Chapter 226: The Real Commodity
Chapter 226: The Real Commodity
"Alright, twenty million berries to buy yourself. But what about the goods?" Sag asked.
"Here, right here!"
The pirate captain reached into his pants, still bound by chains and shackles. There was no shame in this; when it came to hiding things, one could be creative with their chosen spots.
Especially for slaves like this one, who had likely been stripped of everything when they were captured. It made sense to keep a treasure map on them, and the more secretive the hiding place, the better.
He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pants and unfurled it to reveal a sheepskin map.
"This is the treasure map. The treasure I've hidden is located somewhere along the Grand Line. Just follow the directions on the map, and you'll find it!"
As he spoke, he tried to step closer to Sag, eager to prove his words. But his men held him back.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
Palu punched him in the gut, causing him to dry heave and curl up slightly.
"How dare you bring your filth near Lord Sag!" After the punch, he snatched the treasure map and examined it carefully.
It was difficult to discern whether a treasure map was real or not. There were definitely fake ones out there, and likely quite a few.
Pirates on the high seas often lacked reliable channels to fence their stolen goods, and sometimes they couldn't even spend their ill-gotten gains. Many ports and cities were off-limits to pirates, and if they were discovered, the navy would be notified, and local guards would be dispatched to resist them.
A typical pirate crew only numbered around a hundred members, and aside from plundering merchant ships, they wouldn't dare get too close to towns. Only when they were desperately low on supplies would they risk raiding the outskirts of a port town, grabbing what they could before quickly fleeing. They wouldn't dare go any deeper.
The only places pirates could spend their money were ports and towns that welcomed them with open arms, regardless of whether they were orderly or chaotic, and whether the prices were reasonable or not. This was where they'd splurge, and sometimes, even a pirate captain's money couldn't buy everything.
Such places were few and far between, and for your average pirate, especially those sailing the Grand Line, their plunder would often leave them rolling in riches.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea, renowned across the oceans, included 'Empress' Boa Hancock. Even her modest excursions involved raiding a handful of merchant vessels, which was more than enough to sustain her female-only empire for some time.
For a regular pirate, stealing so much money that they couldn't spend it all was pointless if they didn't have a place to store it. And keeping it on their ship was risky. So, inevitably, they'd find an uncharted, uninhabited island on the sea map, bury their treasure there, and make a treasure map.
When they grew too old for the pirate's life, they'd set off in search of their hidden cache, find a quiet place to settle down, and live out the rest of their days in anonymity.
But to prevent others from getting their hands on the treasure map, they wouldn't make just one copy. They'd make several, most of them fake, and mix the real one in. That way, if something went wrong and their map fell into the wrong hands, those people would waste their time and energy chasing false leads.
What?
Not make a treasure map?
Then even the pirates themselves might forget where they'd hidden their treasure! Burying it was meant to ensure they could retrieve it later, not to ensure they'd never find it again. If they wanted it gone for good, they might as well drop it into the sea.
This was why there were so many treasure maps floating around on the high seas. Most were left behind by pirates who had passed on, but some pirates simply didn't think they'd live long enough to enjoy their hoards. So, they took each day as it came.
Why bother with so much money?
Could you even spend it all?
Having money meant enjoying life, and when you ran out, you just stole more. It was that simple.
On the high seas, pirates like Sag were a rare breed. You couldn't even say they were 'not many'; they were downright scarce.
So it made sense that pirates like him, who routinely raided towns, would have sky-high bounties. And that was setting aside the fact that he didn't just raid towns, but entire countries, and had even assassinated a king!
This pirate captain being sold as a slave fell into the category of those who buried their treasure. As for whether the map was real or not... Well, Palu couldn't tell.
The pirate captain shot a pleading glance at Lily, who sat in the front, center of the luxurious seating area. He was about to speak when Lily's cold gaze stopped him in his tracks, and he swallowed his words.
What a joke.
A treasure map produced from who-knows-where was supposed to be shown to her?
And for a mere twenty million berries?
That wasn't even worth considering!
"Lord Sag, it's hard to tell if it's real or not, but it looks genuine," Palu said with a forced laugh.
"It's real! I swear it's real!" the pirate captain shouted. "This has been hidden on my person the entire time. I wouldn't dare fake it!"
If it was hidden there, how could it be a fake?
"The map itself is definitely real; it's the regions I've traveled through. But whether there's treasure there or not, I can't say," Sag said with a smile.
Then, addressing everyone, he continued, "Let's set this pirate captain aside for now. We've unexpectedly come across a treasure map, and while we don't know if it's real or not, it might be worth a try. Who's interested in this treasure map? There's no starting bid; feel free to offer what you like. It might be a treasure map worth twenty million berries, and all it'll take is a bit of your time to go and check it out. It's a small price to pay for a potentially huge gain."
