Just as the atmosphere on the plaza was frozen by the brief exchange between Rhett and Akainu, a commotion came from the harbor. The ships that had participated in the "Two Piece" race were slowly returning to the Golden City.
They had left in a grand procession, full of ambition. Most of them returned with damaged ships and wounded crews. Exhaustion was etched on every face.
Some even thought, "We survived that clash of Conqueror's Haki? We're amazing!"
Surviving in One Piece was definitely an achievement.
They had witnessed the chaos of top-tier fighters. The dream of fifty billion was full. But reality was harsh enough to crush most people's ambitions.
Many of the small pirate crews and member nation guards who had rushed out with enthusiasm now returned disgraced. They didn't even dare look at Rhett on his throne. They finally understood that the "game" was never meant for them. At the same time, a different feeling arose toward the kings who had sent them into such danger.
Dragon: I didn't do anything, but something good fell into my lap. Really. I'm not lying.
A pirate captain from the West Blue, a bit bolder than the others, looked at the fifty-billion-berry mountain in the center of the plaza. He couldn't help but lick his dry lips. He gathered his courage and asked loudly.
"M-Mr. Tesoro! What about the money? Barrett, he... he's not..." He carefully glanced at Rhett. He didn't dare say the word "dead."
Everyone's attention focused on Tesoro.
Yes. The source of this chaos — the fifty billion and the treasure chest — was still here. The race had been interrupted by Barrett's appearance and Rhett's intervention. The fate of that astronomical sum was still unknown. Maybe...
Tesoro pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. His professional smile didn't change.
He turned slightly, giving a questioning glance at Rhett on the throne. Rhett was busy trying to steal the last doughnut from Garp. He just waved his hand casually, meaning "do what you want."
With permission, Tesoro took a deep breath and walked to the center of the plaza, standing beside the mountain of money. His voice echoed through the gold speakers. The excitement of announcing the game was gone. Instead, there was something deeper and more... resigned.
What skill does a boss use when asking a question now?
Exactly. It's the skill of painting a picture. One that resonates with the audience. An emotional speech. They were only one phrase away from being a success guru. That phrase: ALL IN
"Everyone!" He spread his arms. "We will definitely give away this fifty billion. We wouldn't trick you. But you didn't get the treasure chest. The fifty billion doesn't belong to you. This feast, caused by fifty billion, has shown you power. And it has shown you the fragility of life and the cost of greed."
His gaze swept over the wounded returnees and the people in the plaza who had once been eager but now looked afraid.
"Mr. Barrett is no longer with us. But the 'game' was interrupted by him. Because of that, it makes us think." Tesoro's voice rose. It had the appeal of a boss giving a speech. "This fifty billion. This wealth that could drive anyone to madness. Should it be used to create more conflict and bloodshed?"
He paused, giving the audience time to think.
"No!" He suddenly waved his hand, pointing at the mountain of money. "My captain, Lord 'Mist Lord' Rhett, has authorized my next decision! I, Gild Tesoro, will use this fifty billion as startup capital. In the name of Gild Rati, I will establish a new organization —"
"The 'Golden Sprout' Foundation!"
The name caught many in the audience off guard.
"This money," Tesoro's voice became firm and powerful, "will not be used for any war or conquest! Instead, it will be used as the initial funds to heal the wounds of war. It will be used to build orphanages, establish shelters, and provide for all the children on these seas who have lost their families and homes due to war, poverty, and shipwrecks!"
"Give them a place to shelter from the elements! Give them food, clothing, and a chance for an education! Give them the possibility of building a new 'home'!"
"This is the true value of this wealth! This is the true meaning of 'gold' — not a curse that brings greed, but a new sprout that nurtures the future!"
Tesoro finished. The plaza was silent.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden, one-eighty-degree turn.
Using fifty billion, enough to build a massive army, to build orphanages?!
A few seconds later, whispers spread like a tide.
Some looked mocking. They thought it was ridiculous. Or a way for the Mist Lord and Tesoro to win people over.
Others looked thoughtful. As if something had struck a chord.
And those who had lost comrades in the battle, who had seen the brutality, and those who already had good intentions, showed complex and emotional expressions.
"Imagine you're fighting hard at sea. But you die from some unavoidable accident. There's nothing wrong with that. Because we're all men of the sea. The moment we set foot on the sea, we put our lives in the hands of fate. But at the same time, we lose our responsibility as husbands. We lose our duty as fathers."
Tesoro paused again. A speech needed to give the audience time to react.
"And we are willing to protect your dreams. With this fifty billion behind me, we are all men of the sea. It is my daughter's first gift to the seas."
"Princess Rati!"
"Long live Princess Rati!"
"Willing to die for the Mist Lord!"
"Long live the Mist Lord!"
In a world where kings were mostly incompetent, Rhett was a great king. The speech was given by Tesoro. But everyone knew it required the king's approval.
Rhett, sitting on his throne, raised an eyebrow at Tesoro's back. Then he shrugged indifferently and continued fighting Garp for the doughnut. As if fifty billion was no more valuable to him than that doughnut.
Witte, standing beside Rhett's throne, smiled slightly. A hint of approval flickered in her ice-blue eyes.
Whitebeard looked at Tesoro, then at Rhett. He laughed deeply and took a big gulp of sake. "Gurarara! Interesting! Very interesting! Can I come take a look?"
This threw Tesoro off. Everyone knew Whitebeard's personal charm was extremely effective on orphans. If he raised them, Whitebeard could easily win them over.
Garp: I have experience with this.
Tesoro stood beside the mountain of money. He had kept his promise. He had thrown a banquet that would go down in history. The ending seemed more meaningful than he had expected. Rhett had also kept his promise to him. He had made Rati the princess of these seas.
Sengoku, of course, saw through the scheme. But at least for the children who had never been treated gently by this sea, it might be a different kind of light.