"Our Majesty is the wielder of the Silence Fruit, the man of Silence himself," Ryan said smugly. "He's developed the ability to mute everything — even explosions. If His Majesty doesn't wish it to detonate, then it simply won't!"
"What a convenient power," Rayleigh remarked with a grin.
Rosinante looked down coldly at Kela. "I've already laid the offer — one trillion Berries sits right here. If your masters have the guts, come and take it. I'll be waiting."
Kela's face darkened. "So there's no way to settle this peacefully, huh? I didn't expect that one Nico Robin would bring so much trouble… But, well, thanks to her, I've stumbled upon one trillion Berries. Who would've thought someone could be so stupid as to hand it over willingly? I'll gladly accept."
He raised his hand sharply. From every direction, guards poured into the auction hall — rough men with cruel grins, brandishing weapons that gleamed in the dim light.
The atmosphere turned thick and dangerous.
The guests panicked, some screaming and shoving their way toward the exits, but their terror meant nothing to anyone now.
Kela's eyes gleamed with greed as he stared at the golden banknote. One trillion Berries… if I can claim it… if I can just make it mine…
"Kill them!" he shouted, madness twisting his face. "Whoever brings me that note won't go unrewarded!"
The guards roared in response and began to advance — but when their eyes landed on Zashika, the Celestial Dragon standing beside Rosinante, they hesitated.
"Be careful! Don't harm Saint Zashika!" one of them shouted.
Zashika's cold laugh cut through the tension. "Don't worry. I won't interfere."
That was all the permission they needed. The moment she said it, relief flashed across their faces — no one wanted to anger a Celestial Dragon. With her blessing, their blades turned fully toward Rosinante's group.
Kela sneered, stepping closer to the stage. "Did you really think flashing a few numbers would scare us? This is the No.1 Human Auction House — we don't bow to fools who think money makes them untouchable."
He stretched his trembling hand toward the golden note, his pupils dilated, imagining the wealth that could change his fate forever. But just as his fingers were about to brush the paper—
CRACK!
A blinding bolt of lightning crashed down from above, striking Kela directly. His body convulsed violently, and he fell to the floor, twitching and smoking.
"I told you," Enel said with his signature arrogant smirk, "that isn't yours to touch."
"Lord Kela!" the guards cried out in alarm.
Luckily, Enel hadn't intended to kill him — the lightning was enough to paralyze, not to end a life. Kela's body went limp, muscles locked in spasms as he gasped on the ground.
"W-What was that!? Where did that lightning come from!?"
"There's no way… someone's actually attacking the Human Auction House?"
The few guests who had dared to stay began whispering excitedly. To them, this was better than any performance.
A few guards rushed the stage, weapons raised. They thought Rosinante had summoned the lightning — after all, he was the one standing closest to Kela.
But before they could reach him, Enel and Shaxia appeared in front of Rosinante in a blur of movement, blocking their path.
And at that instant —
A terrifying pressure swept through the entire hall.
It was like the air itself had turned into an invisible wave, crashing down upon everyone present.
That overwhelming force didn't target Enel or Shaxia— instead, it rolled outward, slamming directly into the charging guards.
The men froze mid-stride, eyes going wide and unfocused. Then, one by one, they dropped their weapons, collapsing unconscious to the ground like puppets whose strings had been cut.
"What—what's happening!?"
"Why did they just… fall over!?"
"What is this terrifying feeling!?"
Even the remaining guards who weren't directly hit could feel it — a crushing, primal dread that made their knees weak and their hearts pound.
"C-Conqueror's Haki…!?" Kela stammered, finally regaining enough control of his body to speak. His face was pale, his eyes wide in disbelief.
"The legendary power that only one in a million possesses…"
"Conqueror's Haki!?"
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
"Only the chosen few… the ones born to rule!"
"Amazing… his control is perfect," Rayleigh murmured, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
"So this is Conqueror's Haki?" Zashika whispered, visibly shaken. "Rosinante… he actually has it too?"
Rosinante's gaze turned sharp, the faintest hint of killing intent flickering in his golden eyes. "Don't make me repeat myself," he said coldly.
Kela swallowed hard, trembling. "I… I'll notify my master at once. But, before I go, may I know who exactly you are? It'll help me report properly."
Rosinante's tone didn't waver. "Tell them this — my name is Rosinante, from the Gray Nation. Since you dared to auction one of my people like a common commodity, I assume you're not afraid of me. Fine. My one trillion Berries and my life are both here. Let your masters come and take them."
Kela froze, the blood draining from his face. His mouth trembled as he stammered—
"R-Rosinante… the Dragon King Rosinante!?"