Tesoro and Enel had just set foot on the soft cloud soil of Skypiea when they were greeted by an almost ridiculous sight.
A few ters ahead, under the blazing sun, Moria was sprawled out like a salted fish, limbs limp and motionless. Right next to him lay Ritter, stretched out lazily on a reclining chair, a newspaper draped over his face as he snored gently.
Not far away, Laboon's massive body was turned sideways, his flippers relaxed against the cloud as if he were on vacation. A huge parasol shielded him from the sun, and beside him sat a tall glass of fruit juice with a straw sticking out though no one really understood how a whale was supposed to drink from it.
Perona floated leisurely above, sipping on her own chilled drink while directing a few zombie animals to weave flower crowns for Lina. Stella sat nearby, brewing tea with her usual grace, the gentle aroma wafting through the air and blending with the breeze.
It was a scene of absolute tranquility, a picture of peaceful days that seed completely out of place for pirates who had just turned the underground world upside down.
Tesoro and Enel, freshly returned from grueling negotiations and bloody confrontations, suddenly felt like they had walked into the wrong story.
A vein twitched at Tesoro's temple. He lifted a hand to his forehead, exhaling sharply. "We're down there in the underworld fighting tooth and nail for every inch, and you lot are up here living the good life?"
Enel rolled his eyes with dramatic flair. "Hmph. This god nearly exhausted himself, and when I return I'm greeted with this… school of lazy fish."
Stella heard their voices and imdiately looked up. Her eyes lit up as she spotted Tesoro, and she quickly set aside the teapot. With a soft smile, she hurried over. "Welco back." She brushed the dust from his shoulders and patted him gently. "You've worked hard."
Tesoro's hardened expression lted at her words. He caught her hand and squeezed it firmly. "Della, give just a mont."
He turned and strode toward Ritter, who was still dozing, newspaper rising and falling with his breath. Without warning, Tesoro's golden staff materialized in his hand, wrapped in Armant Haki. He brought it down with a solid crack.
"Wham!"
"Ouugh!" Ritter shot upright, clutching his head where a fresh lump was already swelling. He blinked at Tesoro, dazed. "Yo… you're back already? So… did it all work out?"
Tesoro straightened his suit jacket, looking unusually refreshed. Perhaps knocking his captain on the head was a strangely therapeutic way of venting the stress from endless underground sches.
"It's done. Umit and Giberson are gone, their territories completely absorbed. Stussy has already made contact and everything is officially under my control now."
Ritter rubbed the swelling on his head, grimacing. "Tch… your hand is seriously heavy."
By now Laboon had woken up. With a happy squeal, he waddled over, his huge eyes sparkling with expectation.
Tesoro chuckled despite himself. He reached into the trunk he'd carried back and pulled out several large sacks of specially prepared dried fish. He stuffed them carefully into the small pouch tied to Laboon's back.
Laboon squeaked joyfully and threw his massive body into Tesoro, enveloping him in a whale-sized hug before bounding back to his lounging spot, tail wagging furiously.
Lina, who had just finished her flower crown, couldn't help but giggle. She floated down and held the crown out toward Enel. "Lord Enel, this is for you!"
Enel stared at the garish accessory in disbelief. "This… strange-looking thing? It's hideous."
Lina just fixed him with her wide, unblinking eyes, not saying a word.
The silence stretched until Enel finally clicked his tongue and snatched the crown from her hands. "Tch… fine. I'll accept it." He plopped it on his head with exaggerated reluctance. "Happy now?"
The crown bobbed gently in the breeze, its petals trembling as though mocking his godly dignity. Though Enel kept his mouth twisted into a scowl, the corner of his lips betrayed a faint upward curve.
Lina glanced sideways at him, then covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a laugh.
Ritter, watching the exchange, nearly choked. Wait, what? You two?
"You guys seriously have sothing going on?!" he blurted. "You're still kids! What do you know about love?! I'm a grown man and I don't even have a wife!"
