"Ladies and gentlemen, the highlight of today's event!! The legendary Devil Fruit, said to grant its eater mysterious and miraculous powers!
What kind of fruit is it? That's for the buyer to find out! Enhance your own combat strength! Feed it to a bodyguard for protection! Or perhaps, test it out on a slave! We start the bidding at a minimum of 50 million Berries!"
"60 million!!"
"75 million right here!"
"I'll give you 80!!"
This was a Sabaody Archipelago Auction House.
Following a past series of sweeping raids, most of the illegal slave traders had been rounded up and sent to detention centers.
Those remaining were the cunning ones who left no evidence, or those dealing in "criminal slaves"—semi-legitimate businesses. The man hosting this auction was one such survivor.
He specialized in criminal slaves and rare items, a veteran of the trade who had uniquely managed to evade the crackdown. As he watched the price for the "Devil Fruit"—brought in by a pirate from the North Blue—skyrocket, a greedy smirk spread across his face.
Heh, I thought it wouldn't sell if I started at 100 million, so I set it at 50, but...
Watching the bids climb, he realized he could have set the starting price much higher.
"100 million! I'll bid 100 million!!"
"100 million! We have 100 million! Do I hear any higher!?"
"110 million over here!!"
"110 million! Is there no one willing to go over 110 million!?"
As I thought, it's passing the 100 million mark easily. 110 million, huh? I wish it would go a bit higher... maybe I should have appraised what kind of fruit it was after all?
As he pondered this, a man in the audience made his move.
"150 million."
"Incredible! 150 million! We have a bid for 150 million! Any other takers!?"
The man who had suddenly hiked the price was a large individual in a black suit with white pinstripes and green hair.
Recognizing him, the owner whispered, "Gah, it's Tesoro. The owner of Stella Productions... he's been making a fortune lately with those singing mermaids."
The owner realized that for a man like him, this amount was pocket change. Meanwhile, the man who had been on the verge of winning the bid stammered:
"Ugh... 160 million then!!"
"200 million," Tesoro replied instantly.
"...210 million!"
"300 million."
At that, the other man gave up. He realized that no matter what number he threw out, Tesoro would simply overtop it.
"300 million! 300 million Berries! Anyone else!? Then, this Devil Fruit is sold for 300 million Berries! Mr. Tesoro, please come backstage later to collect your item! Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today's auction!!"
The guests filed out, whispering rumors like, "It must be a truly rare fruit," or "He paid 300 million; I've got to find out what it is later." Tesoro, having exchanged 300 million Berries for the fruit, finally held it in his hands.
He immediately pulled a Baby Den Den Mushi from his coat.
"The auction is over. I have the fruit. I'm heading back now."
『Acknowledged. There's a high chance of an ambush, so stay sharp on the way back.』
"Understood. What are we doing with this fruit?"
『First, we confirm if it's the Goru Goru no Mi (Gold-Gold Fruit) we've been searching for. I'm almost certain it is...』
"Understood. I'll be back shortly."
As he hung up, Tesoro sensed someone approaching silently from behind. He whipped out a pistol and aimed it at the shadow.
"You there. Sorry, but you're going to have to leave that Devil Fruit behind."
The man approaching wore a burlap sack over his head with holes cut out only for his eyes. Judging by the voice, it was a man. Strangely, he had a piece of Salisbury steak stuck to his cheek. Tesoro figured he was just a common thief.
"Who are you? Do you have any idea who I am?"
The thief didn't answer. He lunged forward with a punch, which Tesoro quickly parried with his right arm before delivering a counter knee-strike.
"That arm... it turned black. I see, you're a Haki user too."
Tesoro realized this fight would drag on if he stayed. He pulled the trigger of his pistol.
The high-pitched sound of a bullet being deflected rang out. Simultaneously, Tesoro pulled a cylinder from his pocket, yanked the pin, and tossed it at the assailant. The cylinder erupted in a massive cloud of thick smoke.
Using the smokescreen as a distraction, Tesoro made his escape. He headed toward a crowded area, caught his breath, straightened his collar, and calmly made his way back to his office.
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