Disco's intentions were crystal clear: he planned to use Sugar to control Monet. In reality, the crew that had captured the sisters back then didn't even have Haki, and they'd relied on capturing Sugar to force Monet into surrender.
Ironically, the pirates who sold the sisters to Disco soon met a gruesome end at the hands of another group, their fleeting fortune claimed in an instant.
The spectators, once filled with disdain, now eagerly competed to place their bids. Among the wealthy residents here, there was no shortage of those who could afford two hundred million Belly.
The sisters had quickly become a hot commodity, and Disco wasn't about to miss this profitable opportunity, promptly arranging an auction on the spot.
Each bid increased by five hundred thousand Belly, and in no time, the sisters' price reached two hundred and thirty million Belly. Disco, using his hand as a makeshift auction gavel, banged on the metal cage beside him, each strike echoing sharply through the tense crowd.
Inside the cage, Monet clutched Sugar tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably as she looked on helplessly at the unfolding scene. Her beautiful, expressive eyes now reflected nothing but fear and despair.
As the bids continued, the price finally climbed to two hundred and eighty million Belly, and the frenzied shouting began to dwindle. Buying a slave for such a high price was almost extravagant, and even the one who had placed the final bid appeared to have a flicker of regret.
Disco, however, felt the price had already exceeded his expectations, and after a brief pause, he raised his hand, preparing to finalize the sale.
Suddenly, a deep voice echoed from the crowd.
"Three hundred million Belly. I'll take the two of them."
Though calm, the voice hit everyone like a thunderclap. All eyes turned toward Carl, and those standing nearby instinctively stepped back, giving him a wide berth.
Disco swallowed nervously as he glanced at Carl and stammered,
"Sir, was it you who just bid three hundred million Belly?"
"What? You think I can't afford it?" Carl raised an eyebrow, a glint of menace flashing in his amber-tinted glasses. Disco felt a chill creep over him, retreating until his back hit the cold metal cage, his forehead damp with sweat.
Realizing that this enigmatic man was someone he couldn't afford to offend, Disco forced a nervous smile and rubbed his hands together as he replied,
"Please, you misunderstand. I simply wanted to confirm. You know, with so many people calling out bids, it's hard to keep track."
Carl's expression remained cool as he replied,
"That's correct."
Disco hesitated, then asked cautiously,
"Very well, and may I ask when you intend to pay?"
Three hundred million Belly was no small amount. In the pirate world, the largest bill denomination was ten thousand Belly, meaning this would require thirty thousand bills in total. Carl, appearing empty-handed, seemed unlikely to have such an amount on him.
Without a word, Carl waved his hand, a shadow of dark energy flickering briefly. To everyone's astonishment, bundles of Belly suddenly materialized and fell in heaps at Disco's feet.
Stunned for a moment, Disco blinked, greed flashing in his eyes before he hesitated. In his mind, Carl had to be a Devil Fruit user, and he feared that this currency might just be a conjured illusion.
But just as Carl's patience was wearing thin and he prepared to act, someone in the crowd suddenly cried out,
"Celestial Dragon! The Celestial Dragon is here!"
The color drained from everyone's faces as they turned toward the street, where a procession was approaching, led by a figure wearing a bubble helmet. The pompous Celestial Dragon was seated arrogantly on the shoulders of a towering bodyguard, his smug aura radiating across the square.
As he approached, people on both sides of the street dropped to their knees in reverence. The crowd around Carl did the same in unison, leaving him the only one still standing, a striking figure amid the prostrate throng.
Disco, concerned for his high-paying client, whispered urgently from his kneeling position,
"Quick, get down! If you don't kneel, you'll be killed!"
Carl stood straight, gazing down at Disco with mild disdain.
"The money is here. I'm taking them," he said, striding toward the cage.
Reaching the iron bars, he effortlessly tore the cage door open with his hands. Monet, stunned, could only stare in disbelief at this audacious man before her.
Sugar peeked up from Monet's embrace, her wide eyes nervously observing Carl.
In the pirate world, everyone knew the ruthlessness of the Celestial Dragons. And during her captivity, Monet had heard horror stories about them from other slaves. She knew well the consequences of not kneeling before them.
Though Carl's appearance was somewhat obscured by his attire, his tall, lean build and distinguished aura had immediately caught her attention. While everyone else scrutinized the sisters with greedy eyes, Carl alone had observed them in silence. This subtle distinction left a favorable impression on Monet.
Watching him, she couldn't help but murmur,
"You…you should kneel. The Celestial Dragon is almost here."
Carl simply gazed back at her, then slowly leaned down.
Seeing him lower himself, Monet exhaled a sigh of relief, thinking he was about to comply. But instead, Carl placed his hand on the Seastone shackles binding her wrist.
Nearby, Disco was momentarily stunned, his mind racing to comprehend how Carl could touch Seastone with ease. Just as he realized the implications, Carl's hand flexed slightly, and with a faint click, the cuffs fell open and clattered to the ground.
Monet stared in awe at her unbound wrists, unable to believe that the chains which seemed to have drained her very life force had just been broken.
Disco's pupils contracted in shock, and he lunged toward her with a shout,
"Quick! Put the cuffs back on! Don't let her escape!"
Bang!
A single gunshot rang out, and Disco crumpled to the ground.
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+170 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg