Chapter 718: Though He Did Not Slay the Dragon, He Became an Evil Dragon
Chapter 718: Though He Did Not Slay the Dragon, He Became an Evil Dragon
Golden Lion crossed the waters and docked at the port ahead, where a red carpet had been laid out.
From this position, a corner of Gran Tesoro's cityscape came into view.
Though officially the world's largest entertainment city, it felt more like a Gambling City.
It gave Kuro a vibe of his past life's Las Vegas - though he'd never actually been there.
Golden Lion moored and lowered its gangway. Kuro and Kaku led the group of Navy officers down first.
"Wow!"
Suddenly, a seductive Shankswoman in a long robe approached. She flipped her maroon wavy hair, removed her sunglasses, and said, "How delightful! I never expected to meet the legendary Golden Lion and Tatsumaki Vice Admiral here."
The woman bowed gracefully. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Vip customer hostess Bartolo."
"Hmm?" Lida turned her head curiously. "How do you know us?"
"I naturally know", Bartolo smiled. "Government elites, Navy high-ups, and famous pirates are all on our records. You're Vip clients here."
She looked at Lida. "You're 'White Butterfly' Commander, right? Also one of our Vips."
"Eh?" Lida's eyes widened. "You called me White Butterfly instead of White Whale. You're a good person after all."
Bartolo smiled without answering.
"Alright, since you're our hostess, take us directly to where we're going. Zoro - no, Momousagi has already arrived."
Kuro continued, "After that, take us to meet Tezoro. I need to discuss something with him."
"Golden Lion Vice Admiral has business with our boss? Perfect. Our boss has been especially interested in you. I heard your Pegasus Island industry is booming, but it lacks the largest Gambling City. Perhaps our boss can cooperate with you."
Bartolo smiled, stepping aside. A white luxury car approached slowly. This convertible was powered by turtles on both sides, with a sea turtle directing operations at the front.
Lida looked sideways, surprised. "Isn't this a Muscle Turtle?"
"You know?" Kuro asked.
Lida nodded. "It's inedible. The meat is tough."
Kuro: "..."
"Yes, this is indeed a Muscle Turtle. Our city's vehicles all use Muscle Turtles for power."
Bartolo beamed. "This is the Gois Lays, an elite luxury car powered by premium Muscle Turtles. Please board and let me show you around Gold City."
"This thing is actually quite interesting."
Kuro examined the car's construction and Muscle Turtle positioning with a smirk. "If it's just simple employment, it probably wouldn't be bad. No need to do it like this, right? What do you think, Kaku Brother?"
"Ah, this mechanism reminds people of unpleasant things", Kaku mused, stroking his chin.
This comment made Bartolo's body stiffen, her smile frozen.
Kuro immediately understood - this system used keys to generate electric currents that shocked the Muscle Turtles into labor. Though just animals, it reminded him of something troubling.
The automatic walkways of Mariejois were no different in essence.
"Give your boss a suggestion. If you're so rich, changing your methods would be more effective. Why play capitalist games when you're practically running a slave operation? It's really annoying. Though capitalists aren't great either. Watch out for all those streetlights in your city - careful someone doesn't hang you from one someday."
Kuro ignored the vehicle. "Wilbur."
"Understood!" Wilbur saluted from behind.
"Since we're here, go enjoy yourselves with your subordinates. I'll cover any extra expenses."
"Understood, Kuro Mr.!"
Wilbur nodded, leading the remaining Navy members away.
"I want to go too!" Lida raised her hand, hopping toward Kuro.
"Klah."
"Understood, Kuro Mr."
"Keep an eye on her. Don't let her eat recklessly." Kuro instructed.
"Understood." Klah adjusted his glasses.
As most dispersed, only Kuro and Kaku remained. Recovering, Bartolo said, "Golden Lion Vice Admiral, Tatsumaki Vice Admiral, without transportation, it'll be slow."
"That won't be necessary. Stand firm."
Kuro extended his hand, crossing thumb and middle finger.
Snap!
Two decorations from the upper structures fell downward, flying toward them and directly catching Kaku and Bartolo's feet, anchoring them in place.
"Oh~ This is..."
Kaku looked surprised. "Quite interesting."
"Here we go! Stand firm!"
Kuro's body floated upward, shooting forward with the two decorations and their passengers, cutting through the air toward the circular district ahead.
This was the high-end district, a completely different concept from the commercial area.
While the commercial zone had various buildings not all constructed from gold, this high-end district was entirely golden.
Kuro flew directly through the high-end district, arriving at its very center before releasing the two decorations behind him.
"What speed, Kuro!"
Kaku jumped down from the decoration, grinning. "And it can even carry passengers. Lucius Kro Brother couldn't do this."
"Now that's..."
Bartolo remained frozen momentarily, only gradually recovering from her shock. She bowed to Kuro. "Truly worthy of Golden Lion Vice Admiral."
She removed her gloves, extending her hand toward Kuro. "Such mighty Navy power might create pleasant cooperation with our boss. How about a handshake first?"
Kuro looked at her deeply, his lips curling. "Trying Devil Fruit tricks?"
This made Bartolo widen her eyes, instinctively stepping back.
"Don't try those old tricks with me. Old Man is Navy, not some pirate tricked into near-slavery by Gran Tesoro."
Kuro placed his right hand on his hilt, smiling. "If you try deceiving me, that's opposing Navy. Or do you think we don't know Gran Tesoro's true situation?"
Kaku also slightly smiled, remaining silent.
They were Navy - the world's strongest organization. There was nothing they didn't know.
Gran Tesoro, the world's largest entertainment city, certainly had its dark side.
That Gild Tesoro had practically fallen to becoming World Noble scum.
Though Navy didn't know Gild Tesoro's true identity - after all, so many slaves had escaped that World Nobles themselves had forgotten their exact numbers.
But Gild Tesoro was among them.
Kuro understood this perfectly.
That man who never slayed a dragon, yet became influenced by evil dragons, transforming from a man with kindness into someone like an evil dragon himself.
(End of Chapter)
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