Countless bandages wrapped tightly around Lance, turning him into a bandaged humanoid monster.

But behind him, another bandaged figure appeared—its bindings unraveled, and Lance calmly stepped out from within.

He pulled out a cigarette, inhaling deeply.

Tesoro's cheap tricks were nothing to him—just a matter of using a little of his own power.

So what if it was the Lucky Lucky Fruit?

As long as Lance used his substitution ability, every additional effect of a Devil Fruit vanished instantly.

Not to mention, Lance also had the String-String Fruit.

Changing the dice numbers? That was as easy as twitching a finger. Hardly a challenge.

Tesoro thought he had Lance trapped, when in fact, Lance had seen through everything from the very start, turning the trap back on him and playing him for a fool.

"You…"

Tesoro's face darkened as he glared at Lance. "You knew all along what I planned to do to you?"

Only now did Tesoro realize—he had thought Lance was a clown, dancing to his tricks. But the truth was, he himself was the clown, toyed with and humiliated beyond measure.

"Whether I knew or not doesn't matter anymore."

"Deduct the hundred billion I borrowed from you. Tesoro, you now owe me nine hundred billion Berries. It's time you paid up."

Lance's voice was calm.

The words sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Nine hundred billion Berries!

Yes, it was rumored Tesoro was wealthy, that he had amassed a treasure worth five trillion Berries. But to lose nine hundred billion in one stroke—this was not only a devastating financial blow, but also a humiliation to his pride and reputation.

Clap, clap, clap…

Suddenly, Tesoro's expression shifted. He began to clap slowly, a cold smile twisting his lips.

"Mr. Lance, so that's how it is. I was careless—this trick has never failed me before, and yet today it backfired… on someone with no reputation at all."

"What? Planning to deny your debt?"

Lance flicked his cigarette ash.

"Deny it?"

"No, no, Mr. Lance. That's where you're mistaken."

Tesoro's tone turned chilling.

"Here, everything is mine. All of it. Your wealth, the money you've won—it's all mine. Do you understand?"

His face hardened, revealing his true nature.

"I'll tell you the rules of this city… here, I am king. Absolute. No one defies my will. The moment you set foot in this place, you became my slave. You'll never escape my shadow for the rest of your life."

Baccarat, Tanaka, and Dice stepped behind Tesoro.

"A nameless upstart thinks a bit of strength gives him the right to stand above me? How naïve."

"Even if you win against me, the final say is still mine. Your very lives belong to me."

Tesoro sneered, baring his teeth in a sinister smile.

Suddenly, Rebecca, Baby 5, and Monet's bodies glimmered gold—their skin slowly turning into solid gold.

"What's happening?!"

Baby 5 cried in horror.

"My legs… I can't move!"

Rebecca struggled but was helpless.

"When did he do this to us?!"

Monet's face went pale.

Their bodies were being overtaken by gold, inch by inch, and they could do nothing to resist.

"Now you see. I am the user of the Gold-Gold Fruit. Anything touched by my gold becomes my puppet!"

Tesoro's voice thundered.

"Before entering this city, you passed through a tunnel sprinkled with my special gold dust. That dust seeped into your skin. With just one thought, I can turn you into golden statues!"

He burst into wild laughter.

"Do you feel it? The darkness of despair wrapping around you?"

"Then why don't you try turning me into gold?"

Lance said flatly.

"Hmph! Don't worry, boy—I'll make you into a golden statue, then cut off your head in front of everyone. For someone with no fame in the New World, that's the greatest honor you'll ever have!"

Tesoro's eyes glinted cruelly as he clenched his fist.

But… nothing happened.

Lance stood unchanged.

"What?!"

"Damn it—turn into gold!"

Tesoro tried again and again, but Lance was completely unaffected.

"What's wrong? Is that all your proud ability amounts to?"

"So-called king of this city… you're nothing at all."

Lance smirked and snapped his fingers.

Crash!

The VIP room wall burst open. Two massive bandaged monsters entered, each carrying a barrel.

With a slam, the barrels broke, drenching Rebecca, Baby 5, and Monet in seawater, washing away the gold that had overtaken them.

"The gold… it's gone! We're back to normal!"

Rebecca shouted joyfully.

"I knew it—he always has a way!"

Baby 5's eyes sparkled.

"So he anticipated this all along…"

Monet was stunned. She had thought her mind thorough, but Lance's foresight surpassed everything.

"Seawater!"

Baccarat and the others paled.

Tesoro's face twisted, realization dawning.

"I underestimated you. You didn't come here to play. You came here for me."

With his trump card shattered, he finally understood this wasn't some casual guest. It was a deliberate move.

"I thought you were clever. To only realize now—you've disappointed me."

Lance's tone was cold.

"Since you love money so much, let me make this simple…"

"My purpose here is clear—your wealth, Tesoro, all of it belongs to me."

(End of Chapter)

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