Chapter 224: The Last One
Chapter 224: The Last One
The auction was still in progress, and no one noticed the covert installation of the Den Den Mushi by those individuals.
However, none of the remaining items seemed to interest Sag.
One by one, the 'items' on stage were sold off, while at the main entrance, members of the Straw Hat crew—Namie, Sanji, Chopper, and Franky—were blocked from entering.
Standing beside them was a fellow with loose-fitting clothes, a mouth like a trumpet, and hair resembling a starfish, with an actual starfish perched on his shoulder.
"Don't cause any trouble; the person you're looking for isn't here," one of the two guards at the door said, blocking Sanji's path.
"If you continue to make a fuss, we'll have to take legal action," the other guard mocked. "There's a Marine base here, and we're very close to the Marine Headquarters at Marlinfang. No matter who you are, you can't interfere with our business."
"What kind of business is this!" Sanji exclaimed, grabbing the guard by the collar. "Human trafficking is strictly prohibited worldwide!"
"That's why we're an 'employment agency,' not human traffickers," the guard retorted, brushing off Sanji's hand. "Don't spread false accusations. We only deal in 'merchandise' here!"
The guard slapped Sanji's hand away and said, "You're welcome to come in and buy, but if you cause trouble, we'll call the Marines. You lot are afraid of the Marines, aren't you!"
Regardless of who they were, anyone who ventured into these unlawful territories would fear the Marines.
"You scoundrel!" Sanji seethed, his hand having been slapped away, yet he actually stopped.
The others also looked furious, and even Chopper had transformed into his human form, his fists clenched.
It wasn't that they didn't want to charge in, but because Hatchan had mentioned that there might be a Celestial Dragon inside, and rushing in recklessly could escalate the situation.
As for buying...
They didn't have the money.
All they had was the 100 million beri that Sag had given them, and they had found out the woman's starting price on their way here—700 million beri. They simply didn't have enough.
"What are you lot doing just standing there! Are you even pirates?" a brazen voice suddenly rang out from behind them. The group turned to see a large crowd approaching the auction house.
"Those guys are..." Hatchan paused, his eyes widening. "...all pirates with bounties over 100 million!"
Their group split apart, with Kidd on the left and Law on the right, and among them were a group of 'Supernovas,' each with a bounty of over 100 million.
Apoo and Drake glared at each other, their crews following suit as they walked forward.
There was some tension between Beckman and Bonney as well. One valued etiquette, while the other was carefree and unrestrained. Beckman regarded the latter as a troublesome brat, and Bonney didn't like Beckman's pretentious display of manners.
These Supernovas had eventually made their way to this auction house as well.
"Hmph, you actually made it to the front door. If you've got the guts, follow me inside!" Kidd sneered.
"Don't just stand there at the end; don't tell me you're only here to watch!"
"This is a rare sight; it hasn't happened in eight hundred years. How could we not go in, Captain Eustass?" Law replied with a smile, cradling his nodachi.
Under the veil of cigar smoke, it was hard to make out Beckman's expression, while Bonney seemed to be enjoying the show. Drake wore a grim expression, and although Apoo was smiling, the sweat on his forehead was clearly visible.
Yet, their steps remained resolute.
Initially, some of them had intended to leave. After all, their goal in reaching Shabondy was to get their ships coated to smoothly enter the New World, not to pick fights.
They were pirates, not thugs, each with their own ambitions. They had endured countless dangers and overcome numerous hardships to reach this place. What scene hadn't they witnessed?
Well...
An auction of a Celestial Dragon was definitely a first in eight hundred years!
Whether they had intended to leave or not, these Supernovas wanted to know how Sag was handling this situation. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the sale of a Celestial Dragon, an event that, to pirates, was far more enticing than any feast.
No one wanted to miss it.
In comparison, conflicts with Sag, debts, and the like were trivial matters.
They were all pirates, and such issues wouldn't make them bend so easily!
Kidd, for one, certainly wouldn't!
So, instead of leaving, they had all made their way towards Auction House No. 1, curious to see how Sag would auction off a Celestial Dragon.
Law, in particular, wore a conflicted expression.
On one hand, he thought of the phone call Sag had made earlier, and on the other, he recalled the Celestial Dragon who had been dragged along like a dead dog. That fellow was also...
