Disco's intentions were clear: Monet could be controlled through Sugar.
The pirates who had captured the Monet sisters before hadn't even known Haki. They had simply relied on threatening Monet through her younger sister, forcing her into submission. Ironically, after selling the sisters to Disco, those pirates had squandered their earnings, only to be defeated and killed by another group shortly after.
Hearing this, the onlookers relaxed. Those who had just mocked the sisters now scrambled to bid. Among the crowd were many wealthy buyers capable of affording two hundred million Berries. The Monet sisters had become the hottest commodities in the Red Line market, and Disco, ever the opportunist, immediately began the auction.
Each bid increased by five million Berries. The sisters' price quickly rose to two hundred thirty million Berries. Disco used his hand as an auction hammer, each tap against the cage crisp and resonant, echoing like a drumbeat.
Inside the cage, Monet clutched Sugar tightly, trembling, her eyes wide with helpless fear. Disco's hand, hardened unnaturally by Haki, struck the cold metal of the cage with every motion, as if he could shatter reality itself.
The crowd's frenzy slowed only when the bid reached two hundred eighty million Berries. Even at that price, hesitation lingered—slaves at such costs were rare, and some wealthy buyers paused, reconsidering. Disco, satisfied, readied to finalize the deal.
Suddenly, a low, commanding voice cut through the murmurs.
"Three hundred million Berries. I'll take them both."
The voice was calm but thunderous in effect, sending a ripple of shock through the crowd. People instinctively stepped back, clearing a path.
Disco froze, swallowing hard. "Sir… did you just say… three hundred million Berries?"
Lloyd raised an eyebrow, the lenses of his sunglasses reflecting a cold glint. "Do you think I can't afford it?"
The temperature seemed to drop around Disco. He felt as if he were trapped in an ice cellar, his body drenched in cold sweat. This was no ordinary man—he was a force one did not offend.
Despite his fear, the Red Line's social rules constrained Disco. Kneeling was mandatory in the presence of such a figure. Wiping his sweat, he forced a smile. "I—I was merely confirming. There were so many bidding just now, I couldn't tell who called out the price, right?"
"That's correct," Lloyd replied indifferently.
"And when will you make the payment?"
Three hundred million Berries was not a trivial sum. With the largest paper denomination at ten thousand Berries, the total required thirty thousand bills. Lloyd, empty-handed, raised only an eyebrow.
With a subtle flick of his hand, a black shimmer of Haki appeared, and bundles of Berries materialized out of thin air, crashing in neat stacks before Disco.
Disco gawked, momentarily spellbound. Greed flickered across his face, but suspicion soon followed. This man was clearly a Devil Fruit user, and what if these Berries were conjured rather than real?
Before he could act, a commotion erupted.
"Celestial Dragons! The Celestial Dragons are here!"
Everyone turned toward the street. A mounted entourage approached, the central figure enclosed in a bubble helmet, riding a burly strongman like a throne. People on the street immediately dropped to their knees, uniform in submission. Even those near Lloyd knelt, though Lloyd himself remained standing, conspicuous and imposing.
Disco, frantic to protect his most important client, yelled, "Quickly kneel! Or you'll lose your life!"
Lloyd, calm and unflinching, surveyed the scene. "The money is here. I'm taking the people."
With those words, he strode to the cage and ripped it open effortlessly. Monet stared at him, dazed. Sugar peeked from her sister's arms, timidly taking in Lloyd's presence.
She knew the Celestial Dragons were feared by all, and that failure to kneel could mean death. Yet something about Lloyd commanded attention; he had remained silent while others mocked her, giving her a sense of security.
"Hurry and kneel! The Celestial Dragons are coming!" Monet whispered urgently.
Lloyd's gaze softened briefly as he looked at Monet, then he bent slightly—not in submission, but to place a hand on the Sea Stone shackles binding her wrists.
Disco's jaw dropped. Before he could process it, a crisp cracking sound split the air. The shackles shattered into fragments, powerless against Lloyd's Haki-infused strength.
Monet stared at her freed hands in disbelief. Disco lunged forward, shouting, "Quickly shackle her! Don't let her escape!"
A gunshot rang out. Disco collapsed, hitting the ground as the scene froze.
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