A man dressed in all black arrived, carrying a suitcase.
"We have prepared chips worth 500 million belly for both of you."
Baccarat opened the suitcase, revealing neatly arranged chips inside.
"Can these be used for anything?" Rayleigh asked with bright eyes.
Who would refuse free money?
"Of course, with these, you can buy anything sold on the ship or play any game." Baccarat said with a sweet smile.
"In that case, I won't refuse the hospitality."
Rayleigh took the suitcase from the man and handed another suitcase to Eiji.
"Baccarat, you accompany Rayleigh while he plays, and I'll wander around on my own."
Finally, Eiji, who had been silent since they arrived, spoke indifferently.
No matter where he was, he preferred doing things on his own rather than with others. It was his habit and hard to change.
Moreover, he didn't need to worry about anything bad happening to Rayleigh. Even though he was aging, he wasn't someone anyone could mess with lightly—not even an Admiral would provoke him without thinking twice.
"Huh? Are you sure? This ship is ten kilometers long. Of course, there are hotels and shopping centers, as well as casinos, a swimming pool, an aquarium, a theater, a golf course, and more! This giant ship is truly a sovereign nation, even recognized by the World Government! In terms of defense, we are protected by an enormous Giant Turtle, so Sea Kings and other sea creatures won't bother us. Because of that, we can travel anywhere in the world, even in the Calm Belt!"
Baccarat proudly showcased Gran Tesoro's advantages.
"Just do as I say." Eiji said coldly.
"Ah, alright."
Seeing that gaze, Baccarat remembered that the young man in front of her wasn't ordinary. For other party, Gran Tesoro's defense meant nothing.
"Have fun, Eiji. But don't get addicted to gambling, okay? Gambling isn't good for your mental health if you get addicted."
Not minding going their separate ways, Rayleigh offered advice as an old man with a lot of life experience.
At that moment, something approached the group. It looked like some kind of white vehicle, and on the hood, while operating several levers, was a group of turtles wearing helmets and red goggles.
"Our ride has arrived. Since Gran Tesoro is so vast, it's better to take the car. Please get in and have a seat."
Sitting in the driver's seat, Baccarat patted the seat next to her.
"When should we meet again?"
"Noon tomorrow, we'll meet here."
"Fine, I hope you find something that makes you happy, Eiji."
After agreeing on a few things, Rayleigh sat beside Baccarat, waved his hand, and the turtle car drove away, leaving Eiji alone.
"There are many unique and exotic things in this world."
Remembering the turtles earlier, Eiji had to admit that the diversity of life in the One Piece World was far greater than in other Isekai.
After that, he passed through a gate with a welcome sign topped by two cartoon clowns. There, he saw many women dancing in the streets, as well as many casinos, restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops.
"In Japan, I clearly wouldn't be allowed to enter a casino because I'm still underage, but in this world, there's no such restriction."
Gambling is an illegal business in Japan, but people can always find loopholes in the rules. Take Pachinko for example, which seems like a game of trading points for prizes, but it's actually hidden gambling.
There are also underground casinos run by the yakuza.
Eiji knew about this because he had once visited a casino to exorcise a Cursed Spirit. After all, people who lose at gambling produce enough negative emotions to give birth to a Cursed Spirit.
Generally, Jujutsu Sorcerers don't interfere with the secular world; therefore, they don't report illegal places to the authorities.
"There's gold everywhere."
Eiji saw many more luxurious and extravagant buildings, all made of gold!
"Let's try playing."
Approaching one of the slot machines, he inserted a chip, pressed the button, and waited for the screen to spin.
❀❀❀
In a room filled with security monitors, Tesoro watched Baccarat accompany Rayleigh, while Eiji played the slot machine alone.
"Phew... Thankfully, they came just to play."
Previously, he had suspected that their arrival was to cause trouble at his place. If that were the case, no one could stop them. Fortunately, it was just his imagination.
"In that case, it's time for me to make an appearance."
Tesoro left the room with enthusiastic steps.
❀❀❀
"That's enough. This machine must be rigged to give a win after a certain amount of losses."
After spending 10 million belly worth of chips playing the slot machine, Eiji lost everything. Not once did he win.
Since childhood, he had never lacked money, so he didn't fully understand its value. That's why he didn't feel a loss even after losing a lot of money.
"Let's try playing with others."
Looking around, Eiji became interested in people playing poker.
Suddenly, the room went dark as the lights went out. The next moment, a large projection screen visible to everyone appeared in each area.
The silence was soon broken by the sound of two shoes tapping on the floor and the snap of fingers. A man ascended the stairs, wearing a white suit with gold embroidery and a tall white hat, a pair of gold sunglasses with purple lenses, and wing-like frames. In his left hand, he held a sparkling gold microphone, and on each of his ten fingers were glittering gold rings.
"Gild Tesoro…"
Seeing the man on the screen, Eiji immediately recognized who he was.
Tesoro quickly reached the top of the stage, and as he squeezed the microphone—
*BLOOOP!* *SHING!*
A golden spear burst from below!
Tesoro thrust the spear into the stage, causing a wave of golden water to splash around him, and then, the same golden tendrils appeared around him, completely engulfing his figure, who was only grinning as if he didn't notice. Then, the pillar began to emerge from the depths as the sound of jazzy drums and trumpets filled the air.
*BOOSH!*
The stage burst upwards, under the starry night sky. Soon, a series of colorful lights lit up, revealing a cheering crowd sitting in the stands.
Behind the stage was another stage, and the lights read "Gold Stella Show". Soon after, clarinet players began to join in, followed by trombones, then saxophones, then trumpets, and finally, drums.
On stage, a group of beautiful female dancers in luxurious outfits spun around before they all stepped back, revealing a woman with lavender hair tied up, blue eyes, heart-shaped gold earrings, a black and yellow dress with one strap that only covered her hips, a blue pearl necklace, and some kind of furry arm covering on her right arm. She held a silver microphone in her hand and soon began to sing.
"1, 2, 3, let's start the countdown,
(Shoo-be-doo-be-da~!)
For this wonderful show!"
She turned and winked at the audience, and several men among the audience whistled at her with heart-shaped eyes while some women just pouted with jealousy.
"5, 6, 7, everything's fine, just waiting for you
(Shoo-be-doo-be-da~!)
To enter the door!"
Soon after, several top-hatted women began performing a kick-line while the female singer continued to sing.
"Favored by demons and angels,
Lend your ears and all will become clear!
It's amazing, life is roulette,
Gran Tesoro~!
(Shoo-be-doo-be-da~!)
Is waiting for you~!"
Then, the stage transformed into a star shape, revealing Tesoro, doing a tap dance during the song's bridge, ending with him pointing upwards as fountains of water sprayed from below, and soon after, he also joined in singing the song!
"Ohhh~! There's nothing I can't buy with money!
(Shoo-be-doo-be-da~!)
Let's hear some cheers~!"
Hearing that, the audience began cheering louder, while Carina and the other girls on stage started dancing somewhat provocatively.
"I see a good man who is also a fool!
(Shoo-be-doo-be-da~!)
He just says 'stab my back'!"
*BOOSH!*
Fountains sprayed into the air once again, adding to the show's effect.
Eiji: "😐"
"A flamboyant man."
That was his impression of Gild Tesoro.
No longer interested in watching the screen, he went to the poker table and started playing after understanding the rules.