"Golden bomb!!" Tesoro roared, his body still airborne. The gold he controlled finally caught up, forming a protective golden armor around him. He swung his fist, unleashing an explosion that scattered fragments in all directions.
"That’s too exaggerated," Issho (Fujitora) frowned, concern etched on his face. "There are innocent people here." Realizing the widespread damage his attack would cause, Issho swiftly grasped his staff-sword and swung it. A lavender halo spread, halting the flying fragments mid-air before they fell heavily to the ground.
Using his golden armor, Tesoro landed far away, his eyes fixed on Issho with fear. What did he do? Is it gravity? Tesoro’s eyes flickered, recalling the moments his gold had been uncontrollable. This blind man is very strong! Are you also in the same group as them? If this is true, then the Rhodes Pirates are too terrifying. That guy Joker (Doflamingo) is being targeted by a difficult character.
"Hey, little brother, you are a pirate, right?" Issho turned his pale, pupil-less eyes towards Rhodes.
"Uncle, you are not a navy officer?" Rhodes countered.
Issho was slightly stunned. "Indeed, I am not a marine."
"You’re not a bounty hunter either."
"No." Issho shook his head, then added, "I sometimes do some bounty hunting work." Rhodes almost choked. The future Admiral Fujitora, a part-time bounty hunter?
"However, I have no intention of arresting you now, nor do I intend to interfere with your fight," Issho continued, his face serious, a powerful aura emanating from him that made both Tesoro and Rhodes solemn. "But I will not let the people around here get killed by your fight. If you can’t do that, then let me be your opponent!"
"Really? It looks like the battle can’t continue." Rhodes glanced at the bustling casino. Despite the chaos, many gamblers remained oblivious, still engrossed in their games. "But, are people like this also within your protection range?"
"Although they are addicted to gambling, they are just ordinary people!" Issho replied with a faint smile. Rhodes took a deep look at the man, recognizing in him a "justice full of benevolence," a true care for the people that surpassed most of the current Navy’s ideology.
Rhodes Recruits Baccarat
With Issho’s clear intervention, the battle seemed impossible to continue. Rhodes turned his attention to Baccarat. "Baccarat, right?"
"Oh my, I am honored to have the attention of the recently famous supernova, Blue-Eyed Rhodes." Baccarat blinked, an exaggerated, charming smile gracing her face. "I wonder what advice you have for me?"
"I like you very much, please join my pirate group," Rhodes invited directly. Baccarat’s surprised face showed a hint of genuine shock. She was just an unknown. Why would such a notorious pirate seek her out?
"Too arrogant, boy!" Tesoro roared, infuriated that Rhodes was openly recruiting his subordinate in front of him.
Completely ignoring Tesoro, Rhodes decided on Baccarat. "If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as your consent. Come with me." Baccarat’s Lucky-Lucky Fruit ability was crucial for the future of his crew, especially concerning Law’sDevil Fruit research. He was determined to have her, by force if necessary.
"You’ve completely pissed me off, kid!" Tesoro’s rage boiled over. With a roar, countless streams of gold erupted from every corner of the casino, quickly transforming the entire space into a shimmering golden ocean.
The Golden Giant and Rhodes’s Confidence
"Sorry for the trouble..." Issho effortlessly floated himself and several gamblers on a levitating patch of ground, even as some of the gamblers continued their frantic games in mid-air. Below them, the casino had become a glittering golden sea.
"This is my territory, she is mine, and only I can decide the fate of the people here!" Tesoro roared, as a colossal golden giant rose from the depths of the golden ocean, its terrifying roar aimed at Rhodes, who was hovering in the air using Moonwalk.
"How’s your Moonwalk training going? Should it be okay to take her away?" Rhodes held Baccarat in one hand and turned to Nia, who was also suspended in mid-air via Moonwalk.
"Just barely," Nia replied, taking Baccarat from him, though still confused by Rhodes’s obsession with the woman.
"You are a smart person, don’t do unnecessary things," Rhodes warned Baccarat, concerned about her reaction to being semi-forced into his crew.
"Oh, I’m a very good girl," Baccarat chirped, blinking charmingly at Rhodes. "After all, I am lucky. All of this is the most favorable choice made by fate for me."
Rhodes suddenly understood. "Then I feel relieved." Her luck was still in play. No matter what happened now, fate would lead her to the most favorable outcome. He didn’t need to worry about her actions because he knew that in this battle, he was destined to win.
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As Tesoro unleashes a powerful "golden bomb" in the casino, Issho (Fujitora) intervenes, using his gravity manipulation to protect the innocent gamblers, much to Tesoro’s fear and the surprise of Rhodes. Issho clarifies his stance: he won’t interfere in the pirate conflict but will protect the civilians, even the gambling-addicted ones, highlighting his "benevolent justice." With the direct battle stalled, Rhodes makes a bold, forceful invitation to Baccarat to join his crew, valuing her Lucky-Lucky Fruit ability for Law’s research. Enraged by Rhodes’s audacity, Tesoro transforms the entire casino into a golden ocean, summoning a colossal golden giant to confront him. Rhodes, having handed Baccarat to Nia, expresses confidence, understanding that Baccarat’s "luck" means the most favorable outcome will occur for her, which, in his eyes, is ultimately his victory.