Sabaody: Bubbles and the Auction Hammer (Part 1)

Sabaody Archipelago.

The roots of the enormous Yalkiman mangrove rose from the sea, piercing the sky, their canopies blocking out the sun. Countless bubbles rose from the ground, refracting the sunlight into a rainbow of colors, filling the entire sky.

The Void slowly sailed into the port.

Lin Yuan stood at the bow of the ship, holding a water cup. Kaido leaned against the railing, looking up at the sky full of bubbles. "This place... is all bubbles."

"Sabaody resin bubbles." Bullet flexed his wrist. "That's the stuff used for ship coatings."

Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, accompanied by the rustling sound of turning pages, "The coating craftsman is in area thirteen. That old man has the best skills, but he has a terrible temper. Don't argue with him; you can't win."

Lin Yuan put down his water glass. "Jin, Huijin, you two guard the ship."

Jhin didn't speak, he just nodded. Huijin stood beside him, also silent.

"Kuma, you stay too. The boat needs someone to steer it."

Kuma nodded.

Kaido slung the Iron Club over his shoulder. "And what about me?"

"The rest of you go ashore together to purchase supplies. Remember, try to avoid conflict."

Lin Yuan raised his hand and opened a door, behind which lay the streets of Sabaody. Kaido went in first, followed by Bullet, then Moria dawdled in, with Inazuma bringing up the rear. Lin Yuan passed through the door, which closed behind him.

Area 13. Coating Workshop.

The craftsman was an old man, wearing goggles, his face full of wrinkles, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, the ash long but not falling off. He squatted down next to the Void, examining it from head to toe for a long time, then tapped on the hull and listened to the sound.

"This ship, with Treasure Tree Adam's keel?"

"Right."

"Hmm, five Sea King Cannons, powered by Wind Dial, 260 meters long." The old man exhaled a puff of smoke. "You're pirates?"

"Yes."

How much is the bounty?

"Two billion."

The old man glanced at Lin Yuan, then at Kaido, then at Bullet. "... A pirate with a 2 billion bounty coming to apply coating? I'd be more than happy to welcome that! Hahaha!"

The old man finished laughing and said, "Five hundred million Beli. Three weeks to complete."

Kaido's eyes widened. "Five hundred million? Why don't you just rob someone?"

"Resin prices have gone up, and labor costs are high too. Your boat is so big; the resin you've used is enough to plate three other boats." The old man glanced at him sideways. "Take it or leave it. We have so many orders lately; the queue stretches into next month."

"Three hundred million. Two weeks." Lin Yuan could tell at a glance that the old man was just haggling.

"Four hundred and fifty million, two and a half weeks."

"Three hundred million five hundred million, two and a half weeks."

Four hundred million.

"Three hundred million. If that doesn't work, we'll look elsewhere."

The old man stared at Lin Yuan for a few seconds, then stubbed out his cigarette. "... Three hundred million, deal, but payment must be made first before work begins."

Lin Yuan took out a stack of Beli tickets from his pocket, counted out 35,000, and slapped them on the table.

The old man counted them and put them in his pocket. "Come back in two and a half weeks to pick them up. Don't cause trouble; quite a few pirates get caught here every year."

Kaido muttered, "Three hundred million... how much meat can that buy..."

The old man didn't even look up. "If you keep nagging, I'll add another hundred million."

Kaido shut up.

The coating process will take two and a half weeks. Lin Yuan and the others can use that time to explore the island.

Sabaody has plenty of delicious food. There's a shop that sells "Bubble Coffee," with a thick layer of milk foam floating on top and bitter coffee underneath. Kaido downed it in one gulp and said it had no taste. Bullet sipped it slowly and said it was alright.

There was also a stall selling "Giant Takoyaki," with octopus legs thicker than an arm, and one skewer was enough for a meal. Kaido five skewers, Bullet ate three, Moria was full after one, and Inazuma ate one and a half.

There was a shop that sold "Red Tree Juice," which was blue and would turn your tongue blue for several days after drinking it. Kaido didn't believe it and drank a cup—his tongue remained blue for three days. Bullet didn't drink any. Inazuma took a sip, and his tongue turned slightly blue, but the blueness disappeared the next day.

A bubble artist was performing by the roadside, blowing bubbles into various shapes—dinosaurs, Sea Kings, and even a dragon imitating Kaido. Kaido's face darkened for a moment, Bullet said expressionlessly, "Pretty much." Kaido snorted and threw a bag of Beli at him.

Moria saw a sign for a "haunted house" and insisted on going inside. Inazuma followed him in. Less than five minutes later, Moria ran out, his face deathly pale, even paler than usual.

"Are you alright?" Inazuma asked.

"It's nothing... it's just too dark in there..."

"You play with shadows. Shadows are afraid of the dark? Come on, let's take a picture to remember this."

Moria ignored him.

Inazuma bought a few pairs of scissors on the street. "The steel here is good." He tried them on, ran his finger along the blade, and it chipped. The shopkeeper turned green. Inazuma paid for the replacements and bought three more pairs.