Just what was going on?
"Hey, aren't you guys the Straw Hat crew?" Kidd asked, standing at the entrance and glancing at Namie. A cruel smile spread across his face. "Can't even get through the door? And you call yourselves pirates?"
"As pirates, no one can stop us!" Kidd interrupted the guard, glaring at him. "I heard you guys were lawless, but now it looks like that's not quite accurate!"
Compared to that white-haired bastard, the Straw Hat crew seemed inadequate.
"Could this guy have really destroyed Enies Lobby alongside the Natural Disaster?"
"Hey, what are all of you doing here?! There are Marines here," one of the guards warned.
"We're pirates!" Kidd cut him off, taking a step forward. Behind him, Killer rushed out, spinning his scythe and slicing deep gashes into the chests of the two guards.
Fresh blood splattered as they fell backward, their eyes rolling up.
Kidd snorted and strode towards the entrance, glancing down at the two guards before stepping through the doorway. "The Marines? They can't meddle in everything. The times are changing, and during this transition, things will happen that will make even the Marine Headquarters, no, the World Government, feel fear! Hahaha!"
On their way here, they had received a special edition of the newspaper, which carried a shocking piece of news.
The 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, 'Fire Fist' Ace, was going to be publicly executed.
This was already shocking enough, and it also explained why the Marine forces were so thinly spread out despite being so close to Marineford.
However, this shocking news now seemed like a secondary concern.
There was an even more earth-shattering development!
One by one, the group strode in, each bringing a few of their crew members, and took their places at the spacious auction grounds, their eyes fixed on the auction stage.
"Over there."
Law leaned against a corner, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a head of white hair in the crowd.
"That guy sure has guts, attending an auction at a time like this."
Nami and the others also entered the auction hall, and as soon as they stepped in, they heard the passionate voice of the auctioneer.
"Lot number 14! A beautiful human female!"
A tea-haired woman in a maid outfit was pushed onto the stage by Disco. "As a professional maid, aside from having a pretty face, she's naturally skilled in household chores as well! Buy her, and she'll keep your home spotless and free you from all domestic troubles!"
"And she's adept at various games, a true gaming master! From poker to chess, as long as you can think of it, she can play it! She's the perfect companion to pass the time with, adding a touch of comfort and leisure to your life, allowing you to pursue loftier goals with single-minded focus!"
"Introducing a head maid from an unaffiliated kingdom in the Grand Line, Bella! Age twenty, height 170cm! Starting bid, six hundred thousand beri!"
The men in the hall had their eyes glittering at the prospect, and indeed, a young and pretty maid like that would be a great deal no matter how they looked at it. Bids quickly rose, and the price soon reached three million beri.
"What nonsense is this?!"
Sanji's eyes widened in anger, his fists clenching.
"Five million!"
Just as he spoke, a familiar, cold female voice rang out across the hall.
Sanji turned and spotted a breathtaking beauty with golden, wavy hair, raising her bidding plaque.
Beside her stood a white-haired man.
"Sag?!" Nami exclaimed in surprise.
"Number 44, five million beri! Anyone else? Going once, going twice... Sold to number 44! Congratulations!" Disco shouted.
Sag smiled faintly, leaning back and blowing out a puff of smoke. "Finally, someone decent. Seems like a hard-working woman, too."
He had waited so long, and it seemed he had finally found someone worth his while.
"Sag, Sag!"
A voice called out from behind, and Sag didn't turn, but Lily did, furrowing her brows. "The Supernovas are all here, and those brats from the Straw Hat crew, too."
As she spoke, Nami rushed over, her voice urgent. "Please help! You can save Camie!"
"Who?"
Sag glanced over, his tone indifferent. "Save? Since when did pirates start saving people?"
Nami paused, then bit her lip. "I want to borrow money from you! To buy someone here!"
"Borrowing money? Sure, I do believe in your crew's credibility. How much do you want to borrow? For you, the interest rate will be as we agreed before, 40% per year."
Sag said, "But let me tell you this: there are people here that I've taken a fancy to. If you want to bid against me, you won't win. However, if I lend you this money, you'll have to pay interest on it."
"No problem!" Nami readily agreed.
It wasn't realistic to expect Sag to save someone; their two pirate crews didn't have that kind of relationship.
