"Starting bid at 800,000 Berries!"
"1 million!"
"1.5 million!"
The prices surged like a rising tide—1.5 million, 3 million… until the bids reached 8 million, and the room finally fell into a brief silence.
The auctioneer tightened his grip on the gavel, about to bring it down, when Bahr suddenly called out, "10 million Berries."
The auctioneer's face instantly lit up with delight as he raised the gavel high and shouted, "The distinguished guest bids 10 million! Any higher offers? 10 million, going once..."
In the VIP seats, Shalria, who had been idly toying with her lace gloves, abruptly turned her head. Her gaze, hidden behind the bubble headgear, locked onto the direction near the entrance, her fingers digging into her palms with force.
That voice… Even amidst the chaotic clamor, it was as clear as a mark carved into her bones.
It was him! It had to be him!
"Shalria, what is it now?" Roswald Saint glanced at her and gestured toward the stage. "Interested in this slave? Don't worry, no one can outbid us."
Shalria quickly turned back, suppressing the tremor in her voice. "No, Father."
She couldn't see the figure in that direction, but she was certain about the voice. Gripping her skirt tightly, she couldn't let her father notice anything unusual.
Roswald Saint gave a nonchalant "Hmm" and didn't press further, his attention returning to the auction stage.
"Are you kidding me?!" Sanji's cigarette tilted in anger as he stormed up to Bahr, fists clenched so tightly they creaked. "What the hell do you think women are?!"
Bahr glanced at Sanji. "Then why are you all here?"
The question left the Straw Hat crew speechless.
Bahr's gaze swept over Sanji's livid face, his tone calm yet sharp. "Once you step through that door, you should know this is a trade the World Government turns a blind eye to. That woman on stage—if I don't buy her, someone else will.
If I buy her, at least I'll guarantee her life. If she wants to go home, I won't stop her. Can you say the same for others?"
He paused, his eyes settling on Sanji's clenched fists. "If you really want to play the hero, go up there and save her. Standing here and blaming me—what kind of justice is that?"
None of this was his doing. The World Government allowed it, and everyone here was complicit. Instead of pointing fingers at the nobles driving up the bids, they were fixated on him.
Since when were the "good guys" the ones to take the blame?
"10 million, going twice..." The auctioneer's voice rang out again.
Sanji stood frozen, his cigarette trembling violently at the corner of his mouth, but he couldn't muster a single word in rebuttal.
Nami quietly tugged at his sleeve and shook her head at him.
She knew Bahr well enough—scoundrel though he was, his way of doing things at least meant he wouldn't abuse people like others might. His promise to let her go home wasn't empty talk.
"10 million, going three times… sold!" The crisp sound of the gavel striking down sent a ringing through everyone's ears.
Bahr paid no further attention to the flustered Straw Hat crew and said to Nami, "I'm leaving first."
What followed would be the Straw Hat Boy's infamous rampage through the auction house. Right now, he just wanted to lay low and wait for the ship's coating to be completed so he could head to Fish-Man Island—that "paradise for men." He had no interest in getting involved in trouble that would attract a Navy Admiral.
The figures of the group disappeared beyond the ornate doors when Sanji suddenly slammed his fist against a nearby pillar, sending wood chips scattering downward. "Damn it!" he cursed.
Nami sighed, her gaze shifting back to the stage.
There, the blue-haired dancer who had been purchased was being roughly shoved toward the backstage by the overseers, her steps unsteady.
In the VIP seats, Shalria's eyes remained fixed on Bahr's retreating figure. When she saw him leading those women toward the backstage, her fingers suddenly clenched the lace of her dress, her breathing growing rapid within her Bubble Headgear.
"Father," she abruptly stood up, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor. "I just remembered something I need to attend to. I'll take my leave now."
Before the words had fully left her mouth, she was already lifting the voluminous hem of her skirt and breaking into a hurried trot. The delicate click of her high heels against the steps was a stark contrast to the usual elegance expected of a Celestial Dragon.
To Roswald Saint, her retreating figure seemed almost flustered in its haste.
Roswald Saint frowned, tapping his fingers against his scepter. Who in the Sabaody Archipelago would dare show disrespect to his daughter?
With an impatient wave of his hand, he dismissed the matter without further thought. In his eyes, Shalria's minor tantrum wasn't worth his attention.
Shalria hurried down the corridor, her skirt brushing against the gilded candlesticks in the corners, leaving a trail of fragrance in her wake. Her heart pounded like a drum, her mind consumed by the sight of Bahr's profile as he turned away.
It must be him. There's no mistake.
...
In the lawless district, Bonney stood before Enel, hands on her hips, her voice booming with anger. "Have you lost your mind? Attacking a Celestial Dragon will bring the Navy Admirals down on us! My ship hasn't even been Coated yet—do you want to trap everyone here?"
Enel idly picked at his ear, his expression gradually shifting to one of irritation.
Bonney's lips twisted at his indifferent demeanor. Muttering "what a nuisance," she turned on her heel and stormed off, her pink hair whipping behind her.
Just then, Ohm approached, having dealt with the guards. He adjusted the black sunglasses on his nose, masking the emotions in his eyes, and spoke calmly. "Lord Enel, that woman from the Blue Sea has a point. The boss specifically instructed us to avoid causing trouble in Sabaody. It won't be easy to explain things when we return."
"Explain?" Enel's voice suddenly rose as if he'd heard the most absurd joke. "A 'god' doesn't answer to anyone! I'm his ally, not his subordinate!"
Ohm remained silent, standing his ground.
They weren't blind. Their so-called "god" might preach about being equals, but the way he unconsciously tempered his arrogance in the boss's presence spoke volumes—he clearly acknowledged the other as his superior.
Enel shifted uncomfortably under Ohm's wordless gaze, the retort dying on his lips as a flicker of unease crept into his mind.
His peripheral vision caught Bonney's figure nearing the alley entrance. Narrowing his eyes, he flashed forward, appearing right in front of her just as she was about to turn the corner.
Bonney's face darkened instantly at the sudden obstruction, her pink hair swaying from the abrupt halt. "What the hell do you want?" she snapped.
Enel looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on the sleek curves and striking silhouette outlined by her pink outfit.
That's exactly his type.
He couldn't help but sneer inwardly. That Bahr always liked hanging around women - what a pathetic loser.
In his view, emotional creatures like women were nothing but burdens. He truly couldn't understand what was so addictive about recklessly charging into women's affairs.
"Come with me," Enel said, reaching out to grab Bonney's arm.
Taking her back as a gift for Bahr would be perfect. That guy might forget all about his attack on the Celestial Dragons when he saw a beautiful woman, saving him from being lectured until he couldn't hold his head up and losing face as a "god."
Bonney was completely infuriated by this inexplicable action. Without thinking, she raised her knee and kicked hard at his kneecap while shouting angrily, her voice full of gunpowder: "Are you out of your damn mind?!"