Lin Yuan bought several Bubble Toys at a toy store—small animals made of bubbles that could float in the air. "I'll take them back to Ginny," he said.

Ginny heard from the Den Den Mushi, "I'm not a child!" but she didn't say she wouldn't accept it.

Lin Yuan returned to the port every few days to check on the coating progress. The old craftsman held a brush and applied the coating bit by bit, as slowly as if he were embroidering.

"What's the rush?" The old man didn't even look up. "If the membrane is coated too thickly, it won't break when we dive. If it's too thin, it'll break and you'll all die."

Lin Yuan didn't urge him.

Two days before the end of the two and a half weeks. On the evening of the thirteenth day, Lin Yuan stood at the port, watching as the bottom of the Void was mostly covered by a transparent resin film, gleaming golden in the setting sun.

"It'll be ready soon," the craftsman said. "We can launch it the day after tomorrow."

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Ginny, when is the auction going on recently?"

Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi: "There's an auction tomorrow afternoon. There might be Fish-Man slaves at the auction. Aren't you going to Fish-Man Island? You can buy one to be a guide. Plus, you'll need a favor from people on Fish-Man Island later."

"Knew."

Day 14, afternoon.

The auction was held in Zone 12 of the Sabaody Archipelago, in a luxurious building. Two rows of bodyguards stood at the entrance, and proof of funds was required to enter. Lin Yuan showed a stack of Beli receipts, and the bodyguards stepped aside.

The auction house was far more luxurious inside than outside. Crystal chandeliers, mahogany chairs, and the stands were packed with people—nobles, pirates, underground merchants, and all sorts of people dressed in all sorts of clothes.

Kaido sat down, and the chair creaked. "This chair... is too narrow."

"You're too big." Bullet sat down next to him.

Moria huddled in the last row, his shadow spread out at his feet. Inazuma sat beside him, twirling scissors in his hand.

The host stood on the stage, dressed in a suit and tie, with slicked-back hair and a wooden mallet in his hand.

Distinguished guests! Welcome to today's auction!

The first item up for auction was a rare diamond necklace, said to be the heirloom of a royal queen. The ladies eagerly raised their paddles, but it was ultimately bought by the wife of a Celestial Dragons for 200 million Beli.

The second item was a fragment of an Ancient Weapon's design blueprint. The auctioneer touted it as "possibly part of Pluton." Some in the audience believed him and bid up to 80 million. Bullet whispered, "It's fake." Kaido: "How do you know?" Bullet: "A real one wouldn't be put up for sale." Lin Yuan didn't raise his paddle.

The third item was a Devil Fruit, Zoan Cat-Cat Fruit in Saber-toothed Tiger form. Several merchants bid against each other, and it was finally sold for 220 million.

The atmosphere in the audience heated up.

The host cleared his throat, his tone becoming excited. "Distinguished guests! Next up is today's grand finale!"

The red cloth was lifted. An iron cage.

Inside the cage was a young Fish-Man Girl. She had light blue skin, silver-white hair, and deep blue eyes, like two pools of seawater. Her body was covered in wounds, her clothes were tattered, and she huddled in the corner of the cage, trembling all over. Around her neck was a black metal collar—a bomb collar.

The host pointed to the collar. "This is a bomb collar. We have the key. Whoever bids for it gets the key. Starting bid: 50 million Beli!"

Bidding began from the audience.

Sixty million!

Seventy million!

"Eighty million!"

The bidding soared to 320 million. The host raised the gavel. "320 million! Anything higher?"

Lin Yuan raised his hand. "Three hundred and fifty million."

A moment of silence fell over the room. Some people recognized him, and their expressions changed. Most didn't know him; they were simply curious—who was so rich?

The host grinned from ear to ear. "Three hundred and fifty million! Is there any more—"

The mallet hadn't even fallen yet.

The auction house doors were kicked open.

A Celestial Dragons wearing a bubble shield walked in. He was dressed in a white robe, carrying a golden cane, and followed by four or five attendants, as well as two CP0 agents—wearing white suits and masks, exuding a cold aura.

"That Fish-Man, I'll take him." The Celestial Dragons's voice was lazy, as if he were commenting on the nice weather. "How much?"

The host's face changed from a smile to obsequiousness. "Saint Charlos! You've arrived! This Fish-Man —is now worth 350 million Beli."

The Celestial Dragons nodded and swaggered onto the stage.

The Fish-Man Girl huddled in the corner of the cage, trembling, her deep blue eyes filled with terror. The Celestial Dragons reached out and grabbed her hair.

Bullet stood up. A flash.

He punched a Celestial Dragons in the face.

"Bang--"

The Celestial Dragons was sent flying, crashing through the auction house wall and landing on the street outside. His bubble mask shattered, blood streamed from his nose, and he twitched twice before going still.

The entire arena erupted in chaos. Nobles screamed, bodyguards drew their guns, and the crowd scattered in panic. Kaido paused for a moment, then roared in fury, "Bullet! You stole my head!"

