Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece.

Matsumoto Rangiku blinked and looked at Uchiha Shiraha: "Shiraha, should we go up? It looks really lively inside, and it's all gold. I'm really curious."

Her eyes gleamed as she stared at the Tezzolo, her mouth practically watering. For her, who loved wine, endless wealth meant endless fine wine, a temptation that was simply irresistible. Such a rich guy probably wouldn't mind if they mooched some wine.

Unohana Retsu shook her head slightly and said with a smile, "Rangiku is still the same as always. This place, though seemingly prosperous, is actually rife with undercurrents. Beneath the gold lies countless conspiracies and killings."

Artoria nodded slightly and looked at Uchiha Shiraha: "Shiraha, I'll do whatever you say. If we're going to board the ship, we'll go together."

Uchiha Shiraha raised his eyes and looked at the magnificent golden palace at the highest point of the Tesoro, which was the residence of the Golden Emperor Tesoro. He could clearly feel an aura of domineering wealth emanating from that palace.

Clearly, Tezzolo was already inviting them to board the ship.

"Since we're already here, and it's almost dark, we should definitely go up and see this city that never sleeps on the sea."

Uchiha Hakuba raised his hand and waved it gently. The Dawn Ship slowly approached the Tesoro Ship, its oars cutting through the golden sea as it sailed toward the Golden Empire.

"Let's see why this Golden Emperor invited us aboard the ship."

Soon, the Dawn docked at the Tesoro's private pier.

Stepping onto the gold-cast dock, the cold touch sending shivers down her spine, Matsumoto Rangiku couldn't help but lower her head and step on it, exclaiming in amazement, "It really is a ship made entirely of gold, even the dock is made of gold, it's so extravagant. I feel like all the gold I've ever seen in my entire life combined doesn't amount to as much as this in a single day."

The docks were bustling with people: wealthy merchants in luxurious clothes, pirates with weapons, nobles from all over the world, and guards in uniform under Tesoro's command. Everyone walked on gold, their faces showing greed, awe, or intoxication.

The air was filled with boisterous laughter and chatter, creating a dazzling and decadent atmosphere. Even though the sun hadn't completely set, the Tesoro was still brightly lit, with golden light and streetlights reflecting each other, truly embodying the phrase "city that never sleeps."

"It's way crazier than Shandora..."

Robin sighed softly, "The gold of Shandora is the sediment of history, while the gold here is the burning desire."

Artoria looked around warily, observing her surroundings, and said in a deep voice, "Everyone here is bound by gold. Wealth is everything here. Power, status, and life can all be measured in gold. This is a world controlled by money."

Uchiha Hakuba strolled along the gold-paved street, exuding a faint aura. Ignoring the gazes of everyone around him, he looked up at the tallest golden palace at the end of the street, a faint smile curving his lips.

“Gilder Tezzolo…”

"You built this cage with gold, thinking that by controlling wealth you would control everything."

"It's a pity that those Celestial Dragons didn't rule the world with money."

"In the face of absolute power, no amount of gold is more than a pile of useless scrap metal."

Bai Yu and his group stepped into the most extravagant and crazy golden city that never sleeps in this new world. At this moment, in the palace at the highest point of the Tesoro, a figure dressed in golden robes and with a fairly handsome face was quietly watching the unhurried black figure on the street through the huge golden floor-to-ceiling windows, his fingertips lightly tapping the golden handrail, his eyes filled with envy.

Before long, at the end of the long street paved with gold, a group of upright and richly dressed waiters slowly walked in.

Dressed in white formal attire with dark gold patterns, they walked in unison, exuding a respectful air. Holding pristine white velvet handkerchiefs, they bowed and walked directly to Bai Yu and his group, their voices soft and respectful.

"Lord Uchiha Shiraha, and all of you gentlemen, we have come on the orders of the Golden Emperor, Lord Tesoro, to welcome you to the Golden Palace on the top floor for a discussion."

The head waiter didn't dare to raise his head, his tone filled with undisguised awe: "His Excellency has prepared a banquet, fine wine, and exclusive tailors and top-notch clothing in the palace, wishing to welcome you all with a feast."

Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes lit up. She shook the still-full sake bottle in her hand and said with a grin, "Oh? This Golden Emperor is quite polite, actually coming to invite me in person."

Unohana Retsu smiled gently, her eyes warm and gentle: "Since it is the master's kind invitation, then it would be impolite to refuse."

Uchiha Shiraha glanced down at the waiter, his dark eyes showing no emotion, and simply nodded.