Of course, that last part Ritter only muttered internally, consoling himself with his usual brand of shaless self-justification.
Tesoro watched his ragtag crew lounging around and finally let out a laugh of his own. "Forget it. Do whatever you want."
Stella slipped her arm through his, her voice low and soothing. "Sotis, a little rest is good for the soul, isn't it?"
Before Ritter could respond, a ridiculous song suddenly popped into his mind. He humd out loud, twisting the lyrics into nonsense: "If I compare you to a dog… you're the flowing streams and lofty peaks…"
His own brain betrayed him, and he groaned, dragging himself to the corner to sulk in silence, scratching imaginary circles on the wall.
Tesoro ignored him, sipping his wine while gazing out at the sea of clouds painted red by the setting sun. For the first ti in a long while, he thought
This life isn't so bad.
Tesoro had also brought back the latest issue of The World Economic News. He unfolded the paper, the bold headline stretching across the front page:
"Blood Dawn Unstoppable! Underground World Reshaped! A New Era's King Erges!"
The article was nothing short of dramatic.
"Shocking news shook the seas yesterday! Following the downfall of 'Sea Transport King' Umit and 'Warehouse Tycoon' Giberson, and the unexpected submission of 'Pleasure District Queen' Stussy, three of the six rulers of the underworld have fallen in quick succession. Behind all of this none other than the Blood Dawn Pirates.
According to exclusive footage obtained by this paper, the crew's core mbers now stand as follows:
Captain 'Blood Mist' Ritter, bounty: 3.8 billion berries
First Mate 'Golden Emperor' Tesoro, bounty: 1.5 billion berries
'Thunder God' Enel, bounty: 990 million berries
'Shadow Master' Moria, bounty: 1.02 billion berries
'Eye of the Storm' Lina, bounty: 500 million berries
Healer Stella, bounty: 100 million berries
Ghost Princess Perona, bounty: 30 million berries
And finally Laboon, bounty: 1000 berries (with one Laboon equating to roughly twenty Chopper points, apparently)."
At the bottom, Morgans had added his own cutting comntary:
"The Blood Dawn Pirates already command nearly half the underworld's businesses. More importantly, their captain Ritter was once a blade of the Pirate King's crew, Roger's trusted raiding point. Even among Roger's legends, Ritter's strength was unmatched.
The Blood Dawn may well forge the path for the next King of the Seas. While others squabble for territory, they've already declared with ruthless boldness: not only do they want control of the underworld they intend to rewrite the very rules of the New World itself.
This is the mark of a true king."
Morgans had even included a note: "We hope Captain Ritter will appreciate this new title we've given him. The nickna 'Scarlet Mist' was far too humble for his current stature."
Ritter grabbed the paper, eyes bulging. "Three point eight billion?! Has Sengoku lost his mind?! That's practically the sa as killing twelve Celestial Dragons! Are they really that worthless now?!"
Perona hovered beside him, stomping her foot angrily. "Why do I only have thirty million?! Those Marines must be broken!"
Lina leaned in, frowning at her own wanted poster. "Why did they use this picture? My hair's all ssy…"
Enel snorted, lightning crackling faintly around him. "Only 990 million? The Marines truly don't understand this god's might." His voice dripped with bitterness. He had missed the 1-billion mark by a re 10 million close enough to mock, yet far enough to sting.
Tesoro swirled his wine calmly. "One and a half billion… acceptable."
Laboon bellowed miserably from the side. "Uuuu !" (Translation: Why am I still only 1000 berries?!)
Stella reached up to pat his head gently. "At least it's 200 more than last ti."
Ritter slamd the table, then broke into roaring laughter. "Hahaha! Morgans says 'Scarlet Mist' is beneath ? Finally, that damn bird speaks so truth!"
He lowered the paper, eyes narrowing dangerously. "But if I catch him spreading rumors again… I'll wring his neck myself."
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