Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 554: Chapter 553: When a Hobby Becomes a Profession, It Turns Into Suffering

When a hobby turns into work, that hobby may become a burden. Doing the same thing too much can lead to a decrease in interest.

Especially when forced, setting a song as an alarm clock can reduce interest in it.

Tesoro and Stella have simply performed too many shows. They want to prepare for a performance when they feel like it, rather than performing frequently.

And Victoria Cindry is the target he identified.

Originally from the West Sea, she is a famous stage performer, holding a significant status in the dance world, and having a certain degree of recognition worldwide. However, her live performances are all held in the West Sea, and at most, people in other seas have only heard of her fame.

Moreover, she recently encountered some trouble, as her romance was exposed.

This was quite a blow for those who are infatuated with her. Tesoro and Stella are also married, but they are different.

These two were promoted as a couple right from the start of their careers, and with the operations behind the Hundred Beasts Fruit and Morgans’ control over gossip news, no one minds this issue.

However, Cindry is a freelance artist; despite her fame, she doesn’t have an agency or know how to handle public opinion. When the paparazzi exposed scenes of her and her fiancé dating, she lost quite a bit of her audience.

Although the specifics are unknown, Tesoro’s information suggests that Cindry has increased her performance frequency recently, indicating that she hasn’t given up on her artistic dreams, which gives him an opportunity to recruit her.

Trade between the Four Seas is still quite frequent. Besides the Red Port in Mary Geoise, which is intended for those on the Grand Line, there are several other passages across the Red Earth Continent.

However, those places are far from the Shampodi Islands, and without the help of bubble technology, ascending becomes much more difficult, with costs and risks increasing significantly, though people still choose to pass through there.

After changing a ship, they continued towards the West Sea, while Tesoro called Stella to ensure she was safe.

When he’s out, Stella never calls him actively, lest the ringing phone somehow disrupt his activities.

”Rotom, I need your help.”

”No problem, Roto, signal is connecting, please be patient, Roto.”

Rotom has now become an exclusive communication tool for cadre-level members and their families. They’ve even set up group chats among themselves to share major news timely.

Before long, Rotom’s expression changed to a communication screen, and Stella appeared on the other end.

”Rotom, could you please go play outside for a while?”

The appliances inhabited by Rotom can operate without them, albeit at a quicker power drain. Rotom usually takes on roles of power generator and artificial intelligence inside, so they rarely leave.

But for Tesoro and Stella, a couple’s private conversation might include topics inappropriate to discuss with Rotom present.

”Roto, what a bother, Roto.”

Despite its grumbling, Rotom flew out of the phone to play with Tanaka. Since they can phase through walls, they sometimes play a strange game of hide-and-seek together.

Stella took similar actions on her end, but there are many more Rotoms on Ghost Island, and the one there went to visit someone’s house.

”Did you achieve your goal?”

”I did, it’s a wonderful fruit.”

While speaking, Tesoro lifted his hand, and under his control, the gold ring on his finger began to change shape, finally forming into the shape of a heart.

”I’m not proficient with the ability yet, give me some time. Although I can’t replicate the great feats of Lord Arceus, I can show you some special things.”

Tesoro was referring to the wedding of Setsuna and Zeraora. The power of the Gol-Gol Fruit is the control over gold, and he had only recently consumed it, hence he could only manage simple transformations.

However, he already felt that the gold was like an extension of his limbs, and he believed that with greater mastery, he could replicate an imitation of the original scene.

”Really? But I turned through some newspapers these days, and that Cindry reportedly has the nickname of the ’Smiling Dance’.”

”Are you jealous?”

”Of course not, but be careful outside.”

”Don’t worry, don’t you know me by now?”

Boom!

A loud noise interrupted their conversation, but Stella wasn’t in any danger; it was just the routine training on Ghost Island.

”Alright, it’s started again here. Stay safe, let’s end it here for today.”

Because of the noise, they ended their call, and Tesoro continued on his journey to the destination.

...

In the West Sea, Yali Island, Tanaka dropped down directly from the ceiling like a ghost.

”Mr. Tesoro, I’ve found out. Cindry has a performance tonight, and she’s been doing consecutive shows for seven days. Although there are quite a few audience members, it’s considerably less than during her peak days.”

Saying this, Tanaka took out a stack of tickets to musicals. When she was at her prime, it would not have been easy to buy so many tickets on the day of the performance.

”She really is going all out.”

As a fellow performer, he understands how exhausting high-frequency performances can be, especially since many of Cindry’s dances involve high-difficulty moves that take a significant toll on the legs, and typically one wouldn’t physically overextend themselves like this.

In a world without stand-ins or photoshop, every successful celebrity has poured tremendous effort.

”Let’s go, let’s see what this ’Smiling Dance’ performance is all about.”

The group thus went to the venue for Cindry’s performance, and when she took the stage, Tesoro understood the origin of her nickname.

”She truly loves this profession.”

”Boss, how can you tell?”

Tanaka asked, puzzled at how Tesoro came to that conclusion.

”Because of the smile. A professional’s fake smile and a genuine smile from the heart are different. I can tell at a glance, but her dance steps...how do they seem like those of a rookie? She’s missed three beats in this dance, and that shouldn’t happen, is she too tired?”

Watching Cindry wobble slightly before steadying herself after the dance ended, Tesoro drew his conclusions.

But an initial observation of Cindry has already passed. Just based on that smile, he could make her popular once again. He was planning to approach her for a private talk, but then saw Cindry suddenly lose her footing and fall from the high platform...