As a larger platform slowly rose from the center of the stage, the atmosphere in the grand palace shifted once again. Many pirates straightened in their seats, their earlier excitement returning in full force. Everyone present understood that the true highlights of this auction were finally about to appear.
Resting atop the platform was a Devil Fruit, sealed within a transparent glass case. The protective layer was clearly meant to prevent theft, though with "Dark Emperor" Teach present, the idea of anyone daring to snatch it in public was almost laughable. Still, the extra precaution revealed just how much importance the Nightfall Pirates placed on this particular item.
Baccarat smiled faintly as she introduced it.
"This is an Ancient Zoan. The Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Spinosaurus. Starting bid, one Berry."
The reaction was immediate.
If the earlier ordinary Zoan fruits had already stirred the crowd, then an Ancient Zoan was on an entirely different level. These were several tiers above standard Animal-type abilities, and across the seas, many renowned powerhouses owed their strength to such fruits. Among them, the core executives of the Beasts Pirates were the most well-known examples.
"Five hundred million!"
The opening bid alone skipped past all previous ranges, instantly surpassing the final prices of the earlier Devil Fruits.
Eyes turned almost instinctively toward the Beasts Pirates.
Gates stood there like a mountain among men, his enormous frame making even giants seem small. Around him, his crewmates appeared insignificant in comparison.
"The Beasts Pirates have made their move."
"I heard Kaido is building an army of Zoan users."
Whispers spread through the crowd. Some pirates hesitated, weighing their chances, while others gave up immediately. For many, even participating in such bidding was beyond their means.
"Five hundred fifty million!"
"Six hundred million!"
Other crews began to join in. The absence of Kaido himself emboldened them, and with the Nightfall Pirates presiding over the event, the auction remained fair. No one believed they would be suppressed openly.
Moreover, the value of such a fruit was undeniable. For martial artists who had yet to consume a Devil Fruit, an Ancient Zoan could elevate their strength dramatically, sometimes by entire tiers.
Even the Marines present could not help but feel tempted.
Garp, Tsuru, Gion, and the unfortunate Kake silently observed the fierce competition. They all understood the potential value of the fruit. If brought back to Marine Headquarters and given to a promising candidate, it could easily produce another powerful Vice Admiral.
After all, even someone like Dalmatian only possessed a standard Zoan ability.
For elite fighters who had already mastered Rokushiki and both types of Haki, a powerful Zoan fruit was often the perfect complement. Yet the Marines lacked high-quality options, as most top-tier Devil Fruits were controlled by the World Government and reserved for elite agencies like CP0.
Sengoku, far away at headquarters, could only sigh at the missed opportunity.
Meanwhile, the bidding war intensified.
"One billion three hundred million!"
At this point, weaker factions had already been eliminated. Only the strongest crews and wealthy underworld figures remained in contention.
"One billion five hundred million," Lemor of the Beasts Pirates stated calmly, his tone steady as if the number meant nothing.
"One billion five hundred fifty million," another bidder responded, though hesitation was evident.
"One billion seven hundred million."
Lemor raised the price again without a flicker of emotion.
The crowd stirred.
"The Beasts Pirates really treat money like dirt."
It was not an exaggeration. Backed by the immense wealth of the Barbarossa Kingdom and their expanding territory, the Beasts Pirates possessed financial power far beyond most crews. Even other Emperors' forces could not easily match their economic foundation.
A kingdom's tax revenue alone was staggering.
Under Kaido's rule, and managed by capable subordinates, the Barbarossa Kingdom had become both stable and prosperous. Freed from its previous oppressive regime, it had transformed into a thriving hub, even if it now served pirates instead of royalty.
"One billion seven hundred million, going once."
"Twice."
"Sold."
The Ancient Zoan was secured.
Some pirates could only stare in disbelief.
To them, the idea of spending 1.7 billion Berries on a single item was unimaginable. Yet for the great powers, it was merely another transaction.
The gap between them was not just strength, but foundation.
As the platform descended and rose again, disappointment flickered briefly among the Beasts Pirates. No second Ancient Zoan appeared.
That was expected.
Even one such fruit was enough to define the entire Expo. Offering more would only strengthen potential rivals.
Then, the next item emerged.
And the entire venue fell into stunned silence.
It was not a weapon.
Not a Devil Fruit.
Not treasure.
It was a mechanical arm.