Haha! You're not as fast as me.

"... I'll come next time!"

CP0 emerged from the shadows, and two masked men blocked Bullet's path.

"Lin Yuan, you all fought against the Celestial Dragons. You all must die." The CP0's voice came from behind the mask, devoid of emotion.

"Hahaha," Lin Yuan laughed as he stood up.

He walked onto the stage and squatted in front of the iron cage. The Fish-Man Girl looked at him in terror, trembling like a leaf.

"Don't move," Lin Yuan said.

He raised his hand and lightly traced a line with his fingertips near the Fish-Man Girl's neck.

With a single Space Cutting, the bomb collar was silently cut in two, detached from the Fish-Man's neck, and fell to the ground.

The Fish-Man Girl froze, her eyes wide. "You... you don't need a key..."

"No need. You're free now." Lin Yuan cut off the iron cage door and stretched out his hand. "Are you coming or not?"

The Fish-Man Girl looked at his hand, then at the broken collar on the ground. Tears welled up in her deep blue eyes. She nodded frantically.

Lin Yuan pulled her out. The Fish-Man Girl's legs were weak and she couldn't stand steadily. Inazuma had already run onto the stage at some point and supported her.

"Let's go," Lin Yuan said.

CP0 has already started fighting Kaido and Bullet.

A CP0 member thrust Shigan at Bullet's throat, Bullet dodged it and punched the attacker in the chest. The CP0 member took two steps back, his Armament Haki blocking most of the impact.

Another CP0 member ambushed Kaido from the side. Kaido swung his Iron Club, but the attacker leaped to dodge and then delivered a Rankyaku kick to Kaido's neck. Kaido didn't dodge, Rankyaku kick left a white mark on his neck.

"That's it?" Kaido grinned.

Lin Yuan didn't participate. He raised his hand and opened a door under the feet of the two CP0s. Behind the doors was the street outside the auction house. The two men lost their footing and fell. But they reacted quickly; one braced himself against the door frame with his hand, while the other used Armament Haki Hardening his foot and wed it against the door.

"Trying to get rid of us? Not so easy," one of them said coldly.

Lin Yuan opened another door. This time, the door opened above their heads, and behind it was the sky above the street outside the auction house. The two of them were sucked in by the door below and then pulled up by the door above them, tumbling out in a sorry state.

"Withdraw," Lin Yuan said.

He raised his hand and opened a huge door, behind which was the deck of the Void.

Kaido rushed in first. Bullet followed behind. Inazuma helped the Fish-Man Girl through the door. Moria withdrew his shadow and scrambled inside. Lin Yuan was the last to enter. The door closed.

On the deck of the Void.

The Fish-Man Girl sat on the deck, hugging her knees, still trembling. Inazuma took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

Ginny's voice boomed from the Den Den Mushi, filled with shock and a "I heard it all on Hachinosu" vibe. "Lin Yuan! You guys beat up Celestial Dragons at the auction house?!"

"I hit him."

"How many did you hit?"

"One."

Is he still alive?

He should still be alive.

Ginny took a deep breath. "Marine Headquarters has received the news. Sengoku personally ordered that Garp might be deployed. CP0 is also assembling. You guys run!"

Lin Yuan looked towards the harbor. The ship was still being coated; only a large portion of the resin film had been applied, and it gleamed wetly in the sunlight.

"Craftsman, is the boat ready to sail?"

The craftsman poked his head out of the workshop, "What's the rush? We still need to finish the last touches! If we start the film rolling now, it'll be ruined!"

"Sail it out to sea for further plating. More money required."

How much?

Three hundred million.

The craftsman paused for a second. "... Alright. Continue on the open sea. You guys hold on."

The Void sailed out of the port.

The Sabaody Archipelago receded into the distance, but on the distant sea, three warships were closing in at full speed. A tall man stood at the bow of the lead ship, wearing a naval "Justice" cloak and a dog-head hat. He held a senbei (rice cracker) in his hand, took a bite, and grinned.

Ginny's voice tightened. "Garp! Garp himself is here! Lin Yuan."

Kaido took the Iron Club off his shoulder. "Garp? That guy who chased Roger? The Marine hero."

Bullet clenched his fist. "He's coming after us."

Lin Yuan looked at the warships getting closer and closer behind him. "You go first. I'll cover the rear."

"You're alone?" Kaido frowned.

"Don't worry, even if I can't beat them, I can run away."

Lin Yuan stood at the stern, raised his hand to open a door, and walked out onto the sea. He stood on the Micro Door, suspended in mid-air, facing Garp's warship.

Garp stood at the bow of the ship, clenching his fist, a half-eaten senbei. He looked at Lin Yuan, his gaze lingering on Lin Yuan's face for a few seconds, the curve of his lips slightly changing—not a smile, but an expression of "So it was you."

"So you're Lin Yuan? That brat who was taught by Zephyr?"

(End of Chapter 90)