In the lavish room, Baccarat and Carina lay without a stitch of clothing, their faces and necks still flushed with lingering redness. Only after personal experience did they understand just how well the women of the Leo Pirates usually had it.
"Rest well."
Leo thoughtfully tucked the two women in and then left, thoroughly satisfied.
In the adjacent room.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully recruiting crewmate Carina. Claim reward?]
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully recruiting crewmate Baccarat. Claim reward?]
The system's prompts sounded once more in his mind.
"Claim rewards," Leo responded flatly. For someone who had claimed seven rewards at once, two could no longer stir any waves within him.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully obtaining reward —————— Imperial Armament: Beast King Transformation!]
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully obtaining reward —————— Imperial Armament: Moonlight Dance!]
Beast King Transformation:
One of the 48 Imperial Armaments, a belt-type armament.
①: The user can transform themselves into a beast, drastically increasing physical strength and all abilities.
②: Greatly enhances recovery power. Even if limbs are severed, bleeding can be stopped autonomously and they can be reattached.
"A half-breed combination of a Zoan Devil Fruit and healing power?" Leo thought, looking at the system's notes. The reason it was half-breed was because the Beast King Transformation only possessed partial effects of those two things. Still, it was a good item for boosting strength. Accepted!
Moonlight Dance:
One of the 48 Imperial Armaments, a scimitar-type armament.
Feature:
Can launch vacuum blades. Its performance varies according to the lunar phase.
It is at its strongest during a full moon.
"Full moon?"
Seeing this familiar term, a charming figure instantly surfaced in Leo's mind.
The bunny mink, Carrot!
As a mink who could transform into her Sulong form during a full moon, reaching the peak of her power, Carrot was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate for Moonlight Dance. With their effects complementing each other, it would surely achieve a 1+1>2 result.
Leo wasn't in a hurry. He had already notified Morgans to help search for Zunesha. Morgans's news coops were spread across the world, and with Zunesha's colossal, 10,000-meter-tall form, finding it wouldn't be difficult. He just needed to wait patiently for news.
"Open personal panel."
Gathering his thoughts, Leo muttered again. A virtual panel visible only to him materialized.
[Host: Leo]
[System: The Conquest System]
[Devil Fruit Abilities: Climate-Climate Fruit, Heal-Heal Fruit, Tremor-Tremor Fruit]
[Swordsmanship: Top-Tier Great Swordsmanship (Equal to Golden Lion)]
[Observation Haki: Future Sight, Listening to the Voices of All Things]
[Armament Haki: Internal Destruction]
[Conqueror's Haki: Infusion, 'Observation Kill']
[Special Ability: Teleportation]
[Conquered Beauties: Makino, Nojiko, Caramen, Marianne, Conis, Laki, Maya, Shirahoshi, Keimi, Shyarly, Sadi, Domino, Isuka, Charlotte Flampe, Kalifa, Nami, Kaya, Tashigi, Vivi, Miss Goldenweek, Sarah, Robin, Doll, Perona, Jewelry Bonney, Boa Hancock, Margaret, Hina, Charlotte Galette, Vinsmoke Reiju, Stussy, Rebecca, Viola, Sugar, Baby-5, Monet, Koala, Monet, Carina, Baccarat] (40 women)
[System Storage: Ark Maxim, Going Merry, Blank Devil Fruit*5, Three Haki Fruits, Three Haki Training Manuals, Rokushiki Training Manual, Eight Divine Skills (First Two Forms) Manual, Massive Gold, Pure Gold, Golden Den Den Mushi, Ancient Weapon Pluton Blueprints, Boob-Enhancing Bra, Storage Ring, Gravity Training Room, Primary Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Seven-Star Sword, Demon Slayer Thousand Blades, Chamberlain Armament: Ichimonji, Swarm Drones, Large Fixed-Mount Laser Cannon, Dragon-Level Monster Cell, Imperial Armament: March, Imperial Armament: Moonlight Dance, Imperial Armament: Beast King Transformation, Hellfire Axe, Zoan Type, Ox-Ox Fruit: Giraffe Model, Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Zoan Type: Nika Model, Zoan Type, Bee-Bee Fruit: Ancient Zoan: Killer Bee Model, Paramecia Type: Merge-Merge Fruit, Paramecia Type: Mocha-Mocha Fruit, Paramecia Type: Soul-Soul Fruit... Other miscellaneous items.]
"Forty, huh?"
Looking at the note in the [Conquered Beauties] column, Leo felt a momentary daze. Setting out from the East Blue and traveling all this way, he had unknowingly gathered so many beauties. A full forty, nearly 80% of the notable beauties in the story. Only about a dozen remained 'wild.'
It also meant the enemies he would face next would be stronger.
The World's Strongest Creature, Governor of the Beasts Pirates, Emperor Kaido!
Emperor Red-Haired Shanks!
Leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon!
Marine Headquarters!
The World Government!
The remaining notable beauties were almost all within these formidable entities. Snatching prey from the tiger's mouth would inevitably lead to conflict with them.
"Start with Kaido, then."
Leo narrowed his eyes slightly, having made his decision. Among all the factions, Wano Country had the most notable beauties. Besides Kaido's daughter, Yamato, there were also Black Maria and Ulti of the Flying Six. And the princess hiding in the Shogun's estate, constantly seeking revenge, Komurasaki. Finally, the little girl living in Okobore Town in the Kuri region, Tama. A full five targets, making it Leo's primary objective.
After taking stock of all his gains, Leo left the room and headed in a certain direction.
Another day of supervising Shirahoshi's training~
The next day.
Leo first went to see Momonosuke. Due to the special nature of Momonosuke's work, Tesoro had ordered a unique brand to be seared onto his back. As Leo reached the cell door, he happened to hear a sound that made one's bones ache.
Sizzle—
"Aaaaaaah!!!"
The sizzle of a red-hot brand touching tender skin and Momonosuke's heart-rending wails rang out simultaneously. After all, he was just a brat. As pain swept through his body, Momonosuke immediately passed out.
The guards showed no hesitation, immediately dousing him with a basin of cold water to wake him up. The boss had given strict orders: once branded, this brat was to start working immediately.
"Kid, get up. Stop playing dead."
A fierce-looking burly man hauled Momonosuke up by the scruff, dragged him out of the cell, and tossed him into a certain room.
"Hahaha... This brat is gonna have it rough from now on."
The burly man clapped his hands lightly, a gloating smile on his face. In all his years at Gran Tesoro, this was the first time he'd seen someone get it this bad. This punishment wasn't as directly brutal as flogging, waterboarding, or fire torture... but just imagining Momonosuke having to endure impacts from rods of varying sizes every moment made the burly man's own rear clench with a chill.
"Can't say that."
As soon as he finished, his companion nearby shook his head in rebuttal.
"To keep this brat alive, the boss prepared all sorts of delicacies and fine dishes for him. Plus, all kinds of nourishing tonics and medicines for healing injuries. He even assigned a dedicated doctor to him to prevent accidents. What other prisoner gets treatment like that?"
Hearing his companion's well-reasoned analysis, the burly man thought it over and nodded in deep agreement. "Fair point. Those delicacies... I've never eaten them in my life. This brat got lucky."
"C'mere, all of you!"
Feeling a psychological disparity, the displeased burly man beckoned. A dozen or so men hurried over. They were all gamblers drowning in massive debt. Barring a miracle, they would spend the rest of their lives paying it off.
"Sir."
"Sir."
Even facing just a guard, they were as humble as dogs, bowing and scraping respectfully. Satisfied with their servile attitude, the burly man gave a curt nod and glanced toward the room. "Remember what was explained yesterday?"
"Clear, sir."
"Sir, we guarantee no fatalities."
"Don't worry, we'll take good care of that brat."
The eyes of the gamblers gleamed as they excitedly rubbed their hands. To repay their crushing debts, they went hungry and cold every day. Satisfying physical needs was a distant luxury. Now, not only was it free, but each session would also knock 2,000 Beri off their debt. It was a drop in the bucket, but for them, it was pure profit! Fun and debt reduction? Why not? Some, upon hearing it was a tender-skinned child, had even drooled in excitement. This was gospel for them.
"One at a time. Remember, if that brat inside dies, you know the consequences."
Knowing the nature of these gamblers, the burly man sternly warned again. If anything happened to Momonosuke, not only these gamblers, but even he would face severe punishment.
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood!"
The gamblers nodded like pecking chickens. Trapped as they were, they knew what was at stake. Unless they had a death wish.
"I'll go first!!"
A bearded, burly man among the gamblers took the lead, pushed the door open, and entered.
Leo observed everything from the shadows the entire time. Not long after, pig-slaughter-like screams erupted from inside. They were the most miserable sounds Leo had ever heard, bar none. Anyone could hear the despair and agony mixed within. And this was only the beginning~
Gran Tesoro saw a huge influx of debt-ridden gamblers every day. Momonosuke's future life was imaginable.
"Good." Leo nodded slightly and left, satisfied. He had already given the absolute order: Momonosuke must live. As for the rest, let Tesoro handle it. He wondered if Momonosuke would even resemble a human the next time he came here.
When Leo returned to the castle, Monet, who had been waiting, promptly handed him a newspaper.
"Captain, the latest news."
"Anything about us?"
