Another one down

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Auction House on Grove 1

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting!!" 

"As always, on Grove 1, we're about to begin the monthly grand auction!" 

"Today's auction will be hosted by none other than... the legendary auctioneer master, MR. DISCO!!" 

With that introduction, a flamboyantly dressed man made a dramatic entrance onto the stage. 

"Hello, everyone!!" 

"I've gathered only the finest quality slaves for you today!!" 

"You're in luck, as there's a special high-profile item on offer! May you all find the slave that meets your needs!!" 

"Let's start the bidding!!" 

"First up, we have NO. 1! From the West Blue, from a family of musicians, a pirate with skill in various instruments and a touch of pride!" 

"When he holds an instrument, he's a musician! When he holds a mop, he's a cleaner!" 

"A vibrant young man, 25 years old, human, 192 cm tall, with a kick force of 130 kg! His name is Malone! Starting bid: 480,000 Berries!!" 

"If you're interested, please raise your bidding paddles!" 

"520,000 Berries!" 

"We have 520,000 Berries!" 

"550,000 Berries!" 

"Alright! That's 550,000 Berries!"

 "Will anyone bid higher?"

---

After leaving Shakky's bar, Akira brought Hancock to the auction house. 

Seeing it, Hancock turned pale, her body trembling as painful memories came flooding back, overwhelming her. 

She had been abducted by slave traders and sold to the Celestial Dragons. Though this wasn't the exact auction house, its dealings mirrored the one that had shattered her life. 

Hancock swayed, and Akira steadied her. 

"Akira… why did we come here?" 

"Because Rayleigh is here." 

"Rayleigh? What's he doing here?!" 

"Not sure. Maybe he gambled and lost everything and had to sell himself." 

"That's impossible!" 

This was Dark King Rayleigh, Pirate King Roger's right-hand man. There was no way he would sell himself over a lost bet. 

Outside the auction house, a tall, scarred man sat shackled, with a slave collar around his neck. 

"Is that..." 

Recognizing the collar that once bound her and her sisters, Hancock was filled with horror. 

Akira approached the large man. 

"What's your name?" 

"I'm Saint Rosward's Human Slave."

"I want your real name." 

"Strong... Strongbaloo." 

"Do you want your freedom?" 

Strongbaloo paused, taken aback. Freedom? He had yearned for it constantly, but could freedom truly exist in this world? 

As a slave to the Celestial Dragons, he had lost all hope. Once they claimed someone, freedom was a distant memory. 

He was a giant slave owned by the Celestial Dragon, Saint Rosward. This giant was kept in chains and was used to carry Saint Rosward around on his back, symbolizing the Celestial Dragons' power and complete disregard for other lives.

"I want to be free!" 

Even in a world with little freedom, he still desired it. He wants to feel it.

'Zzzzing!'

With a blade of blue lightning, Akira sliced through his collar and chains. 

Clink—!

The bonds that had bound him fell away. 

"In the future, there will never be slaves. All living beings are born free."

Strongbaloo was in disbelief. His collar had really been broken. 

"Will you come with me, Strongbaloo?" 

"It's been ages since anyone called me that! Since you freed me from the Celestial Dragons, I'd be honored to serve you!" 

Strongbaloo bowed respectfully. 

"Good. From now on, you are a member of the Uchiha Security Company. I am its president, Uchiha Akira, and this is its vice president, Boa Hancock." 

"Yes, Boss! Madam!" 

Hearing Strongbaloo address her as "Madam," Hancock felt a surge of joy, grateful to Akira for freeing slaves. 

Having once been a slave herself, she understood the despair, the soul-crushing pain of that existence. 

Akira had promised Hancock to end slavery in the future, making her love break the limit already.

---

"And now, presenting number 18!! this old man is an older slave but a skilled coating artisan. You all know that to reach the New World, you can take only two routes: the top of the Red Line or the depths of Fish-Man Island. If you're going to Fish-Man Island, you need your ship coated!" 

"This is a rare chance to secure a steady source of income!" 

"Starting bid: 8 million Berries!" 

The auction house grew quiet; no one bid. None of the wealthy people there were interested in an old man that was about to die of age. Why would they need such services? 

"This is a master craftsman! A valuable investment!" 

DISCO urged, fearing a failed bid would tarnish his reputation.

On stage, Rayleigh took a swig of alcohol and chuckled wryly. "Guess I'm not worth much these days!" 

Suddenly, a voice rang out: 

"100 million Berries!" 

Creak—!

The auction house doors slowly opened, and a figure stood at the entrance. 

Hearing the bid and seeing the person in the doorway, Rayleigh paused. He recognized the figure, but why was he here? 

DISCO, thrilled by Akira's offer, shouted excitedly, "100 million Berries! Anyone higher?!"

"If not, we'll count to three... one, two, thr—" 

"Wait! Slave No. 1! What are you doing here?! Where is your collar?!" 

Saint Rozward, noticing Strongbaloo at Akira's side, stood up and shouted. 

"I'm not Slave No. 1! My name is Strongbaloo!" 

"To me, you're Slave No. 1! Are you trying to defy me?! Guards! Seize him!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Two knights in heavy armor rushed toward Strongbaloo. 

Boom! Boom!

"Aaagh!"

"Uugh!" 

Their armor shattered as they were sent flying, their bodies embedding into the wall. 

"How dare you! You forgot who is you master?! Are you rebelling?!" 

"Rebelling? Against what? Strongbaloo is now an employee of Uchiha Security. You don't get to claim him." 

"I don't care about your company! You're all lowly—" 

Smack!

Saint Rozward's helmet shattered as a red handprint appeared on his face. 

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