King still preferred to stay out of the public eye, and he didn't have anything he wanted anyway, so he chose to stay on the pirate ship to guard it.
Queen had bought everything he needed, and the auction wasn't likely to have any niche items only a scientist would use, so he preferred to stay on the ship and experiment rather than go to the auction.
Let them go. It was good for the two of them to have company on the ship.
After the banquet, their relationship had grown by leaps and bounds. The friendship between men was always easy to build and strong.
They still liked to bicker, though.
Kaido and Noro changed into sharp suits, slicked back their hair, and headed to the auction with Stussy.
Stussy seemed particularly excited about this auction, having dressed up specially.
A moonlight-white off-the-shoulder gown, the perfect cut outlining her flowing curves.
A delicate, beautiful face, dazzling golden short hair, blending with the gown's elegance.
Noble, elegant.
Like an elven princess.
Noro was momentarily stunned. This woman was truly beautiful.
Plus, her money-loving nature was somewhat similar to Nami, that little thief cat.
Too bad she was a femme fatale.
Stussy linked her arm with Noro's, smiling like a flower.
Noro raised an eyebrow, unsurprised.
She was using her charms again. Ha, was he the kind of person who'd spill everything as soon as a beautiful woman turned on the charm?
Superficial!
The attendants respectfully guided them to a VIP box at the auction entrance.
The boss had personally instructed them. Everyone in Water 7 knew this pirate crew was loaded.
If they hadn't seen Noro with the beautiful Stussy, and Kaido looking like he'd bite anyone who came near,
They might have asked if they needed any "special services." Some guests liked to have someone help them "release their fire" during auctions.
But they still left two beautiful maids to serve them.
Noro stretched out, sprawling on the soft sofa, looking down at the auction hall through the giant transparent glass.
They were really professional.
The boxes not only showed the guests' distinguished status, but also blocked the view, so the bidders didn't know each other's identities.
This allowed guests to bid boldly, without fearing retaliation.
The auction at Sabaody Archipelago in the anime was so amateurish. How could they have Celestial Dragons, pirates, and others bidding together in the hall?
Below, a curvy beauty in a low-cut burgundy gown, teetering on high heels, slowly walked onto the stage.
The beautiful auctioneer, holding a microphone, bowed deeply to the guests, smiling:
"Welcome, esteemed guests, to this auction. We deeply appreciate your attendance."
The low-cut gown, with the auctioneer's movements, revealed a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage.
Her milky-white breasts attracted the gaze of all the gentlemen in the auction.
This auction house knew what it was doing.
The beautiful auctioneer below had begun enthusiastically introducing the auction items.
The final transaction price of the auction items was related to her commission.
She was introducing a blue gemstone necklace, which had a common name: Heart of the Ocean.
Kaido and Noro weren't interested in these things.
Noro had come to the auction to try his luck, see if there was a Door-Door Fruit or Castle-Castle Fruit for sale.
He needed to move the gold from Skypiea quickly. Although it was still there when Luffy went decades later, he was afraid that he, this butterfly, might accidentally stir up a storm.
Kaido wanted a Zoan-type Devil Fruit. Ever since Noro had named the pirate crew "Beasts," he'd had an unprecedented obsession with Zoan-type Devil Fruits.
Stussy gently patted Noro's hand. When Noro turned to look at her, she gestured to her chest, her eyes sparkling:
"Noro, look, am I missing something here?"
"Who invites someone to look at their chest? But since you're so enthusiastic, I'd be remiss if I refused."
Noro's gaze unabashedly swept over the expanse of white skin revealed by Stussy's gown.
Stussy's forehead was covered in black lines. She suppressed her anger, forcing a smile, "I mean, do you think I'm missing something?"
Noro looked at Stussy playfully, "Are you going commando?"
"You motherf—"
Even Stussy, with her excellent self-control, couldn't help but break down.
Noro's smile widened, not teasing her anymore, "Alright, just bid directly if you want it. It's not like the Beasts Pirates are short on cash."
Stussy's beautiful eyes instantly lit up, her tone excited and expectant, "Then I like other jewelry too. Can I bid on those?"
"No," Noro refused without thinking.
Stussy's face flushed with anger, "You—"
"Just this one, take it or leave it," Noro shrugged, looking indifferent.
His ancestors had said: money was for women to look at, not for women to spend.
If he hadn't enjoyed her company last night, he wouldn't even buy her this Heart of the Ocean.
Stussy gritted her teeth, squeezing out a word, "Take it."
Stussy started bidding, bidding aggressively. She'd barely finished hearing the previous bid before she raised the price, eventually winning the Heart of the Ocean for 80 million.
She'd figured it out. This man was impervious to reason. He'd take advantage of her, but he wouldn't spend money.
He was just freeloading.
Kaido had successfully bid on two Zoan-type Devil Fruits.
A hawk and a tiger.
Zoan-type Devil Fruits were very practical. Eating one would steadily increase strength, speed, physique, recovery, and more.
Moreover, the hawk had the ability to fly.
Therefore, the bidding was relatively fierce.
Kaido was like a nouveau riche now, loaded. Money was nothing to him. He was determined to get the Zoan-type Devil Fruits!
A Devil Fruit that normally cost 100 million eventually cost him 600 million to get both.
And this spendthrift Kaido was still happy about it.
Noro was losing interest. The auction was almost over, and there wasn't anything he wanted, let alone a Door-Door Fruit or Castle-Castle Fruit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, next up is the final item for today's auction."
"A Paramecia-type Devil Fruit."
"The Cheer-Cheer Fruit!"
Noro suddenly perked up, his eyes shining, staring intently at the fruit on the stage below.
The beautiful auctioneer was still eloquently describing the fruit's abilities.
"After eating the Cheer-Cheer Fruit, the user can transmit the power of encouragement to the target, thereby stimulating their fighting spirit, courage, and potential."
"Although it's just a support-type Devil Fruit, it can easily turn the tide of a battle."
"Now, let the bidding begin!"
"Starting price is 100 million, minimum bid increase is 10 million."
...
...
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