"Nami, what should we do?" Nami anxiously looked at Meiser and said, "Celestial Dragons or whatever..."
Though she had never seen what a Celestial Dragon looked like or knew what kind of people they were, she was well aware that provoking them would summon a Marine Admiral.
The others also turned to Meiser, as if he were their pillar of strength.
"If we don't want to offend the Celestial Dragons, there's only one way," Loll suddenly spoke up.
"What way?"
"Follow the auction's rules—buy them with money. That way, we won't clash with the auction house and won't offend the Celestial Dragons." After saying this, Loll paused, then hesitantly added, "But..."
"But what?"
"But the Celestial Dragons might also take an interest in those two ladies," Loll said. "And their financial power... might be far more exaggerated than we imagine."
As World Nobles, the wealth they commanded was terrifying. Competing with them financially was likely a losing battle.
Most importantly... bidding against them might just anger the Celestial Dragons.
What awaited them then could very well be a brutal battle.
"We have money!" Nami said. "It's just—"
Before she could finish, her expression froze.
She suddenly remembered—almost all their money was with Merry. And now... the little one had been taken. Where were they supposed to get the funds?
"What's wrong, Nami?!" Chopper said. "I remember we had plenty of money!"
"It's all with Merry."
Chopper stiffened, then burst into tears.
"It's over... Merry and Camie are done for..."
"Don't cry, Chopper. It's not hopeless," Nami quickly reassured him. "At worst, we'll buy them first and sneak the money back from Merry later. Right, Meiser?"
"Hey, Meiser, why aren't you saying anything?"
Meiser had been silently staring ahead the whole time, lost in thought.
Instead of answering, Meiser turned to Loll. "Lend me that thing that can contact everyone."
"Huh?"
"Oh, right. Sure."
Under the puzzled gazes of Nami and the others, Meiser took the microphone.
"This is Meiser."
The other members of the Straw Hat Pirates, seated on their Flying Fish Motorbikes, immediately lit up with excitement.
"Meiser?"
"We've located Camie and Merry," Meiser said. "They're at the auction house on Grove 1."
"As expected of Meiser! So reliable!"
"Got it! We're on our way to rescue them!"
"Whoo!"
At Meiser's words, the crew erupted in cheers, and the Flying Fish Riders swiftly adjusted their course, speeding toward Grove 1.
Now that they knew the location, there was no need to circle around—they could head straight to the destination to save their friends!
"Luffy, you better be listening to me," Meiser suddenly said.
Upon hearing Meiser's words, Luffy fell silent for a moment before taking the receiver and saying, "Yeah, I'm here."
"You bastards—I'll settle accounts with you later," Meiser said. "Right now, there's something you need to know."
"At the auction house on the first tree... there are Celestial Dragons," Meiser continued. "If we want to get our crewmate back, we might end up clashing with them."
"Celestial Dragons?!"
"So it's those guys..."
Usopp and the others wore expressions of shock. They clearly hadn't expected this situation to involve Celestial Dragons.
Didn't that mean... they might provoke a Marine Admiral?
But they didn't back down because of it. After all... this involved their crewmate and friend. Not even a Marine Admiral could change their resolve.
"What do you think, Luffy?"
After listening to Meiser, Luffy replied, "Isn't it obvious, Meiser?"
"Celestial Dragons or whatever—if they lay a hand on my crew, I'll knock 'em flying!"
"Huh?!"
The Flying Fish Riders all looked stunned. Did that mean... they were actually planning to attack Celestial Dragons?
Hearing Luffy's response, Meiser's lips gradually curled into a grin. This was the Luffy he knew!
"Alright, let's meet at the auction house on the first tree."
With that, Meiser cut off the communication.
"Hey, Meiser, are you seriously planning to fight Celestial Dragons?" Hachi stared at him in disbelief. "If you mess with Celestial Dragons, you'll bring down a Marine Admiral!"
Marine Admirals were monstrously powerful—far beyond anything they could handle.
"If they know what's good for them, I won't bother with them," Meiser said, glancing at Hachi. "But if they insist on causing trouble..."
"Celestial Dragons aren't off-limits for killing!"
Meiser grinned like a madman.
Clearly, the threat of Marine Admirals wasn't enough to intimidate him.
If it came to that, he wouldn't hold back.
"Gulp..."
Loll swallowed hard. The sheer audacity of this crew... far exceeded his imagination.
Not only were they willing to kill Celestial Dragons, but they also weren't afraid of Marine Admirals... This was insane!
"Meiser's not wrong," Nami said calmly. "If we can solve this with money, we don't mind paying a billion to get our crewmate back."
