Chapter 51: To the Auction

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After Fergus finished his report, he remained standing there. 

Byakuya asked, "Is there something else you need to say?" Fergus hesitated for a moment before speaking, 

"Rear Admiral Byakuya, there's an auction at Doflamingo's auction house today. They're selling items like Devil Fruits and slaves."

"They didn't notify us?"

"No..."

"Alright, I understand. You can go and attend to other matters now," Byakuya said. 

Fergus gave Byakuya a puzzled look but didn't say anything further and left the office.

Fergus never quite understood. Byakuya had issued five rules, aiming to transform this lawless area into one governed by the Marine. 

Yet, these past days, Byakuya seemed to turn a blind eye to those violating the rules, acting as if nothing had changed since the rules were set. 

Some brazen pirates even attacked patrolling soldiers. 

If not for the fact that these pirates knew the Marine headquarters was just half a day's journey away, preventing them from killing, the casualties among the soldiers would have been in double digits. 

Yet Byakuya still showed no reaction. He merely recalled all patrolling soldiers and acted as if the incident had never happened.

This led many in the lawless area to openly mock the Marines, claiming their rules were worthless. 

Pirates injuring Marine soldiers without any retaliation made it laughable to think the Marines could change the rules of the lawless area. 

Even many soldiers began to complain about Byakuya's regulations, believing that if not for his rules, the pirates wouldn't have reacted so strongly against the Marines. 

Some mid-level officers thought Byakuya was too young and idealistic, failing to consider the consequences. 

They planned to propose that Byakuya revoke the five rules and restore the archipelago to its previous state. 

The more extreme ones even considered suggesting to Marine headquarters that someone else should be appointed to manage the Sabaody Archipelago.

Fergus believed Byakuya was aware of these issues, yet he showed no reaction, allowing things to unfold as they might. 

If Fergus hadn't worked with Byakuya for six months and witnessed his 'ruthless' methods, he might have been just as perplexed.

It was likely that Fergus's thoughts mirrored those of the other soldiers. 

If things continued this way, Byakuya and the Marine in Sabaody would become laughingstocks. 

Despite this, Fergus still believed that Byakuya had his reasons for acting as he did, so he refrained from bringing up these matters directly to him.

Byakuya watched Fergus leave without saying much. He knew exactly what Fergus was thinking and was well aware of the rumors spreading outside. 

All of this was part of his deliberate plan. Byakuya didn't want to waste time dealing with these individuals on the Sabaody Archipelago. 

He aimed to resolve the situation once and for all without leaving any loose ends. 

The best approach was to let the situation escalate, allowing those who believed the Marines were powerless to control them to act out more brazenly. 

When enough troublemakers emerged, Byakuya would round them all up in one fell swoop. 

The more they enjoyed their freedom now, the more they'd suffer later. This method is commonly known as "fishing enforcement."

However, simply waiting wasn't Byakuya's style. Upon hearing about Doflamingo's auction, he knew exactly what he needed to do today. 

He had promised Lacy to avenge Captain Hall and the other soldiers. Today, he would collect some interest at the auction house. 

"Smoker, get ready. I'm taking you out to see the world today!"

Byakuya and Smoker had no intention of being discreet as they headed to the auction. 

Both donned their Rear Admiral uniforms from the Marine headquarters, complete with pristine justice capes, making them highly conspicuous. 

They strutted down the street, practically begging to be noticed. 

Unfortunately, instead of fear or panic, they were met with disdainful and hateful glares. 

It seemed that if these two weren't Marine Rear Admirals, people would have no qualms about leaving dirty footprints on their immaculate uniforms. 

Even Smoker, with his usual thick skin, felt an unusual sense of embarrassment and irritation, wanting nothing more than to beat down everyone who looked at them with such contempt. 

Yet, he couldn't help but admire Byakuya's composure, who appeared completely unfazed by the hostile stares.

Smoker had to respect Byakuya's resolve. At just eighteen, Byakuya not only possessed immense strength but also remarkable patience. 

Truly, he was a man worth following. 

As Smoker was lost in these thoughts, he suddenly noticed Byakuya pulling out a Transponder Snail and starting to film the surrounding people and shops, muttering to himself as he did.

"This guy over here insulted me. You're done for."

"The shopkeeper over there looked at me with disdain. Your store is finished."

"..."

Hearing Byakuya muttering to himself, Smoker almost fell to his knees in disbelief. 'What kind of play was this? You sure know how to hold a grudge.

The respect Smoker had just felt for Byakuya was promptly plumet to zero.

The two continued walking until they reached the auction house. Only then did Byakuya reluctantly put away the Transponder Snail. 

"I only noted down 187 people today. Too few." 

To Byakuya, remembering someone meant another opportunity to make money—there's no such thing as too much money. 

"Smoker, we'll come out here every day. I want to see how many people on Sabaody are worth killing." 

Smoker thought to himself, This is the ruthless killer I remember! No matter how shameless he could be, when it came to killing, he didn't hold back.

As they approached the auction entrance, they were stopped by two security guards. 

The guard on the left raised his chin arrogantly, "Please show your invitation. Guests without invitations are not allowed inside." 

It was as if the two Marine Rear Admirals, Byakuya and Smoker, were less significant than the doorman. 

Smoker, clearly irritated, said, "Are those eyes just for show? Can't you see we're Marine Rear Admirals?"

Despite Smoker's threat, the guard remained unfazed, responding coldly, 

"No invitation, no entry. That's the auction house's rule." 

Just as Smoker was about to lose his temper, a woman's light laugh rang out from the side. 

Byakuya and Smoker turned to see a couple standing nearby. 

The man, with a pale face and deep-set eyes, wore a sharp suit, looking quite the dandy. 

The woman, in a backless dress and heavily made-up, drew many looks from passersby.

<End Chapter>

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