Chapter 49: Grand Auction? Time to Step into the Spotlight!

"By the way, El..."

By the shore, Gerd handed a towel to a sweaty El. The bright and lively young woman, her large eyes gazing at the handsome boy before her, smiled and said, "News just came in from the Hell Trading Company... Apparently, there will be a grand slave auction on the Sabaody Archipelago in the first half of the Grand Line!"

She had specifically come over to inform El of this news. Over the years, the Fallen Angel Pirates had been collecting a large number of Devil Fruits, often buying slaves of various races from auctions and putting great effort into training them.

"Oh?"

"An auction?" Witt and Lily, the two nearby giants, were a bit surprised. Despite their curiosity, they knew full well that, as giants, they weren't suitable for such events. Especially now, with tensions between the giants and the World Government worsening, their presence at the Sabaody Archipelago could easily cause trouble.

"Any special Devil Fruits?" El asked with a smile as he accepted the towel. Over the past few years, with the growth of the Hell Trading Company, they had been steadily purchasing Devil Fruits through black markets and auctions. He wasn't too concerned about the slaves; Hell Trading Company had plenty of workers by now.

"Yes, I heard that two Devil Fruits will be up for auction this time!" Gerd said with a grin. "Though they're not Logia or rare Mythical Zoan types, they are still valuable abilities!"

"However, this auction might attract the Celestial Dragons," she continued, shrugging a bit. "You know how those people are—arrogant, domineering, and prone to causing trouble. While we have enough money to compete financially, if we offend them during the auction, it could bring trouble to Hell Trading Company."

It was worth noting that five years ago, after their Dreamland near Elbaf had been discovered by the World Government's CP agents, they were besieged by a naval fleet led by an Admiral. Fortunately, thanks to Gerd's warning system using her sea Homies, El was prepared and avoided a direct confrontation by retreating with everyone from Dreamland before the navy could strike. Afterward, they relocated to an island in the Calm Belt and established a new Dreamland.

Though they had secluded themselves in the Calm Belt for training, Dreamland maintained contact with the outside world, keeping an eye on developments. Over the years, while the Fallen Angel Pirates remained discreet, El had been making strategic moves. He sent Gerd's flying Homies to scout the Calm Belt, finding several islands to develop into large plantations. Through Streusen, he purchased slaves from the black market and established Hell Trading Company, cultivating crops like grain, fruits, and medicinal herbs.

These plantations were tended by Homies created by Gerd, while El used his Mythical Zoan ability to accelerate crop growth, allowing for quick and repeated harvests for sale. They also created a sea king Homie army to protect Hell Trading Company's fleet, ensuring safe passage through the Calm Belt without interference from other sea kings. Over the years, Hell Trading Company had grown significantly, becoming a dominant force in the New World's food and medicinal industries.

The company's rapid success inevitably attracted attention, and some had tried to take over, but the consequences were severe. Leaders of rival pirate crews and gangs soon became nothing more than corpses, their deaths serving as a warning to others. This solidified Hell Trading Company's reputation, making it a powerful underground force.

During this time, El had used the company's wealth to acquire Devil Fruits from the black market, using them to enhance the strength of Dreamland's growing members, some of whom had now become capable Devil Fruit users. Strong members were recruited into the Fallen Angel Pirates, while those with lesser abilities were trained in management and governance, taking up positions within Hell Trading Company.

Both Witt, the giant who had been captured by slave traders, and Lily, the young giantess, had been granted Devil Fruit powers by El, making them powerful assets.

"I guess I'll go personally then..." El wiped the sweat from his brow, a cold smile forming on his face. "If it comes to it, we'll just let them win the auction and then steal everything afterward. It'll save us some money!"

"After all this time in the shadows, it's about time to step into the spotlight!" He stretched his wrists, the corner of his mouth lifting in a confident grin. Years of relentless training, mastery of his powers, and development of his Haki had brought him to a new level. As a natural-born monster, bearing the bloodline of the Lunarian race, El's strength had reached heights where he no longer feared even an Admiral.

While there might still be individuals out there he couldn't defeat, he doubted there was anyone who could kill him. The Fallen Angel Pirates, too, had grown far beyond their humble beginnings. It was time to stop hiding.

"That sounds exciting!" Gerd's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. After years of training under El's guidance, pushing her body and Devil Fruit abilities to the limit, she was eager to show her power to the world.

"I heard this auction will be special. There will be a young mermaid for sale, and even a slave from the nearly extinct Three-Eye Tribe!"

"Hmm?" El's previously casual demeanor shifted as his pupils contracted. "A Three-Eye Tribe member?"

"I knew that would catch your interest!" Gerd playfully flicked her hair, winking at him. "I've already looked into it—it's a young, beautiful girl!"

"You..." El chuckled, flicking her forehead in response.

He made no secret of his nature as a man who enjoyed the company of women. Monogamy? Lifelong devotion to one woman? That wasn't part of his life plan. As the one responsible for reviving the Lunarian race, he felt it was necessary to ensure the survival of his species, even if it meant embracing a more... prolific lifestyle.

Special women from unique races certainly piqued his interest. And as for concerns about differences in size? That wasn't an issue at all. The years he'd spent mastering "Life Return" were not in vain.