"But if they..."
Nami didn't finish, but everyone understood.
If money didn't work, fists would have to do.
"Merry..."
"Don't worry, Chopper. We'll bring her back," Meiser assured him. "I promise."
"Yeah!"
Little Chopper clenched his fists and looked up. "If we have to fight... I'll do my best too!"
"Good!"
After that, Meiser turned to Loll. "Get us to the auction house on the first tree—fastest route possible."
"Already on it," Loll said, sweating. "But... Ninja bro, we can't afford to go crazy with you guys..."
Helping the Straw Hat Pirates find people and transport them wasn't an issue, but facing a Marine Admiral together... they simply weren't capable of that.
After all... they were too weak.
So weak that their entire crew couldn't withstand a single Water Release Technique from this Ninja!
Thinking of this, Loll sighed quietly.
"I know, you can leave once you drop us off," Meiser said.
He hadn't expected these guys to be of much help in battle anyway.
But—
If they really ended up drawing the attention of a Marine Admiral, Galette and the others would be in danger too... Meiser frowned at the thought.
Even though they were affiliated with the Four Emperors, the Marines, as their enemies, might not care about that.
With this in mind, Meiser said, "Loll, I need you to do me a favor later."
"What favor?"
If it didn't involve fighting, then helping out wouldn't be a problem.
This was also their boss's intention—to assist the Straw Hat Pirates as much as possible.
"Do you remember the woman who was standing next to me earlier?" Meiser asked.
"The woman..." Loll recalled Galette's appearance and said, "You mean the one wearing that distinctive cloak?"
"Yeah, her."
"Mm, I remember."
Not only that, but he also remembered another pirate—that bastard had nearly destroyed his flying fish!
"Good," Meiser said. "Once you drop us off, go find her and tell her a Marine Admiral might show up here. Tell her to leave immediately."
"Say it's from me."
"Got it, I'll remember." Loll nodded.
This kind of task—one that didn't involve fighting—was no problem for him.
He just wasn't sure if they'd still be at that earlier location... Loll muttered to himself.
If that woman and that pirate had already finished their fight, they might have already left...
Thinking this, Loll said, "Ninja bro, can you tell me her name?"
"In case she's not there anymore, I'll know where else to look."
"Oh, her name is Charlotte Galette," Meiser said.
"Charlotte..."
Hachi lowered his head and muttered, "Why does that surname sound so familiar?"
He felt like he'd heard it somewhere before—was he mistaken?
"Ah, she's from the New World, part of a Four Emperors Crew," Meiser explained. "She's with the BIG MOM Pirates."
Galette herself had mentioned this.
Though... Meiser found the name a bit strange. Why would a pirate crew be called "Big Mom"?
Hachi's expression cleared with sudden understanding—no wonder she sounded familiar. She was from the Four Emperors... a Four Emperors Crew?!
"Eh?!!"
Hachi stared at Meiser in shock. "Meiser, you know people from a Four Emperors Crew?"
"Yeah, just met her."
"To think Ninja bro even knows people from a Four Emperors Crew..."
Loll was also staring at Meiser in astonishment, never expecting him to be acquainted with such an important figure.
That was one of the Four Emperors of the New World!!
To ordinary people like them, the Four Emperors were practically gods.
Nami opened her mouth, wanting to ask Meiser why his fiancée was a member of the Four Emperors Crew, but considering the current situation,
she closed it again.
She decided to wait until they returned to the ship before asking about it in detail.
"Anyway, if you can't find them, try checking by the shore," Meiser said. "You might spot them there."
"Oh, and remember to announce my and Galette's names right away—don't let them mistake you for an enemy and take you out."
It wouldn't be good if this guy got treated as a hostile while approaching.
"Understood!" Loll replied.
Come to think of it... this might be the only chance in his life to interact with members of the Four Emperors Crew.
The thought made Loll a little excited.
"Everyone, we've entered the area around the first tree," the fat man carrying Chopper said, glancing into the distance. "Prepare yourselves!"
"Got it!"
"Ah, finally made it here," Saint Charlos grumbled as he stepped off his slave, shooting the man a displeased look. "Took you long enough."
"Ed, I don't want this one anymore. Dispose of him later."
"Understood!"
Hearing their conversation, despair flickered across the slave's face.
He had hoped they'd forgotten about executing him, but... it seemed he couldn't escape this fate after all.
With that thought, he closed his eyes in resignation as the guards dragged him away.
"I wonder if there'll be any Merfolk this time," Saint Charlos mused. "I really want one as a pet."
