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Since that day, Tanaka San was secretly dealt with by Tesoro, who publicly claimed that he had unfortunately been killed by pirates. After that… Tesoro's golden skyscraper underwent renovations.
The two of them remained silent as the elevator ascended.
With his back to Garp, Tesoro could only see from the reflection on the smooth golden wall that Garp was staring intently at him, but his exact expression was hard to discern.
As they waited for the elevator to reach the top, Tesoro's mind raced.
"Could it be that the poisoning incident has been exposed? No, that's impossible… For something that big, even with Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)'s influence, Garp should have taken direct action."
"Perhaps… he's just following up on some clues, wary of Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)'s presence and the resources I control, so the government sent Garp to probe first? Or maybe something I've done recently has drawn Garp's attention?"
Tesoro silently pondered to himself.
Ding!
Not long after, the elevator chimed and opened before them.
As the host, Tesoro put on a fake, enthusiastic smile and gestured, "Garp San, please!"
"Thank you!" Garp nodded solemnly and stepped out of the room.
Noticing Garp's demeanor, Tesoro also breathed a sigh of relief. The top floor of this building was made entirely of gold, allowing him to maximize the power of his Gold-Gold Fruit. If he could buy even a fraction of a second, he could activate his Awakening.
Not to fight, but to retreat.
The advantage of fighting on home ground was something only a Devil Fruit user could have.
Arriving at the center of the spacious living room, Tesoro gestured for Garp to sit wherever he liked, then opened a cabinet and took out a bottle of what was clearly an expensive liquor, along with two glasses.
"Care for a drink?"
"No thanks, I'm not used to drinking. Just give me some donuts."
Tesoro: "…Sorry, I don't have those."
'Who keeps donuts ready at home? Drinks are the essentials, right?!'
"You could have them!"
"I really don't!"
"Then forget it, let's get to the main point."
Garp leaned back on the sofa and picked his nose.
"Actually, you know your position, right, Tesoro San? Even though you've established some connections with us because of that asshole kid Rowen, you should understand that both the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) and we Marines see you as a thorn in our side… It's just that you've never crossed the line, and with the influence you wield, we've been hesitant to act."
"Ah, that's right." Tesoro calmly poured himself a glass of wine, holding it with one hand as he leaned against the cabinet, his left hand supporting his right elbow. "When I was young and starting my business, I inevitably did some excessive things. The primitive accumulation of capital is always bloody, isn't it?"
After saying this, he took a small sip and smiled, "So now I'm planning to change my ways. I've almost completely stepped away from the underworld and only focus on legitimate business… As Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) said, the future is bright. Wash off the mud and face a new life."
At this point, Tesoro slightly narrowed his eyes.
"You're not here to settle old scores with me, are you?"
"Relax, I'm not interested in that."
Garp grinned slightly, lowering his head a bit, his gaze distant, "But can the blood on your hands really be washed away?"
"Forgiveness" and "Forgetting" are essentially the same thing.
"Law and Fujitora are different from you…" Garp shook his head and continued, "Although they hold the title of Shichibukai, their actions are far from those of pirates. So even if Rowen allies with them, we can turn a blind eye."
"After all, they're Shichibukai! Actually, I'm quite happy to see this. Now, apart from 'Empress' Hancock, there's not a single Shichibukai who exercises their legal right to plunder at sea. That's all thanks to Rowen."
"Except for you…"
Garp suddenly turned his head, glancing at him sideways, "You are a complete wildcard!"
Bang!!
In the air, an overwhelming aura suddenly surged, stirring up a storm-like current that left the living room in disarray.
Bang!!
At the same time, an equally formidable Haoshoku Haki rose, with purple-black lightning crackling in the void. It was the destructive power of clashing wills, manifesting in reality.
Tesoro calmly held his glass, unfazed by the purple-black lightning surrounding him, and said indifferently, "If you want to accuse me, why bother with excuses? I was never a good person to begin with… So if you're here to blame me for my past actions, Garp San, I think you've got the wrong target!"
Shuā!
As his words fell, the two opposing Haoshoku clashed and instantly dispersed. Garp snorted, propping his feet up on the battered coffee table.
"Accuse? That's not something so weak and powerless." He silently looked at Tesoro, his eyes revealing a hint of shock and disbelief, but he concealed it well.
"Do you know… what news I heard a few days ago?"
"Oh? What?"
"They say you and Rowen conspired to poison the Celestial Dragons, seeking revenge for your deceased first love, Stella!"
"Enough!!"
Suddenly, Tesoro shouted, stopping Garp from continuing.
The surrounding gold began to writhe, and his expression turned gloomy, "If you can mention that name, then you should know what she means to me!!"
"Don't push me, Garp! Do you believe I would throw all my wealth to buy your Marines' lives?!!"
With the ability to control 20% of the world's Belly circulation, the Gold Emperor had the audacity to say such a thing. He had become the very person he once despised, yet he was also the richest man, without exception.
In response, Garp appeared relaxed, "Don't worry, I don't believe it at all. After all, the timing is too coincidental."
Currently, the only ones on their side who knew about the Celestial Dragons' incident were Rowen and his henchmen, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), and the high-ranking Marines who risked everything to reveal the truth.
And this news was clearly targeting the indispensable powerful Admiral "Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)." At this point, neither the Marines nor the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) would spread such rumors, so the instigator of the rumors was painfully obvious.
Hearing this, Tesoro took a deep breath to calm himself, placing the cracked cup down and pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the spilled wine.
"And then? If you came here just for this matter, please leave. Just some baseless rumors. I believe the Marine will help us prove our innocence."
However, upon hearing this, Garp's expression darkened.
"You think you will really be innocent?"
"What do you mean?"
Tesoro sensed a hint of unease and instinctively asked.
"You were young back then, so you didn't quite understand." Garp silently clenched his fists, looking up, "That guy Rocks, who almost destroyed the world… Obtained the Pluton Blueprint!! And I was the one who personally burned that Blueprint!!"
Bang… Bang!!
At the top of the Gold Emperor building, a massive explosion erupted, creating a firework-like display. The terrifying shockwave caused the ten-kilometer-long ship to sway violently, and the two enormous island turtles cried out in pain, unable to bear the agony.
(End of Chapter)
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