Merlin knew the other party had recognized him because he saw a hint of provocation in his eyes at this moment.
But after merely glancing at him, Merlin withdrew his gaze and said at this time: "It should be soon, right!"
Teresa said somewhat nervously at this time: "Mmh, should be here soon. Hope we can win the bid smoothly this time. Just don't know what type of fruit it is."
At this time, Fulvio suddenly said: "Sister, if it's a Zoan type you're interested in later, you can also choose to eat it."
Teresa's breath hitched, then she seriously refused: "Thanks, brother, but no need. Let's stick to what we agreed on initially."
Soon, the next auction item appeared. Merlin watched the host speaking passionately.
"This auction item is said to be a katana of [Ryo Wazamono] (Skillful Grade) quality forged by Master Andal from the Grand Line. Starting price, one million Berries. Each bid increase not less than 500,000. Ladies and gentlemen who like famous swords can bid now!
"Oh, by the way, the name of this sword is [Fubuki] (Blizzard)."
The host sounded a bit unconfident himself, with awkwardness in his eyes. After all, a weapon of [Ryo Wazamono] grade was indeed a bit low for the second half.
Even if famous swords were rare.
So at this very moment, only sparse bidding sounds rang out in the venue.
"One million!"
"1.5 million!"
Merlin looked at the [Ryo Wazamono] in the host's hand, a katana with an overall cyan hue and a slightly large blade curvature, but Merlin could clearly see the delicate texture on the blade body.
Thinking for a moment, Merlin raised the number paddle in his hand, his cool yet slightly husky voice ringing out: "Two million!"
And as Merlin's words came out, a gaze was cast over. After glancing at it, Merlin ignored it. However, soon the other party also raised a number paddle and spoke plainly with a hint of a smile: "Three million Berries!"
At this time, Law sitting beside him complained speechlessly, "Gladius, is it necessary? Just a [Ryo Wazamono], is it worth fighting with Merlin over it?"
Baby 5 beside him snorted lightly and stuck out her tongue unhappily: "Stingy ghost! Bleh, bleh~"
Veins popped on Gladius's forehead, and he said very dissatisfiedly: "Do you two brats need a beating?"
At this time, a plain voice sounded beside the latter: "Did you two brats forget the family's blood rules?
"Disrespecting officers is forbidden, otherwise, bear the consequences yourself~ G——"
The plain words suddenly had a strange rising tone at the end. At the same time, he forcefully made a 'G' gesture with both hands in front of his chest, looking at the two coldly.
Simultaneously, Law and Baby 5 shut up instantly.
After all, Lao G would really strike.
"I wasn't targeting him. It's just that the family is in a development period and has a great demand for various high-quality weapons."
Gladius spoke calmly.
"Three million going once! Three million going twice. Does any other gentleman or lady need this [Fubuki]? This is not a [Wazamono] (Grade Sword), but a very rare [Ryo Wazamono]!"
Seeing someone fighting for it, the host instantly reacted like a shark smelling blood.
And at this time, Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly at the other party, then raised the paddle again: "Four million!"
Under the mask, the corner of Gladius's mouth hooked into a playful smile, and he raised the paddle as well: "Five million!"
Merlin smiled. Five million Berries was already a high price for a [Ryo Wazamono]. However, he raised the paddle: "Six million!"
Having obtained the two hundred million funds from Williams's ship, plus the bounties of over sixty million from hunting pirates these days.
Merlin could afford a mere [Ryo Wazamono].
And at this moment, Gladius didn't raise his paddle. He wasn't stupid. At this time, seeing the other party give up bidding, the host waited for a few seconds and then spoke excitedly: "This gentleman number 69 bid six million Berries. Is there any higher?
"Six million going once... twice...
"..."
Then after pausing for a few seconds again, the auction hammer in his hand fell, "Six million going thrice, sold!"
"Let's congratulate this gentleman number 69 for winning the precious famous sword [Fubuki]!!"
"Congratulations to this gentleman. After the auction ends later, you can take your number paddle and come to the backstage for transaction under the guidance of our staff."
"Then... next, let's welcome the next auction item.
"Legend has it that it is the incarnation of curses in the vast sea. It can grant people various magical and extraordinary abilities. That is—Devil Fruit!!!"
The words suddenly became impassioned. The host knew how to heat up the atmosphere.
"This is a very beautiful and mysterious fruit. It's not big, round and very plump. Strange patterns grow all over it. Just seeing it makes one can't wait to hold it carefully in the palm and play with it attentively. Legend has it that the taste of eating it will make people unforgettable for life."
Introducing, the host took a tray covered with a red cloth from a waiter behind him, placed it on the auction table, and pulled it off forcefully. Instantly, the breathing of everyone in the venue became rapid.
Merlin looked at the golden-white, round fruit covered with "Arabesque" patterns, about the size of two palms, on the tray.
