The next day, Rayleigh and his two companions, having disguised themselves, slipped into the auction house.
"Wow! It's like a feast or famine out here! These merchants in the Sabaody Archipelago must be rolling in money!" Chronos exclaimed, running his hand over a solid gold Roman pillar.
"Tsk, you wouldn't understand," Rayleigh chimed in, holding his back. "Ninety percent of these merchants work for the Celestial Dragons. Of course, they're loaded!"
Just then, a huge commotion erupted from the crowd in the distance.
"Get out of the way! Everyone, get out of the way! Saint Alexander is here! Clear the path, you blockheads!" Saint Alexander's butler arrogantly barked at the surrounding people.
Chronos and Shanks both turned their heads to look at Saint Alexander. They wanted to see what kind of father could produce such an astonishing and outrageous daughter. When they saw Saint Alexander's even "more imposing" physique, both gasped sharply. Just looking at his build, he was definitely the biological father.
"W-welcome... Saint Alex-Alexander... We, we shall now begin the auction..." The trembling auctioneer stammered from the stage.
"Forget your pathetic auction! Hand over the Treasure Tree now!" Saint Alexander bellowed.
"There's absolutely no problem giving you the Treasure Tree, but, but Lord Saint Alexander, we have other items to auction! Could you perhaps wait?" The auction house owners, seeing Saint Alexander's displeasure, rushed forward to appease him. However, auctions had rules. Even previous Celestial Dragons waited for items to be presented one by one before throwing their weight around. Why was Saint Alexander so unconventional?
"I'll wait for your damn..." Saint Alexander was incredibly worried about his precious little Florretia. Every moment he waited meant another moment of danger for her. He swung his arm wide, slapping every owner from the first to the last, and even gave the auctioneer a smack for good measure.
Auctioneer: What did I do to deserve this?!
"Now, immediately, right now, bring me the Treasure Tree!!!!"
"Yes, yes, yes! R-right away, we'll get it ready for you! Someone, quickly, bring out the Treasure Tree for Saint Alexander!" The owners, who had been knocked to the ground by the slap, ignored the pain on their faces and hurried their employees to bring out the Treasure Tree.
Seeing the Treasure Tree being hoisted into the hall, Saint Alexander's eyes swept across the room. "I want this Treasure Tree. Does anyone dare to bid against me?"
The guests in the room, met by his gaze, uniformly lowered their heads. Even the Celestial Dragons, who usually swaggered around Sabaody Archipelago, were no exception.
"Since no one objects, send the Treasure Tree to my house!" With that, Saint Alexander and his guard hurried out of the auction house. He needed to get to Marine Headquarters quickly and await news.
Those damned pirates, if I ever find out who you are! I'll chop your entire family into mincemeat!!!
Marine Headquarters Reacts: A Celestial Dragon Abducted!
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, in Fleet Admiral Sengoku "The Buddha's" office:
"What? You're saying the one who kidnapped Florretia Miya is the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates and those two apprentices?" Sengoku exclaimed in shock, looking at the den den mushi (transponder snail) wearing sunglasses.
The person on the phone with Sengoku was none other than Borsalino, who would later become an admiral. Because Borsalino was stationed long-term in Mary Geoise, when Rayleigh took Chronos and Shanks to Sabaody Archipelago, Sengoku had asked Borsalino to keep an eye on them. After all, Mary Geoise was right next to the Sabaody Archipelago, and with Borsalino's Devil Fruit ability, he could get there in under a minute. Who knew that not keeping an eye on them would be fine, but once he did, trouble erupted! Could it be that the mole on Roger's chest, which hadn't appeared in decades, had finally shown up?
"You head to Sabaody Archipelago and keep an eye on things for now. I'll contact Fleet Admiral Kong!"
"Understood, Admiral Sengoku!"
There was one thing Kizaru (Borsalino's alias) hadn't dared to tell Sengoku: when Chronos and Shanks committed their act, he was right behind them, but he figured he couldn't beat Rayleigh, so he simply chose not to intervene.
Sengoku hung up the den den mushi with Kizaru and then dialed the one for Kong, "The Iron Fist," who was currently in Mary Geoise reporting to the Five Elders. Kong was bragging to the Five Elders about how hard he worked, how dedicated he was, and how making him the Supreme Commander of the entire military was undoubtedly the wisest decision the Five Elders had ever made.
Just then, his "little brother's" call came through. Was it to report something important? "Typical of the naval pillar I personally trained! Perfect timing to show the Five Elders how diligent I am!"
"Fleet Admiral Kong! It's terrible! The Roger Pirates' Vice-Captain Rayleigh and two apprentices have kidnapped Florretia Miya!!!"
After Sengoku's single shouted sentence, several reactions occurred among the Five Elders:
The Elder, sharpening his two-meter-long famous sword, dropped his blade.
The elder, who was eating, choked on his food.
The Elder, stroking his long beard, accidentally pulled out several hairs.
The Elder, drinking tea, sprayed tea all over Kong's face.
The elder lounging on the sofa fell flat on his face.
"You incompetent fools! Get out there and rescue her! Hack those three audacious brutes to death!" The blonde Elder, who had just sprayed tea, snatched the den den mushi from Kong's hand and roared at Sengoku.
What a humiliation! Since the establishment of the World Government, no one had dared to verbally abuse a Celestial Dragon to their face! And now, someone had dared to kidnap one! If they didn't tear those three individuals to shreds, the World Government might as well shut its doors!