The conversation between Stella and Tesoro lasted for a long time. Arthur did not remain there. He quietly left the luxurious VIP room, leaving the Den Den Mushi on the table between them. Behind him... Only fragments of their voices could still be heard. There were no more angry shouts. No more accusations. Only two people trying to reclaim the years that had been stolen from them. Arthur simply smiled faintly before closing the door behind him. Some reunions... Did not need witnesses.
...
That same afternoon... The entire Art Pirates crew received a special invitation from the owner of Gran Tesoro himself. Every member was escorted by dozens of attendants toward the finest guest suites aboard the colossal golden city. The rooms were so extravagant that even Sabo stood frozen for several seconds.
Sabo: "Are these really guest rooms...?" He stared at the enormous bed, sparkling chandeliers, and walls decorated entirely with gold and gemstones.
Law: "This room is bigger than the operating room in my old hideout." Law glanced around calmly.
Bepo: "Soft!!" Bepo immediately threw himself onto the oversized bed. He bounced several times before sinking into the mattress.
Koala: "You're going to break it." Koala laughed, but Bepo simply hugged the pillow tighter.
Sugar: "They even prepared clothes..." Sugar silently opened the wardrobe. Inside... Dozens of brand-new outfits had already been prepared in various sizes.
Monet: "Tesoro certainly knows how to treat his guests." Monet smiled faintly.
Not far away... Ikaros, Nymph, and Astrea were already busy chasing Arthoria, Merlin, and Lancelot through the spacious suite. Lancelot laughed loudly while running around the room. Merlin floated after him. Arthoria quietly followed behind. For the first time in a long while... The Athena's crew truly enjoyed a peaceful day without training or battle.
...
That evening... Everyone gathered inside one of the grand banquet halls prepared exclusively for the Art Pirates. A massive dining table stretched across the room. Roasted meat, fresh seafood, exotic fruits, and countless luxurious dishes covered nearly every inch of the table.
Baby-5: "Before we start eating..." As soon as everyone sat down... Baby-5 suddenly clapped her hands.
Arthur: "Do we really have to do it now?" Arthur sighed.
Baby-5: "I think everyone deserves to hear what happened between Arthur and Tesoro today... especially everything involving Baccarat." Everyone's attention immediately shifted toward her.. Baby-5 smiled mischievously, and the entire room immediately became interested.
...
Baby-5 began recounting everything. Their first meeting with Baccarat. Arthur's unusual caution. The handshake protected by Busoshoku Haki. Baccarat's request to join the Art Pirates. Tesoro's hostility. His tragic past. The sudden phone call to Stella.
And finally... The reunion that no one had expected. No one interrupted her story.
By the time she finished... Silence filled the hall. Even Sabo lowered his head. Law quietly adjusted the brim of his hat. Koala smiled softly.
Robin: "You gave them another chance." Robin looked at Arthur with gentle eyes.
Arthur: "Everyone deserves one." Arthur simply shrugged. Hancock smiled proudly, while Monet nodded in agreement.
Baccarat: "...Thank you." Baccarat quietly lowered her head. Her eyes had become slightly red.
Arthur: "Welcome to the family." Arthur smiled faintly.
Those simple words were enough. For the first time in years, Baccarat smiled from the bottom of her heart.. For the first time in many years... She truly felt that she belonged somewhere.
Baby-5: "To our newest crewmate!" Baby-5 immediately raised her glass.
Everyone followed. "Cheers!!"
Laughter once again filled the enormous banquet hall. That night... The Art Pirates celebrated not only another successful journey... but also the newest member of their family.
...
The following morning... A knock echoed outside Arthur's suite.
TOK... TOK...
Arthur opened the door. Standing outside was none other than Gild Tesoro himself. Unlike yesterday... His expression was calm. There was no anger. No hostility. Only sincerity.
Tesoro: "I'm here to return this." Tesoro bowed his head before respectfully handing Arthur's Den Den Mushi back.
Arthur: "Looks like you talked for quite a while." Arthur accepted it.
Tesoro: "Not nearly long enough." Tesoro smiled.
For a brief moment... Neither of them spoke. Then Tesoro slowly lifted a small wooden chest. It was covered with elegant black velvet. Tesoro placed it in front of Arthur. Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Tesoro: "Please accept this. Mythical Zoan...Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Cat Sith." Tesoro smiled.
Arthur opened the lid. Inside rested a Devil Fruit unlike any ordinary fruit. Dark purple. Its spiral patterns resembled black flames. Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly. Arthur remained silent.
Tesoro: "Consider it my apology. And my gratitude." He looked directly into Arthur's eyes.
Arthur: "Thank you." Arthur quietly closed the chest.
Tesoro: "Stella told me everything. She'll be coming here." Tesoro slowly exhaled.
Arthur: " Grandfather has already given his permission." He gave a small nod.
Tesoro: "From this day onward... everything I own... Gran Tesoro... its wealth... its intelligence network... even my life... will always be yours whenever you need them." Tesoro lowered his head once again and his voice became firm.
Arthur: "Take good care of Stella." Arthur looked at him for several seconds. Then... He smiled.
Tesoro: "I swear it." Tesoro smiled as well.
...
Another full day passed peacefully aboard Gran Tesoro. Some enjoyed the casinos. Others explored the endless entertainment district. Robin visited the grand library. Monet gathered intelligence from every corner of the city. Baccarat spent nearly the entire day getting to know every member of the crew.
By sunset... She was already laughing together with Baby-5, Koala, Sugar, and the others as if she had been part of the Art Pirates for years.
That night... Arthur stood alone on the balcony overlooking the sea.
Far in the distance... The endless ocean stretched toward the horizon.
Beyond it...lay West Blue. The last of the Four Blues before officially entering the Grand Line. Finding the remaining Devil Fruits and uncovering more Poneglyphs remained Arthur's greatest priority. Arthur gently touched the compass inside his pocket. Its needle still pointed unwaveringly toward the west.
Arthur: "Tomorrow... we sail again." A faint smile appeared on Arthur's face.
The next morning... As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the golden city... The Athena slowly departed from Gran Tesoro. Its sails caught the morning wind. Its bow turned toward the endless sea. Toward West Blue. Toward the next Devil Fruits, toward another hidden Poneglyph, toward the unknown. And toward a new chapter that was quietly waiting beyond the horizon.