambling hall and more like a royal palace. Even the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were crafted from gold, so pure that Kaito suspected they were real.
His eyes swept across the surroundings.
Marines, pirates, World Government officials, nobles.
All gathered in one place.
Only the Golden City could make such people coexist without drawing weapons.
"No wonder this place is famous," Kaito said quietly.
"Big," Katakuri suddenly muttered.
Kaito followed his gaze.
At a nearby dice table, a beautiful dealer lifted the black cover with a practiced smile.
"Four, five, six," she announced clearly. "Fifteen points. Big."
Kaito, Redfield, and the others glanced at Katakuri and laughed lightly.
"If you use your ability," Redfield said teasingly, "we'd win every round."
"Your perception is frightening," Issho added calmly. "Even I find it impressive."
"Alright," Kaito said. "Everyone go enjoy yourselves for now. Gather back here later. I'll speak with Tesoro after."
"Understood."
They quickly dispersed. Before long, only Katakuri and King remained beside Kaito, standing quietly like personal guards.
Kaito paused.
"We're here to relax," he said. "You don't need to be so tense. You can play too."
"No interest," Katakuri replied.
"Not fun," King added flatly.
Kaito fell silent.
So these were the legendary quiet types.
"Fine," he said helplessly. "Then follow me."
The casino floor stretched endlessly. Dice, cards, poker, Pai Gow, Mahjong. The variety was overwhelming, rivaling even the grand casinos of another world.
Kaito stopped at a dice table, the simplest and most familiar option.
After a few rounds, his interest quickly faded.
No matter what he bet on, he won.
It was painfully obvious that someone had already made arrangements.
"Tch," Kaito muttered. "How boring."
He stood up, preparing to leave, when a sudden shout erupted nearby.
"Damn it. I've tolerated you long enough," a rough voice roared. "Celestial Dragons aren't special. It's not like we haven't killed them before."
"This is a World Government member nation," another voice shouted angrily. "Violence is forbidden here. Break the rules and you'll be hunted by every force on the seas."
Nearby stood several identically dressed figures, accompanied by grim bodyguards clad in black.
"Hunted by everyone?" Bullet scoffed. "Scare someone else. Page One, move."
"Finally," Page One grinned. "I've been sick of him for a while. We're gambling here, and he won't shut up."
"Exactly," another voice chimed in. "Sasaki already killed a Celestial Dragon. I'm curious too. What do their brains look like?"
"Leave one for me," Who's-Who said lazily, appearing beside them. "I've never killed one."
"I'm fine with that," Sasaki added cautiously. "Maybe leave me one too?"
"Get lost," Who's-Who and Page One shouted in unison.
The faces of the three Celestial Dragons across from them turned deathly pale.
"Guards," Saint Marcoro shouted coldly. "Where are the guards? Can't you see someone causing trouble?"
In an instant, a large group of guards rushed over, led by Tanaka.
The commotion attracted even more attention. People abandoned their tables, gathering eagerly to watch.
"So that's what's happening."
"Three Celestial Dragons again."
"As expected of the Thunder pirate crew. Even Celestial Dragons don't scare them."
"Still talking about hunting pirates. That's ridiculous."
Whispers spread endlessly.
"Kaito sama," Baccarat said quietly as she stepped beside him. "Please restrain your subordinates. Don't make things difficult for us."
"Relax," Kaito replied indifferently. "They know their limits. Let's watch first."
Baccarat's smile stiffened.
Limits?
She knew better than anyone what kind of people stood under Kaito's banner. Bullet alone was already a walking disaster.
"Bullet sama," Tanaka said cautiously, lowering his voice. "Please, don't make things difficult for me."
"Difficult?" Bullet laughed coldly. "That old thing has been provoking us the entire time. Calling our crew trash, saying Celestial Dragons could kill us anytime."
"He even talked about hunting us down."
Bullet's eyes darkened.
"I didn't start this. He did."
"There isn't a single person on the seas who dares provoke our crew like this," Bullet continued loudly. "And even if we kill him here, our captain won't stop us."
His voice echoed through the now-silent casino.
Everyone heard every word.
Baccarat's face drained of color.
She finally understood.
This had nothing to do with gambling losses.
It was pure provocation.
Did these Celestial Dragons truly not know who they were facing?
In the New World, Kaito's crew stood at the absolute peak. Even the Marines tread carefully around them.
And these fools wanted to wipe them out?
This was no longer something she could handle.
Only Tesoro sama could intervene now.
"Kaito sama," Baccarat pleaded softly. "If they act, please… stop them."
Kaito slowly turned his head, his gaze icy.
"Stop them?" he said coldly. "Do you even understand what it means to provoke my crew?"
____
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