"Shirogai, I apologize on their behalf. Please, let them go…"
Tesoro floated back on his gold platform, his expression stiff and solemn. Worry filled his eyes as he looked at the aftermath of the clash. He feared that his subordinates' reckless actions had deeply offended this remarkable man.
"Heh, your subordinates are quite interesting," Shirogai said with a faint smile. He casually tossed Tanaka onto the floor and added calmly, "They are fiercely loyal to you."
"Is that so…"
Tesoro forced a restrained smile. He knew this man possessed a terrifying ability to peer into the hearts of others. There was no hiding anything before him.
"Baccarat was once a slave to a powerful noble," Tesoro continued slowly. "I bought her freedom and gave her the Luck Luck Fruit.
Tanaka is a master thief. He was once hunted for using the Swim Swim Fruit to steal treasures from major underworld factions. I paid the price to settle that matter.
Deis was once the undefeated champion of an underground death arena. His former boss tried to poison him for profit. I stopped it. That is why he follows me."
With a wave of his hand, the gold suspended in the air returned to its proper shape.
"You treat them with sincerity," Shirogai said lightly. "Unfortunately, you are also deeply wary of them."
Tesoro remained silent.
"You know the Celestial Dragons are watching you. You dare not spend too much to recruit other powerful people. You also fear that among your recruits, there may be Marines or World Government spies.
After all, you know better than anyone how terrifying CP agents truly are. If they infiltrate your ranks, every move you make will be exposed, and you will become prey at any moment."
Tesoro let out a bitter smile. "You speak the truth. Nothing escapes your eyes."
Baccarat and Tanaka exchanged stunned glances.
They had never seen Tesoro in such a submissive state before.
Even in front of Celestial Dragons, Tesoro would at most lower his tone slightly. His pride had never bent completely. Once, a Celestial Dragon lost heavily in the casino and ordered the place smashed. Tesoro had still smiled, but everyone present had felt the icy danger beneath that smile.
Yet now, in front of a man he had only just met, Tesoro was completely different.
Neither Baccarat nor Tanaka was foolish.
This meant only one thing.
Either Tesoro truly feared this man's power…
Or he desperately needed something from him.
They both lowered their heads and dared not look at Shirogai again.
"Fool, acting on your own…"
Tesoro glanced at Deis, whose twisted arm hung uselessly as he leaned unconscious against the shattered wall. Even now, that faint look of bliss still lingered on the man's face.
Tesoro hesitated before asking, "Shirogai sama, should Deis be taken for treatment?"
"Clever choice of words," Shirogai replied with faint amusement. He waved his hand. "Take him away."
Once the three had left the room, Tesoro did not dare claim the main seat. He deliberately sat at a lower position before Shirogai, his posture respectful.
"Shirogai sama, about what you mentioned earlier… about resurrection…"
His voice trembled despite his effort to sound calm.
"I have a rough method in mind," Shirogai replied, his tone relaxed. "Whether it will succeed still requires testing."
He then looked at Tesoro. "Stella's soul is currently within reach. Do you wish to see her?"
"Soul…"
Tesoro's breathing grew uneven. After a moment, he clenched his fists and nodded hard. "I do."
Shirogai raised his hand. Bone-white smoke spiraled into existence, forming a strange, hollow gate. Faint cries and whispers echoed from within.
Tesoro stared at it in silence, his hands trembling violently. "Can I… can I really see her now?"
Countless tragic spirits flickered through Shirogai's eyes as he spoke softly, "It will take a moment to find her."
The awakening of the Smoke ability opened a passage to another realm, the Land of Finality, where the spirits of those slain by the Marines or tortured by the Celestial Dragons were gathered.
And Stella… had died in the hands of a Celestial Dragon.
She was there.
…
A pale, snow-white figure curled up in the corner of a dim prison.
Outside the iron bars lay a street scented with freedom, yet black snow drifted endlessly through the air. A rusted red sign swayed above the road.
Slave Shop.
She did not know when she had arrived here.
She only knew that she was waiting.
Waiting for someone.
Waiting for a certain familiar song.
He had promised he would redeem her.
He would come.
…
"Found her," Shirogai said softly.
Tesoro's body shook violently.
Her soul had lost most of its memories. She built a cage for herself, trapping her own heart within the very place where her nightmare began, endlessly waiting for the one who had once promised to save her.
"No… I cannot let her stay trapped like that…"
Tesoro's eyes were bloodshot as he collapsed to his knees. "Does she still remember me?"
"Perhaps."
Shirogai's gaze slowly swept over him. "But tell me, is that outfit truly appropriate?"
Tesoro froze. Then he rushed out without another word.
When he returned, he was completely different.
His hair was parted just like it had been in his youth. All the gold rings had been removed except the one on his left ring finger. His black clothes with the pale collar were exactly the same as the day they first met.
Only his face had changed. From a bruised young man to a dignified middle-aged man.
In his hands was a thick bundle of Berries.
The same ransom he had once saved through two full years of desperate labor.
"How do I reach her?" Tesoro asked shakily.
"Just walk through," Shirogai answered. "You will arrive where your heart leads."
Tesoro stepped into the gate without hesitation.
Even if it was hell, he would go.
…
She stared blankly at the drifting black snow.
Death had taken most of her memories. She preferred the darkness of the cage. She did not wish to remember the three years of torment beneath the Celestial Dragons.
Then, suddenly, a familiar song echoed through the street.
"I will definitely get better…"
Light flickered in her eyes.
"Follow me and count one, two, three, four…"
Tears slid silently down her face.
A familiar figure emerged from the shadows, older now, trembling as he clutched a bundle of Berries.
"Stella… I am sorry… I am late," he sobbed. "The ransom is finally enough."
"Tesoro…"
She smiled faintly. "I am happy… just to see you again."
Those words pierced his heart more cruelly than any blade.
The cage dissolved.
Tesoro rushed forward, embracing her cold body as twenty years of regret and twisted sorrow shattered all at once.
"I am sorry… I am so sorry…"
"It was never your fault," she whispered gently. "Thank you for coming for me… Tesoro…"
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