Kuke looked down at the two women.
A strong light shone from them.
The rest of their emotions were likely a mixture of fear and unfamiliarity toward the Sun and Moon Pirates.
But their loyalty was genuine.
At that moment—
Men in suits surrounded them from all directions.
At the same time, several massive golden platforms across the city began to rotate like machines, revealing enormous cannons aimed directly at them.
"Haha, the legendary and most mysterious Emperor of the Sun, Kuke, has personally graced us with his presence. What an honor for Golden City."
With the arrogance of a true king, Golden Emperor Gray strode forward.
The master of this city.
He had received the news immediately.
Then, his eyes landed on Carina and Baccarat, kneeling before Kuke.
His eyelid twitched, veins bulging in anger.
Those two were among his most valued subordinates, both highly capable.
It was precisely because of their skills that he had spared their lives two years ago, despite their betrayal.
Now, his anger flared.
As a ruler, watching his own subordinates kneel in front of someone else, openly defecting—
It was hard to swallow.
"Carina, Baccarat, get back here," Gray growled, raising a remote control.
With a simple press of a button, he could detonate the explosive wristbands shackling them.
A clear threat.
Then, Gray turned his attention to Kuke.
There was caution in his gaze.
But not fear.
"The legendary Kuke wouldn't stoop to something as petty as stealing subordinates, would he? Golden City welcomes the Sun and Moon Pirates with open arms, but I hope you'll also show me some respect."
Kuke gazed at Golden Emperor Gray indifferently.
How odd.
It had been a long time since anyone dared to speak to him like this.
Not even Whitebeard or Kaido would.
"Are you threatening our captain?" Charlotte Linlin's face turned cold, her presence surging.
Golden Emperor Gray's expression remained unchanged.
"No. I simply don't wish to have any unnecessary conflicts with the Sun and Moon Pirates," he replied, his eyes narrowing.
More of his subordinates began gathering around.
Golden dust floated down from the sky.
"Strange," Yamato muttered, resting her kanabo on her shoulder as she walked toward Gray. "You're so weak. Where does your confidence come from?"
Golden Emperor Gray had a bounty nearing a billion—formidable by New World standards.
But to them?
He was weak.
"I have thirty thousand men here. Cannons powerful enough to destroy islands. Endless wealth. I have partnerships with nearly all the major forces in the world. Even the other Sea Emperors work with me. I have ties with dozens of nations and even the World Government."
Gray laughed proudly.
Over the past two years—
He had dedicated himself to expanding his influence. If he couldn't become a Sea Emperor through sheer strength, he would do it another way.
Now—
He believed no one dared to touch him.
Because doing so would mean making enemies of all his powerful allies.
No one could afford that price.
"If the Sun and Moon Pirates are willing, we can work together. I can give you endless wealth. In return, I just need you to assist me once at a critical moment."
Golden Emperor Gray extended an offer before his gaze darkened.
"But of course, cooperation would require one thing—you return my subordinates."
Carina and Baccarat trembled.
If they were taken back by Golden Emperor Gray, they didn't even want to imagine what their fate would be.
They didn't dare to plead with Kuke.
Their hearts turned ice-cold.
Gray's offer was tempting.
Would Kuke accept it?
"Yamato," Kuke said calmly. "Take care of what you failed to finish three years ago."
"Understood."
Yamato's eyes lit up with excitement. "If you want to talk about cooperation, beat me first. Yama's Judgment!"
She swung her kanabo.
"Damn it," Gray snarled, his expression twisting. "Open fire!"
He immediately gave the order.
Then, he turned to leave.
His mind set.
If he had to abandon Golden City, so be it. Afterward, he would mobilize every force at his disposal to make the Sun and Moon Pirates pay.
"There's nothing in this world money can't solve. The Sun and Moon Pirates only have a few dozen members—I'll wear them down."
At the same time, he pressed the button.
Triggering the explosion of Carina and Baccarat's wristbands.
Carina and Baccarat's eyes widened in shock as they looked up at Kuke.
"Stand up. My people do not kneel."
