Gran Tesoro, the world's largest entertainment city.
As the head of the Donquixote Alliance and the richest man in the world, Gild Tesoro also doubled as a superstar entertainer here.
At this moment, he stood upon the Gold Plaza before the Gold Pool, a microphone in one hand and the index finger of his other hand pointing high toward the sky. As the rock music swelled, the explosive atmosphere ignited a new round of madness throughout the entertainment city.
Following Tesoro's rock performance, Carina was set to take the stage with her soothing melodies. Rock served as the high-octane opening, while the gentler music provided the balance.
…
"What are you looking at, Dellinger?"
In the Officers' quarters, Diamante sat on a sofa with his legs crossed. To his right, standing by the windowsill, was a youth wearing hot pants and red high heels, provocatively swaying his hips while leaning against the sill.
"A-haha! This is truly amazing, Diamante."
A member of the Donquixote Pirates' Diamante Army, Dellinger covered his mouth and spoke in his characteristic effeminate tone. "The one who just entered... is Queen the Storm of the Beasts Pirates... and Weevil, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"Oh? Formidable indeed. But we have our own suppressive forces stationed here as well."
Diamante was momentarily surprised. Though he was hailed as the "Hero of the Colosseum," either of the two who had just arrived could easily crush him.
"A-haha! True, our side isn't lacking either. Aside from us, the officers of the Donquixote Alliance..."
Dellinger shifted his gaze across the bustling district, locking onto several figures. "Ivalis, Captain of the Golden Hair Pirates; their Vice-Captain, Benn Beckman; and their number three, Cavendish. Then there's Fallon, Captain of the Black Thorn Pirates. Even Knight of the Sea Jinbe has arrived as Alucard's new lackey..."
"With their Captain himself presiding over the scene, just thinking about so many heavyweights gathered at Gran Tesoro makes me feel a chilling wind," Dellinger laughed, hand over his mouth.
"The one we need to watch out for is that brat Law."
Diamante's killing intent flared. "That brat who betrayed Doflamingo and thinks he can act high and mighty just because he has the Immortal backing him. He and Straw Hat might try to sneak in this time to fish in troubled waters."
…
Inside the highest-tier VIP salon, Donquixote Doflamingo crouched by the window, his back turned to Alucard, who sat on the sofa.
"The strongest competitors are Queen the Storm and the Warlord Weevil. News just came in that the Blackbeard Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates are also approaching from two different directions."
As he spoke, Doflamingo turned his head slightly. "By the way, your subordinate, that Law brat, might be trying to slip in as well. He's staring at my head with greedy eyes."
"Be careful he doesn't cut it off," Alucard remarked like a dark joke, his fangs retracting from the neck of a virgin.
"Fuffuffuffu... You truly underestimate me. How could I be taken down by a brat like that? I've already set the trap for him," Doflamingo replied with absolute confidence.
"Joker-sama, those guys from the Storm's side want an explanation regarding the SMILE trade."
At that moment, Tanaka emerged from the floor, his cat-like mouth stretched into a grin as he reported to Doflamingo.
"Restless fools," Doflamingo muttered, frowning as he turned to leave.
Shortly after Doflamingo left, the Den Den Mushi on the coffee table in front of Alucard connected. Koala's voice came through: "Alucard-san, the occupation of Seykaida Island, a royal territory in the first half of the Grand Line, is complete."
Another royal territory fallen. With this, only four remained.
Alucard's body dissolved into a pool of blood and vanished. In less than two seconds, his body reformed on Seykaida Island, more than ten thousand miles away.
Seeing Alucard's sudden appearance, Koala couldn't help but feel a secret tremor of shock, even though she had witnessed this ability twice before.
Just two hours ago, she had received word that Alucard was still at Gran Tesoro in the New World, and in an instant, he was here.
…
"You lot are... the Tatsuya Clan from the Land of Rice! As expected, you're here for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit too?"
"Hmph! Now that the World Government has fallen, improving one's own power is more vital than seeking Marine protection. The Tremor-Tremor Fruit is undoubtedly the ultimate means to that end!"
"Freya Pirates! You bastards killed our Vice Captain back then! Meeting you here today is fate, prepare to die!"
"We came for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, but if you're looking for death, we can certainly accommodate you."
Among the jackals swarming Gran Tesoro for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, many were old enemies who saw red the moment they crossed paths.
Just as the two feuding pirate crews were about to clash, a translucent, light-green barrier manifested between them. Everyone slammed into the barrier, and a powerful recoil sent the force of their own attacks rebounding into them.
Snap!
The sound of several bones fracturing rang out. As the pirates from both sides cried out in pain, a green-haired man with a cockscomb hairstyle walked across the street with his hands in his pockets, looking incredibly arrogant.
"If you want to fight, take it outside, you pieces of trash!"
"You bastard! Bartolomeo...!"
"How dare you interfere in our fight!"
Both sides gritted their teeth in hatred, but Bartolomeo responded with a vicious kick to the face.
"Shut up, you trash! You want me to send you to hell? Huh?"
Captains with bounties over a hundred million were now having their faces stepped on, stripped of all dignity. Yet, everyone suppressed their rage. The emblem on the back of Bartolomeo's coat, the same one found on Alucard's white gloves, was simply too prominent to ignore.
…
Meanwhile, on the sea approximately two nautical miles south of Gran Tesoro, the Thousand Sunny and the Polar Tang came to a synchronized halt.
Law stepped onto the deck of the Polar Tang and spoke to the Straw Hat Pirates and Momonosuke on the Sunny.
"I've been there once before and suffered a great loss due to Tesoro's Gold-Gold Fruit. We need to take preventative measures first."