"lead the way."

The servants, as if granted a pardon, bowed and took a half step back, respectfully leading the group toward the tallest, most central golden palace on the Tesoro.

Along the way, all pedestrians, vendors, gamblers, and guards retreated to both sides of the street, bowed deeply, and even breathed very softly.

The golden staircase ascends in layers, each step cast in pure gold. The handrails are inlaid with deep-sea sapphires and pearls, and luminous pearls the size of human heads hang overhead, illuminating the entire passageway as if it were daytime.

The higher you go, the more extravagant the atmosphere becomes. The air is filled with the aroma of fine incense, wine, and flowers, creating a breathtakingly luxurious ambiance.

Before long, the group was led into a custom-made hall on the side of the palace.

This is the place where the Golden Emperor Tesoro entertains his most distinguished guests. The entire house is paved with white jade, with golden beams, and the four walls are hung with the finest fabrics from the New World.

Silkworm silk, deep-sea sea monster velvet, brocade, silk satin, mercerized cotton... each one is priceless, and ordinary nobles may never see even a small piece of it in their entire lives.

In the center of the hall, three elderly men with full heads of silver hair and solemn demeanor were already standing.

They are Tesoro's personal chief tailors, hired from all over the world at great expense. Their craftsmanship is unparalleled in the New World. Even the Celestial Dragons' clothing was once hand-sewn by them.

One of them was a tailor who had eaten the Sewing Fruit. At this moment, the three old men stood with their hands at their sides, their expressions extremely respectful, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

The waiter bowed again: "Lord Baiyu, esteemed gentlemen, these three are Lord Tesoro's personal top tailors, who will tailor-make exclusive clothing for you. All fabrics, styles, and decorations can be freely selected."

Uchiha Shiraha casually glanced at the shimmering fabrics filling the room and said indifferently, "No need for anything complicated, just something that fits."

But the three tailors dared not be negligent.

The person before them was a terrifying being who had destroyed countless nations and shaken the entire world. They wouldn't be qualified to choose just anything, not even if they brought the best materials in the world.

Immediately, the three old tailors divided the work and began to take measurements, select materials, match colors, and finalize designs for everyone, with gentle yet swift movements.

They dared not slacken their efforts in the slightest.

Chapter 182 Kanna, go have some fun!

The top tailors moved with fluid grace, their fingers flying across the fabric as they measured Bai Yu and his group, transforming rare materials into luxurious garments that fit their figures perfectly.

Uchiha Shiraha changed into a black robe with dark gold patterns, the hem of which fell to his ankles. The gold threads outlined intricate yet understated patterns, making his already cold and handsome face even more profound. The faint aura of power emanating from him blended with the luxurious attire.

Matsumoto Rangiku chose a wine-red off-shoulder dress, the hem of which was adorned with tiny gold pearls that shimmered as she moved. Her languid charm was further enhanced by the dress. She casually tossed the hem of the dress, smiling as she praised the softness of the fabric, her heart already filled with anticipation for the fine wine and delicacies outside the palace.

Unohana Retsu wore a light blue cloud silk satin dress, the hem of which was embroidered with pale gold exotic flowers and plants. Her gentle temperament complemented her attire perfectly, and her eyes still held that calm and serene expression.

Artoria chose a blue and gold outfit that accentuated her tall and slender figure. A gold belt inlaid with sapphires cinched her waist, and when she gripped the sword hilt, the heroic aura of a knight king was palpable.

Kanna Robin also put on clothes that fit her well.

After everyone had changed into their costumes, the attendants bowed once again and led the way through layers of golden corridors, finally entering the main palace at the heart of the Tesoro.

This palace is the pinnacle of extravagance in the new world. Its dome is tens of feet high and inlaid with countless colored gems and luminous pearls, which gather to form the shape of a sky full of stars. The ground is made of high-purity warm jade and gold, which feels warm and slightly cool to the touch.

In the very center stood a long golden table, dozens of meters long, laden with delicacies from all over the world—meat of deep-sea sea kings, rare spiritual fruits, fine wines exclusively for the Celestial Dragons, and countless desserts and dishes served in golden vessels. The aroma permeated the entire palace, tempting everyone's mouths.

