Rayleigh couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You really are a clever little rascal."
Takumi smiled but didn't say anything in response.
Up on the stage.
Disco, seeing no more bids, reluctantly walked over to the podium and tapped the red hammer twice on the desk, announcing, "Since there are no more offers, the Bounce-Bounce Fruit is sold for 1 billion Berries!"
He had hoped the bidding would go higher.
But since the Celestial Dragons had joined, no one dared to outbid them.
The female Celestial Dragon smirked smugly. "Hmph, looks like this Devil Fruit isn't worth much after all. No one even bothered to challenge me."
Her father sighed and gave her an annoyed glance. "You just wasted another 1 billion Berries. Can't you learn to be more frugal?"
She didn't care. "I'm keeping this Devil Fruit as part of my collection. I also want a few more strong, young slaves. Father, buy me a few more, will you?"
The male Celestial Dragon ignored her.
Despite his irritation, he still usually bought her whatever she wanted.
As the Bounce-Bounce Fruit was taken offstage, a large semi-transparent water tank, covered with a white cloth, was wheeled onto the platform by the staff.
Disco perked up again, grabbing the mic with excitement. "Now for our next item, a rare and highly sought-after treasure. I know all of you here have been waiting for this one, so let's have a look at what we have!"
He winked at the backstage crew.
A spotlight shone through the back of the tank, revealing the silhouette of a mermaid within the water.
The audience was silent for a moment before erupting in cheers.
Disco, hyping up the crowd, exclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you one of the most valuable items you'll ever see!"
As he spoke, he yanked the white cloth off the tank.
Inside was a beautiful young mermaid, tears welling up in her eyes, her long blue-purple hair cascading down her back. She looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a delicate and graceful figure.
"This is Cathy, a mermaid from Fish-Man Island!" Disco shouted enthusiastically.
The cheers from the buyers grew even louder.
"A mermaid! They really have a mermaid up for auction!"
"She's so young and beautiful! Amazing!"
"This is incredible! A true treasure! I must have her! She's so cute I could keep her around for ten years!"
While the crowd was in an uproar, Takumi and Rayleigh remained calm.
Rayleigh stroked his chin thoughtfully, looking at the mermaid in the tank. "Takumi, this is your first time seeing a mermaid in person, isn't it?"
Takumi responded indifferently, "Yeah."
It was indeed his first time seeing one up close.
Rayleigh smirked. "What do you think? Is she pretty?"
Takumi gave a casual answer, "She's alright."
"Too bad I don't have any money," Rayleigh shrugged. "Otherwise, I'd be tempted to buy her. She's quite rare."
Takumi: "..."
Not enough money? You're the Dark King Rayleigh! You're worth a fortune yourself—sell yourself and you'll have enough!
[Insert sarcastic laugh here]
Onstage, Disco banged his hammer on the table again, quieting the crowd.
"Mermaids are the fastest swimmers in the sea, and it's incredibly rare to catch one. Most mermaids don't leave Fish-Man Island on their own. It usually takes six months to a year to find one for auction. It's been eight months since the last mermaid auction, so I'm sure everyone here is excited. Now, what should we start the bidding at?"
He paused dramatically, teasing the audience.
The eager buyers leaned forward, waiting in anticipation.
Disco smiled and announced, "We'll start the bidding at 80 million Berries! Anyone who wants to own this mermaid, please place your bids!"
"I bid 85 million!"
"85.5 million!"
"I'll go 90 million!"
"Hmph! This mermaid is mine! 100 million!"
"I'll empty my savings if I have to. A rare mermaid is worth it! 120 million!"
Disco's grin widened as he called out, "Alright! Buyer number 36 offers 120 million Berries! Any higher bids?"
Rayleigh glanced at the two Celestial Dragons sitting in their special seats and said, "If this mermaid ends up with a regular buyer, her fate will be far better than if she's sold to a Celestial Dragon."
Takumi knew exactly who Rayleigh was talking about—the brother of the female Celestial Dragon. A snot-nosed man with multiple wives and a face only a mother could love.
The two who came this time weren't interested in mermaids. The female Celestial Dragon liked strong male slaves, and her father preferred captains for slaves. Neither cared much for mermaids.
The bids kept coming in, and soon Cathy's price had skyrocketed to 200 million Berries.
Inside the tank, Cathy pressed her hands against the glass, her eyes filled with fear and desperation as she stared at the cheering humans outside. To her, they were nothing but monsters. Though she couldn't hear them through the water, she could easily guess her fate.
"Someone... anyone... please help me..." she muttered, biting her lip in despair.
The auction continued.
But Takumi had seen enough. He came here for the Bounce-Bounce Fruit, and since Rayleigh was handling that, there was no reason for him to stay. He might as well head over to Shakky's bar.
As he stood to leave, Rayleigh grabbed his wrist with a smile. "No need to rush off. Don't you want to see how high the price for this mermaid goes?"
Takumi sighed, "Not really."
"You're such a buzzkill," Rayleigh chuckled.
Just as Rayleigh finished speaking, a sudden notification sounded in Takumi's mind.
[Ding! By refusing the Dark King Rayleigh's invitation, your progress is increased by 20%. Current progress: 50%. Reward: Conqueror's Haki +1. Current Conqueror's Haki level: Lv6.]
In an instant, an overwhelming pressure radiated from Takumi, spreading throughout the auction hall. The rowdy audience fell silent as everyone around them collapsed unconscious. The only ones still standing were Takumi, Rayleigh, and a startled Kizaru.
"Refusing Rayleigh's invitation?" Takumi wondered.
Invitation to what? Stay and watch the auction.
Does that even count?
Takumi's mind raced with questions.
Before he could fully process it, another notification popped up.
[Ding! You have shocked the Dark King Rayleigh and Admiral Kizaru. Progress increased by 20%. Current progress: 70%. Reward: Armament Haki +1. Current Armament Haki level: Lv8.]