"You ill-mannered people, your voices are disturbing my Esdeath!"
A standard disdainful pose appeared. Hancock, who had done nothing and hadn't even actively used her abilities, simply stood there.
A group of people instantly turned to stone.
"Lady Esdeath…"
Shirahoshi timidly sought comfort from Esdeath. She had never seen so many people looking at her with such fanaticism, and she felt a little flustered.
"How lively!"
"Let's make a grand entrance."
Frowning, Esdeath looked at the countless golden specks falling from the sky and snapped her fingers.
Snap!
Immediately, an ice ring appeared and began to expand.
The countless golden specks froze, then turned into countless tiny ice crystals, slowly falling from the sky, making the already dazzling scene even more magnificent.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
"Welcome, Navy Queen Esdeath, to Golden City!"
"Hahahaha!"
Tesoro's figure appeared on the high platform. He first frowned, then burst out laughing, surprised that his move had been countered.
And he couldn't find any reason to complain.
While Tesoro laughed, few dared to join him. They only cheered excitedly, but there was no laughter.
"Oh? I didn't expect Mr. Tesoro to personally come and greet me."
The news of her arrival had apparently spread. Logically, that shouldn't be possible.
"It's my honor!"
Tesoro scanned Esdeath's ship. There wasn't a single man on board. It was just as the rumors said; this Esdeath preferred women.
After some pleasantries, Esdeath led her entourage of women into the entertainment venue.
She had to make Tesoro yield, but she couldn't act directly. So, she would have to play with Tesoro by winning.
"You all find a place to play."
With that, Esdeath led Hancock and Shirahoshi towards the Dice table.
"Esdeath…"
Gion watched Esdeath's retreating figure from afar, feeling a bit too embarrassed to go out and meet her.
"Big or small!"
"I'll bet big!"
A man in a purple kimono and a purple scarf caught Esdeath's attention.
"Oh? I didn't expect to meet him here."
"I can't miss this."
Changing her original direction, she walked towards the man and slowly sat down in the chair next to him.
Hancock followed closely. Shirahoshi, meanwhile, watched the constantly spinning Dice on the table with great interest. She had never seen one before.
She had only read about them in books.
"Ah~ This concubine is willing to bet her body with Lady Esdeath."
Hancock sat beside Esdeath, gazing adoringly at the smiling Esdeath.
Soon, only Issho, Hancock, and Esdeath remained at the table. Everyone else watched from a distance.
"Is that man blind?!"
"How dare he sit with Lady Esdeath and Empress!"
They had moved away from the table out of self-consciousness, only daring to watch from afar, yet this man remained seated, unmoving.
"I wonder if this round is big or small. Would you trouble yourself to tell this old man?"
Issho turned his head towards Esdeath, his words full of inquiry.
It was then that the few people in the distance noticed that the man was indeed blind.
"Old man, leave this place. This is Lady Esdeath's and this concubine's space."
"Hush, Hancock."
"Aye~!"
Hancock instantly transformed from a fierce woman into a gentle young lady, then looked back at Esdeath.
Even though she was told not to speak, this appearance was still so handsome.
"Big, you lose!"
After telling Issho the result, Esdeath began to examine him.
The Marine Admiral who replaced Aokiji in the original story, Fujitora Issho!
Two large scars almost bisected his entire face, his eyes were squinted, revealing the whites, and a smile was on the man's face.
Shirahoshi looked at the old man in front of her with sympathetic eyes. She was only imprisoned, but the old man in front of her was blind.
Moreover, he possessed a gentle kindness that ordinary people did not, which she could clearly perceive.
She had never experienced this feeling from anyone else.
Issho seemed to sense Shirahoshi's perception and returned a smile.
He hadn't expected to meet a woman radiating such kindness here. This was his honor!
What an honor.
"Little girl, don't worry, this old man's eyes were blinded by himself."
Seemingly worried that Shirahoshi would overthink it, Issho couldn't help but explain, because he felt that the girl in front of him seemed about to cry.
It was better not to explain. As soon as he explained, Shirahoshi's tears immediately flowed.
"Lady Esdeath…"
Shirahoshi, bending down, wanted to bury herself in Esdeath's embrace for comfort. She didn't understand why such a gentle and kind person would blind himself.
"It's alright, little Shirahoshi."
"Everyone has their own pursuits. Perhaps he didn't want to see the dirty things in this world, which is why he blinded himself."
Continuously stroking Shirahoshi's head, Esdeath patiently comforted her.
And Issho seemed to be moved by Shirahoshi. Hearing Esdeath's words, his body couldn't help but tremble!
Two lines of tears slowly fell.
It seemed he had blinded his eyes a bit too early.
It was a pity that he couldn't see what the two people in front of him looked like now.
For the first time, Issho felt regret.
The group of people who saw Shirahoshi crying wished they could rush forward and kill Issho. What did he say to make their goddess cry?!
"Excuse me, this old man shall take his leave."
Issho, realizing his lapse in composure, picked up his cane, intending to leave.
"Wait, you want to leave after making my person cry? How about we make a bet?"
Just as she was looking for a reason to gamble with Issho, she quickly fabricated one.
"Lady Esdeath, Shirahoshi is fine."
"No, I must make him pay the price."
Shirahoshi looked at Esdeath, feeling wronged. Although Lady Esdeath said that, she didn't feel any malice.
What was going on?
"This old man apologizes. What does the young lady wish to bet with this old man?"
Issho bowed to Shirahoshi, then responded to Esdeath's challenge.
"Hahaha, how about a life-or-death bet?"
"If I win, you'll come work for me. If I lose, I can grant you anything."
Issho was shocked at first, then he used Observation Haki and didn't sense any malice.
This…
"This old man agrees!"
Then let's see what this young lady wants to play with him.
"Let's bet on the points."
She casually picked up a Dice and threw it into the air.
Fujitora used Observation Haki and found that the young lady opposite him hadn't even activated her Observation Haki.
"Betting on luck with me? Just as I like it!"
"I say it's 1 point."
Before the Dice even landed, Issho immediately stated his guess.
"Shirahoshi, what do you think?"
"Six?"
"I say six points!"
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