The wealthy nobles sitting before him remained silent, their faces filled with dread.
But the pirates at the back were intrigued.
"A treasure map!" Nami's eyes lit up.
No matter the setting, her true nature always shone through.
After all, it was money we were talking about!
"Why bother chasing a treasure map worth twenty million berries when we each have bounties over a hundred million?" Luffy asked, confused.
"Hmph, there's no need for that. Surely, no one would be so destitute that they can't even scrape together 20 million berries?" Apoo chuckled.
After all, they were already in Shabondy. These people were about to enter the New World, and they wouldn't bother going back for treasures from the first half of the Grand Line.
Especially not for a measly 20 million berries.
Each of these pirates with bounties over 100 million wouldn't be so poor.
"Five... fifty million berries?"
But in the end, a bold noble raised his number plate and cautiously spoke up.
Aside from him, the others remained silent.
"Very well, then 50 million berries it is, Palu. Hand him the map."
Sag nodded and said to the pirate captain, "Now you have 50 million berries. As for the 2,000 million you mentioned, it's unlikely you've ever seen that much money, so we'll consider it a figure of speech. But someone has bought your treasure map, which means you have the money, and you can use these 50 million to buy your freedom."
He turned to the audience, "Fifty million berries. Anyone care to make a higher offer? This is a pirate captain, and although I don't know what use he'll be, perhaps he can provide your kingdom with some privateering opportunities, as long as he doesn't rebel. Anyone? No? Very well, then. Congratulations, you've bought your freedom for 50 million berries."
Sag walked over to the pirate captain and grabbed the collar of his bomb-laden necklace.
"Hey! White-haired guy, what are you doing?! That thing will explode!" Luffy shouted.
Crack!
Boom!!
The collar was ripped open, and Sag casually tossed it into the air, where it exploded.
This unexpected action stunned everyone.
It had exploded!
These specially-made slave collars, designed to prevent slaves from escaping by detonating if they ventured beyond a certain range, as well as those that could be remotely detonated, had just been ripped apart and detonated with sheer force?
And the material of these collars was notoriously sturdy!
"Alright, you're free now. Get down from there. Palu, take note of the number of the person who bought the treasure map and collect the money later. For now, let's move on to the next item, number 17."
Sag waved his hand, signaling his men to bring the next person from backstage.
There were no surprises, and there was no need to try to salvage the situation by bringing out a popular item. They would just continue the auction in the original order.
"I can walk on my own, no need to push me."
A deep voice echoed from the backstage entrance, and a white-haired old man with a collar around his neck walked forward while drinking from a metal flask.
An ordinary, bespectacled, alcoholic... old man?
The guests, who were already fearful due to the earlier death and the blockade of pirates outside, were taken aback by this unexpected development.
However, they had come to attend the auction, and despite their fears, some hoped that the auction would continue as planned, thinking that perhaps they would be let go since they were, after all, customers who had come to buy slaves.
But who would buy an old man?!
Even if this old man looked rather robust, he was still an old man!
Even the pirates gathered at the entrance were perplexed by this turn of events.
Would this kind of auction really sell something like this?
As the crowd wondered, Lily and Reneetie paused, giving the old man a second glance.
These two had the Observation Haki.
They sensed something unusual about this old man; he was incredibly strong!
"Hmm?"
Even Sag turned to look at the old man, and his expression deepened as he sensed the powerful aura emanating from him through his own Observation Haki. This old man was frighteningly strong!
Such a powerful person, here in Shabondy, and yet he was just an old man...
"What's your name?" Sag asked.
The old man first looked towards the entrance, and Luffy's reflection appeared in the lenses of his glasses as he stared. Then, he turned to face Sag and replied, "Just an ordinary coating craftsman, Silvers Rayleigh."
"So it's really you, huh? Hmph!"
Sag laughed, "How interesting. To end up like this, don't you think you're bringing shame to your captain?"
"Oh? You know me?"
The old man smiled, "What can I say? Our captain didn't leave us any money when he disbanded the crew, so we had to fend for ourselves. Besides, what we do is our own business; it's a pirate's freedom."
In Sag's memory, there was only one such formidable old man, and it just so happened that he remembered him well.
Because his circumstances had been so pitiful, it had left a deep impression.
The former right-hand man of the Pirate King, the man who knew the secret of Laugh Tale—in his later years, he had resorted to selling himself to make a living. What a miserable existence!
"All of you, remember this! In the future, if any of you end up like this, don't claim to be my subordinates!"
Sag laughed at his crew within the auction hall,
"I treat you all well. Even if you're pirates, I want you to be pirates who live like kings! What you do is your own business, but this kind of freedom is not something you'll find on my ship, hahaha!"
After his laughter subsided, Sag addressed the guests in the hall, "Item number 17, the former right-hand man of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger—Silvers Rayleigh! Starting bid is 50 million berries. The auction begins!"