At that moment—
Their spirits shone brilliantly.
Then they felt heat from their wristbands.
Their faces turned pale with horror.
"No…"
Carina and Baccarat trembled, their mouths opening helplessly.
Kachak.
Gion casually crushed their explosive wristbands.
With just a squeeze, the explosive devices that had held them captive for over two years crumbled into tiny metal fragments.
Carina and Baccarat, convinced they were about to die—
Stared in disbelief.
"Haha, surprised?" Nami teased her old friend. "Haven't seen anything like this before, huh?"
…
The battle erupted.
Yamato charged forward, smashing through anyone in her path as she headed straight for Golden Emperor Gray.
Kachak!
The surrounding troops raised their firearms.
Shing!
A single blade flash cut through the night.
Guina slowly sheathed her sword.
Thousands of guns shattered simultaneously.
"Room."
Belo Betty activated her ability.
She swapped Gray's location with a random stone directly in front of Yamato's kanabo.
Splat!
He didn't even stand a chance.
Against both Yamato and Belo Betty, who wielded Conqueror's Haki-infused strikes—
Golden Emperor Gray was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.
He crashed through dozens of buildings, carving a massive path of destruction for a full kilometer.
"Weak and pathetic."
Yamato scoffed.
To her, there were only two types of people.
Those who could withstand her kanabo.
And those who couldn't.
The fight ended swiftly.
Golden Emperor Gray's twisted body was flung back to Kuke's feet.
His tens of thousands of subordinates—
His heavily fortified Golden City—
Had all been utterly useless.
"You can't kill me," Gray roared, trying to hold himself together. "Come out! If any of you help me, I'll give you thirty percent more profit!"
He was desperate.
He knew—
Golden City housed representatives from many powerful factions.
If they stood together and pressured the Sun and Moon Pirates, Kuke wouldn't dare kill him.
"Idiot."
The Beasts Pirates' representatives sneered, pretending not to hear.
Some national delegates had already fled.
Even the World Government's officials trembled in silence.
Not a single person stood up.
Gray was dumbfounded.
"T-This… This isn't right!" His mind reeled. "So many major forces… Why are they afraid of the Sun and Moon Pirates?!"
Was he not offering enough?
"Call in every major force in the world," Shakky sneered. "Maybe then, you'll have a chance at negotiating with our captain."
Carina's heart pounded.
She specialized in intelligence.
She knew exactly how many powerful figures were in Golden City.
Yet not a single one of them dared to say a word.
"This… This is what a true legend looks like."
Carina's gaze locked onto Kuke, unable to look away.
That night—
The grandest city in the world, Golden City, became history.
Kuke obtained a new Devil Fruit—the Paramecia-type Gold-Gold Fruit.
And two new crew members.
Carina and Baccarat.
The news spread quickly.
To every major force across the sea.
"That idiot Gray actually thought we'd help pressure the Sun and Moon Pirates?" Kaido scoffed upon hearing the news. "If you had pissed off someone else—Whitebeard, maybe—I could've stepped in and smoothed things over.
"But Kuke?"
Kaido let out a cold laugh.
"There's no way you're getting out of this alive."
"None of my men who were in Golden City provoked Kuke, right?" Kaido asked, suddenly nervous.
"No, they weren't that stupid."
"Good."
Kaido sighed in relief.
Even the World Government's top brass ridiculed Gray's foolishness.
"An emperor of the underground world, yet he never bothered to collect intelligence from ten years ago? Or did he simply refuse to believe it?"
They had no sympathy for him.
Instead, they analyzed the Sun and Moon Pirates' actions in the New World—
And concluded.
For now, the Sun and Moon Pirates had no interest in making a move against the World Government.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be drawing so much attention to themselves.
Ordinary people across the world heard the news.
And sighed in awe.
"Golden City was such a massive force. People thought it could rival the Sea Emperors."
"But against the Sun and Moon Pirates—it crumbled instantly."
"Guess none of the Four Emperors are to be underestimated."
"And judging by this—if Red-Haired Shanks lost so easily to Admiral Akainu—just how terrifying is Akainu?"