Since none of the top cadres dared to take their seats, only Kahn and Doflamingo enjoyed the banquet's delicacies.
Fortunately, Kahn is a natural destroyer; he eats a lot and doesn't waste food.
After the banquet, Kahn didn't stay to chat with Doflamingo. He returned to their ship with his maid team after saying hello.
Then, Kahn drove their ship and took the three Boa sisters, who were visiting North Blue for the first time, to explore other islands.
The day before the auction, Kahn received a call from Doflamingo. Using telekinesis to control the wind, he joined Doflamingo on the same day.
Early the next morning, the ship, bearing the "Cross Family" flag, and the Flamingo ship, with the "Donquixote Family" flag, headed to the black market for the auction.
The auction took place in the capital of a member nation called "Lulucia Kingdom".
This choice was perfect. The New World is a paradise for pirates, where the Marines cannot dominate and must maintain a balance with allied countries and maritime hegemony.
The first half of the Grand Line is ruled by Naval Headquarters, where the Marines are the absolute overlords.
The overlords of the four seas are not pirates and Marines but countries that are members of the world government.
It's challenging for a significant pirate like Cross Kahn, who has yet to enter the Grand Line but whose strength is comparable to a first-class powerhouse in the New World, to emerge from the four seas.
Therefore, pirates in the four seas can be easily crushed by 25 people with sea tactics.
Anyone who dares to cause trouble in an allied country's territory will face the resident army's crusade. If they fail to eliminate the resident army quickly, they will face the Marines arriving from nearby waters.
Except for those who are ignorant of their strength or those with immense power, anyone with a bit of sense wouldn't cause trouble in an allied country's capital.
The black market chose this location for the auction to avoid street fights.
As a price, they only need to pay a small fee to the allied countries.
After arriving at the "Lulucia Kingdom," Kahn saw many sailing ships with various flags and signs at the port.
These ships ranged from small sloops to medium ketches to large three-masted schooners.
With a brief glance at the ships and flags, Kahn didn't recognize any of them.
He also didn't see the "Germa 66," one of the overlords of North Blue, among these ships.
It's also logical that "Germa 66" wouldn't appear here.
This is a kingdom, and the North Blue's notorious evil army wouldn't be welcomed.
If "Germa 66" showed up, it would immediately alarm the entire allied country. They might be seen as attacking the country under a war employment contract.
Then, Vinsmoke Judge would receive an immediate warning from the World Government.
Moreover, Vinsmoke Judge is a scientist who is not interested in Devil Fruits and wouldn't lower his status to participate in a black market auction.
Realizing no prominent figures were present, Kahn became more certain that Doflamingo from the original series obtained the Logia Snow-Snow Fruit, Paramecia Hobby-Hobby Fruit, and even Paramecia Arms-Arms Fruit in this auction.
Since the overlords of North Blue didn't come to bid, the biggest and richest participants were Doflamingo and the "Donquixote Family."
Thinking of this, Kahn grew more excited about the upcoming auction.
Led by Doflamingo, Kahn and his group arrived at a castle second only to the palace.
With "Donquixote Family" members on either side, Kahn's group of personal maids following him attracted everyone's attention on the street.
The group's appearance was striking. Except for the most beautiful woman, everyone else wore black and white maid outfits, making them hard to ignore.
Soon, some well-informed individuals recognized Kahn and the peerless beauty not wearing a maid outfit, causing their expressions to change suddenly.
Among them were quite a few who came for the auction.
"Damn it, the black market actually invited such a dangerous person over this time. Are they trying to kill us?"
"Let's go; the good items in this auction are already reserved by big shots."
"Even if there are good things, whoever dares to bid will be robbed after leaving this island. Let's get out of here quickly."
"That guy is the Joker. He actually has a relationship with the 'Walking Disaster.' No wonder the 'Donquixote Family' became one of the giants in North Blue's dark world."
"It's really bad luck..."
