Inside the top-floor office, A Den Den Mushi on the desk mimicked Rett's usual lazy expression as it waited for Tesoro's report. "Captain, Giberson has already 'confessed,'" Tesoro said with a hint of amusement. "What's interesting is this he mentioned that Stussy has been working hard to block other 'kings' from cooperating with us. She even took the initiative to give them advice, pushing for them to unite against us. I've found signs she may be tied to the World Government." There was silence on the other end before Rett let out a low chuckle. "Ha, 'tied to them'? She's more than that. The Queen of the Pleasure District is an agent of the World Government." Tesoro's lips curled as he raised a finger, sliding an encrypted file in front of him. "I had Baccarat 'verify' it," he said smoothly as he flipped open the dossier. "The information checks out. Not only was Stussy part of the conspiracy, she also secretly guided Giberson into laying a trap testing how far they could push us." "How amusing." Rett's voice still carried a smile, but the temperature had dropped. "The Gorosei just finished discussing 'cooperation' with me, and then immediately send their CP0 dogs to play dirty? Do they really take me for some harmless little citizen?" Tesoro chuckled. "Want me to 'pay a visit' to the Pleasure District?" "No need." Rett's voice was calm eerily calm. "If they like playing tricks behind the scenes, I'll answer them with something much more direct." Stussy stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of Gran Tesoro's Sky Lounge, swirling a glass of red wine with a poised smile. She had just received word of Giberson's failure. Hardly surprising Blood Dawn's intelligence network was troublesome to deal with. But her goal had already been achieved. "The Gorosei were right," she murmured to herself. "Rett truly is an uncontrollable variable. But so long as I keep fueling chaos in the underworld, I can hinder his growth just enough…" The entire window wall shattered in an instant, shards of glass raining like a storm. Stussy's pupils shrank as she retreated with blinding speed. But before she could react, a chain of blood mist coiled around her ankle, yanking her violently to the ground. "Good evening, Stussy." Rett stepped out from the swirling mist, an icy smile on his lips. "I hear you've been looking for trouble with me?" Suppressing her shock, Stussy quickly donned her alluring smile. "Lord Rett, what brings you here? Our Pleasure District has always " "Save it." Rett cut her off, sealing the room with a wave of mist. "I know you're CP0. I know exactly what the Gorosei asked you to do." (And as for revealing her role as Vegapunk's hidden agent? No need to make her an enemy for life.) Stussy's smile froze. Rett tilted his head, his eyes like knives. "Since they prefer one face in public and another in private, then I'll make sure they understand " Blood mist surged like a storm. Screams erupted all around. " that taking me for a law-abiding citizen has consequences." Neon lights across the Pleasure District flickered within the mist, then went dark one after another. Rett stood at the highest point of Gran Tesoro, overlooking the decadent city below. His blood mist spread like a rising tide, devouring every corner. The laughter of nobles died mid-breath, replaced by screams that tore through the night. "What's happening?! Why are the lights out?!" "Guards! Where are the guards?!" "Ahhh! What's falling from the sky?!" The mist tightened around throats, its corrosive aura seeping into flesh, leaving victims choking in agony. Rett's gaze swept coldly across the crowd, lips curving in a cruel smirk. "Tonight, the Pleasure District is one-way only. You enter… but you don't leave." A king of a World Government member state was in the middle of laughing with a courtesan when his face froze. His skin began to rot, blood mist flooding into his orifices. His jaw worked soundlessly, producing only a strangled gurgle before he collapsed, dissolving into a puddle of blood. A Marine officer in full regalia drew his blade with a roar. "Who's there?! Show yourself!" But the blade was instantly corroded by the mist, metal crumbling to dust. Terror twisted his features as he looked up, but there was nothing beyond the endless blood fog. "Marines?" Rett glanced at Stussy. "Ah, that's right. They've been quite busy lately, haven't they? Shutting down my operations everywhere." "Blood Dawn… Rett?!" The officer had the sense to realize who he was facing. His face turned white as he tried to flee, but the mist was already winding around his legs. In a blink, his body was consumed no scream, no struggle, only silence. Several CP0 agents burst from the shadows, attempting to strike. Their attacks cut through the mist, but they couldn't touch Rett's real body. Without slowing his stride, he raised a hand. The fog formed into spikes, skewering the masked assassins against the walls. Stussy collapsed to the floor, dizzy from what she was witnessing. Nobles, Marine officers, underworld brokers even a few government pawns were now nothing more than wraiths inside Rett's crimson storm. Her nails dug into her palms, blood dripping unnoticed. The Pleasure District was the hub of the underworld, the largest den of entertainment and vice. And tonight, every major figure had died here. Behind each corpse were tangled webs of power royalty, military brass, smugglers. Their deaths meant chaos. Uprisings. Protests. Power vacuums. The World Government had worked hard to maintain its fragile balance, and now Rett had set fire to it. Shaking, Stussy looked up at him, her voice hoarse. "Do you even understand what you're doing?!" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚫𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚫𝕟𝕖𝕥 Rett tilted his head, mist coiling around his fingers. "Hm? Just taking out the trash." "The deaths here will plunge the seas into upheaval!" she shouted. "The allied nations will riot! The World Government will never let you go!" Rett sneered, eyes glinting. "And won't they blame you as well? Didn't the Gorosei send you to play this game? Fine. I'll make it so messy they can't keep their hands clean. Let's see if they have any energy left to meddle in my business." Ice spread down Stussy's spine. She finally understood Rett didn't care about the underworld, nor about the so-called balance of the seas. He was forcing the World Government to choose. Either stop targeting him or watch the world spiral into chaos. A madman. A complete madman. Yet Stussy was too intelligent to break down. She drew a deep breath, forcing her trembling legs to hold her as she rose. Her voice was no longer seductive, but steady, edged with resolve. "Lord Rett…" she said, meeting his gaze. "I admit, I underestimated you." Rett raised an eyebrow, slightly amused at her composure. "But have you considered this?" Stussy's eyes locked onto his. "The World Government will not compromise. They will only come after you with even more extreme methods." ————————————————————————————————————————————————— Hooked already? Let me know what grabbed you leave a review and fuel the journey forward! and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops! Things are just heating up. Read ahead in Unbound Evolution and stay ahead of the crowd. [email protected]/_tey