The so-called shopping street was actually a semicircular commercial district. It was only separated from the food street by a single road, yet it was roughly four times larger.
Tall buildings rose densely along the entire stretch, bathed in brilliant lights and dazzling gold. Everything imaginable was for sale here, and the air was saturated with the scent of wealth and extravagance.
After being watched by countless eyes in the lawless zone, the members of the Sky Pirates stepped into this bustling, shoulder-to-shoulder shopping street and felt as though they had entered an entirely different world. Hardly anyone here recognized them.
Most of the people who appeared here looked well-off. There were also men and women dressed in luxurious clothing, surrounded by attendants, carrying themselves with unmistakable aristocratic airs.
If she hadn't known the truth behind this place, Flare might have eagerly launched into a full-blown shopping spree. But now, she couldn't muster even a hint of excitement.
"This should be it."
They had reached the very center of the shopping street. A massive red theater stood before them, and in the plaza out front, countless spectators were packed together, waiting for the performance to begin.
Above it all, a huge red hot-air balloon floated in the sky, painted with a white baby elephant, hovering directly over the theater.
"Why!?"
Looking at the lively, excited crowd, their faces full of anticipation, confusion filled Flare's eyes.
"Everyone should know how dark this circus really is. So why?"
As the takoyaki vendor had said, the vast majority of people in the Sabaody Archipelago knew the inside story of this circus.
After all, it was a human trafficking operation that had been going on for decades.
The so-called circus performances were nothing more than a disguised form of product display.
And yet, these people acted as if they knew nothing at all, still eagerly awaiting the show with shining eyes.
At that moment, Tiger felt it more deeply than anyone. He, too, desperately wanted to know the answer.
All eyes turned toward Yemu.
Yemu hesitated briefly, glancing at the ordinary people around them. After a moment of thought, he spoke.
"Maybe it's because they believe they won't be the ones standing on that stage, being sold."
"???"
The others looked puzzled, and Yemu continued.
"In the end, people only come to understand how precious happiness is after they've endured real pain. Only after losing something do they realize how beautiful it was to have it. Otherwise, no matter how much they say they understand, they can't truly grasp the suffering of those trapped in that situation. And because of that, they won't genuinely fight with everything they have to resist or struggle for change. Even if they do, it's usually nothing more than a brief emotional outburst."
When Yemu finished speaking, a glimmer of tears appeared in Tiger's eyes.
"Tiger-san!?"
The others were caught off guard.
Tiger's past as a slave was the darkest chapter of his life. Within the Sky Pirates, aside from Yemu and Enel, who knew the truth, no one else was aware of it.
This wasn't an intentional attempt to hide anything, but rather a form of quiet respect.
Even back in Water 7, Tiger hadn't told Tom.
Perhaps one day, Tiger would share it with everyone.
But that day was not now.
Just then, a sudden barrage of cannon fire rang out. Bang, bang, bang. Multicolored streamers rained down from the sky.
"Is it starting?"
High above, beams of light converged, shining on the Dumbo hot air balloon and revealing a white, feathered creature with wings, shaped like an elephant.
But unlike the cute little Dumbo on the signboard, this creature was bloated, ugly, and grotesquely fat.
"There he is! The owner of the Dumbo Circus, an Animal-type Zou Zou no Mi user, White Elephant form bird-man—Hawkins Coco!"
As if responding to the announcement, the man named Hawkins Coco descended from the sky.
Compared to his massive, cumbersome body, his wings were clearly far too small. They flapped awkwardly like a chick's as he tumbled down, then somehow produced a Den Den Mushi from who knows where and shouted toward the crowd.
"Welcome, welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the once-a-week Dumbo Circus performance…"
His shrill, excited voice was broadcast through the enormous Den Den Mushi, echoing across the entire shopping street as even more people crowded in.
"Today, we've invited a dazzling lineup of performers! And of course, the breathtaking songstress you've all been waiting for—Stella—will make her appearance as the grand finale! Oh, and here's a little announcement: this may be Stella's last time singing for everyone. So cheer! Get excited! The show is about to begin!"
"Boom!!!"
A thunderous ceremonial blast erupted. Streamers danced through the air, and the lights flared brilliantly.
If one ignored the black collars around the performers' necks, many might have thought this was nothing more than an ordinary show. But now…
Within the packed crowd, faint yet unabashed conversations about human trafficking could be heard.
"Wow, that woman's body is incredible. She can bend like that? Perfect. My last wife died, so I'll just buy her and have some fun."
"That guy's a premium one too. A giant, right?"
"How much is this going to cost? Even all my allowance from Dad won't be enough."
"What a shame. No mermaids this time!"
"Don't worry. I heard the traffickers have been really active on Fish-Man Island lately."
"I can't wait!"
"Hey, don't you dare fight me for that cat-girl at the auction later!"
"Since when were you into animals?"
"I'm bored of humans. I want to try something fresh."
"What a pity. That stunning songstress was already reserved. Otherwise…"
Just then, Yemu clearly sensed a drastic shift in someone's emotions within the crowd, followed by the sound of a heated argument.
"Reserved… What do you mean, reserved…"
"Where did this lowly trash come from? Drag him away and beat him…"
"Wait, please, tell me what's really going on…"
"You idiot. The only ones who can place direct orders with Hawkins are the Celestial Dragons…"
At that moment, the program finally reached its end. Yet to everyone's confusion, the performance hadn't even begun. Amid the crowd's anticipation, Hawkins Coco hurried back out, looking flustered.
"S-sorry… Because Saint Chatham will be arriving shortly, our performance can only end here. Please look forward to next week's show! We promise it won't disappoint!"
"T-the Celestial Dragons are coming. Let's leave quickly. Don't get dragged into trouble."
Clearly, even for these ordinary nobles, the Celestial Dragons were like a walking plague. The moment they heard one was coming, panic spread, and everyone scrambled to flee.
But it was already too late.
At the entrance of the shopping street, the once shoulder-to-shoulder crowd suddenly collapsed like a wave, kneeling en masse.
A ten-meter-wide path opened up through the kneeling masses. Two hideous figures appeared, each riding atop a giant slave, wearing glass helmets and white Celestial Dragon attire, their pink hair garish and repulsive.
The entire shopping street fell silent. Everyone knelt on the ground with their heads lowered, not daring to meet the Celestial Dragons' gaze.
Amid the crisp yet heavy clanking of iron chains, the voices of the two Celestial Dragons rang out.
"Daddy, Daddy, why? Why? That woman was the one I picked first!"
"My foolish son, such a beautiful woman should of course be enjoyed by Daddy first. Once Daddy's finished with her, she'll be yours."
"But… but…"
"No buts. I'm your father…"
Before he could finish speaking, the Celestial Dragon froze, his eyes going blank.
At the other end of the road, in a world where everyone else was kneeling, there stood a group of people, upright and unmoving, staring back at them with cold, unyielding eyes.
For a moment, the Celestial Dragon was stunned. Mere lowly commoners, daring to stand before them—the descendants of the creators, the Celestial Dragons.
But even stronger than the Celestial Dragon's reaction was that of the guards stationed behind them, charged with their protection.
"Oh… oh no…"