The moment Rengoku raised his sword, everyone nearby felt a chill run down their spines.
Even if Vice Admiral Rengoku was known as a savior and hero to countless people, no one — not even the civilians of Sabaody — believed that he would overlook an act of defiance against a Celestial Dragon.
Those kneeling in the street could only lower their heads and offer a silent prayer for the foolish man who had dared to resist.
Roronoa Zoro, however, suddenly felt a familiar killing intent.
His instincts screamed — he reached for his sword—
KWA-KWANG!!
A burst of air cracked the ground beneath them.
Before Zoro could even unsheathe his blade, Rengoku had already struck.
With a single backhanded swing of Shusui's blunt edge, Zoro was sent flying through the air.
"Wha—?!"
Even the ever-arrogant Charlos Saint was stunned.
A grown, muscular swordsman had been launched like a ragdoll by one effortless blow.
But instead of fear, the Celestial Dragon's reaction was pride.
He puffed out his chest, grinning from ear to ear as he pointed at Rengoku.
"This is what happens to filthy commoners who dare act rude before me!"
Rengoku said nothing. His expression was calm, but his eyes burned.
The Vice Admiral had struck only with his sword's back — not to kill, but to silence.
And yet, Charlos pulled out his pistol again, wanting to "finish the job."
Before Rengoku could stop him—
"Onii-chan!!! He's dead!!!"
A girl's desperate scream rang out.
Everyone turned — a small pink-haired girl was running toward Zoro's fallen body, tears streaming down her face.
That hair color. That reckless tone. That faint scent of pizza that lingered as she ran past earlier…
Rengoku immediately recognized her.
"Bounty: 140 million Berries… 'Big Eater' Jewelry Bonney."
Charlos blinked, confused.
"Did he— did that wretch kill him in one blow?!"
Rengoku calmly turned toward the Celestial Dragon and bowed slightly.
"Lord Charlos, your father Lord Rosward is waiting. We should hurry."
"Ah, right! Hah! Can't waste time on dead trash when there are slaves to buy!"
Easily distracted, Charlos put away his gun and marched off toward the Human Auction House, humming to himself.
Rengoku exhaled softly, sheathing Shusui.
He spared one last glance toward Bonney and the unconscious Zoro — both alive, though Zoro would have a pounding headache later.
He didn't understand why Bonney had risked herself to protect the swordsman.
But at least, for now, the situation hadn't spiraled into something catastrophic.
The rest of the walk passed without further incident.
No more reckless fools, no more sudden chaos.
Finally, Rengoku and the Celestial Dragon's entourage arrived at Human Shop No. 1 — the infamous Human Auction House.
It was the dark heart of Sabaody — a place propped up by Doflamingo's influence and tolerated by the World Government's silence.
Rengoku's jaw clenched.
He knew the reasoning — that "allowing" this place was supposedly to contain the Celestial Dragons' madness, to give them a controlled outlet so they wouldn't randomly seize citizens in the streets.
But all he could feel was disgust.
This place didn't stop evil — it simply made it profitable.
Every noble inside these walls was a parasite.
Every transaction here was another scar on the world the Marines were meant to protect.
And Rengoku, standing beside a laughing Celestial Dragon, could only tighten his grip on the hilt of his sword.
"Lord Charlos!"
An employee from the Human Shop ran out, immediately kneeling and pressing his forehead to the ground in a full prostration to greet the Celestial Dragon.
"Y-Yes! We are deeply honored by your visit, my lord!"
Charlos tilted his head proudly and flicked his fingers.
"Mm~ Hurry up and lead me to Father, will ya?"
"R-right this way, my lord!"
"Oh, and him too. Take this guy to the VIP section with me."
He pointed lazily toward Rengoku.
"Th-this man…! Understood!"
The staffer's eyes widened for a moment — clearly recognizing who Rengoku was — before quickly bowing deeper and ushering them inside.
Before long, Rengoku found himself seated beside the Celestial Dragon family in the velvet-lined VIP gallery, the highest section of the auction hall.
Whispers rippled among the nobles nearby.
"Isn't that the Vice Admiral Rengoku?"
"What's a Marine hero doing with them?"
"Maybe he's their new guard…"
Rengoku ignored them. His attention was focused elsewhere — on the stage, where living people were being paraded as products, their prices shouted like numbers on livestock.
Even for a man who had seen the worst of pirates, this was hard to stomach.
Criminals were one thing, but among the "lots" he could clearly see ordinary men and women — terrified civilians caught in the wrong place, now condemned to slavery.
The auctioneer, wearing a loud suit and star-shaped sunglasses, raised his arms and shouted theatrically:
"Now then, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience! Tonight's auction is heating up as we approach our grand finale! But before the special items… allow me to present one last regular lot!"
He paused for dramatic effect.
"The Fallen Marines! A group of five corrupt former Navy officers!"
Rengoku's eyes narrowed.
…What?
The spotlight fell on five chained men dragged onto the platform.
"These fine gentlemen," the announcer continued, "were once officers and soldiers of the East Blue Navy! But after committing unspeakable acts of corruption and collusion, they were stripped of rank and sentenced to Impel Down! However — fate intervened! Their prison ship struck a reef, and in the chaos, these traitors escaped justice and somehow washed up at our establishment! A once-in-a-lifetime acquisition, folks!"
Among them — Rengoku saw a face he recognized immediately.
Nezumi.
The rat-faced Marine officer who had conspired with Arlong to exploit Cocoyashi Village.
A disgrace to the uniform, stripped of all honor and wealth, sentenced to life imprisonment.
Rengoku had personally signed the documents that sent him to Impel Down.
He hadn't imagined he would ever see the man again — certainly not being sold like cargo.
Behind Nezumi were four of his subordinates — the same men who had terrorized Cocoyashi alongside him.
So this is how karma returns, Rengoku thought grimly.
They fled from their sentence… only to end up here. Fitting.
For the Navy, an escapee from an Impel Down transfer ship was no different from a condemned criminal — subject to immediate execution if found.
Even if Rengoku pitied them, there was no moral or legal reason to intervene.
And truthfully, he didn't intend to.
"Former Marines make perfect guard slaves!" the auctioneer continued cheerfully.
"They're stronger than common stock and trained in discipline! And for you, dear noble ladies — they can withstand far more punishment than the average slave! Their Navy titles have been permanently revoked, and they're forbidden from ever returning to the service! Now then — let's start the bidding at 500,000 Berries! Do I hear five hundred?"
"500,000 Berries!"
"Yes! We have 500,000! Any higher?"
"520,000!"
"520,000 from seat 92! Thank you, sir!"
"540,000!"
"540,000 from seat 74! Anyone else?"
…
"690,000!"
"690,000 Berries from seat 74! Final call! Going once… going twice… Sold!"
The gavel came down.
The five disgraced Marines — Nezumi among them — had been sold for 690,000 Berries.
Rengoku's gaze followed the buyer: a plump nobleman in gaudy robes, grinning from ear to ear.
His laughter was low and oily.
"Kehehehe… for these 'stray Marines,' I'll prepare a special meal. Maybe a nice… Navy stew! Kehehehe…"
The crowd chuckled darkly.
Rengoku's fists tightened on his knees, the leather of his gloves creaking.
He wanted to stand, to draw Shusui and end the laughter — but he forced himself to stay seated.
There were bigger evils yet to come.
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