Pirate King...
His right-hand man?!
Silvers Rayleigh?!
"What?!?"
Nami covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.
"This famous guy from the books has actually shown up here and is being sold as a slave? Is it really him?"
Luo narrowed his eyes, "Is it really that guy?"
"The 'Underworld King'?"
Kid asked in a deep voice, "A strange guy."
Hawkins, sitting on the luxurious throne, paused slightly and said, "Even a big shot would end up in such a situation."
"It's truly bizarre, there are all sorts of people on the high seas." Urki laughed strangely.
"'Underworld King' Silverback Rayleigh."
Ajin was a little incredulous, "He's a legendary figure, and I can't believe we're seeing him here!"
"Deputy... Captain?!?"
Palu on the stage was startled and then looked at Rayleigh with admiring eyes, "Is it really you?"
"Ah, I'm just called Old Ray now, but I was indeed Roger's deputy captain." Rayleigh laughed.
"Please, give me your autograph!" Palu's expression turned solemn as he bowed to Rayleigh.
Being such a legendary figure, he was naturally the most admired.
Among the pirates, there were definitely those who admired the Pirate King, and Palu was one of them.
"Hahahaha, we can talk about that later."
Rayleigh laughed, "Your captain is trying to sell me now, and you've been making quite a stir lately. I often hear your name. So, you're from Impel Down? That's quite something, Sag."
Sag remembered Rayleigh, and Rayleigh also knew Sag. After all, he read the newspapers every day, and it was impossible for him not to know about Sag, who had gained quite a reputation in the first half of the Grand Line.
"Captain, buy him! He's Rayleigh!"
Palu's eyes lit up, "He's the deputy captain! He's worth a lot!"
"Why waste money on him? If he were that easy to get back to sea, the Navy would have shown up by now."
Sag sneered, "Besides, he's a poor ghost who can't even borrow money. If he really wanted to go back to sea and rob people, he would have made a name for himself on the high seas by now. Since he's retired, that means he's truly retired. He might not be feeling lost in terms of willpower, but ultimately, he's old.
"Old age brings with it a lack of energy, and his Armament and Observation Haki would fatigue and weaken faster than others."
"You're really harsh with your words."
Rayleigh laughed, "But you're right. I was planning to get bought and then rob the buyer, but now I'm a bit troubled."
His usual trick was to sell himself, then turn around and rob the person who bought him, getting enough money for alcohol.
"The sea is always forgiving to the strong. You're such a willful guy, and even if you've retired, you'll have your own way of life. Although I don't like it, forget it. If no one buys you, then we'll just call it a bust." Sag shook his head and laughed.
For someone of his caliber, it wouldn't be easy to live a peaceful life.
Occasionally robbing a few people was nothing to him, and no one would bother with such trivial matters.
Even the Navy wouldn't.
"I... I'll offer 5 million berries."
Palu suddenly held up five fingers and said excitedly to Rayleigh, "I want to buy your autograph! Please write, 'To the handsome and invincible 'Iron Wall' Palu', okay?"
"It's hard for me to refuse such enthusiasm from a junior. If you have the money for alcohol, then of course, I'll do it." Rayleigh said.
"Get lost."
Sag waved his hand, "You can easily break free from the slave collar. If no one buys you, just leave. Don't hold up my auction. Next, number 18!"
Dong!
As soon as he finished speaking, heavy footsteps sounded from behind, and a huge figure walked onto the stage and stood there.
A giant!
"I'll buy this one myself. Hey, come be a pirate with me!"
Sag laughed heartily, "A giant, that's quite nice!"
"I heard you've encountered some troubles. Were you a pirate?"
The giant glanced over, "If you can save me, then I don't mind."
Sag jumped up, appearing in front of the giant's neck. He grabbed the huge collar and directly squeezed and threw it away, causing another explosion.
"Now you're my subordinate. Go stand over there, we're not done yet!"
Sag laughed, then waved his hand and had his men bring out the last item.
The newly added Item 19 was a mermaid.
Her appearance caused an uproar in the hall.
It had been a long time since a mermaid had appeared!
Regardless of whether they had encountered setbacks, they still wanted to give it a try. What if this pirate was actually very principled?
"Two hundred million berries, sold to you."
Sag didn't even bother asking for a price, he just pointed at Luffy and his group and said, "Okay, that's it, Straw Hat. Remember, you owe me two hundred million. This auction is over!"
A sinister smile appeared on his face as he addressed the front, "The auction is over, and now it's time for my part. I only have one item to sell. The reason I kept you here until now is for this!"
He waved his hand, and Lily immediately stood up and brought Charlos, who was at her feet, onto the stage.
At the same time, two men who were shackled in chains were also brought to the front of the stage.
(End of Chapter)
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