The voice was very soft, not shouting, but to Carina, it weighed a thousand pounds.
She stiffly turned her head, watching the black ship gradually approach, its deck level with her golden pillar, and the white-haired man grinning at the bow, her heart bitter.
Being targeted by one of the Four Emperors!
Even as a thief, she knew who the true big shots were!
In her eyes, Tesoro was already an impressive big shot, or she wouldn't have racked her brains to sneak in here, waiting for the moment to steal the treasure. Yet, she never considered facing the Four Emperors, beings entirely out of her league.
"My honor."
Carina smoothly turned around and slightly bowed to Sage. Her performance dress, suited for the role, dipped with her bow, revealing a glimpse of her cleavage, bouncing slightly.
Impossible to refuse.
Also had no guts to refuse.
This was an invitation from one of the Four Emperors!
Although it didn't match the freedom she desired, survival was more important than freedom right now, so she accepted.
Her life mattered more.
Moreover, it's Norton Sage, the most wealthy and lavish among the Four Emperors, whose palace was rumored to be entirely adorned in gold.
"Hohohoho, very perceptive, excellent! Hmm, from now on, you'll be my songstress!"
Master Sage laughed heartily, then surveyed the panicked audience fleeing in all directions, taking a deep breath and roared like a lion, ensuring everyone could hear him.
"You all have to pay up!"
As he spoke, he suddenly stretched out his hand, a fierce whirlwind descended from the sky, creating waves around, except for Sage's direction. All the mooring areas inside the ships and the waters around this giant ship were stirred into strong whirlpools.
Even though Carina didn't personally enter, she could still feel the tearing sensation emanating from it, thanks to the strong wind pressure.
Entering physically would likely be akin to being scraped by knives.
And those whirlpools...
Completely locked in!
"The only exit is through me. Since you all came here to gamble, hand over everything you have, and then you can leave through my direction. Otherwise..."
Sage grinned menacingly, "Forget it, there's no second option, I only want money!"
Just like during the raid on Rain Land, there's no room for politeness once at the casino; he could rob everyone there!
To leave this place, the only path was through the Death Star; otherwise, forcing it would only result in being torn apart by the whirlpools.
Fly?
Flying was impossible too!
The wind pressure enveloped the ship, and ordinary folks, even if they could fly, couldn't escape this knife-like wind pressure.
As for those who could escape...
He wasn't blind.
He'd just chase after them and catch them back.
The Death Star continued forward, lining up with the golden pillar, and Carina naturally stepped onto the deck, introducing herself.
"Captain, my name is Carina, please take care of me."
"Call him Boss, Master, or Lord..."
Lily frowned slightly, "You can't call him Captain."
Things are different now than before. After defeating Big Mom, even if Sage did nothing, the internal hierarchy shifted toward unification from top to bottom.
Only those directly under Death Star had the privilege to call Sage Captain or Master Sage.
The rest all referred to him as Governor.
Like Katakuri, as the first subsidiary Pirates, could only address Sage as Governor.
While the newly joined Sipher and Misty could call him Captain.
Being able to call him Captain was a matter of acceptance.
With a large establishment, certain distinctions had to be made.
It's not about rank differentiation, but certain things are important nonetheless. Calling someone Captain meant they were officially part of the Disaster Pirates and liable for a bounty.
This songstress was simply there to sing, she might not want to become a Pirate.
Although Lily felt this woman was somewhat peculiar; beneath that sweet exterior seemed to be an exceptionally agile physique...
But in the New World, having a few skills was quite normal.
Essentially, she was just an ordinary person...
"Yes, yes, Master Sage..." Carina obediently replied.
Sage waved his hand and asked, "I heard a pretty good male songstress as well earlier, where is he?"
Besides Carina, there was a male voice in the songs he heard, and it was quite impressive, even surpassing hers, seemingly able to stir up the atmosphere.
Sage was in need of such entertaining talents; it seemed there wasn't anyone like him in his band yet.
"That is..."
Carina said, "That was Gild Tesoro, the owner here, but he seemed to have left just now."
Sage nodded, recalling something, "Oh, right, I remember that guy was also a great singer..."
A red gleam flashed in his eyes as he looked toward a certain direction, grinning, "Quite fast."
"Should we go directly?" Lily asked.
"What's the rush, let's take a stroll. It's a pity to destroy such a nice place directly."
Sage waved his hand, "Guys, go and have some fun, old rules: if you lose, cover your bases, if you win, it's all yours!"
"Oh!!"
The crew on the ship cheered out loud.
They'd heard the name of the world's largest casino, long wanting to witness it themselves.
The most crucial part was, they didn't have to pay for gambling here...
After all, if they lost, they could still rob it back, and if they won, the money was real.