96: Chapter 96 The Auction BeginsJust as Luffy was having a fierce internal struggle about whether or not to use the Dancing Grenade, Kuina dragged Zoro out of a nearby alley, complaining as she walked.
"If you're clearly terrible with directions, then don't go out alone.It's really impressive that you can walk around in circles in one alley and still not find your way out!"
Zoro blushed and wanted to say something, but couldn't say anything.He could only listen to Kuina's scolding with a frustrated expression.Sanji followed behind them, suppressing a laugh.Zoro, feeling frustrated after being scolded, rushed over to Luffy as if he had seen a savior.
"Luffy, are you alright?I heard there's an auction going on on this island soon.Shall we go?"
Luffy pondered for a moment, finally making up his mind."If we're going to cause trouble, let's make it big.I'm a protagonist, after all.With the protagonist's halo, I shouldn't be this unlucky, right?" A little insecure, Luffy thought to himself.Reluctantly, he got off Nami's lap, stretched his limbs, and then confidently led the group towards the auction.After getting lost three times and returning to their starting point five times, under Zoro's mocking gaze, Luffy, his face dark, stopped a passerby and asked fiercely:
"Hey, how do I get to the auction?"
The passerby was startled by Luffy's expression and tremblingly pointed him in the right direction.When Luffy turned around, he saw Zoro secretly laughing.
"Oh dear, I seem to remember someone getting lost in Loguetown even when they were with a group of people, right, Green Moss Head?"
"I'm not lost!" Zoro roared in exasperation.
"Yes, yes, you're not lost, you just accidentally went the wrong way, okay?"
Seeing Luffy's perfunctory attitude, Zoro made his vow to cut Luffy down for the nth time.Following the correct direction pointed out by a passerby, Luffy and his crew finally arrived at the auction house.They were amazed by the magnificent auction house in front of them.Just as Luffy and his crew were about to enter the auction house, the guards at the door stopped them.
"I'm sorry, you are not qualified to enter this auction."
"What?What do you mean?What do you mean we're not qualified to enter?" Nami questioned the guard, somewhat displeased."Judging from your poor appearance, I can tell you can't afford much treasure to participate in the auction.Go, go, go, don't stand here and embarrass yourselves," the guard said, trying to shove Nami.Luffy's eyes flashed coldly, and in an instant, he rushed over and punched the guard, who flew away with a scream.
Just as another guard was about to make a move, a young voice came from the auction house: "Stop it, all of you!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man rushing over.The guard immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing him, "Young Master Rick, what brings you here?"
Rick ignored the guard and instead approached Luffy, bowing slightly and saying, "Lord Luffy, I apologize for my rudeness as a guard.To express my remorse, please follow me into the auction." Luffy glanced indifferently at the man called Rick.Rick Collea's identity: Young master of the All Things Island Auction House; Devil Fruit: Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan type, Angel form.Luffy nodded at Rick, then felt a bit amused and exasperated."Another Mythical Zoan type Human-Human Fruit?Is Chopper really just a commoner with the Human-Human Fruit?" ○( ＾皿＾)っHiahiahia…
Rick looked at Luffy nervously, but was overjoyed when Luffy nodded.He then led Luffy and the others into the auction house.As for the guard who had been knocked away, Rick didn't even glance at him.Luffy and the others entered a luxurious room under Rick's guidance.In the center of the room was a coffee table and sofa made of golden nanmu wood.Through the window of the room, they could see the auction stage.On the coffee table were a Den Den Mushi used for bidding, several bottles of expensive wine, and exquisite pastries.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the wine and pastries here are all free to eat and drink.Please feel free to eat and drink to your heart's content before the auction begins."
Upon hearing that the alcohol was free, Zoro stopped being polite and started chugging it down, while the others sat on the sofas waiting for the auction to begin.
After everyone was seated, Rick politely greeted them and left the room.Luffy squinted at the direction Rick left, feeling that he had seen Rick's face somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where.So Luffy gave up thinking and instead lay on Nami's beautiful legs to enjoy being fed by her.
Rick quickly arrived at another, more luxurious room and said to the white-haired girl who was enjoying a massage from a maid, "Sister Liz, I've brought the Straw Hat crew into the auction."
Liz gave a cold laugh and muttered to herself, "Straw Hat Kid, just you wait.This time I won't be as careless as last time.I will definitely avenge that punch I received last time!"