https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-716-More-Men-Than-Dogs-More-Dogs-Than-Men/13539056/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-718-Though-He-Did-Not-Slay-the-Dragon-He-Became-an-Evil-Dragon/13539058/
Chapter 717: I Want Him!
Chapter 717: I Want Him!
When Golden Lion followed the pointer to the location, Kuro finally laid eyes on the world-famous 'Gold City'.
It was indeed a colossal ship ten kilometers long, radiating golden brilliance. Two long flagpoles extended from the bow, flanking the vessel. Suspended beneath them by thick chains were two ancient sea turtles - Grand Line turtles, renowned for their strength. These titanic creatures towed the ship effortlessly, immune to weather patterns or ocean currents, enabling the vessel to circumnavigate the globe continuously.
Beneath the bow was an entrance passage, its upper section marked by several plaque characters. The entrance itself resembled half a Chips shape. On the ship's aft rose a towering golden arm reaching skyward, its index finger pointing straight to the heavens.
Compared to this monumental Golden Ship, even Golden Lion - who already dwarfed ordinary vessels like an officer among recruits - appeared as small as a child.
"We lost."
Sazil gazed at the Golden Ship with a hint of disappointment. "Golden Lion has lost!"
He naturally operated from this ship too, being Klahmr.'s direct subordinate just like Ju Geng's direct superior-subordinate relationship with Li Da.
Sazil's face bore several small bandages - souvenirs from Klahmr.'s 'special training' that had only recently healed.
"Not that impressive."
Li Da stood on deck with a pout. "It's just big. Size means bulkiness and inconvenient movement. One cannon blast would topple it. Definitely!"
Why did that sound like you'd just called all muscular people lifeless meat?
Kuro twitched his lips. "Alright, prepare to enter."
Golden Lion approached the half-Chips-shaped passage. As it crossed the threshold, total darkness enveloped everything. But this jet-black void quickly dissipated, replaced by a radiant golden glow illuminating the entire passage.
Golden motes rained down from above - countless glittering flecks that shimmered against the darkness, descending toward Golden Lion.
"Hmm?"
Kuro tilted his head, brows slightly furrowed. "Kaku Brother."
"A surprising reception", Kaku scratched his head. "Didn't expect Tezoro to pull this on us too."
With a flick of Kuro's fingers, the golden dust halted just short of Golden Lion's edges, suspended in midair like orbiting planets to illuminate their path.
"Gold Emperor's pretty arrogant."
Kuro remarked casually as the ship continued forward through the passage, emerging into a golden aquatic arena.
This circular zone featured numerous golden lion water fountains around its perimeter. Outside the ring stood towering skyscrapers. Along the inner walls, several warships were docked. Floating platforms drifted across the golden waters, each hosting dancing women. At the highest platform stood a man with slicked-back hair, wearing a golden-white coat, green locks flowing beneath purple sunglasses, dancing with flair.
"There's the one we want - the [Gold Emperor] Gild Tesoro", Kaku whistled toward the elevated figure.
"His purple-haired companion isn't bad either", Kuro observed, watching the black-gowned songstress on another stage.
"Hmm?" Li Da's senses sharpened.
Whoosh!
From another passage entrance, a cannonball streaked through the air!
"Huh?"
Sazil's ears twitched. He stepped forward, leaving concentric rings of air pressure in his wake.
"Moonstep!"
Leaping midair, he delivered a powerful punch to the cannonball.
Boom!
The projectile deflected under his fist, crashing into the water and erupting into a towering wave.
From another passage emerged a long ship - no double decks, but remarkable in length with five masts. At its bow stood a massive cannon spanning the ship's midsection.
"We're the Long Long Pirate Crew!"
The pirates roared from their deck. "Since we lost money here, we're robbing you instead! Hand over your treasure! This golden leviathan must be loaded with gold!"
"Pirates?"
Kuro glanced toward the commotion, asking Kaku, "Isn't this supposed to be a world neutral zone? Who dares this here?"
"Who knows?" Kaku replied, watching Tezoro on stage. "That guy seems rather amused."
Indeed, Gild Tesoro witnessed the disturbance from his stage but didn't pause his performance. Instead, a smirk curled his lips.
"Gold Emperor's officer causing trouble", a voice crackled through his earpiece.
"No problem", Tezoro chuckled. "My audience enjoys the spectacle. And that ship..."
His eyes landed on the Marine insignia hanging from Golden Lion's fortress. "It's Golden Lion's vessel! A battle between Marines and pirates would make an excellent performance!"
"Nobody's stopping it? Fine."
Back on deck, Kuro twitched his fingers. "Time for cleaning operations."
Whoosh!
A surge of water erupted from below, engulfing the long ship. Twisting torrents shredded the vessel and its pirate crew before launching skyward, carrying the wreckage far from Gran Tesoro.
Any warship bearing pirate insignias met the same fate - surrounded by water spheres that crushed them before discarding the remains into the sea.
"Hehehe, Kuro, you've got quite the vengeful streak", Kaku chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.
"World neutral zone", Kuro replied indifferently. "Neutrality means non-intervention. I won't interfere with this domain's affairs, but the reverse applies too. The World Government said not to touch this nation, so I'm only dealing with pirates."
Glancing around, he added, "Speaking of which, where's that rising pirate crew I heard about?"
Kuro had special reasons for wariness here - a Devil Fruit user capable of threatening him. His memories of this location remained vivid.
The Long Long Pirates were supposed to target someone wearing Luffy's straw hat. But where had that straw-hatted pirate gone?
"Hmm? Something's off."
Kuro rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "They shouldn't even be involved here anymore."
The Straw Hats obtained their invitation through the Pure Gold incident, but Miss Naki Family had already been rescued by Kuro. Without that Pure Gold treasure hunt, Luffy couldn't secure an invitation. Without the invitation...
They wouldn't reach this place.
"Ah well, less trouble."
Kuro shook his head. "Otherwise, those pesky flies would buzz around my head again."
As Kuro dealt with the pirate crew like thunder striking, Gild Tesoro froze mid-performance. Hand raised in uncertainty, he had intended to stage an elaborate show by waiting for the reckless pirates to attack Golden Lion first.
Now, that grand plan crumbled.
"Such ferocity! The Grand Line rumors were no exaggeration", Tezoro grinned maliciously, tightening his fist. "Perfect. I want him!"
(End of Chapter)
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