"Among the recently announced lots, there are many rare antiques, treasures, famous swords, and even Devil Fruits."
"There are also rumors of illegal transactions taking place behind the scenes, though nothing has been confirmed. If you're heading there, it's best to hire a few guards."
"Do you know what kinds of Devil Fruits are up for auction?" Gawain asked.
Mira shook her head. "That information is top secret. The auction house only reveals the items once they're on stage—or to high-tier clients with special privileges."
Gawain nodded. He had asked more out of habit than real curiosity.
The two walked together through the streets, eventually arriving at the entrance of the auction house.
Without hesitation, Gawain handed over 5,000 Berries.
Mira stared at the wad of bills in her hand. After a brief pause, her eyes lit up as she clutched the money tightly.
"Mr. Gawain... you're a good man."
"Don't hand me the good-guy card now," Gawain replied with a faint shake of his head before turning and heading through the doors.
A group of attendants greeted him with respectful bows and led him inside.
Mira stood in place, watching until Gawain disappeared into the building. Then, she glanced down at the bills in her hand, her cheeks flushing red.
A few minutes later, she turned and made her way back to the port to find her next customer.
But the moment she arrived, a chill crept up her spine.
Several ships, battered and scarred, had just docked.
Even without a pirate flag, Mira recognized them instantly—their aggressive, lawless build was unmistakable.
"These match all the signs Father taught me... they're pirate ships."
Her expression darkened.
"But this is so close to the Navy branch. Isn't Colonel Smoker stationed here? How are pirates getting this close?"
A deep unease took hold of her heart.
Without another word, she abandoned her usual routine and sprinted toward home, where her mother and younger siblings were waiting.
Halfway there, she paused, opening her right hand. Inside were the crumpled bills Gawain had given her.
In her mind, she saw his face again—calm, unremarkable, but firm.
Mira gritted her teeth and broke into a run.
Inside the Auction House – VIP Room
In one of the private boxes on the second floor, Gawain sat comfortably as a waiter attentively served him.
"Mr. Arthur," the waiter said with a polished smile, "I can assure you, this auction features an exceptional Devil Fruit. It's one of the most outstanding we've seen recently."
"The event begins at 8 p.m. Please enjoy yourself until then."
He handed Gawain a glass of red wine, collected the rest of the tools, and respectfully exited.
Originally, the auction house had been indifferent toward Gawain—until he presented Grayza's gold-tier member card. Their attitude shifted instantly.
"How much did she used to spend here to earn such treatment...?"
Gawain let out a small breath, then recalled both Grayza's Devil Fruit ability and her status. Everything made sense now.
He took a sip of the wine, then turned toward the large French window beside him. Through the clear glass, he had an unobstructed view of the hall below.
Guests were entering in steady streams.
Nobles in luxurious garments, merchants with calculating eyes... all mingled beneath the chandeliers.
Two particular figures caught Gawain's attention.
"One's over two meters tall, heavily muscled, with a cold stare... and some strange text tattooed on his chest."
"Daz Bonez—MR. 1 of Baroque Works. From the West Blue, if I remember right."
"The woman next to him, with the ridiculous afro and body... Zala, Miss Two Fingers."
He narrowed his eyes.
"They're not a threat."
As Gawain looked away, Daz Bonez felt a chill crawl down his back. His instincts screamed—danger.
"Huh?"
He glanced around sharply, eyes scanning the room. But nothing stood out.
Zala blinked. "What's wrong?"
Daz Bonez frowned. No expression showed on his face, but a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
"That feeling just now... It reminded me of the first time I met the boss."
Zala paused, then laughed.
"Boss? I've never met him, but it's easy to imagine—anyone who dominates the Grand Line must be terrifying."
"No way someone like that would show up in the East Blue."
Daz Bonez gave her a cold look. "There may be no one from East Blue, but don't forget—we're not the only ones who've crossed over. Others from the Grand Line are here too... maybe even monsters."
Zala gulped, her gaze shifting across the crowd.
All she saw were bloated nobles and greasy merchants. One of them even whistled at her.
Her face twisted with disgust, but she restrained herself and sat back down.
Daz Bonez said quietly, "Once we get the fruit, we leave immediately."
"Got it."
"Sharp instinct," Gawain murmured to himself, impressed, though his eyes soon returned to scanning the crowd.
More buyers were arriving, and among them, several stood out.
Poorly fitted suits, unkempt hair, movements too stiff and controlled—like wolves trying to wear sheep's skin.
Their aura clashed with the room's elegance. They didn't belong.
"Just as I expected."
"There's no way a high-profile auction like this wouldn't attract pirates."
