After a day and night of relentless bombardment, the Buster Call finally ceased, leaving the entirety of Punk Hazard scorched earth.
The Marines landed once more, searching for any possible survivors—especially Gurd.
In the crater at the island's center, a curled-up red monster opened its eyes. It shook off the dirt clinging to its body, then plopped its massive rear onto the ground, glancing around with a dazed expression.
Where was this again?
Ah, right—Punk Hazard!
The Marines had launched a Buster Call!
Huh, was it over already?
The colossal body rapidly shrank, gradually reverting to human form.
"Mmm~~ That was a damn good nap!"
Gurd stretched with a loud yawn, running a hand over his bare skin without a care. After getting his bearings, he began trekking northeast—barefoot.
His clothes had been burned to ashes.
His Observation Haki picked up numerous approaching presences—likely Marine soldiers searching for him. Best to slip away early.
If he lingered, he'd probably end up facing Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and two Admirals ganging up on him. Having learned their lesson, the Marines wouldn't underestimate him again.
Soon, Gurd reached the northeastern coast.
The Groudon Ship was rapidly approaching.
"We've spotted Lord Gurd!"
Pirates with telescopes scanned the shoreline, quickly spotting the waving Gurd and immediately reporting upward.
"Move out!"
Speed teleported onto the island, startled at the sight of Gurd before hurriedly turning away—though her eyes kept darting back toward him.
"Why aren't you wearing clothes?"
"Burned off."
Gurd shrugged.
"Then wait here."
Speed vanished, reappearing moments later with a set of clothes in hand. She helped Gurd dress, grumbling all the while.
"Aren't you embarrassed at your age?"
"Tch."
Gurd scoffed.
If you're so embarrassed, why keep sneaking glances?
"Gurd, why'd you get skinnier?"
"This?"
With a slight flex, his body swelled back into its usual muscular form, leaving Speed blinking in astonishment.
You can do that?!
"…Just change back. You looked better before."
"…"
Women. So damn picky.
The two returned to the Groudon Ship.
Half a day later, the ship arrived at Dressrosa.
Gurd tossed Caesar offboard, making a public appearance before setting sail again, heading deeper into the New World.
Heh. Let the Marines seethe.
"Gurd, where to next?"
"Let me think!"
Gurd crossed his legs, pondering.
No need to visit the Nation of Labor—everything there was already settled. As for Wano Country, returning wouldn't accomplish much.
As for the Underworld Emperors, phone calls sufficed. Both sides were cooperating sincerely, so no need for him to oversee things personally.
"To Hachinosu Island!"
"Contact Ulti and Page One—tell them to head there too."
"And swing by the Pleasure Quarter."
Gurd quickly made up his mind.
He'd visit Stussy to check on the company's operations, then handle serious business at Hachinosu.
That damn Red Hair—the debt from that slash still hadn't been settled. Now that he'd risen to power, there was no way he'd stay brooding.
Three days later, the Pleasure Quarter.
[Girls' Ship]
Stussy lay sprawled on the soft bed, her eyes slitted like a contented cat, thoroughly satisfied with the man's earlier… attentive service.
SMACK!
A large hand landed on her rear.
Stussy wriggled her hips, swatting Gurd's hand away. "Stop fussing. I'm too comfortable to move right now."
"Hm?"
Gurd had a question mark pop up above his head.
What's up with this woman? She had been reluctant when they were together before, but now she seemed to be enjoying it even more than him.
Could it be because they'd been apart for too long?
Heh, damn, my irresistible charm!
After lying down for a while, Stussy got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom for a shower. As she passed Gurd, she even ran her fingers teasingly across his chest.
Hah, such a bewitching little minx.
Gurd thought for a moment and followed her.
He wanted to take a shower too!
"Ah!"
From noon till sunset, the two of them spent the day entangled before finally stepping onto the balcony for dinner.
Stussy looked at Gurd, her eyes curved into crescents.
Gurd felt a bit uneasy.
Ever since she saw him today, she had been acting a little off. Even if it was like rain after a long drought, she didn't need to be this wild, did she?
"Stussy, are you okay?"
"Of course I am."
Stussy rolled her eyes dramatically.
That rough, bear-like body of his before had been hard to stomach. Every time they got close, she had to tell herself it was just like being trampled by a pig.
As the Pleasure Quarter Queen, she had extremely high standards for beauty. Naturally, she didn't want her lover to be some burly, rough brute.
Heaven knew how much she had suffered—lying in bed with her eyes closed, praying for the stinky man to hurry up, all while thinking, "Damn, is this how my life is gonna be?!"
But this time, when Gurd returned, he suddenly seemed much more pleasing to the eye. At the very least, his physique was flawless now, with those gorgeous muscles making it hard for her to hold back.
Turns out my tragic love life still has hope!
Who could understand this kind of contrast?!
Even though Gurd still had that fierce look, compared to his previous bear-like appearance, if she didn't focus too much on his face, he was downright eye candy now. How could she not be happy?
If only he'd wear a wig, it'd be perfect!
Stussy pulled out the latest newspaper and two bounty posters. "Gurd, these are your new bounties."
"Let me see."
Gurd took the posters and raised an eyebrow.
"Earth Calamity" Gurd — Bounty: 1,990,000,000 Berries !
"Demon Princess" Yamato — Bounty: 1,060,000,000 Berries .
Once a bounty surpassed 300 million, it was usually hard to increase further. For the World Government to set their bounties this high in one go was truly rare.
When Blackbeard became one of the Four Emperors, his bounty was only 2.2 billion Berries .
The newspaper reported on the Buster Call at Punk Hazard and mentioned Admiral Aokiji's involvement, but it didn't specify the outcome.
Still, this was enough. In the eyes of the world, the fact that he and Yamato had survived both an Admiral and the firepower of a Buster Call was nothing short of a miracle.
Stussy's gaze grew complicated. "I've received word that Admiral Aokiji is severely injured, on the brink of death, and has lost a leg."
"Which leg?"
Gurd pressed urgently.
"..."
Stussy was taken aback.
Was that the important part?
"His right leg!"
"Oh, good then!"
Gurd relaxed.
As long as it was the right leg. Aokiji's left leg had to be saved for Akainu.
Stussy's expression grew even more conflicted, looking at Gurd with a mix of affection and frustration.
After all, she was still part of the World Government. Though she wasn't exactly a paragon of justice, she still hoped the world could remain stable.
Pirates were, in the end, evil.
Gurd was her only lover, and now, with his new appearance, he was becoming more and more appealing. If she claimed to have no personal feelings about it, she'd be lying to herself.
It wasn't exactly love, but for someone like her, having someone she could speak her mind to was already a luxury.
Besides, Gurd was incredibly strong.
Strong enough to conquer her.
From her perspective, becoming lovers with a top-tier powerhouse like Gurd could be considered a well-matched pairing.
At the very least, it wasn't a loss.
However, this bond would inevit
ably shatter one day.
Suppressing the emotions in her heart, Stussy reached out to Gurd.
"Gurd, dance with me!"
"Dance?"
Gurd was taken aback, but the next moment, Stussy pulled him up, and they began dancing the tango right there on the balcony.
The woman was unusually tender today.
"I'll teach you."
"Oh, alright."
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