Seated at the head of the table, Gild Tesoro, dressed in a magnificent gold robe, had already risen to await them. Tall and handsome, with meticulously combed golden hair, he exuded an aura of domineering power and wealth. His Observation Haki subtly emanated from him, only to recede upon touching Bai Yu. Seeing the group enter the palace, Tesoro's face immediately broke into an extremely enthusiastic smile. He strode forward, extending his hand to shake Bai Yu's, his tone full of respect and admiration: "Uchiha Bai Yu! I've long admired your name! Your feat of annihilating Big Mom on Whole Cake Island has already spread to every corner of the New World. I, Gild Tesoro, deeply respect your strength! It is truly an honor to have you aboard today!"

Uchiha Hakuba merely glanced at him indifferently, quickly withdrew his handshake, and remained calm and composed.

Tesoro wasn't embarrassed. He withdrew his hand and led everyone to the long golden table to sit down. He personally poured Bai Yu a cup of gilded wine and raised it, saying, "You've all had a long journey. This cup is for you!"

Matsumoto Rangiku was the first to raise her glass, downing it in one gulp, her eyes gleaming: "Excellent sake! It's even more mellow than the spirits I've been hoarding. Golden Emperor certainly has good taste!"

Unohana Retsu took a small sip and nodded slightly, while Artoria only took a small sip and then stopped, her eyes constantly scanning the palace with vigilance.

Upon seeing this, Tesoro burst into laughter and waved for all the servants to leave, leaving only him and Bai Yu's group in the hall. The atmosphere gradually shifted from polite to somber.

He picked up his wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. The precious wine slid down his throat, but he couldn't suppress the hatred and sorrow surging deep in his eyes. His originally warm smile slowly faded, replaced by a pain and resentment etched into his very bones.

"Bai Yu-kun, you may only know that I am the Golden Emperor who controls 20 percent of the New World's Berries, and who owns this golden city that never sleeps on the sea, enjoying boundless glory... But no one knows that I was once just a slave trampled underfoot by the Celestial Dragons, unable to even protect the woman I loved."

Tesoro spoke candidly about his past with someone he was meeting for the first time, which greatly surprised Bai Yu, who didn't think Tesoro was that kind of person.

Tezzolo's voice deepened, becoming thick and hoarse. He gazed at the swirling golden liquid in his glass, his eyes drifting to the distant past, as he slowly recounted that long-forgotten history:

“When I was young, I grew up in the slums, so poor that I couldn’t even afford a full meal. Until I met her, Stella. She was the purest and gentlest girl I had ever met. Even when we were both in the mud, she always gave me hope with a smile. I vowed to earn money to buy her freedom and give her the best life. But fate played the cruelest joke on me… The Celestial Dragons, those high and mighty scum, took a fancy to Stella, kidnapped her, and bought her life. And I could only watch helplessly because I had no money, no power, and I didn’t even have the right to get close to them!”

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. The golden artifacts around him trembled slightly, and the power of the Gold-Gold Fruit overflowed uncontrollably, causing the golden patterns on the ground to glow faintly. "I was captured and enslaved, tortured in the Celestial Dragons' castle, and watched Stella suffer humiliation at their hands. In the end... she died there. I hated it! I hated those Celestial Dragons who treated human life like dirt. I hated my own weakness. So after I escaped, I worked desperately to earn money. By chance, I obtained and ate the Gold-Gold Fruit from the Donquixote Family, built this golden empire, and controlled the wealth of the New World. I possessed countless gold and a power that even the Navy feared. I thought I finally had the means to take revenge on the Celestial Dragons!"

Tesoro suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, staring intently at Uchiha Shiraha, his voice filled with extreme longing and pleading: "Shiraha-kun, your strength is unparalleled in the New World. You even destroyed the Three Emperors. You are the only one who has ever stood against the Celestial Dragons! I have money, I have countless riches. I can provide you with all the resources to build the most powerful fleet and buy off forces all over the world. Let's join forces to overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule and avenge me and all those who have been harmed by the Celestial Dragons. I only beg you to help me kill those scum who killed Stella!"

His voice trembled, and he leaned forward slightly from excitement, his eyes filled with a desperate determination. In his eyes, wealth was everything, and Bai Yu's power was the key to unlocking the door to revenge.

Uchiha Hakuha lightly tapped his fingertips on the golden tabletop, his dark eyes calmly fixed on Tesoro without the slightest change in expression. After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice clear and resolute:

"I refuse."

Those three simple words, like ice, instantly extinguished all the fervor and hope in Tesoro's eyes.

Tesoro suddenly stood up, looking at Bai Yu in disbelief: "Why?! I have wealth and power, you have strength. If we join forces, we will be invincible! Overthrowing the Celestial Dragons will be just around the corner. Don't you want to overthrow this corrupt world?"