"The only question is whether they'll strike during the auction or afterward."
He leaned back slightly.
"But this is the Navy's territory. If trouble starts, it's their job to clean it up."
"I have no interest in playing a hero."
"That job's for dogs."
He muttered softly, then set down his wine glass and continued waiting—calm, alert, and patient.
In the corner of the auction hall, the group of suspicious men Gawain had previously noticed continued glancing around nervously.
Despite their best efforts to blend in, they couldn't suppress the bloodlust flickering in their eyes. Their crude suits, tense demeanor, and sharp glances marked them clearly as wolves in disguise.
The bald pirate leading them licked his lips greedily as he surveyed the room, unable to mask the anticipation in his eyes.
"The captain's had his eyes on Loguetown for a while now," he muttered. "Never had the chance... until now."
"They say the monster guarding this place got taken down by Grand Line pirates a few days ago."
"This is it—our opportunity."
He narrowed his eyes and grinned darkly.
"Find the targets. Mark them, and send the info to the captain."
The pirate beside him spread his hands helplessly.
"We've been trying. Captain's Den Den Mushi hasn't connected since earlier."
"Again?" the bald man growled, his expression darkening. "He just replaced it a few days ago, and now it's acting up?"
"Always something wrong when it matters most. Honestly, I don't think he's fit to lead."
The pirates around him kept their heads low, not daring to challenge him. One quickly changed the subject.
"Let's just mark the targets. We can't afford to lose track of them."
"Fine," the bald pirate grunted, eyes scanning the crowd once more.
That pirate crew was only one of several Gawain had spotted.
Throughout the auction hall, at least four other pirate groups from different factions had infiltrated the venue, each searching for potential victims.
"Is Smoker still recovering from last time? Or did someone else put him out of commission?"
"Maybe I went too hard when I beat him..." Gawain mused, curling his lips into a faint smirk.
Truthfully, if not for his long-term plan to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he would've finished Smoker off already—especially after being ambushed twice. That Gawain had held back at all was rare restraint.
Whatever the case, the only explanation for the pirates' presence now was that Smoker's injuries hadn't healed. If he were still active, pirates wouldn't even make it off their ships, much less sneak into the auction house.
Gawain let the thought go and continued waiting calmly.
Time passed, and by eight o'clock in the evening, the sky outside had deepened into indigo. A pale moon rose, casting cold silver light through the central skylight of the auction house.
The soft beam illuminated the stage below, where a man in a bizarre hat and oversized star-shaped sunglasses strode confidently to the podium.
He looked around theatrically, then picked up the microphone with a dramatic flair.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself—this evening's auctioneer, Disco—!"
"Cut the crap! Get on with it!"
A rough voice bellowed from the crowd, followed by the crash of a wine glass shattering.
Bang!
A guard caught the glass mid-air, but the wine splashed across Disco's sleeve.
Unbothered, Disco dabbed at the stain with a handkerchief, grinning with forced politeness. He gestured to the guards, who immediately dragged the offending noble out of the hall without resistance. Silence fell like a curtain.
Seeing order restored, Disco smiled wider.
"Let's get right to the good part then, shall we?"
"The first item of the night!"
Clatter—
A small cart rolled onto the stage, covered by a thick black curtain. As the waiters pulled it aside, a harsh white spotlight clicked on, revealing the contents.
Two young women—naked, trembling, and clinging to each other—stood exposed under the light.
Their faces were flushed with shame, eyes red from crying. The air was thick with their helplessness.
"Twin sisters, straight from the Suelbe Kingdom of the Grand Line," Disco announced, eyes gleaming. "I trust you all can judge their... quality for yourselves."
"But here's the real treasure," he added with a twisted grin. "They share sensations to a certain extent. That's right—they feel what the other feels."
"Starting bid: one million Baileys. Minimum increment: fifty thousand. Let the auction begin!"
A rush of heated breathing filled the hall. The nobles—beasts in velvet robes—leaned forward with hungry eyes.
"One million two hundred thousand!"
"One million three hundred thousand!"
The room erupted in frenzied bids. Stripped of law and light, the powerful showed their true faces—predators in silk and gold.
Eventually, the twins were sold to a bloated merchant for nearly four million Baileys. He left in a hurry, desire blazing in his eyes.
Disco returned to the podium, smiling like nothing had happened.
"Let's keep things moving!"
Gawain leaned back, his expression hardening.
He now remembered exactly who Disco was—the same man who had auctioned the mermaid Camie during the infamous Sabaody Archipelago incident involving the Straw Hats.
"So Doflamingo's human trafficking operation has reached the East Blue?"