And at this time, the host's impassioned and even slightly hoarse voice sounded again: "Paramecia type, Blessing Fruit (Shuku Shuku no Mi?). According to the records in the Devil Fruit illustrated handbook, this is a Devil Fruit that can grant people certain physical and mental enhancement state abilities.
"Its starting price, 100 million Berries. Each bid increase not less than 10 million. So now, bidding~ starts!!!"
Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly, instantly understanding the value of this fruit in his heart. This was a very nice fruit. A smile appeared at the corner of Merlin's mouth as he looked at Teresa and smiled: "Seems like your luck is good."
Teresa's eyes were already staring straight at the Devil Fruit on the stage. Hearing the voice at this time, she looked at Merlin eagerly: "I want it! Merlin, help me!"
Why say this sentence? Just because a moment ago, a bid had already appeared suddenly.
"Three hundred million Berries!"
Instantly, gasps were heard around.
Merlin looked at a gorgeously dressed man in a stand position opposite.
"310 million!"
It came from Gladius.
At this time, Teresa's eyes constricted suddenly. She looked at Merlin with anxiety and some rejoicing in her heart. At this time, the corner of Merlin's mouth rose, and he said in a joking tone: "Okay, but you have to promise me one thing."
But as soon as the words fell, Teresa blurted out directly: "Not just one, a hundred will do. Even if you want my body, it's fine."
"Cough, cough!" Fulvio coughed violently, looking at his sister very speechlessly: "Sister, reserve! Your brother here feels ashamed for you hearing your words! Is a fruit worth selling yourself?"
However, as soon as the words fell, Fulvio said equally eagerly: "Brother, let alone my sister, as long as you help her win the bid, I will be your man too in the future!"
Merlin rolled his eyes at him speechlessly, then looked at Teresa and shook his head: "What are you dreaming of? I don't want you!"
Hearing this, Teresa instantly rolled her eyes at Merlin resentfully. However, at this time, Merlin smiled and said: "Bid yourself. Five hundred million."
Teresa's pupils contracted, and her mouth opened slightly. At the same time, she knew in her heart that she would probably have to remember this favor for a lifetime.
Teresa took a deep breath, raised the paddle, her voice clear: "Five hundred million Berries!"
Hiss—
As soon as the words came out, gazes were cast over one after another. Noisy sounds instantly rang out in the venue.
Instantly, the two who bid high prices before were dumbfounded at this moment.
Gladius's eye corner twitched. He couldn't help looking towards Merlin's side. Hearing the voice, he guessed it was the person who hired Merlin.
Gladius's gaze was very restless. Thinking of the funds he brought, plus what he accumulated from hunting peers here these past few days, he gritted his teeth and raised the paddle: "530 million Berries!"
Instantly, gasps sounded again.
Teresa turned her head abruptly to look at Merlin, helplessness already in her eyes.
She knew the money on her side had bottomed out.
She didn't know about the two hundred million Merlin got from Williams before.
At this moment, seeing no one bidding in the venue, Gladius breathed a sigh of relief. He urged the host for the first time: "Since no one is bidding anymore, can you drop the hammer?"
The host was helpless in his heart. Donquixote's reputation couldn't be ignored. He immediately started the countdown, "530 million going once? Twice. Is there anyone else?"
Merlin glanced at Teresa, then raised the paddle and said lightly: "Six hundred million!"
"Is this gentleman really bidding six hundred million?" The host spoke excitedly at this moment.
"Merlin?" Teresa looked at Merlin blankly. However, at this time, Merlin glanced at her and said: "I bid for you!"
"Are you really going to fight with us?"
At this time, Gladius suddenly said to Merlin, with suppressed anger in his tone. But Merlin just smiled at him. Gladius's face turned dark, gritting his teeth and continuing to bid: "610 million!"
Just after bidding, he spoke to Merlin again: "Bid again if you have the capital?"
At this moment, Teresa looked over. Merlin held up five fingers to her. Teresa's eyes lit up, and she bid directly: "I offer 650 million!"
At this moment, Gladius's face turned red from holding back, but he was helpless; he had no money left. And at this time, seeing no one bidding again.
The host shouted excitedly, "650 million going once, 650 million going twice... So~
"Sold!!!
"Let's congratulate this lady for winning this ocean secret treasure, Blessing Fruit!!"
"Furthermore, this auction has concluded successfully. Then, honored guests who won treasures, please move. As for the remaining guests, please exit orderly."
Listening to the host's closing remarks, Merlin's gaze was calm. At this time, Teresa looked at Merlin with sparkling eyes: "Where did you get so much money?"
Merlin glanced at her: "Guess?"
Teresa blinked, and soon giggled: "Not guessing. Anyway, thank you so much, Merlin. I might not be able to pay off the money you lent me for a while, but I'll write you an IOU."
Merlin nodded with a smile: "Okay."
A moment later, Merlin and his group, led by a waiter, arrived at a reception room located backstage.
Sitting on the sofa inside the room, before long, the door of the reception room was knocked and pushed open.