"Tezzolo, you're wrong."

Uchiha Hakuba raised his eyes, his gaze piercing through the golden dome of the palace, as if looking towards the Celestial Dragons' sacred land standing on the Red Line.

“Wealth has never been the key to overthrowing the Celestial Dragons. Do you think that by controlling 20 percent of the Berries in the New World, you have the capital to fight against them? But you forget that the World Government, the Navy, and all legitimate forces are essentially dependent on the rule of the Celestial Dragons. Your money can buy you off temporarily, but it can't buy people's hearts, much less shake their foundations that have been established for hundreds of years.”

He paused, his tone growing increasingly indifferent: "Now is not the time to wage a full-scale war against the Celestial Dragons. If we act rashly before the time is right, we will only suffer losses."

Tesoro was unwilling to give up and stepped forward, still trying to persuade him: "But I can't wait any longer! Every day I think about Stella's death, every day I want to tear the Celestial Dragons to pieces! I have gold, I can build an invincible army..."

"Your gold is worthless in the face of absolute power."

Uchiha Hakuha interrupted him.

“I will overthrow the Celestial Dragons, but not now, and I don’t need to cooperate with you. Your obsession will only be a burden on your path of revenge, not an aid.”

Tesoro stood frozen in place, his face drained of color. He clenched his fists, and the golden power surged wildly. The golden tables, chairs, and utensils in the hall began to twist and deform, emitting a piercing buzzing sound.

Looking at the calm and composed young man in front of him, he felt a mix of resentment and anger, as well as a hint of dissatisfaction. He possessed endless wealth and the powerful strength of the Gold-Gold Fruit, and believed that his strength had already reached the top of the New World. However, in Bai Yu's eyes, he didn't even have the right to cooperate.

"Good! Well done, no need for cooperation!" Tesoro took a deep breath, a stubborn fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.

"Uchiha Hakuha, I know you are powerful, but I also want to know just how strong your so-called absolute power really is! I want to fight you and see if my golden power has any hope of avenging the Celestial Dragons. Even if I only have to take a few of your moves, I will be willing!"

He wanted to prove himself, to prove that his strength was not useless, and to prove that he was qualified to stand on the battlefield of revenge.

Uchiha Hakuba looked at the battle-ready Tesoro with a faint smile. He naturally wouldn't personally deal with Tesoro; such strength was not worth his attention. Hakuba turned his head slightly to look at the small figure who was quietly munching on a dessert.

Kanna's mouth was stuffed with sweet cake, her little face puffed up like an adorable little hamster. Noticing that everyone seemed to be looking at her, she looked up, blinked her round, purple eyes, and replied in a childish voice, "Brother Baiyu?"

"Kanna, are you full? Go play with this Golden Emperor, but don't hurt him. Just keep it simple."

Uchiha Shiraha spoke calmly, as if he were simply asking Kanna to play a simple game.

Upon hearing this, the entire palace fell into a deathly silence.

Tesoro's fighting spirit froze instantly. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the exquisitely beautiful little girl who looked only a few years old, then at Uchiha Shiroha, thinking he had misheard: "You... what did you say? You want this little girl to fight me? Uchiha Shiroha, are you humiliating me?!"

He's the Golden Emperor, the underground emperor of the New World who controls the Gold-Gold Fruit. He dares to fight even against agents of the World Government. Now, Bai Yu is sending a little girl who can't even walk properly to deal with him? This is an utter disgrace!

Matsumoto Rangiku couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, while Artoria nodded slightly. She knew all too well just how terrifying Kanna's power was, and that the Golden Emperor before her was no match for Kanna at all.

Kanna swallowed the cake in her mouth, clapped her little hands, jumped off the chair, and walked step by step to the center of the palace. She looked up at Tesoro, who was much taller than her, and still had that innocent and cute look. She said in a childish voice, "Big brother, do we want to fight? Kanna will be gentle."

Tesoro trembled with rage, his Haki erupting and sweeping across the entire palace. The gold on the ground bulged up, transforming into countless sharp golden spikes aimed directly at Kanna: "Little brat, don't cause trouble here! My opponent, Gild Tesoro, is Uchiha Hakuha, not a greenhorn like you. You'd better step back immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

He prided himself on his status and refused to lay a hand on a little girl, but the sense of humiliation in his heart grew stronger and stronger, and he felt that Bai Yu was completely trampling on his dignity.

"If big brother doesn't make a move, Kanna will."