Under Tesoro's lead, Issho was brought to an opulent private suite.
"Mr. Issho, please rest here tonight."
Issho gave a slight nod.
"Thank you, Mr. Tesoro."
Tesoro forced a smile, barely containing the anger boiling inside him.
"After all, you'll be leaving tomorrow. It's only right that you receive the finest service."
Issho's brow lifted slightly.
"Leaving tomorrow? What do you mean by that?"
Tesoro paused, then frowned.
"You don't intend to continue playing tomorrow?"
Issho burst into laughter.
"Of course I do. If I'm winning, why wouldn't I keep going?"
Tesoro's face darkened instantly, though he still held himself back.
"Mr. Issho, may I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"I'd like to know… did you use any tricks at the table?"
Issho went still for a moment.
"Are you suggesting I used underhanded methods to win?"
Tesoro sneered inwardly. Isn't that obvious?
But outwardly, he maintained a polite smile.
"Nothing like that. I'm just curious."
After a pause, Issho spoke calmly.
"Well… I did use a method."
Tesoro's anger flared.
"What method?"
Issho chuckled lightly.
"Observation Haki. Nothing more."
Tesoro froze.
Using Haki to gamble?
That crossed a line even in this world. It was the ultimate taboo in any casino.
"You dare use Observation Haki at my tables!"
Tesoro's patience snapped. He no longer bothered hiding his fury.
"Hand over the thirty billion Beli now. Otherwise…"
Issho tilted his head slightly.
"Otherwise?"
Tesoro's eyes turned cold.
"Otherwise, you won't be leaving this room alive."
A faint smile touched Issho's lips.
"So you intend to detain a Marine Vice Admiral in your casino?"
A killing intent flickered in Tesoro's gaze.
"No one will ever know you were here."
In the next instant, he lunged forward.
His right arm transformed into golden armor, hardened with Armament Haki, as he drove a crushing punch toward Issho.
Issho did not move until the last moment.
Then, slowly, he drew his cane sword.
"Gravity Blade."
A deep hum filled the air.
A surge of violet gravity erupted from the blade, distorting everything around it.
Tesoro's expression changed drastically.
Before he could react, his body lost control.
A tremendous force slammed him into the ground.
"What kind of power is this?!"
Tesoro roared, struggling against the crushing weight.
Issho did not answer.
His blade fell again, aiming to end it in one strike.
Tesoro's pupils shrank.
I can't die here!
His hand scraped across the floor, and instantly, hidden gold surged forth like liquid, rushing toward Issho.
"Oh? There was gold hidden here as well."
Issho murmured, then leapt back, exiting the room and widening the distance between them.
The crushing gravity lifted.
Tesoro rose slowly, his expression dark as he stared at Issho now standing in the street outside.
He could have escaped just now.
Why didn't he?
The realization struck him instantly.
This man's target… was me from the very beginning.
Fury exploded within him.
He was the richest man in the world. The Gold Emperor who controlled twenty percent of the world's wealth.
And yet, he had been played by a Marine.
Unforgivable.
Tesoro stepped forward, his gaze icy.
Issho stood calmly, that same faint smile still present.
"It seems you understand now, Mr. Tesoro."
Tesoro let out a cold snort.
"I've never wronged the Marines. I'm not even a pirate. On what grounds do you intend to arrest me?"
Issho's expression grew more serious.
"Since you ask, I'll answer."
"Your control over gold aside… do you have any idea how many lives your casino has ruined?"
Tesoro froze for a brief moment, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! They come here of their own free will! Did I ever force anyone?"
"You may not have forced them. But you let them sink into ruin. You destroyed countless families."
For the first time, anger showed on Issho's face.
He raised his blade, pointing it at Tesoro.
"Whether you admit it or not, I will arrest you today for the sake of those people."
Tesoro clenched his fists. He was not the type to surrender.
"In that case, there's nothing left to say."
With a roar, he slammed his golden arm into the ground.
"Golden Bomb!"
The earth rippled like water.
Waves of force surged toward Issho.
Explosions erupted in rapid succession, swallowing him whole.
Tesoro snorted.
"So this is the strength of a Marine Vice Admiral?"
Then a calm voice spoke from behind him.
"I cannot agree with that."
Tesoro's eyes widened.
He spun around.
Issho was already behind him, his blade descending.
Tesoro hastily raised both arms, coating them in gold and Haki.
A thunderous impact rang out.
The force drove him to his knees instantly.
Issho's expression sharpened as killing intent flickered across his face. Violet gravity surged once more into his blade.
The pressure became unbearable.
The ground shattered beneath Tesoro as his body was forced deep into a crater.
Issho exhaled softly and sheathed his sword.
For a moment, it seemed over.
Then
A deep rumble echoed from behind him.
Issho turned.
From within the crater, a massive golden arm burst upward.
A voice filled with rage roared out from below.
"Issho!"