Leo took the paper, asking casually.
"No, it's about the Marines."
"The Marines?"
Puzzled, Leo opened the newspaper. The clear, eye-catching headline leaped out at him.
[SHOCKING! FORMER MARINE ADMIRAL 'BLACK ARM' ZEPHYR QUITS THE MARINES!]
Below the headline were detailed accounts of Zephyr's circumstances. Not only had Zephyr publicly announced his resignation from the Marines, he had also taken with him a group of Marine officers and elite soldiers loyal to him.
"Because of Whitebeard Jr.?"
Leo scanned the article, raising an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, a recent Marine report stated that all positions of the Seven Warlords of the Sea had been filled. Among them was Whitebeard Jr. In his view, Whitebeard Jr. was the trigger for Zephyr's resignation, but Zephyr's disillusionment with the Marines had been building for a long time.
When Zephyr was 42, his family was killed by pirates, planting a seed of hatred in his heart. From then on, Zephyr grew to detest pirates. He tried to resign but was persuaded to stay by Marine higher-ups. Clinging to a sliver of hope for the Marines, he retained his Admiral rank and switched to being an instructor.
Then, when Zephyr was 65, the cohort of new Marine recruits he was leading was attacked by a certain pirate. Except for Ain and Binz, all his students were killed. Now, at 74, upon learning that the very pirate who slaughtered his students had transformed into a Marine-recruited Warlord, how could he not be enraged?
Upon receiving this news, Zephyr developed intense doubt and distrust toward the Marine establishment. He resolutely quit the Marines and formed the "Neo Marines" with the goal of eradicating all pirates worldwide.
"Captain, are you interested in Zephyr?"
Noticing Leo's absorbed expression, Reiju shrewdly sensed something was off.
"He's not interested in Zephyr; he's interested in her."
Robin smiled slightly and nudged her chin toward another photo in the newspaper. Reiju looked closely. The photo was of a beauty with wavy sea-blue hair, wearing a purple tank top and black hot pants.
Ain. Student of 'Black Arm' Zephyr.
A swordswoman. User of the Paramecia-type Return-Return Fruit.
Realizing belatedly, Reiju rolled her eyes in exasperation. She should have known. When had their captain ever been interested in a man? What caught his attention was inevitably a beauty.
"Everyone, pack up. We depart soon."
Snapping back to reality, Leo set the newspaper aside. He had decided that before heading to Onigashima, he would find Zephyr first. His target was indeed the beauty, no doubt, and Ain was on his list. But this time, Zephyr was an exception.
The current Zephyr was disillusioned, holding no more faith in the Marines. His desire to kill pirates was more extreme than even Akainu's. If Leo's speculation was correct, Zephyr had probably already obtained the Dyna Stones.
In the movie, Dyna Stones were large, highly destructive weapons that would explode upon contact with air. Zephyr planned to use their terrifying power to destroy the three End Points and end the Great Pirate Era. The current Zephyr could almost be called a madman. His attempt to destroy the world placed him in opposition to every race, every person.
In the original story, the Straw Hat Pirates appeared in time to stop Zephyr's plot. Finally, Marine Admiral Kizaru personally ended his life.
But now.
With Kizaru dead and the Straw Hat Pirates scattered, all trajectories had changed. Leo couldn't place his hopes on the Marines; he had to act himself. He would stop Zephyr before he could detonate the Dyna Stones.
One hour later.
"Tesoro, remember what I told you."
On the deck of the flying ship, Leo reminded him once more.
"Master, rest assured. Momonosuke will absolutely not die. And no Celestial Dragon will ever set foot in Gran Tesoro again!"
Tesoro thumped his chest, earnestly swearing.
"And also~ If Kin'emon and Kanjuro come to rescue Momonosuke again, just kill them." Leo added. Kanjuro, the mole, might not risk his life for it, but Kin'emon, utterly loyal to Kozuki Oden, was another story. After all, Momonosuke bore the burden of restoring Wano; Kin'emon wouldn't just watch him languish in captivity.
"Master, don't worry. I will keep a close watch on Momonosuke. If Kin'emon and Kanjuro are discovered, I will eliminate the threat, leaving them in Gran Tesoro forever!"
Tesoro guaranteed again.
"Let's go."
Confirming nothing was overlooked, the flying ship ascended and vanished with a boom.
"Leo, did you ask Tesoro for money?!"
In the lounge, Nami grinned at Leo.
"I did."
Leo replied casually, enjoying massages from Monet and Rebecca. He had taken a full 30% of the 20% of global wealth Tesoro controlled. The rest was needed to keep Gran Tesoro running. What Leo wanted was a goose that laid golden eggs.
"Le...o..."
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T/N :
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