"How much do you want to borrow?"
"Two hundred million beri!" Nami blurted out.
"Two hundred million? That's enough to buy a giant, Kalifa," Sag replied.
"Alright, understood," Kalifa acknowledged, making her way to the back of the venue. "Let's all go together. You can bid, and I'll cover you for up to two hundred million beri. Anything above that will be considered a loan with interest."
"Go on, don't disturb me while I'm buying. All the seats are taken, so don't just stand there blocking my view," Sag waved his hand, gesturing for Nami to follow Kalifa.
He didn't mind spending a little extra. After all, whatever amount he spent here would soon be replenished, aside from perhaps contributing a little to the venue's GDP. He might even turn a profit.
"And now, for our next popular item, Lot Number 15!"
As the previous lot, Number 14, was led away to the other backstage area for the transaction, Disco continued with the introductions. "An incredibly beautiful slave girl! The enchanting dancer, Pasha!"
Accompanied by the clinking of chains, two guards led a woman dressed in a dancer's costume onto the stage. Her figure and facial features were undeniably top-notch, rivaling even Lily's and Nami's.
This woman had long violet hair, and whether it was her figure or her face, she was truly exceptional.
Especially...
"A dancer! A dance girl!"
Sag's eyes lit up, and he didn't even wait for the host on stage to finish the introduction before raising a single finger to place his bid.
Lily held up her plaque and said, "Ten million beri!"
This price couldn't be said to have stunned everyone in the venue, but it did effectively deter anyone else from bidding.
After all, it was just a dancer, no matter how beautiful or well-endowed she was, she wasn't worth ten million.
"Ten million beri, anyone else? This is indeed a stunning dancer, and she can..."
Disco was about to continue hyping up the lot, and he even made a gesture to signal the two stooges to raise the price, but as soon as he made eye contact with the buyer number 44 in the venue, he shuddered involuntarily and quickly added, "Looks like that's it then. Congratulations to number 44!"
"That's more like it," Sag smiled. "When I set my sights on something, I always get it. Driving up the price is just tedious and pointless, as the outcome will always be the same, so why waste the time?"
"Sag," Lily leaned in close and whispered, "They're here."
Sag tossed the cigar he had been chewing on to the ground and turned his head. At the entrance, a man similarly dressed in a diving suit but looking rather idiotic walked down the stairs, wiping his nose.
"Hmm? Where are Father and Sister? They haven't arrived yet?"
Charlos pinched his nose as he descended the stairs, stepping closer. "I want a mermaid. I wonder if there will be any for sale."
As he walked by, the surrounding nobles and wealthy individuals all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. Those who had brought their daughters or wives tried to hide them in their chests, fearing that this Celestial Dragon might lay eyes on them.
All the Celestial Dragons were of a similar disposition, but this particular one seemed even more vicious and ill-tempered. He was infamous in the Sabaody Archipelago for only ever considering his own desires, regardless of the occasion. As a result, everyone had to be extra cautious around him.
While everyone else lowered their heads, Sag boldly kept his head raised, and Lily stood by his side.
"Compared to those two, this guy seems a bit slow. Is it due to inbreeding?" Sag not only kept his head high, but he also smiled and chatted with Lily, not bothering to lower his voice. "This one might be worth a little less than the other two. Idiots don't fetch a high price."
Idiot? Slow?
Those sitting near Sag squeezed to the sides, forming a pile as they stared at him in shock. He was actually insulting a Celestial Dragon to his face!
"Hmm?"
Charlos, of course, heard this as well and turned his head instinctively. However, he didn't look at Sag but instead fixed his gaze on Lily, who was standing next to Sag in a battle skirt, her beauty and valiance captivating.
That appearance truly invited defilement...
"I want her! I want her to be my wife. Hey, grab her for me!" Charlos pointed at Lily, issuing his command.
"Ah..."
Just as the auction house, which had been quiet aside from the occasional voices from the stage, was about to descend into chaos once more, the doors opened again, and in walked Mary, Renee, Lucky, Hawkins, and the recently surrendered Urki. Through the open doors, they could see that the venue was now surrounded by several hundred people.
"Wow..."
Mary smiled. "Are all Celestial Dragons like this? He's quite brave."
(End of Chapter)
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