In the opulent reception room, Hancock and Stussy lounged casually on the sofas, appearing completely at ease.
Baccarat, the Raki Raki no Mi User and the beauty specifically responsible for attending to VIP clients, stood obediently to the side, not daring to overstep in the slightest. (T/N: Luck-Luck Fruit.)
Although she wasn't familiar with either woman, their reputations were thunderous in both the underworld and the legitimate world. She had no courage to try any tricks in front of them.
"It's really excessively gorgeous, even the air is filled with gold dust."
Stussy gently fanned herself twice with the small fan noblewomen often carried, her words hinting at something.
However, Hancock didn't follow her lead. Instead, she directly clarified,
"Don't mind it. This is just Tesoro's precautionary measure."
This left Baccarat stunned.
Tesoro used his Goru Goru no Mi's Ability to coat everyone entering the Country of Gold with imperceptible gold dust on their bodies, even in their respiratory tracts, allowing him to instantly cover them from the inside out with gold at a critical moment to control them... (T/N: Gol-Gol Fruit.)
'That fact should be a secret! How does this Pirate Empress seem so familiar with Tesoro-sama?'
Actually, it wasn't Baccarat's fault. She had joined the Country of Gold later and wasn't aware that the establishment of this sea-faring nation had also relied on the efforts of Amazon Lily.
Even now, there were still Kuja Kingdom's mercenaries responsible for security within the Country of Gold.
"Hahahaha... Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, it's been a long time! And this... ah, the Queen of the Pleasure District, Ms. Stussy. Welcome to my Country of Gold!"
A boisterous laugh came from outside the door, causing the stone in Baccarat's heart, which had just begun to feel heavy, to quietly settle.
Tesoro walked in wearing another exceptionally flashy suit, performing a gentlemanly tip of his hat to the two ladies seated in the room.
His earrings, rings, necklace, even the sunglasses he wore, all shimmered with a golden glow, making him look like a super nouveau riche, completely lacking the elegance of so-called high society.
But don't underestimate these seemingly flamboyant accessories. When necessary, they could also become Tesoro's weapons.
It was quite intriguing. Other Paramecia-type users, like Katakuri or Mr. 3, could use their abilities to create their respective elements out of thin air.
But the Goru Goru no Mi couldn't bestow Tesoro the ability to produce gold from nothing.
Even though he had developed this fruit to the [Awakening] stage, it only expanded his range of control over gold.
However, even with just that, he could still use this ability to prospect for gold all over the world.
The first bucket of gold for creating the Country of Gold was obtained through this ability.
Of course, the subsequent plans for the [Sea Entertainment City] and [Super Den of Extravagance] were achieved through his innate 'talent', not closely related to the Gold-Gold Fruit.
Seeing the king of this country arrive, Stussy cooperatively stood up and performed a curtsy.
Today she wasn't wearing her usual favorite short skirt, but instead a magnificent gown, making the etiquette seem quite appropriate.
Hancock, however, acted as if she hadn't seen anything at all, still leaning back on the sofa with an imposing aura, glancing sideways at Baccarat.
"Baccarat, you may leave now."
"Yes."
Baccarat felt as if granted amnesty, hastily turning to leave.
To be honest, while being watched by these two queens earlier, she had felt like a little rabbit facing two tyrannical dinosaurs.
Even though Hancock hadn't looked at her directly, she still felt as exposed and flustered as if standing naked before a terrifying beast.
Stussy wasn't as overbearing, but this woman's eyes always reminded her of the most insidious predators in nature, lurking like poisonous scorpions, equally chilling.
"Alright. Before I give the order, no fourth person will appear here. You two can discuss what you need from me."
Tesoro picked up the champagne from the table and poured himself a glass, then looked inquiringly at the two women opposite.
"Drop the act, Tesoro. She's not an 'outsider'."
When she said the last word, for some reason, a flash of shame and anger uncontrollably crossed Hancock's face, but it was quickly suppressed.
Hearing this, Tesoro's expression still didn't change, as if waiting for Hancock to provide further explanation.
"This woman is also... also... Naruto's..."
Bam!
In the end, Hancock didn't finish her sentence, instead slapping the table in frustration.
The pure gold table, unsurprisingly, deformed under the tremendous force.
Luckily, Tesoro had already moved the glasses and bottle aside.
Only after hearing Hancock's implicit explanation did Tesoro's expression finally change.
He casually waved his hand, and the table immediately restored itself.
He then placed the glasses and bottle back and sat down on another sofa, taking off his hat.
"So, has something happened to Naruto-san? Or is it time for me to make my move?"
Stussy looked at Tesoro, who was now clearly a different person, a playful smile on her face.
"Even now, I find it hard to believe that the 'model king' who supplies so much Heavenly Tribute every year actually has dealings with a super-wanted criminal like Naruto."
"Aren't you the same, Ms. Stussy? Or should I say, CP0 Agent."
Faced with Stussy's teasing, Tesoro completely shed his earlier playboy demeanor, deftly countering with words.
"...It seems your 'infiltration' of the World Government runs deeper than I imagined."
Stussy was momentarily speechless, then resumed her smiling expression.
"Of course. Even high-ranking World Government's officials, senior Marine's officers… and even the Celestial Dragons themselves, come here to relax."
Tesoro didn't respond to Stussy's insinuation. In fact, it was precisely because he knew Stussy's true identity beneath the [Queen of the Pleasure District] that he had remained cautious even after Hancock said to 'drop the act'.
What truly set his mind at ease was her relationship with Naruto.
"To be honest, every time I see those scum appear before me, I want to crush them into mincemeat with gold. If it weren't for Naruto-san's goal..."
When speaking of the Celestial Dragons, Tesoro's face showed unconcealed anger, hot enough to melt eternal glaciers. As he spoke, an intangible aura spread from within him, and the entire reception room trembled.
"Calm down, Tesoro."
In response, Hancock's own Conqueror's Haki instantly surged forth, meeting his without yielding.
That's right. Tesoro also possessed Conqueror's Haki.
On the day Naruto pulled him from the darkness, allowing him to face his true targets of hatred and the ideals he should fight for, he had also awakened his own Conqueror's Haki.
This made him far stronger than his counterpart in another fate.
A warrior with conviction and a destroyer lashing out indiscriminately at everything could achieve completely different things.
Fortunately, both knew where they were.
The two Conqueror's Haki forces only clashed briefly before Tesoro regained his composure.
"My apologies, I lost my composure."
He nodded apologetically to the two women, then took out a handkerchief to wipe off the drink he had accidentally spilled on himself.
"So, Hancock, why have you brought her to see me?"
"Naruto is missing. I'm pregnant."
"Hah??!"
For the first time, an expression of comic-book-like shock appeared on Tesoro's normally unflappable face.