The Weak

Cifer recalled that Doflamingo was indeed a notable figure in the underworld. In the original story, he had even managed to obtain the Flame-Flame Fruit to lure Luffy.

It seemed he would have to get acquainted with that guy. His chances of finding the Small-Small Fruit through him would be much higher, and since one of Doflamingo's subordinates was here, he would not need to make a trip to the New World.

"The match is over!" A man in a suit and vest shouted into a microphone as he looked at the white-haired, muscular swordsman who was the only one still standing in the Colosseum. "The winner is A~ Yin~, subordinate of our Killer Demon—Captain Bite!"

"Hahaha! Just as expected of A Yin. Looks like next month's resource allocation rights will still be in my hands!"

Bait rose excitedly as endless applause rang out around him. A Yin had secured the allocation rights for him for three straight months, yet there was no joy on A Yin's face.

"Give me a smile, will you?"

He entered the arena and had originally intended to throw an arm around A Yin's shoulders. When he realized A Yin was only half his height, he changed his mind and gave him two hard pats instead. A Yin could only force a token fake smile.

Cifer had no interest in watching them bask in their triumph any longer. He vaulted over the arena railing and walked inside. Brother Kun tried hard to pull him back, only to find that he could not move him at all.

"Kid, are you looking to join my crew?"

Bait looked at Cifer as he approached. He had grown used to this lately. Whenever A Yin won, some brat would always want to join him and become a strong man.

"You're the Great Pirate with a 37 million Bounty, right? Do you have any other Bounty Criminals among your companions?"

Cifer got straight to the point and questioned Bait himself. Everyone immediately sensed that something was wrong. Some spectators who had been preparing to leave after the Colosseum match stopped as well, eager to watch the show.

"Hm?" Bait's lips curled upward wildly, as if he had heard a joke. "Are you a bounty hunter? You want to take this captain's head, worth 37 million? Hahaha..."

But Bait suddenly felt something strange. He had clearly done nothing, yet the world spun around him. Wait, wasn't that tall person standing beside A Yin him? Where had his head gone?

Until the last trace of consciousness vanished from his mind, he could not understand how he had been separated from his head in an instant.

"Run! It's a demon!"

The spectators began to panic. To people living in this remote part of the Grand Line, Bait, with his 37 million Bounty, was already an incredible figure.

For someone like that to be killed in public with a single exchange was terrifying. No one knew whether Cifer was a pirate who slaughtered without restraint.

Tens of thousands of people began shoving one another as they desperately tried to flee. Cries and screams filled the entire arena.

"Quiet."

Spiritual Pressure surged like a tide through the entire Colosseum and its stands. The once bustling crowd instantly lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground, leaving only Cifer, A Yin, and Brother Kun standing.

Brother Kun's legs were already trembling in terror. The moment Cifer entered the arena, he had felt that things were going wrong. He had never imagined Cifer was such a terrifying man!

"You were this guy's companion?" Cifer tore off Bait's shirt and wrapped up his head. It was a little dirty, but it was worth 37 million.

"I'm just a refugee who drifted onto this island! I only chose to rely on him because I couldn't afford food! We had no contact besides the Colosseum matches!"

A Yin hurriedly distanced himself from Bait, terrified that he would be implicated and split in two the next moment. The man before him was far, far stronger than he was. He had not even noticed when his sword had been taken.

"Were there any Bounty Criminals among his companions?"

"Um... I don't think so..."

Cifer had no intention of continuing the conversation. Carrying the bundle, he walked toward Brother Kun. "Let's go. Take me to the Auction House."

"Yes!"

Brother Kun became even more restrained. He was even wondering whether Cifer would kill him after he led him to the Auction House. After all, he looked like a demon who killed without blinking!

A Yin looked at the headless corpse on the ground and the tens of thousands of unconscious people. In a burst of impulse, he rushed behind Cifer and dropped to his knees. "My lord, please accept me as your subordinate!"

Cifer did not stop or even respond. If someone wanted to become his companion every time he displayed his strength, and he paid attention to them every time, that would be far too boring.

Yute Bligh had at least knelt and asked to follow him because Cifer had saved his life. This A Yin was merely a slave who submitted to power.

There were as many strong people in the world as fish crossing a river. Those who submitted to Cifer because of his strength would one day betray him because of someone else's strength, or their own.

What Cifer sought were companions—people willing to walk with him to the end, people willing to give everything to overturn this world with him.

Seeing that Cifer did not respond, Brother Kun could only hurry after him. A Yin remained kneeling on the ground and did not rise even after Cifer left. No one knew what he was thinking.

The Auction House was nearby. Led by Brother Kun, they arrived before a massive circular building in little more than ten minutes.

"Please show your invitations!"

Just as they were about to enter, armed guards at the entrance stopped them.

Brother Kun nervously looked at Cifer. At the Colosseum, he could squeeze his way in if the islanders gave him some face, but no one at the Auction House would do that for him.

"Tell your boss that my name is Ulquiorra Cifer. I have a deal to discuss with him."

Cifer did not force his way in. He still needed Doflamingo's help to find the Small-Small Fruit, so there was no need to make things hostile from the start. Besides, he believed that with Doflamingo's personality, his subordinates could not possibly be unaware of him.

"What? Someone wants to see me?" The boss of the Auction House was sitting in a private room with his legs crossed, drinking red wine and listening to the pleasant sounds of deals being struck at the auction, when a gate guard interrupted him. "Not seeing him!"

"He said his name is Ulquiorra Cifer! He has a deal to discuss with you."

"What?!!"

He sprang directly out of his chair, not caring in the slightest that red wine had spilled all over his coat.

How could he not know Cifer's name? The young master had given a strict order: if they encountered this man, they were to find a way to recruit him.

Besides, being part of the underworld, how could he not know about the Sabaody Archipelago incident that had shaken the entire world some time ago?

There was no time to change clothes. He immediately took off his coat, ordered the attendants to wipe up every drop of spilled wine, then followed the guard and rushed toward the Auction House entrance.

Brother Kun was on the verge of breaking down. He desperately wanted to escape this place. The pressure he felt beside Cifer was far too great, especially with that bundle in Cifer's hand.

I'm just a little old man who never bullies civilians and enjoys helping others. Why did I have to take this demon's money and guide him?

Maybe he'll kill me over this later. Or after he leaves, Bait's subordinates will blame everything on me!

Brother Kun only wanted to go home quickly, take his family, and hide somewhere deserted. Leave? The people around the harbor would eat him alive. If he went there, they would skin him alive.

"Mr. Cifer! Sorry to keep you waiting. I am the owner of this Auction House. Just call me Bater."

The moment Bater saw Cifer, his entire body wanted to retreat. With Admiral-level strength and the audacity to kill Celestial Dragons, the man before him was undoubtedly a madman in his eyes!

"I want to speak with your boss. You know who I mean." Sitting in the seat that had originally belonged to Bater in the private room, Cifer told him to bring out the Den Den Mushi.

"Buru~ Buru~"

The call connected.

"What is it, Bater?"

"This is Ulquiorra Cifer."