The arm gleamed under the lights, its structure intricate and precise, filled with components that most present could not even begin to understand. Despite that, its craftsmanship alone made it clear that this was no ordinary device.
Some observers leaned forward unconsciously.
A few sharp-eyed individuals recalled earlier battles, where certain members of the Nightfall Pirates had revealed metallic limbs beneath torn flesh. During the clash with the Whitebeard Pirates, and even earlier at Erso Island, such details had not gone entirely unnoticed.
Still, no one had expected this.
Baccarat began her explanation.
"This is a mechanical arm developed by the Nightfall Pirates. Once attached to a severed limb, it can be controlled as freely as a natural arm."
She paused slightly.
"The only limitation is the lack of touch."
Silence.
Then shock.
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku and the others leaned forward, their expressions tightening. The concept alone sounded impossible.
Control it like a real arm?
How?
Before doubts could fully spread, Baccarat smiled.
"To demonstrate, we will conduct a live test."
A pirate stepped onto the stage.
He was clearly a member of the Nightfall Pirates. His left forearm was missing, replaced by a clean, healed stump. The scar suggested the injury was not recent, yet not ancient either.
He looked both nervous and excited.
For months, he had lived without a hand.
Now, he would regain it.
Taking the mechanical arm, he pressed it firmly against the end of his severed limb.
A faint glow flickered within the device.
Then—
It moved.
Inside the connection point, fine needle-like tubes extended, piercing into his flesh and linking directly with his nerves.
The pirate winced, his brow tightening as pain surged through him. Blood seeped slightly from the junction, making the process look far from pleasant.
Yet he endured it.
Compared to losing a limb, such pain meant nothing.
The mechanism locked into place.
Additional components unfolded, stabilizing the connection.
Though not as strong as a natural limb, the structure was secure enough for combat use. Future improvements, including experimental flesh-machine integration, promised even greater stability.
For a moment, the pirate stood still.
Then—
His eyes widened.
The fingers twitched.
Slowly at first.
Then more naturally.
The arm moved.
Freely.
Smoothly.
Gasps erupted throughout the hall.
People rose from their seats, unable to believe what they were seeing.
The mechanical hand flexed, clenched, rotated at the wrist, performing every motion a real hand could.
"Put this on," Baccarat instructed.
A skin-like covering was presented.
The pirate slipped it over the mechanical arm.
Instantly, the metallic surface disappeared beneath a lifelike exterior that matched his natural skin tone perfectly.
Now—
It looked completely real.
The demonstration continued.
He gripped a blade.
Swung it.
Struck steel.
Every movement was precise.
Powerful.
Unrestricted.
The crowd erupted.
"How much?!" a pirate shouted, unable to contain himself.
His missing arm was clearly visible, his gaze burning with desire.
Others recognized him immediately.
Mexico. A pirate worth 600 million Berries.
He had lost his arm years ago, only surviving through sheer determination and later gaining a Devil Fruit. With both arms, his strength would undoubtedly rise again.
Baccarat did not rush her answer.
"Each arm is custom-made," she explained calmly. "The price varies depending on size and materials."
She gestured toward the demonstration model.
"This one costs approximately one hundred million Berries."
A ripple spread through the crowd.
Then she added more.
"We also offer customized legs, fingers, and other replacements. However, smaller components require higher precision, which increases the cost."
At this, many from the Whitebeard Pirates glanced toward Marco.
His missing limb had long been a limitation.
Now—
There was a solution.
Baccarat continued.
"For those with fewer resources, we also provide a basic version."
"The materials and flexibility are reduced, but it remains functional."
"The price… around five million Berries."
This time, the reaction was even greater.
For ordinary people, this was not an unreachable dream.
Five million.
With effort, with time, it could be achieved.
Across the seas, those who had lost limbs, retired unwillingly, or fallen from power felt something they had not felt in years.
Hope.
The impact was immeasurable.
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku and the others fell silent.
They understood immediately.
This was not just an invention.
It was a revolution.
It would draw people from all corners of the world to the Nightfall Pirates.
Even Marines themselves might one day seek such help.
On stage, Baccarat smiled as she observed the restless crowd.
"Our portion of the auction concludes here."
She turned gracefully.
"The stage is now open to all other factions."
Without waiting for the noise to settle, she stepped back toward the higher platform.
Soon, representatives from various forces began to present their own items.
The auction continued.
But one thing was already certain.
Nothing that followed—
Would be forgotten as easily as this.