One Piece Thundergod Marine

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"Hā hā hā hā, why didn't you inform me in advance that Vice Admiral Soryu was coming? I could have prepared to extend my hospitality."

A hearty laugh echoed from outside the door as "Gold Emperor" Gild Tesoro, dressed in a flamboyant pink suit and sporting a slicked-back hairstyle, walked in with open arms.

This was the renowned luxurious entertainment city in the New World, the "Golden City." After Vice Admiral Rowen and others brought Tesoro into the reception room, he quickly arrived.

"Golden City is also part of my empire; there's no need for such formalities, Gold Emperor."

Rowen smiled and embraced him, while Tesoro's eyes flickered with a hint of suspicion before he laughed heartily, "That's right! But since you've been out of touch for so long, you must drink a few more tonight."

"Of course."

After some pleasantries, they confirmed their positions.

As the Century City and Golden City blended seamlessly and grew larger, the enticing aroma of this profit cake attracted more and more onlookers. The main reason for their appearance was that "Benevolent Hero" Fujitora, a Shichibukai, had a rather loose relationship with Tesoro.

However, with Rowen's assurance, Tesoro could relax and continue the cooperation, working together to drive away the onlookers.

After establishing rapport, Tesoro slightly turned his head to look at Rowen's side.

"And this is…"

"Queen Dante, my vice admiral."

"Oh! So, you are the renowned 'Marine Ghost Sword' Rear Admiral Dante. My apologies!"

Tesoro, naturally, knew who Dante was. He had thoroughly investigated Rowen's associates, but such information couldn't be publicly disclosed. Angering Rowen was not something simple money could resolve.

Additionally, he needed a natural lead for Rowen to introduce Dante, which was a matter of social etiquette.

"And… the Marine Assassination Force commander."

However, Rowen's follow-up comment made Tesoro's smile freeze.

Marine Assassination Force!!

Without having lived through that era, one cannot understand the fear the Assassination Force instilled in the seas.

In practical terms, today's Cipher Pol is not weaker than the Assassination Force at its peak, given the many personnel it has inherited.

Yet their deterrent power remains negligible.

People fear the government agents of CP0-9 more because of the authority they represent; the presence of the government greatly diminishes their own deterrent power.

The Marine Assassination Force, on the other hand, relied on one incredible assassination after another, with achievements watered by blood.

The current era of pirates, so different from the past, owes much of its existence to the absence of Roger and, at least nine-tenths, to the Marine Assassination Force's efforts.

Naturally, Tesoro was not shocked by this.

What stunned him was that Rowen had revealed the true identity of the Marine Assassination Force commander.

Who the commander of the Assassination Force was… that was a secret even within the Marines!

"Assassination Force commander… this!"

Tesoro signaled Tanaka, who was trembling with fear, to leave, and then shut the door, saying seriously.

"Vice Admiral Soryu, did you come here today for some official business?"

"No, it's purely a private matter."

However, this answer did not ease Tesoro's vigilance; on the contrary, it made him more anxious.

Not bringing the Assassination Force commander for official business was indeed a major issue!

"Won't you invite us to sit down?"

Rowen knew that the reception room downstairs was just a cover. The real core of the building was the secret room upstairs.

Tesoro's gaze shifted as he hesitated for a long time, and finally nodded.

"Please follow me."

In the bathhouse, Rowen leaned back on a soft gel lounge, immersing half his body in the water, and sighed comfortably.

"Ah, this is nice."

If Ain hadn't disagreed, he would have definitely built a similar room in G-10.

"I'm glad you're satisfied, Vice Admiral Soryu."

Tesoro looked hesitant. Seeing this, Rowen smiled and said, "There's no need to be so nervous. My private matter is actually a great opportunity for you."

"My great opportunity?"

Tesoro looked puzzled.

"Do you… want to get rid of the Celestial Dragons?"

Pū Tōng!

Although the lounge was placed at an angle in the pool, it was almost impossible to slip off with a slight effort. But Tesoro slid off, indicating that at that moment, he was so weak that he couldn't muster any strength.

Huā Lā La…

Emerging from the water, Tesoro stood in the center of the pool with a grim expression on his face.

"What does this mean, Vice Admiral Soryu?"

"Don't be nervous. I think we have a common enemy."

Rowen took a cigar from the box, lit it, and gestured to Dante.

"Please, begin your performance!"

Dante nodded, took a deep breath, and spoke three words.

"Stella!"

Bang!

In an instant, the gold around the bathhouse surged up like liquid, forming sharp blades that resembled a mountain of swords and a forest of daggers.

Tesoro's eyes were filled with unmasked killing intent, his teeth clenched tightly.

"Did you investigate me?"

The Dragon has a reverse scale; touching it will bring death.

And Stella was Tesoro's reverse scale!

Although the beautiful Stella met a tragic end, her memory still stung deeply.

Rowen remained unfazed by the tense atmosphere around him, continuing to smoke his cigar. Dante maintained his composure and said slowly, "Saint Orpheus Charlos."

"What does that mean?"

"The name of the Celestial Dragon who bought and tortured her to death."

Kā Chā!!

It might have been an illusion, but Rowen was certain something had shattered.

Yet, something new was reborn from the broken soil. An intangible pressure began to spread, causing the threat Dante felt from Tesoro to surge.

It was, unmistakably, Haoshoku Haki!

Just like Rowen's Awakening Haoshoku, the presence or absence of a superior or the fear within doesn't affect the Awakening of Haoshoku. As long as one's resolve and unyielding belief are firm, Haoshoku Awakening follows naturally.

Stella was not only Tesoro's reverse scale but also his psychological wound.

Previously, Tesoro only knew that Stella had died, a piece of information casually provided by a high-ranking Celestial Dragon.

After all, in their eyes, both Stella and Tesoro were mere lower beings, who could be discarded without a second thought. Why would they need to remember or be cautious?

Over the years, Tesoro had been investigating Stella's cause of death and the identity of the murderer.

But how could the Celestial Dragons remember so clearly?

Even if Tesoro's wealth was boundless, how could he investigate if they simply didn't remember?

Over time, this had become Tesoro's mental block.

However, Rowen hadn't expected that solving this mental block would lead Tesoro to awaken Haoshoku Haki.

And such powerful Haoshoku Haki!

Rowen could only marvel, "Truly worthy of the Gold Emperor!"

A man severely underestimated by the protagonist's aura.

But the stronger Tesoro's Haoshoku Awakening, the better it was for Rowen, wasn't it? The stronger the Haoshoku, the more intense his hatred for the Celestial Dragons!

"This information is verifiable. I'm sure Tesoro San knows that the Assassination Force was an organization that once reached into the Holy Land."

"I naturally know!"

Tesoro's robust body began to tremble slightly.

His legs, filled with formidable strength, became unstable, and he finally turned around, pressing his hands on the edge of the bath, exposing the pink five-pointed star on his back.

After a long while…

"Since you could investigate this, you should also know why I have this star tattooed."

Dante remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "What does it signify?"

"It originally had no particular meaning; I just chose a pattern I liked to sever ties with the past."

"But now it does."

From Rowen's perspective, he saw Tesoro forcefully digging his fingers into the hard stone slab.

"Let's call it, Venus!"

It is the particularly bright "Morningstar" on the eastern horizon before dawn; it is also the very bright "Twilight Star" in the western afterglow at dusk.

"You are very bold, Vice Admiral Soryu."

Tesoro turned around, his gaze burning with intensity as he looked at Rowen. "Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"Ha!"

Rowen crossed his arms, his mouth stretching into a wide grin.

"If someone can do it, I would indeed want to die again!"

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(End of Chapter)