Chapter 13: The Auction House – Saint Shalria!
Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 1
Human Auction House – Front Entrance
Just as Usopp and the others were anxiously waiting for the rest of the crew,
a sudden gust of wind slammed into their faces.
The next instant,
Rok appeared before them—still cradling Nami in his arms.
The speed was so ridiculous that Usopp, Chopper, and the others froze for a full second.
Robin, on the other hand, temporarily ignored the speed part.
She stared at Nami curled up in Rok's arms like a little cat, her expression turning slightly strange.
Then she shot Rok a sharp glare.
This guy… just a few hours ago he and Nami were at each other's throats, and now he's carrying her like this?
Still the same old smooth-talking playboy, huh.
"R-Rok… that was way too fast! And… are you sure the poison in your body is really okay?!"
Once everyone snapped out of it,
Chopper was by far the most shocked.
He stared at Rok's upright posture and bursting energy, then remembered the terrifying speed he'd just displayed.
For the second time today, Chopper felt like his medical knowledge had been thrown out the window.
How was this possible?!
According to all his repeated tests,
a single drop of the toxin inside Rok could kill a Sea King.
There was at least 10 ml of it still in his system!
Yet not only was the guy perfectly fine—he was in peak condition!
This defied all science!
"What's the situation?"
No one wasted more time. Rescuing the mermaid Camie was the priority.
After hopping out of Rok's arms,
Nami immediately turned to Hatchan for details.
According to Hatchan,
Camie had been scheduled as an auction item—and not just any item, but the grand finale, the most valuable one of the night!
Whenever a female mermaid appeared at the Sabaody auction,
the starting bid was usually around 70 million berries, and the final sale price easily broke 100 million!
"If we can just buy her freedom with money, that would be perfect!"
After hearing the explanation,
Nami made her decision on the spot.
She knew full well how dangerous the situation on Sabaody was right now.
There was a Celestial Dragon inside this very auction house!
If they could secure Camie's safety with berries and avoid any trouble,
she was willing to pay any price.
"We currently have roughly 600 million berries in total assets. I hope that's enough to save Camie!"
"WHAAAAT?! Since when did we have 600 million berries, Nami?!"
On the way into the auction house,
Usopp nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Nami tallying their funds.
He wasn't the only one—Chopper, Robin, Franky, everyone stared in shock.
They didn't handle the crew's finances directly, but they all had a rough idea of how much treasure they'd collected.
Two hundred million tops. No way did the Straw Hats have 600 million lying around!
Unless… Nami and Rok had just robbed a bank or something!
"Of course we do. Rok took me to clean out one of those shady Sabaody banks earlier. Net profit: 400 million berries!"
"You guys are seriously lacking in money-making skills compared to him!"
Nami openly showered Rok with praise, leaving the rest of the crew dumbfounded.
They really did rob a bank?!
"You never change, do you, Rok?"
Robin teased with a smile.
"Total coincidence, haha. The bank was super shady—they refused to let us withdraw money and even tried to turn me in for the bounty."
"You know me, Robin-nee—I'm a peaceful guy. I don't start fights, but if someone comes at me… I dig up their whole family grave."
Rok laughed it off with a shrug.
Gotta protect that good-guy image in front of Robin!
Soon,
led by Hatchan, the group finally entered the Human Auction House.
This was actually Hatchan's first time here.
Rayleigh had warned him many times never to show his face on the archipelago—especially not at a human auction.
But right now, none of that mattered.
To save Camie, he'd gladly give his life.
Before stepping inside,
Rok borrowed Usopp's "Sogeking" mask.
Usopp didn't know why, but he handed it over with his usual bravado:
"This is the legendary mask of the great sniper king Sogeking! Proof that Captain Usopp once declared war on the World Government to save his friends! You're lucky to even get to wear it!"
Rok ignored the speech.
He had two reasons for putting on the mask:
Hide his identity.
Give Saint Shalria the shock of her pathetic life.
How loud would that arrogant Celestial Dragon scream
when the man she almost turned into a slave stepped on her instead?
Rok could hardly wait.
The moment they walked in,
the scene inside made everyone's blood boil.
The seats were packed with so-called "respectable" members of high society,
all eagerly bidding on the human maid currently on stage—like she was livestock.
The Straw Hats stared at the barbaric display, fury rising in their chests.
These were human beings being bought and sold!
And this was happening just a stone's throw from Marine Headquarters and the World Government?!
Where was the justice they always preached?!
"There you are, Shalria."
Rok, however, paid no attention to the poor woman on stage.
Every slave being auctioned tonight would be freed anyway.
The second he stepped inside,
his eyes locked onto three figures seated in the VIP section at the very front.
Saint Shalria Palace.
And beside her—her father, Saint Rosward, and her brother, Saint Charlos.
All three repulsive Celestial Dragons were looking down at the stage with contempt,
clearly deciding the human woman wasn't worthy of serving them.
The instant Rok saw Shalria's back,
a torrent of pure, icy rage exploded deep in his chest.
This woman—
with a single word, she had destroyed his life.
He didn't regret leaving the Marines,
but years of blood and sweat, duty and loyalty—
all erased because a spoiled brat felt like it.
If the world refused to give him justice,
he would take it himself.
Of course, the time wasn't quite right yet.
He still had to decide exactly how to deal with Saint Shalria.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"The next item will leave you speechless! Get ready—
tonight's ultimate prize slave is about to take the stage!"
…
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