The curses rang out from different crowds, reaching the ears of Kahn and Hancock, who had unique perceptions.
Some who had just landed on the island immediately turned back and prepared to leave the island quickly.
Kahn and Hancock were full of admiration for how people reacted to their presence.
As someone mentioned, the good stuff in this auction was already reserved by Kahn.
If someone competed with him, Kahn didn't mind letting them win, only to rob them afterwards.
Doflamingo took out the invitation letter and led Kahn and his group into the castle, revealing a large living room.
The living room was divided into two sections. On the left was an area with a buffet and drinks, and on the right was the auction venue with seats and a temporary stage.
Kahn and his group bypassed the buffet and sat in the first row of special seats prepared for the "Cross Family" by Doflamingo, waiting for the auction to start.
Kahn and Hancock noticed that many places in the living room were filled with surveillance Den Den Mushi. Their every move was being monitored by the person in charge of the black market auction.
Already in a high position, Kahn came to this countryside auction without making any small moves. Instead, he chatted with Doflamingo and Robin while waiting for the auction to start.
Soon, more and more people entered the living room and took their seats.
Everyone noticed Kahn's group in the first row, and many recognized them.
Just like outside, some timid individuals got up and left the castle without even sitting down, choosing to avoid the auction entirely.
Anyone who dared to compete with the "Walking Disaster" was seeking death.
When the auction started, one-third of the seats were empty.
The host, arranged by the black market, soon took the stage.
After hyping up the atmosphere, the auction officially began.
When the first item appeared, Kahn's eyes lit up, realizing the auction's high value.
The first item was a famous sword.
Although it was only a lower 51 Skillful Grade Swords, it was still one of only fifty famous swords.
If the first item was a famous sword, the finale might be a Devil Fruit.
Kahn grew more certain as each item was sold, often to Doflamingo.
Among the auction items, Kahn saw sniper rifles, machine guns, and seastone with a range far beyond his previous life, achievable only by the black technology of this world...
Compared to the Sabaody Archipelago auction house, which specialized in the slave trade, the North Blue auction was the real deal.
Soon, the item Kahn wanted finally appeared.
"Gentlemen and ladies... the next auction item is the legendary sea secret treasure, the Devil Fruit that gives ordinary people the power to soar into the sky after eating it."
An employee brought a treasure box and placed it on a small table.
The host opened the treasure chest with one hand, held the microphone with the other, and announced, "After being identified by the 'Devil Fruit Illustrated Book', the Devil Fruit here is the Paramecia Hobby-Hobby Fruit among the three series of Devil Fruits."
"This is a very rare Devil Fruit. It is said that those who eat it will stop growing physically and can turn humans and animals they encounter into toys. The toys will obey all user orders."
The audience was in an uproar.
"Is there really such a Devil Fruit?"
Even Hancock's beautiful eyes widened.
Doflamingo felt a pang of regret.
This wasn't just a rare Devil Fruit; it was one of the top Paramecia types, comparable to Vice Admiral Tsuru's ability!
The black market could obtain such a top Devil Fruit and auction it—how reckless!
If Doflamingo knew it was the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, he wouldn't have informed Kahn but would have come to get it himself to cultivate family members.
Now, this Devil Fruit might fall into Kahn's hands.
When the host announced the starting price at 100 million berries, Kahn waved his hand like a Celestial Dragon: "I bid 1 billion!"
Sitting on the wealth of the legendary Golden Town, supported by the Capone family in West Blue and North Blue, and with the best-selling drug in the New World's dark market, Kahn's social status was beyond wealth.
Berries, for him, were just numbers.
Kahn didn't bother with bidding wars, throwing out a billion berries, stunning everyone.
Faced with this ten-figure bid, no one dared to compete with Kahn, nor had the ability or courage.
Thus, after obtaining the Paramecia Love Love Fruit and Paramecia Millet-Millet Fruit, Kahn finally secured his third Paramecia rule-type Devil Fruit.
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