"Fish-Men are hard to capture," Ed replied. "No telling if any will show up."
"Whatever, let's see first."
If there were any, he'd buy one and take it back as a pet.
If not, so be it.
"Ah—!"
"Saint Charlos, sir!"
A staff member rushed over, dropping to his knees the moment he got close and sliding the rest of the way to Saint Charlos' feet.
"Enough chatter. Take me to my seat," Saint Charlos ordered.
"Right away, sir! Please follow me~"
"A Celestial Dragon, huh..."
Watching Saint Charlos' retreating figure, Trafalgar Law frowned.
With someone like that here, who knew what unexpected trouble might arise?
"Somehow, I've got a bad feeling about this..."
Law rubbed his temples. Was it just his imagination?
"What's wrong, Captain?" Bepo whispered.
"Nothing."
Law shook his head, signaling for him to stay quiet.
"Brother Charlos, you're finally here," Saint Shalria said. "Father and I have been waiting forever."
"Couldn't be helped. My slave was too slow."
Hearing this, Saint Rosward gave his son an exasperated look. "Couldn't you just walk yourself?"
"I like having slaves carry me."
Saint Rosward sighed but didn't press further.
If his son preferred it that way, what could he say?
"Next time, I'll get you one with faster legs."
"Great!"
Saint Charlos grinned at his father's words.
Then, he waved over a nearby staff member, signaling for them to approach.
"What's the matter, Saint Charlos?"
"Are there any Merfolk today?" Saint Charlos asked.
"Hmm?"
"Yes!" The staff member perked up, then cautiously leaned in to say, "There's a young female Merfolk being auctioned today."
"Oh, really?!"
Saint Charlos's eyes immediately lit up. He never expected the Merfolk pet he'd been longing for to appear now!
After waving the staff member away, Saint Charlos turned to his father and said, "Father, I want this one. I've been waiting for this for so long."
"What's the use of that?" Saint Rosward frowned.
He had no interest in some young female Merfolk—only powerful Pirate Ship captains could pique his interest, as they could be used in gladiatorial fights! That was what these old-timers enjoyed most.
"I want to put her in a tank and chase her with piranhas. That would be so much fun~"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Those standing nearby paled in fear upon hearing Saint Charlos's words. These Celestial Dragons... were far more cruel than they could imagine.
"Do as you please," Saint Rosward said.
He couldn't care less about some female Merfolk. Of course, if they came across a powerful Fish-Man, he wouldn't mind capturing them either.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome our next item!" Disco announced with a loud laugh.
As his voice faded, a man was brought forward, his face filled with terror. He struggled desperately to escape, but the men gripping his arms were far stronger, forcing him forward.
"Everyone, behold!" Disco declared. "This is a mighty pirate, skilled in several musical instruments—perfect for—"
Listening to the noise outside, Camie lowered her head and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. The number of slaves in the cells was dwindling. Soon, it would be her turn.
Perhaps imagining the hellish life awaiting her as a slave, Camie began to sob quietly.
"Cry, all you do is cry!"
The staff outside glared coldly at Camie. "Crying won't change your fate!"
"That's right, ha ha ha ha!"
"Just look forward to your new life as a slave!"
"Beautiful... Merfolk lady~"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Trembling at their cruel laughter, Camie shrank further into herself. The men found her reaction dull—they'd expected screams or pleas, not this timid silence. Shaking their heads, they wandered off in search of other entertainment.
Just then, a faint voice whispered beside Camie.
"Ca... Camie... sister..."
"Merry?!"
Hearing Merry's voice, Camie immediately turned to see the little girl, who had been lying unconscious on the floor, now awake.
"Merry, how are you?"
Instinctively, Camie tried to stand, but the chains on the wall held her firmly in place, preventing her from reaching Merry's side.
"I'm fine, I just don't know... don't know why my body feels so weak." Merry turned her eyes to look at her hands and said, "But... I think I'll recover soon."
After speaking, Merry took a deep breath and continued, "Sister Camie, don't cry..."
"When Meiser comes... when he arrives... he'll avenge us!!!"
As long as her hands could move, that would be enough!
Then she could activate the Reverse Summoning Technique to summon Meiser and save them!
Hearing this, Camie wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded seriously:
"Mm!"
Even little Merry was being so strong—as her older sister, she naturally had to be strong too!!
"Little one, though I don't know who this person you know is... once you're in here, there's no way to escape."
"That's because they haven't met us yet!"
Though Merry's body couldn't move, her eyes brimmed with confidence!
Seeing this, the slave beside them fell silent for a moment before saying, "I hope so..."
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!