"Forget it," Kaito said coldly as he waved his hand. "If you don't understand, then just watch. I want to see how Tesoro handles this."
"Boss," King whispered from behind him, his voice low. "Do you want us to move?"
"Wait," Kaito replied with a sharp snort. "Celestial Dragons… what a remarkable species."
Bullet slowly swept his gaze around before stopping on Tanaka. His tone was calm, almost mocking.
"Now do you still think we're the ones causing trouble?"
Tanaka froze. His throat tightened, and cold sweat rolled down his forehead.
"This… this…" he stammered, unable to respond immediately.
Taking a deep breath, Tanaka forced himself to speak again, sincerity written all over his face.
"Bullet sama, I understand that this matter started because of Saint Charmaco," he said carefully. "But this is the Golden City. I sincerely hope you will follow our rules while you are here."
"If there are grievances, they can be settled outside the entertainment city. I beg you to value the peace here."
"Harmony?" Bullet sneered. "If our captain hadn't ordered us to be disciplined, you think we would still be standing here talking? This would've ended a long time ago."
He crossed his arms and continued coldly.
"I'll give Tesoro some respect. Solving this is simple, Pick one of the options."
"First option, the Golden City becomes our enemy."
"Second option, hand over these three people. We'll deal with them ourselves."
Tanaka's face drained of color.
The first option meant facing the Thunder pirate crew, which was no different from suicide.
The second option was even worse.
No matter the consequences to the Golden City, the identities of those three made it impossible. Celestial Dragons were the most arrogant and untouchable race in the world, at least on the surface.
Tanaka stood frozen, caught in an impossible dilemma.
"Bullet sama," he said quietly, forcing a strained smile. "Can't you show some flexibility?"
"Fine," Bullet replied flatly. "Then we'll change it."
"You said no fighting here, right? Let's give Tesoro face. How about we settle it outside at sea?"
Perospero stepped forward with a smile, candy cane resting on his shoulder.
Bullet's eyes lit up.
"That works."
"So there's a third option," Bullet said. "Pick one."
"Damn it," Tanaka cursed inwardly.
Sending them outside to fight was no different from handing the Celestial Dragons over to be slaughtered.
Before he could respond, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Black-clad guards parted the crowd as two beautiful women escorted a man dressed in luxurious attire.
Tesoro had arrived.
"I apologize, truly," Tesoro said warmly as he approached. "Our hospitality today has been lacking. How about this, everything you spend here from now on will be free."
"Do we look like people short on money?" Bullet shot back coldly. "We came here to relax. Instead, we were barked at by old dogs the moment we arrived."
"Today, you owe us an explanation."
"Dogs?" Saint Charmaco snapped, his face twisting in fury. "You dare call us dogs?"
"You filthy pirates."
"Do you really think Celestial Dragons are easy to bully?"
He turned sharply to the black-clad men beside him.
"Kill them. Kill every one of them."
At his command, the men moved instantly.
They were killers raised in the Holy Land, emotionless, loyal only to the will of a Celestial Dragon.
Tesoro frowned.
He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Metallic sounds echoed.
The charging assassins froze mid-step, their bodies instantly transformed into solid gold statues.
"This is my territory," Tesoro said coldly. "Follow my rules. I hope everyone here will give me some respect."
Everyone knew who that warning was really aimed at.
"Tch," Page One scoffed. "Gold dust tricks. Wash it off with seawater and it's gone. You're snapping your fingers like you're impressive."
Tesoro's expression stiffened briefly before returning to calm.
"Bullet sama," he said carefully. "For my sake as the owner of the Golden City, I hope both sides can coexist peacefully here."
"Once you leave the city, you can do whatever you want. We won't interfere."
"Hmph," Saint Charmaco snorted. "For your sake, Tesoro, we'll let it go this time."
The three Celestial Dragons turned to leave, clearly shaken by what they had just witnessed.
Tesoro made no move to stop them. If not for their usefulness, he would have eliminated them himself long ago.
Bullet watched them leave without pursuing.
Kaito had ordered restraint, and Tesoro stepping in had earned some consideration.
Just as everyone thought it was over, Perospero lifted his candy cane.
Purple syrup surged forward like a wave, forming a thick candy barrier that blocked the exit.
Saint Charmaco turned back, his face livid.
"Tesoro, what is the meaning of this?"
Even Tesoro's face darkened.
"Perospero," he said sharply. "I want an explanation."
"Kukukuku," Perospero laughed softly. "An explanation? Why would I need one?"
"You let them go, but we didn't."
"They provoked our pirate crew. Your status as lord of the Golden City isn't enough to excuse that."
"If someone insults our crew, should we spare them just because of your face?" Perospero said calmly. "Tesoro, you think too highly of yourself."
"Perospero," Page One whispered urgently, pulling him aside. "The boss told us not to cause trouble here."
"Kukuku," Perospero replied. "Look around."
Page One followed his gaze.
Kaito.
Katakuri.
King.
Redfield.
They were all watching.
"I'm screwed," Page One muttered.
"Perospero," Tesoro said again, his voice heavy. "Are you really refusing to let them go?"
"Fine," Perospero replied. "Did you forget the three choices just now?"
Before Tesoro could ask, Tanaka quickly explained the options.
Tezzolo's expression hardened.
"Impossible," he said firmly. "Change it."