Area 1, Auction House.
More than a dozen rows of seats were filled with noble guests. Tashigi and Kuto, blending in with the crowd, wore hoods and held auction paddles, constantly observing their surroundings.
Just then, the auction host stepped onto the stage, holding a microphone, and began the opening ceremony for today's auction.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! We have prepared many high-quality slaves for you this time."
"You are all very fortunate. This time, we have an extremely popular item, but for now, it will remain a secret. I sincerely hope that everyone will find a slave that satisfies them!"
As the host finished speaking, the venue erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
"What kind of slaves are you planning to buy this time?"
A nobleman sitting in front of Tashigi suddenly turned around and asked the others.
"This time, I need to buy a strong and robust one, preferably a fishman. The last human slave I bought only lasted ten days before I had to throw him into the sea to feed the sharks. Now, thinking about it, I still feel bad about the money I spent," a woman said with a smile, spreading her hands.
Another nobleman excitedly clenched his fists and said, "I want to buy a few young and beautiful girls this time. Having them at home would be a real treat for the eyes."
Laughter and discussion quickly filled the entire venue. Seeing this, Tashigi couldn't help but clench her fists, and Kuto, sitting next to her, gripped the hilt of his Sword, trembling uncontrollably.
"These scumbags..."
"Calm down, Kuto. Think about what Vivian would do if he were in this situation."
"Vivian..."
He would probably act indifferent, waiting for the right moment, and only strike when everything is under control, right?
Thinking about this, Kuto's anger immediately subsided.
"Soon, the entire Sabaody Archipelago will be in chaos due to the arrival of the Admiral. Pirates and Marines will engage in a full-scale war, and by then, no one will care about the slaves in the auction house..."
With this thought, he sat quietly in his seat, continuing to watch the auction show.
Half an hour later.
"This item is a pirate captain! With a bounty of 17 million Berries, this man, Lakuba, is known for his powerful strategies on the sea! Additionally, his robust physique is another selling point. He can be used as a guard dog or even as a punching bag!"
The host introduced the item on the stage, and the nobles below laughed mockingly.
But just as everyone was laughing,
"Ahh!" A mouthful of blood spurted out, and the tall young man who had been standing on the stage suddenly collapsed, his eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness.
"What happened?!"
"Why did he suddenly collapse?"
Seeing the blood-stained stage, several screams echoed through the venue.
Kuto, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but lower his head, his teeth grinding loudly.
He knew that the pirate had bitten his tongue to commit suicide, refusing to live as someone's pet.
But it wasn't out of pity for the pirate; rather, witnessing this scene had a profound impact on him.
It made him question his own values.
I am a Navy...
Why did I join the Marines in the first place?
Why, when I see things like this happening, can't I do anything to stop it?
Is it just because everyone sitting in this auction house is a noble, or even a Celestial Dragon?
The more he thought about it, the more confused he became.
Meanwhile,
"Sorry for the wait, everyone. We had a small incident earlier. Now, we will present the most special and popular item of the day!"
As the host finished speaking, four auction house staff members brought in a water tank filled with water, inside which was a mermaid.
Similarly, at the moment they saw this "item," all the nobles present couldn't help but swallow, their hearts instantly boiling with excitement.
"It's Camie!"
"Camie is finally out!"
"Miss Camie, we will definitely rescue you!"
From the back, several voices suddenly came, attracting the attention of Tashigi and Kuto.
"It's the Straw Hat crew?" Kuto exclaimed.
The Straw Hat crew actually entered the auction hall…
This is great. Originally, he thought these guys would flee after hearing that an Admiral was coming to the island, but unexpectedly, they met here.
"Then let's take this opportunity to capture them all," Kuto clenched his fist, secretly making up his mind.
Since he couldn't handle the Celestial Dragons, at least he could capture the Straw Hat crew. Otherwise, he would really have no face to continue serving in the Navy.
"Now… starting the auction at a base price of 20 million Berries! Does anyone want to bid?" the host continued.
As the words fell, Nami, who was ready to use the 200 million Berries on their ship to buy Camie, was about to raise her number plate when suddenly…
"300 million Berries!"
Sitting in the front row, Charlos raised her number plate.
Everyone: ∑(O_O;)
Chopper: ┏(゜口゜;)┛
Nami: (⊙?⊙)
"How… how could this be?"
The total money on their ship was only 200 million, but that person bid 300 million right away. How could they redeem Camie now?
Sanji bit the cigarette in his mouth into pieces.
Chopper also clenched his fists tightly, his face full of anxiety.
"Spending 300 million Berries on a mermaid, you're wasting money again, Charlos."
"Father, my brother recently bought a shark. Don't you think it would be interesting to put the mermaid in the pool with the shark? After all, mermaids are the fastest swimmers in the world." Charlos covered her mouth and laughed, her smile full of malice.
"By the way," Saint Rosward turned to the bodyguard standing beside him, "Is the security in place? Logue Town's Larvin won't come to the auction to assassinate me again, right?"
"Rest assured, Saint Rosward, I have dispatched 200 people to guard the entrance of the venue, and the Navy from headquarters is almost here. If Logue Town's Larvin dares to appear at the venue again, I guarantee he will not leave alive," the black-clad bodyguard replied in a low voice.
"300 million Berries, first call!"
"300 million Berries, second call!"
"300 million Berries, thir—"
"I bid 500 million Berries!"
Before the words were finished, another voice suddenly interrupted, stopping the host from striking the gavel.