"Is this what the top figures of the world look like? Sixteen hundred billion and not even a hint of panic..."
"Yeah! Who's going to win this fortune that could never be spent in a lifetime!? Place your bets!!!"
"Orin-sama is so cool..."
East Blue,
A small, unknown town.
Inside a tall building, a group of people dressed like circus performers were seated in neat rows, all staring intently at the Den Den Mushi projection above.
Leading them was a man dressed like a clown. His lips curled up into a wide grin, looking very excited.
"Hey!!! You brats! Watch closely how this great me's dearest friend wins this magnificent century showdown in dazzling fashion! Hahahaha!!!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!!!"
The pirate lackeys below also shouted with wide grins, cheering excitedly.
Even if they didn't understand why Captain Buggy was so confident that the [Black Gun] would win.
As for Buggy himself, he was both envious and thrilled.
As expected of Orin... That's sixteen hundred billion Belly... That's even crazier than Captain John's treasure!
He was already convinced that Orin would win.
As for the possibility that Orin might lose...
That didn't exist in Buggy's mind at all. How could someone like "Orin" ever lose?!
That guy was the best at everything!
...
North Blue, Donquixote Family estate.
"Hey hey, Doffy, if Orin-sama... loses, we'll definitely be on the hook for some of that debt, right!!!"
On a luxurious sofa, a tall, muscular youth clad in a pink feathered cape sat with his legs crossed, a wicked smirk playing on his lips as he stared at the live broadcast.
Hearing his companion's panicked concerns, his expression remained unchanged.
"Fufufufufufu... Looks like you still don't understand the true nature of this whole affair, Trebol..."
That sinister smile spread across his face again, as if he had reverted to that bratty, all-powerful little Doffy. His voice grew arrogant and loud.
"If that bastard Crocodile actually dares to win, then we'll just take him out on behalf of Orin-sama. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
"Fufufufufufu..."
...
"Then... let's begin the deal."
Under the eyes of the entire world, a game with over a hundred billion on the line was about to begin.
Cold sweat beaded on Crocodile's forehead as she stared gloomily at the equally tense dealer.
For the sake of fairness,
A freshly unsealed deck was used. Through random choice between Orin and Crocodile, they each picked five cards.
The cards were placed face down, their surfaces smooth and flawless. Trying to use Observation Haki to feel for ridges or markings was completely impossible.
Orin, acting every bit the gentleman, allowed Crocodile to pick first. He smiled calmly, completely at ease.
Seeing his confident demeanor, Crocodile didn't hold back either, seemingly choosing five cards at random.
Such sneaky little tricks...
With his advanced-level Observation Haki, Orin easily saw through it.
Among the freshly unsealed cards, five were ever so slightly off.
They seemed to have something stuck to them... something like...
Sand?
Extremely fine particles, so subtle you might not even feel them rubbing between your fingers.
But compared to the unnaturally pristine rest of the deck, these five cards stood out under Orin's Haki like candles in the dark.
Special markings?
Such a childish cheating tactic...
Crocodile, meanwhile, maintained a composed expression as she stared into Orin's eyes, still believing she had the upper hand.
She no longer had any hopes of actually winning the money—just getting this plague called Orin out of Alabasta would already be the best-case scenario she could imagine.
And now...
The Joker—the highest card—was already in her hand.
So what are you going to do...
Orin...
Huff...
Under her jaded, world-weary gaze, Orin casually picked out five cards from the deck.
No hesitation. No pause. He simply placed them face down in front of him.
"Now then... who will emerge as the final winner of this match!!!"
The announcer's voice cut in perfectly on cue. His excited tone gripped every spectator's heart as everyone held their breath, staring at the cards on the broadcast.
"Once this match is over, I won't be taking your money. I just need you... to leave Alabasta."
Crocodile's expression was grim and stern, as though issuing her final ultimatum.
"Now that won't do. I, Orin, always follow through on my words. Besides, why do you sound like you've already won?"
"..."
Veins bulged on Crocodile's forehead.
What an infuriating man... Worst-case scenario, she'd just retreat from Alabasta for now...
"You asked for this..."
As both players flipped their cards at the same time, the camera tightly zoomed in on the action.
"So then, this match..."
Crocodile was just about to speak and announce the result.
"I won, Little Sand~"
"...???"
At that teasing chuckle, Crocodile's eyes snapped wide open, staring at the cards on the table.
The Joker she had marked...
Was now...
How is this possible?!?!
Crocodile's cigar fell to the floor. Her expression was terrifying, filled with disbelief and horror!
A three of clubs???
Looking up again, she saw Orin smiling warmly, lifting his own hand of cards and flipping them toward both her and the broadcast feed.
Clearly visible—
A grinning jester wearing a crown.
"Joker. Full sweep."
With Orin revealing his trump card, silence fell—both in the room and across the world watching the broadcast.
Then came an explosion of cheers!!!
"Sixteen hundred billion!!!"
"Black Gun Orin has officially become the richest man on the seas!!!"
"You're all underestimating him—that's someone who's seen the One Piece! A mere sixteen hundred billion Belly..."
The entire world boiled over with excitement, driven mad by the spectacle of the largest gamble ever seen. And under the tidal wave of public opinion,
Orin had instantly risen to become the top name on the seas!
The most handsome man in the world!
The richest man in the world!
The strongest among the new generation!!
The uncrowned king who ruled the seas!!!
But unlike the excitement outside or the joy on Orin's face, Crocodile at that moment was frozen in place, filled with disbelief. Her beautiful face twisted in horror.
That card... wasn't it supposed to be in her hand?
Then... that means...
From this moment on, she was saddled with a sixteen hundred billion Belly debt?
Are you kidding me!?
How could that ever be paid off!!!
She clenched her jaw until it nearly cracked, but even with all her anger and frustration, she couldn't say a word.
What could she even say? That the Joker was supposed to be hers?
Wouldn't that be admitting to cheating?
Either way, it was checkmate!!!
And just as her sanity was about to snap, Orin's gentle smile and soft-spoken words landed like the final straw on the camel's back:
"What's wrong? Can't pay?"
"No problem,"
"You just have to... spend your whole life paying it back~"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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