White Flame's original plan had been simple:
find whoever was in charge of Cocapiro Town and extract the location of Drought Jack from them.
But after seeing the city with his own eyes—
its flashing lights, bustling crowds, and decadent wealth—
he quietly changed his mind.
This wasn't a mere town anymore.
It was an empire of greed.
Every form of entertainment, every vice imaginable—
gambling halls, dance clubs, pleasure houses—
they were all here, flourishing under the Beasts Pirates' flag.
And if one man controlled it all?
He could sleep and still grow richer by the hour.
White Flame stopped before a grand casino.
Above the tall, gold-trimmed doors, a glowing sign read "Paradise Club."
The flashing lights painted the night in colors so bright it almost hurt to look.
Inside, chaos ruled.
The roar of voices, the clatter of dice and spinning wheels,
the metallic ring of coins spilling across tables—
it was as if White Flame had stepped into a distorted version of Las Vegas.
"Hahaha! I won!"
"Damn it—house wins again!"
"Spin! Spin! Spin! Come on, keep spinning!"
The air vibrated with shouts of victory and despair,
the alternating scent of perfume and sweat thick in every breath.
As they moved through the crowd,
a woman in a revealing bunny costume approached,
smiling with professional sweetness and practiced charm.
"Welcome, sir. Looking to try your luck tonight?
We offer free rooms and… special services for our high rollers."
Her voice was soft, almost purring.
White Flame took a drag from his cigarette.
"No need for chips. Just call your manager."
Her smile didn't falter, though her eyes flicked briefly to the cigarette.
"Of course, sir—but smoking isn't allowed in the casino."
"Then you'd better change that rule," he said flatly.
The woman hesitated, then wisely said nothing more,
and hurried off to fetch her superior.
"Hey! Nice legs, sweetheart. Come with me, and I'll make you rich!"
A booming, nasal laugh interrupted.
A fat man dripping with gold jewelry waddled over,
his grin revealing rows of golden teeth.
In one hand, he tossed two fat stacks of cash toward Baby 5,
his eyes glinting with lust.
"That's your tip, honey. Let's go have some fun."
Baby 5's temper ignited instantly.
Her hand morphed into the shape of a gun,
the cold barrel pressed against the man's greasy forehead.
"One more word, you pig, and I'll blow your brains out."
The color drained from the man's face.
He trembled—but pride made him reckless.
"Y-You'll regret this! You think you can threaten me?
You're just some casino girl—!"
He never finished.
SHING!
A flash of steel cut through the noise.
Blood sprayed across the carpet.
The man dropped without a sound,
a deep crimson line carved through his chest.
"White Flame…"
Baby 5 turned, eyes wide with emotion as she saw him lower his blade.
"I knew it. You do care about me."
"Don't flatter yourself," he said coolly.
"He was just too loud."
He blew out a thin ring of smoke,
watching it drift lazily above the corpse.
Screams erupted.
"Murder! Someone's been killed!"
The two women who had been with the fat man bolted, shrieking toward the exit.
Within seconds, alarms blared.
Armed guards flooded in from every corner of the casino—
thick-necked, scar-faced men in dark suits,
each one itching for violence.
"You idiots have a death wish?"
"Killing someone here—you must be insane!"
"Do you even know whose territory this is?!"
The crowd backed away in a wave of whispers and gasps.
Rebecca drew her sword,
her stance calm but ready.
Baby 5, by contrast, barely seemed to care.
Her finger rested on the trigger, a wicked smile on her lips.
"Snowbear's here!" someone shouted.
"Snowbear Boss!"
The guards parted, and a mountain of a man strode in—
broad-shouldered, barrel-chested,
wearing a tailored suit that strained against his muscles.
A gold tooth flashed beneath his sunglasses.
"So," he said, removing the shades and narrowing his eyes,
"you three are the ones making trouble in my place?"
"What if we are?" Baby 5 snapped.
He ignored her, his gaze shifting to White Flame.
"You called for the boss, didn't you?"
"I'm guessing you're the one in charge here."
He smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"You're lucky. I'm in a good mood tonight.
I'll overlook your little stunt—if you give me a reasonable explanation.
Otherwise…"
He leaned back as one of his men placed a chair behind him.
"You can explain yourselves on your knees."
The guards chuckled darkly.
White Flame stepped forward, cigarette glowing between his fingers.
"A reasonable explanation?"
He reached out,
and before Snowbear could react,
pressed the burning tip of the cigarette firmly against his forehead.
The man's confident smirk vanished in an instant.
He grabbed for White Flame's wrist—
and froze.
He couldn't move.
It was like trying to push against a mountain.
The smell of burning flesh filled the air as White Flame twisted the cigarette slowly,
grinding the ember in with deliberate cruelty.
Snowbear's scream tore through the casino.
"That explanation," White Flame said quietly,
"reasonable enough for you?"
Behind him, six invisible figures shimmered into being—
his IBMs—
their claws glinting faintly in the dim light,
already poised to strike.
The casino, once filled with noise and laughter,
fell silent but for the soft hiss of burning tobacco.
If you Enjoyed Reading
Visit my p@treon for more chapters
Advance 80+ Chapters Available
patreon.com/Sagamaster789
If you really Enjoyed Reading. Give Power Stones and Reviews !