One Piece: The Silver Sovereign

"But, sir, that place doesn't let anyone in unless they have money."

Little Wolf said, glancing at the group's odd getups. They didn't exactly look wealthy.

"Relax. We've got plenty of money. Right, Buggy?"

"Hmph. I've got no money."

Buggy turned his head defiantly. There was no way he'd let them spend his money.

"Buggy, this is a big deal. Just think, if the Captain finds out about this, he'll reward whoever's responsible. You could ask for any amount of money you want."

At those words, Buggy's eyes instantly turned into Berries. "But let's be clear, I'll only give a portion. Don't expect any more than that."

"Don't worry, we won't let you give more than that."

The four of them followed Little Wolf to a bustling street packed with people and shops of all kinds.

They pulled their scarves tighter to avoid revealing their identities.

"We're here, sirs. This is the place."

Little Wolf gestured at a lavish, golden building in front of them.

"Wow, this casino's something else... they're not even trying to hide it."

It was the first time the three had seen a place like this, and they were honestly a bit stunned.

"This place is a licensed, legitimate venue. Rumor has it the owner is a noble from the royal capital."

Little Wolf explained.

"A noble, huh? No wonder it's so fancy."

Shirakawa's impression of nobles, thanks to the World Nobles and Sabo's family from the Goa Kingdom, was anything but good.

"Alright, we don't need you anymore. You can go."

Now that they'd arrived, there was no reason to keep Little Wolf around.

"Sir?"

"What? Don't want to leave? If you don't want to go, you can stay right here."

"N-no, that's not it! I'm leaving now!"

Little Wolf bolted, weaving left and right until he vanished from sight within seconds.

"Am I really that scary?"

Shirakawa asked Shanks and Buggy. "He ran so fast he left his shoes behind."

Sure enough, a pair of shoes sat alone not far from them. Someone eventually kicked them away, and they drifted further and further down the street.

"Alright, let's go inside. If the Vice-Captain isn't here, we'll have to come up with a new plan."

As the group reached the entrance, two men in black suits and sunglasses stepped forward and blocked them.

"Please present proof of your assets or identification."

The man who spoke sounded like a soulless machine, completely monotone.

"Buggy, it's all on you."

Shirakawa stepped back, giving Buggy the spotlight.

"Damn it… It's only when there's money involved that you guys remember me."

Buggy cursed silently. To him, money was like flesh; spending even a single coin felt like being sliced with a blade.

After dragging it out for a while, Buggy finally fished a single Berry coin out of his pocket.

Seeing that, the other three immediately facepalmed, silently disowning him.

The two guards, meanwhile, were speechless. Was this guy mocking them? Or worse, insulting them?

"Gentlemen, please don't be angry. I'll get the money right now."

Shirakawa quickly stepped in before they lost their temper.

"Then hurry up," one of them said.

"Of course, sir."

"Shanks, hold Buggy down."

"Got it!"

Shanks swiftly grabbed Buggy from behind and locked him in place.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Let go of me!"

Buggy shouted.

"Heh, relax. It'll be over soon."

Shirakawa reached out his "evil hands" and searched Buggy thoroughly, finding two coin pouches and several bills.

To a pickpocket, Buggy would've looked like a walking ATM.

Shirakawa pulled out both pouches and waved them in front of the guards. "How about now? Enough?"

"That'll do. You may enter."

They opened the doors. Once inside, it was like entering a completely different world.

"May I help you with something, gentlemen?"

A hostess walked over to greet them as soon as they entered.

Though the four of them were dressed oddly, the staff saw them for what they were: four fat sheep waiting to be fleeced. No one came here not to spend money.

"Take us to the casino."

"Of course. Right this way."

At the word "casino," the hostess lit up with joy. Her attitude instantly improved. The casino was, after all, the fastest place to burn through money.

They descended a staircase. Despite being legal, the casino was still located underground, as was the custom.

Shirakawa saw all kinds of gambling equipment inside.

"Gentlemen, please exchange your chips over here. Follow me."

"Anything you all want to play?"

Shirakawa asked.

"Not me."

Buggy was the first to speak. No way was he gambling with his money.

"Me neither."

Kather·Lynn said. As a princess, she could play whatever she wanted back home.

"I'd like to try."

Shanks said.

Hearing that, Buggy nearly popped a blood vessel. "You bastard, you're using my money!"

"Alright then, give him 10,000 Berries in chips."

Shirakawa said casually, as if 10,000 Berries were pocket change.

"Well, it's not my money anyway."

At that, the hostess's smile froze for a moment, forced.

While 10,000 Berries might be a lot in poor places, here it didn't even qualify as an entry fee.

What were the guards at the door even doing?

She silently complained to herself.

"Very well, sir. Please wait a moment."

No matter how annoyed she was, she still had to maintain a professional attitude. The guest's request had to be met; after all, a single complaint could result in harsh penalties.

Soon, the 10,000-Berry chips were brought over, just ten in total, each worth 1,000.

"Alright, you can go now. If we need you, we'll call you."

"Understood. Please enjoy your time."

She gave a stiff professional smile and quickly left.

"Am I really that scary? Why'd she run off so fast? It's not like I was going to eat her."

"Maybe she just thought you're too stingy. No profit to be made from you."

Shirakawa replied.

"Really? It's my first time here. I don't know the rules."

"I don't think that has anything to do with it."

Kather·Lynn said coldly. "It's just who you are. A miser to the core."