Chapter 101: Steel Bone and Air Attack
"Gentlemen, if you wish to examine this slave, you may!"
The auctioneer assumed the man wanted a closer look at the slave girl and paid no attention. But what happened next shocked everyone.
Snap!
Charlotte's hands, now covered with Armament Haki, tore the explosive collar from the little girl's neck with ease.
Bang!
Without hesitation, Charlotte hurled the collar toward the auctioneer, who was too stunned to react. It exploded on impact, engulfing the auctioneer in flames and smoke.
Crash!
The scene sent shockwaves through the auction house.
Everyone froze in place, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
Charlotte turned slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Stay down!" he growled.
A wave of Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki), tinged with red and green, erupted from Charlotte and swept through the auction hall.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
People dropped like flies, foam bubbling from their mouths. The entire crowd, previously loud and restless, fell silent as they lost consciousness.
Elena, who was seated in the audience, remained untouched. She looked around in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
The little girl, standing on the auction platform, gazed at Charlotte with wide, fearful eyes. She had never witnessed such overwhelming power.
Charlotte retracted his Haki and turned to Elena, a slight smile on his face.
"Well? If you want to save them, now's your chance. I can't promise how long they'll stay unconscious."
Elena, stunned by the sight of dozens of unconscious bodies around her, hesitated for a moment. Her face flushed, but then she walked toward the platform.
She knelt beside the little girl and gently touched her head.
"Little one, you're free now. Go home," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion.
The little girl looked up at Elena with timid eyes.
"Big sister, I... I don't have a home anymore," the girl whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.
Elena's heart shattered at those words. She reached out and hugged the girl tightly, tears brimming in her eyes.
She turned to Charlotte, her gaze pleading.
Charlotte sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.
"Fine," he muttered. "She can come with us. One more mouth to feed won't make a difference."
He walked toward the backstage area. His Observation Haki had already revealed the presence of more slaves imprisoned there.
Elena, holding the little girl's hand, quickly followed Charlotte into the dimly lit backstage area.
Inside, the oppressive stench of sweat and despair filled the air. Elena squinted, trying to adjust to the darkness, as Charlotte found a switch and flipped it.
Click! Click! Click!
Overhead lights flickered on, illuminating rows of cages filled with malnourished and injured people.
Elena gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
The sight before her was like something out of a nightmare.
Men, women, and children sat motionless in the cages, their eyes hollow and lifeless. They were covered in scars, their bodies emaciated from lack of food and care.
Even Charlotte, who was no stranger to brutality, felt a pang of discomfort.
"Let's get them out of here," he said, walking toward the nearest cage.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Charlotte broke the locks on the cages one by one, releasing the prisoners. The freed slaves looked at the open doors with disbelief, too numb to immediately understand what was happening.
"Get moving! Don't just sit there!" Charlotte barked.
Slowly, they began to shuffle out of the cages, their movements hesitant and uncertain.
Elena, overwhelmed by the sight, clung tightly to the little girl's hand as they followed Charlotte out of the auction house.
Outside, Charlotte's Observation Haki detected numerous malicious presences lurking in the shadows. His expression darkened.
---
Marine Headquarters, Admiral's Office
The Den Den Mushi rang sharply, interrupting Cyborg Kong's paperwork.
Frowning, he picked it up. This particular Den Den Mushi was a direct line to the Five Elders, used only for urgent matters.
"Moshimoshi! This is Admiral Kong," he said, his voice firm.
"Kong, head to the Sabaody Archipelago immediately and arrest the pirate Charlotte," commanded one of the Five Elders, his tone cold and authoritative.
"...What?" Kong was momentarily stunned.
Before he could ask for details, the line went dead.
Furious, Kong slammed his fist onto his desk, shattering it.
"Prepare a ship immediately!" he bellowed to the guards outside. "I want to know exactly what Charlotte has done this time!"
"Yes, sir!" came the hurried reply.
Within moments, the entire Marine Headquarters was abuzz with activity. The alarm bells rang, signaling an emergency deployment.
Kong boarded the ship, standing at the bow with his arms crossed. His stern gaze fixed on the horizon, where the Sabaody Archipelago lay.
---
Back on Island No. 1, Charlotte fired a flare into the sky. The signal called for his crew to regroup at the ship.
Turning to Elena, he said, "Take her back to the ship. This place is about to become dangerous, and I don't want either of you here."
Elena grabbed his arm, her face filled with worry.
"What about you?" she asked.
Charlotte paused, momentarily taken aback by the concern in her voice. He smiled warmly.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," he reassured her. "Once this is over, I'll take you to my home."
Elena's heart skipped a beat. Despite her initial resistance, she realized she now cared deeply for him.
"Be careful," she said softly, her voice trembling.
Charlotte patted her shoulder. "Paul and Isaac will protect you. If I don't come back... well, isn't that what you've always wanted?" he teased.
Elena's lips quivered as she fought back tears.
"You must come back safely!" she yelled as he walked away.
Charlotte paused, then raised a hand in a silent farewell before disappearing into the distance.
Tears streamed down Elena's face as she watched him go, the little girl clutching her hand tightly for comfort.
---
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