Pleasure Quarter, Harbor.
The Groudon Ship raised its sails and set off toward the agreed-upon waters for the transaction with Cipher Pol Aigis Zero, after which it would return to Oni Island.
"Gu Jiang, we're off now!"
"Safe travels!"
Gurd stood on the shore, waving goodbye.
The exchange point was nearby, and with Ulti and Page One present, it was more than enough. He still had to accompany Stussy to watch the Central Fighting Tournament.
Once the main business was concluded, the siblings would come to pick him up.
After the Groudon Ship disappeared from view, Gurd glanced back at Caesar with a rather sinister look in his eyes.
"Let's go."
"Yes, Lord Gurd."
Caesar fawned obsequiously.
All expenses over the past two days had been charged to Gurd's account, allowing him to indulge in unrestrained revelry—pure bliss.
Unfortunately, good times never last.
He just didn't know when Joker would come to retrieve him. Though Lord Gurd was generous, the pressure of interacting with him was immense, making even the slightest misstep terrifying.
The two boarded Stussy's pleasure ship.
Shortly after the pleasure ship departed, a flamboyant vessel resembling a flamingo docked at the Pleasure Quarter. The leading officer quickly learned of Caesar's whereabouts from the manager.
They were one step too late!
The news swiftly reached Dressrosa.
"Caesar was captured?"
Mingo's expression darkened, veins bulging on his forehead.
Producing SMILEs relied entirely on Caesar's scientific expertise. If Caesar were lost, Kaido would kill him!
The good news was that Big Mom hadn't succeeded.
The bad news was that Caesar had fallen into the hands of Earth Calamity Gurd.
As for Gurd, the memories were still fresh!
Mingo touched the burn scar on his chest, his face twisting into a vicious snarl. He would never forget what Gurd had done to him.
That day, Gurd had not only humiliated him but also punched him in the face, nearly getting him killed by Kaido.
Though they were now allies, this unbearable disgrace tormented him endlessly. He was a noble Celestial Dragon, after all!
It was time to establish who was truly in charge!
"Fufufufufu~~"
Mingo's shoulders shook as his low, ominous laughter grew louder. He placed his hand on the window, and white threads spread outward from his palm.
Soon, the entire window was transformed into white strings.
His power was altering reality!
Struck by Kaido's spiked club and teetering on the brink of death, he had finally grasped the highest realm of Devil Fruit power.
Awakening!
Few Devil Fruit users achieved Awakening, but once attained, it granted immense strength—even the ability to influence the surrounding environment.
This Awakening was further proof that he was the chosen king of destiny!
"Fufufufu~~"
"I think I'll join the fun too!"
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Katakuri reunited with Oven.
Oven's head was wrapped in bandages, his eyes burning with fury.
"Brother Katakuri!"
"No need to explain. I already know everything."
Katakuri responded coldly.
How could he stand idly by while his beloved siblings were bullied?
"Earth Calamity" Gurd!
That man would pay dearly for this!
"Change course. Head for Champion Island!"
"Yes!"
–––––––––––––––
Three days later, Champion Island.
The New World's Central Fighting Tournament was held on Champion Island, from which the island derived its name.
The pleasure ship docked.
"Ugh—bleh~~"
Gurd leaned against the wall, vomiting rainbows, much to Stussy's exasperation.
Along the way, she had lost count of how many times she'd seen Gurd vomit. She never expected the infamous Earth Calamity to suffer from seasickness.
Amusing and adorable.
Gurd quickly regained his vigor.
"Let's go."
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Of course!"
Gurd waved his hand dismissively.
Champion Island was dotted with small, flat-topped hills whose interiors had been hollowed out and transformed into natural coliseums, each clearly categorized by size.
At the center stood Champion Mountain, the largest coliseum of all—the only one without divisions or rules, open for anyone to register.
The Central Fighting Tournament was currently in its preliminary stages. Pirates, gladiators, and even Marines could be seen everywhere, all here to compete.
For money and fame, even Marines weren't above such pursuits.
"It's Lady Stussy!"
"Who's that man beside her?"
"No idea."
Their arrival quickly drew attention, especially Stussy—the Pleasure Quarter Queen's beauty was renowned throughout the New World.
As for Gurd...
Perhaps because his bounty poster featured Groudon, barely anyone recognized him along the way, much to his displeasure.
What the hell were those Marine photographers even doing?
After strolling for a while, Stussy stopped in front of a burger joint and, like a girl next door, pulled Gurd toward the outdoor seating area.
"Let's sit over there."
"Sure."
Gurd felt like he was being played.
This woman was on another level—unsurprising for a madam. She gave off an air of intimacy that wasn't quite intimacy, keeping him hooked and wanting more.
As expected, money was the simpler route.
Gurd reaffirmed his stance: he was here to enjoy himself, and anything money could solve wasn't a problem.
Romance? More exhausting than fighting.
The issue was, he was broke.
Munching on his burger, Gurd pondered money-making schemes.
Back in Wano Country, annual rent collection amounted to about 10 billion Berries —mostly from farmland, the rest from miscellaneous rents and taxes.
But rent collection was cyclical, with payouts every three to four months. Daily yields were prioritized for Hachinosu Island's development.
No immediate help there. Side hustles it was.
"Huh?"
Gurd's gaze landed on Caesar, who was feasting noisily at another table, and a wicked idea suddenly sprouted in his mind.
Heh heh heh~~
Stussy nibbled daintily on her apple pie, holding it with just her thumb and forefinger, the picture of elegance.
Noticing Gurd deep in thought, she wiped a crumb from her lips, then licked her fingers clean.
Yet the man didn't even glance her way.
Narrowing her eyes in displeasure, she asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Collecting rent."
"Eh??"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Gurd chuckled in explanation before casually inquiring, "Stussy, do you know any famous gladiators around here?"
"Of course."
Stussy propped her chin on her hands. "Want me to introduce you?"
"This isn't going to cost me, is it?"
Gurd grew wary.
Stussy burst out laughing. "Relax, no charge this time. It's all public information—any local could tell you."
"Good."
Gurd exhaled in relief.
With empty pockets, everything felt uncertain.
This poverty-stricken hardship—he couldn't endure it for another day!
Make money, must make money!
"Then let's start with the champions."
Due to the tier system, each fighting tournament produces multiple champions. Plus, there are many regular competitions, so there are quite a few famous gladiators.
"V1 Heavyweight division - [Fighting Champion] Jesus Burgess. This man has won the V1 Golden Belt for three consecutive tournaments."
"V2 Midd
leweight division's ruler - [Destruction Cannon] Ideo."
"V3 Lightweight division..."
Stussy explained carefully before adding: "Here's a bonus tip for you - rumor has it there will be giants participating in this upcoming unlimited fighting tournament!"
"Giants?"
Gurd's eyes lit up considerably.
He absolutely loved giants!
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