Chapter 68

At the same time, inside the auction house...

The host, Disco, held the microphone, maintaining the atmosphere of the scene.

"Is everyone ready for some excitement?"

"Next up at the Human Auction is a highly recommended item!"

As Disco's voice fell, two staff members with weapons appeared on one side of the stage, leading a woman with a collar and handcuffs.

"Clang, clang..."

The sound of iron chains colliding rang out crisply.

Tears welled up in the woman's eyes as she lowered her head, lightly biting her red lips.

But Disco didn't care about her reluctance. In his eyes, this woman was merely a means to make money, a commodity.

In the next moment, Disco waved his hand and passionately introduced the auction item to the audience.

"Commodity number 15 is an exquisite beauty in slavery!"

"Take a look at her mesmerizing body proportions!"

"She's a 20-year-old dancer named Pascia! One of the hottest items today!"

"Those who obtain her cannot only enjoy Pascia's splendid dance but also experience heavenly bliss!"

"And now, let's start the bidding at 800,000 Berries!"

As soon as Disco's words were uttered, the crowd below began bidding one after another.

"One million Berries!"

"1.5 million Berries!"

"Three million Berries!"

In a short while, the bidding reached three million Berries!

Finally, the dancer Pascia was sold for three million Berries!

This scene enraged Sanji, who stood at the back of the team.

"Are they kidding me?! How can they treat a lady like that?!"

Meanwhile, on Grove No. 1...

Carnes and Albedo had also arrived on this Grove!

Not long after stepping foot on Grove No. 1, Carnes received some good news, or rather, encountered a person!

That person was none other than the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy!

Though it wasn't a formal encounter, Carnes had actually seen him, unmistakable with his iconic straw hat.

Sitting on the flying fish, Luffy shouted, "Grove No. 1!" as he flew toward the auction house.

From a distance, Carnes heard his voice.

And it was because of Luffy's appearance that Carnes confirmed Silvers Rayleigh's presence at the auction house on Grove No. 1!

Understanding this, Carnes immediately turned to Albedo.

"It seems we need to pick up the pace."

Simultaneously, as the seventeenth mermaid...

Camie was also brought forward on the stage for bidding.

The auction kicked off with Disco's energetic announcement.

Nami, who possessed a treasure worth 200 million Berries on board, quickly raised her bidding sign.

But just as she was about to bid...

The World Nobles in the front row, the Celestial Dragons, specifically Saint Charlos, stood up and loudly declared,

"500 million Berries!"

The price revealed by Saint Charlos sent shockwaves through the audience, widening their eyes.

Nami and the others' expressions changed dramatically.

Even the bidding sign in Nami's hand slipped to the ground in shock.

The price given by Saint Charlos completely exceeded the Straw Hat Pirates' financial capabilities.

The combined value of their treasures on the ship amounted to around 200 million Berries.

Yet, Saint Charlos directly shattered that with an astronomical price of 500 million Berries!

Upon hearing the price, everyone present let out sighs.

"Oh no, our opponent is too strong."

"500 million Berries is way beyond what we can handle."

At that moment, Saint Rosward, another Celestial Dragon, turned his gaze toward Saint Charlos.

"What a waste of money."

"Don't you already have mermaids in your tank?"

Saint Charlos smiled, not paying much attention to the remark.

"I want them to chase after me. Mermaids are said to be the fastest swimmers in the world, right?"

On the stage, Disco surveyed the now silent audience and spoke again.

"Ah~ It's completely silent here."

"So, let me ask a question."

"Is there any bid higher than 500 million?"

From the back, the sound of Disco preparing to conclude this round of the auction could be heard.

Chopper anxiously grabbed Sanji.

"Isn't there any other way?! Can't we find another solution? Sanji! Nami!"

However, upon hearing Chopper's plea, Nami clenched her fists, gritted her teeth in helplessness, and lowered her head.

At that moment, Sanji's deep voice resonated.

"Oh no! This wasn't expected."

"I thought we could solve this with money, but the situation is worsening!"

Sanji lifted his head, his expression dark, as he gazed at the stage.

Seeing no further bids, Disco continued.

"If there are no other offers, we'll conclude the auction."

Disco scanned the surroundings once more, but when no one else made a bid, he declared loudly,

"Time's up!"

"The auction will now come to a close."

However, before he could finish his final sentence...

A flying fish boat burst into the venue with a tremendous crash.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The impact created an enormous roar, smashing through the wall.

Even the bidders in the back rows were sent flying, screaming as they hit the ground.

"Ugh!"

"Boom~"

Thick dust filled the air, obscuring visibility.

Slowly emerging from the dust and mist, a boy wearing a straw hat walked out.

Sanji, upon clearly seeing the boy's appearance, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Luffy?!"

But Luffy didn't immediately respond to him. The first thing he did after adjusting his straw hat was turn around and yell.

"What are you doing?! Can't you land properly?!"

Upon hearing Luffy's words, the person piloting the flying fish boat grew furious and shouted.

"Impossible! This is a flying fish! You told me to rush in! You idiot!"

Luffy's grand entrance caught the attention of everyone in the venue.

Trafalgar Law, captain of the Heart Pirates and one of the member of Worst Generation, looked at Luffy's arrival and couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

"Now things are getting more interesting!"

On the other side, Eustass Kid, captain of the Kid Pirates and also a member of the Worst Generation, stared at Luffy's arrival in surprise.

"Isn't that Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates?"

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