Chapter 364: Exposed
"Robert, don't rush—tonight we're going to clean this place out!"
Kakarot was uncharacteristically excited as he spoke.
Then, he took out 10,000 Berries.
"Let's continue."
He looked calmly at the dealer.
"Damn it! I don't believe your luck is that good every time!"
The middle-aged man across from him, unwilling to accept his loss, slammed his bet down.
Kakarot only smiled slightly.
In the rounds that followed, Kakarot continued as before—checking his own cards, then subtly glancing at the cards of his three opponents.
To avoid raising suspicion, he deliberately lost one round.
But after three or four hands…
The middle-aged man had been completely cleaned out by Kakarot—he was left with nothing but his underwear.
"Hahaha! Kakarot, you're amazing!"
Deidara laughed as he looked at the mountain of chips piled in front of them—over a million Berries by now.
Kakarot only offered a faint smile.
Then he turned to the dealer.
"Excuse me, can we move up to the high-stakes tables upstairs?"
Kakarot was no longer satisfied with winning 100,000 a round—he wanted to go big.
The dealer blinked in surprise, then looked at the stack of chips in front of them.
"No problem! This way, young master."
The dealer personally led Kakarot and the others to the second floor and arranged a private table for them.
"What the hell? Since when do kids get to gamble at the high-stakes tables?"
People on the second floor looked at the group of kids with contempt.
"Hmph! You'll be the ones crying later."
Robert glared at them in defiance.
"Hahaha! Hope you don't go crying for your mommy when you lose, brat."
The adults burst into laughter at the taunt.
"Don't get mad, Robert. They'll stop laughing soon enough," Kakarot said calmly, taking his seat.
"Deal the cards."
He spoke with practiced elegance.
The dealer didn't question it and began dealing cards.
Kakarot gave the opposing players a glance and smiled subtly.
An hour passed.
"Cheaters! You're cheating!"
Red-eyed gamblers pounded the table in fury.
"Please calm down, gentlemen! We've been watching closely—these kids haven't cheated," the dealer said, blocking the angry men.
"Impossible! They've won nearly 100 million Berries in an hour! There's no way they're clean!"
The man shouted, veins bulging on his neck.
"Pfft! What a bunch of sore losers. If you can't handle the heat, don't play!"
Robert spat on the floor and looked at them in contempt.
"You little—I'll kill you!"
One man drew the pistol at his waist.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
The man who had drawn the pistol froze—then collapsed, a neat bullet hole between his brows.
A figure appeared above on the third floor—a green-haired, sharp-fanged man holding a smoking pistol.
"Hmph! Causing trouble in my casino? You're asking for death!"
It was Bartolomei Ding, the boss of this district.
All eyes turned toward the third floor.
"It's Bartolomei Ding! The king of this entire street!"
The crowd went silent immediately.
"Losing to a bunch of kids and still not admitting defeat? If you can't afford to lose, don't sit at the table! Get them all out of here!"
Bartolomei Ding ordered coldly.
Immediately, a group of thugs swarmed in and dragged the furious gamblers out of the casino.
Bartolomei Ding then turned to the kids below.
"Hey kids, how about you come upstairs and play a few hands with me?"
He grinned down at them.
"What are we playing?" Robert asked warily.
"Same game you've been playing—Three-Card Poker," Bartolomei Ding replied, walking toward a private room.
Robert and Deidara exchanged looks, then glanced at Kakarot.
Kakarot also looked around at the dozens of black-suited goons in the room, then nodded.
Leading the way, he followed Bartolomei Ding into the VIP suite.
"Hahaha! What are your names, kids?"
Bartolomei Ding looked amusedly at the group who had just won nearly 100 million in his casino.
"Kakarot," the boy replied as he sat at the table.
"Haha! Kakarot! Impressive! From 100,000 Berries to nearly 100 million in under two hours—that's some insane luck. Feel like taking a shot against me?"
"Of course."
Kakarot wouldn't pass up the chance to take more money from a sucker.
"Good. Let's deal!"
Bartolomei Ding waved his hand.
The dealer began the next match between just Kakarot and Ding.
Time ticked on.
Kakarot remained cool and collected, stacks of Berries growing steadily in front of him.
Bartolomei Ding's expression grew darker and darker.
The room was dead silent, save for the occasional sound of chips being moved.
Bartolomei Ding glared at the kid who didn't even look ten years old—how was he winning so consistently?
Sure, he folded a few hands, but even those looked like bait—setting traps for Ding to fall into.
As cards were dealt again, Ding gave the dealer a subtle signal.
Caught up in their streak, Kakarot and the others didn't notice.
Kakarot followed his usual routine—glancing at the opponents' cards, checking his own, and gently rubbing the cards between his fingers.
"Straight flush!"
He laid down Jack, Queen, and King of Hearts.
Bartolomei Ding didn't say a word.
He simply placed down his cards—then…
Click.
The dealer drew a pistol and pointed it directly at Kakarot.
Kakarot narrowed his eyes.
"What? Can't handle losing?"
His voice was young, but the anger in it was unmistakable.
Ding still said nothing.
"Mind telling me where your hearts came from?"
The dealer suddenly flung down a matching J, Q, and K of Hearts from his coat.
Kakarot was stunned for a second.
He glanced at the cards—none of the hearts had been in the original deck.
"Crap! I've been exposed!"
Kakarot immediately threw a card that struck the dealer's hand, knocking the pistol away.
Robert sprang into action.
"Gas World!"
He released a cloud of toxic gas, shielding them from the goons.
"What the hell is this?!" Ding exclaimed in shock.
"Grab the money and run!" Robert shouted to his brothers as they scooped up the chips.
He wasn't about to leave a single Berry behind.
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