After fencing the stolen goods for 600 million, Yato was pleasantly surprised to learn that a Devil Fruit would be auctioned the next day. Two great pieces of news in one day, what a windfall.
The starting bid was one hundred million. But the final price? That was unpredictable. Even with six hundred million in hand, Yato couldn't be certain he'd win the bid. If things went sideways, he'd have to improvise, perhaps even steal the fruit straight from the winning bidder.
"But I can't risk exposing my identity. Just robbed a Celestial Dragon, I need to keep a low profile… Guess I'll borrow the name of the Battleaxe Pirates for a bit."
Chuckling to himself, Yato returned to the inn and immediately transformed into Shadow Wraith. In an instant, he appeared behind the bald-headed captain.
The Battleaxe Pirates were still lingering at Sabaody Archipelago, waiting for their ship's coating to finish. That evening, they were gathered in a tavern, staring blankly at a stack of bounty posters on the table.
"Captain, what the hell did Shadow Wraith do to get a 500 million bounty?"
"Five hundred million! That's eight zeroes, damn it! I've never even seen a bounty that high!"
"You idiot! Don't call him by name, it's Lord Shadow!"
They bickered on and on, each blinded by the sheer size of the number. Their entire pirate crew combined didn't even have a bounty close to one hundred million.
But the bald-headed captain looked deep in thought, muttering, "Did you all forget what Shadow Wraith asked us last time?"
"Something about the Celestial Dragons?" one of the younger crew gasped.
"Exactly. There's a rumor going around today, someone actually killed a Celestial Dragon in the Holy Land!" The captain's tone turned grave.
Everyone around the table inhaled sharply. Killing a Celestial Dragon, in Mary Geoise no less? That was insane beyond measure.
But the captain shook his head. "No way. That's the Holy Land. Ordinary people would have to climb the Red Line with their bare hands just to get close, like Fisher Tiger did three years ago…"
He had barely finished when a voice cut through the room, cold and casual.
"No need to guess. I was the one who killed that Celestial Dragon."
The moment that voice rang out, a dark figure slowly emerged into view.
"L-Lord Shadow!" the bald man flinched, but quickly forced a smile onto his face. "Why didn't you send word ahead? I could've prepared a welcome!"
Yato gave him a glance.
That one look made the man's knees weak. This was the guy who stormed the Holy Land and assassinated a World Noble. If he got annoyed and chopped someone's head off, nobody would be surprised.
"Uh… L-Lord Shadow, you really did it?" the man couldn't help but ask, hoping for confirmation.
"Why else would the Navy put a 500 million bounty on my head?" Yato raised an eyebrow and said mockingly, "What, you got a grudge against the Celestial Dragons too? I take commissions, you know. If you've got the money, I've got the blade."
That shut the man right up.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Shadow Wraith sounded like just a hired assassin, someone else had paid him to do the job. And the way he spoke about killing Celestial Dragons, like it was nothing… terrifying.
Yato waved a hand. "I'm not here to chat. I've got a job for you."
"Anything, Lord Shadow! Just say the word!"
"It's nothing big," Yato said with a faint shake of his head. "Tomorrow, I've got a 'friend' attending an auction. You're going with him. Use the name 'Battleaxe Pirates' when you enter. Got it?"
"Got it! Absolutely!"
Easy enough, just lending their name to keep Yato's identity under wraps.
"By the way…" the bald captain asked nervously, "is your friend also from the Dream Pirates?"
Yato thought for a moment, then replied with a smirk, "Asking too many questions isn't good for your health."
"Y-Yes, of course."
"But I'll give you a hint, his temper's worse than mine. He outranks me in Dream. So don't make him mad. If you do, even I won't be able to save you."
"Wha- ?"
The bald man went pale. Was this "friend" a Dream Pirate officer?
Yato said no more. With a wave of his hand, his shadowy form began to dissipate.
Before leaving, he gave one last instruction:
"Tomorrow, meet at this location. Don't be late."
"Understood!"
With a nod of approval, Yato vanished.
The bald-headed captain, however, looked sick with worry. Shadow Wraith alone was terrifying enough, now there was someone even stronger involved?
"Captain… are we really going along with this?" a younger crewmate whispered.
The bald man shot him a death glare. "You trying to get us killed?! What if they're still listening? And don't just say his name, he's Lord Shadow!"
"R-Right! Lord Shadow!"
"Tomorrow, keep your mouths shut and eyes open. Do anything to piss off that man, and we're all dead…"
The captain looked like he was about to cry. Ever since meeting Shadow Wraith, he hadn't slept a peaceful night.
,
The next morning.
Yato disguised himself thoroughly. He wore a heavy cloak, the hood casting a deep shadow over his face. Just enough to prevent anyone from remembering his features.
He met up with the Battleaxe Pirates, who didn't question a thing. On the contrary, they were so respectful it was almost ridiculous, no one dared speak unless spoken to, terrified that one wrong word might be their last.
Yato found it hilarious, but kept up his intimidating aura. The more fear he instilled, the better.
Before long, they arrived at the auction house.
It was located in GR-11, Grove 11, part of the Sabaody Archipelago.
The Archipelago was divided into 79 sections. Areas 1 to 29 were lawless zones. Here, slave trading, underground auctions, gambling, and prostitution were all conducted openly and legally.
Yato, now under the guise of a Battleaxe Pirate guest, entered the auction.
However, since the bald captain's bounty was only 75 million, they were seated on the first floor of the auction hall.
Yato glanced upward.
The second floor held the real players, those with bounties over 100 million, or the ultra-wealthy. Without assets in the hundreds of millions, you weren't even getting a seat.
"My lord," the captain whispered, "what are your orders?"
Yato responded in a deep voice, "When I tell you to bid, you bid. Got it?"
"Understood!"
At that moment, the lights dimmed.
Two spotlights hit the stage, and a flamboyantly dressed young auctioneer walked out, tapping a wooden gavel.
"Welcome, elite guests from across the world! The grand treasure auction begins now!"