The Weak

Cifer recalled that Doflamingo was indeed a notable figure in the underworld, and in the storyline, he even managed to get his hands on the Flame-Flame Fruit to lure Luffy.

It seemed he'd have to go get acquainted with this guy. Through him, the chances of finding the Small-Small Fruit would be much higher. Conveniently, one of his subordinates was right here, saving him a trip to the New World.

"The match is over!" A man in a full suit and vest, seeing only a white-haired swordsman still standing in the Colosseum, shouted into the microphone, "The victor is our Killer Demon—Captain Bite's subordinate! Aaah~ Yin~"

"Hahaha~ As expected of Ah Yin! Looks like next month's resource allocation rights are still mine!"

Bite stood up excitedly, surrounded by a wave of applause. Ah Yin had secured the allocation rights for him three months straight, yet she alone showed no joy on her face.

"Give us a smile~"

He walked into the arena, intending to sling an arm around Ah Yin's shoulder, only to find she was only half his height. He switched to giving her a couple of firm pats. Hearing this, Ah Yin could only force a fake smile.

Cifer had no interest in watching them gloat any longer. He vaulted over the Colosseum railing and strode in. Brother Kun tried desperately to pull him back but found he couldn't hold on.

"Kid? You want to join my crew?"

Bite looked at Cifer, who had come right up to him. He'd gotten used to this lately—whenever Ah Yin won, some brats always wanted to sign up under him, to become strong men.

"You're the Great Pirate with a 37 million bounty, right? Do you have any other Bounty Criminal companions around?"

Cifer cut straight to the chase, addressing Bite directly. By now, everyone felt the tension in the air. Some spectators who had been about to leave after the match stopped in their tracks, ready to watch a good show.

"Huh?" Bite's lips curled up wildly, as if he'd heard a joke. "What, are you a bounty hunter? Trying to take this captain's head worth 37 million? Hahaha..."

But suddenly, Bite felt something strange. He hadn't done anything at all, yet the world spun around him. Wait—wasn't that tall guy standing next to Ah Yin himself? Where had his head gone?

Until the last shred of consciousness faded from his mind, he never figured out how he'd been separated from his body in an instant.

"Run! He's a demon!"

Panic erupted among the spectators. For people stuck in this remote corner of the Grand Line, Bite with his 37 million bounty was already a big shot.

Seeing such a big shot killed in public at a single glance was terrifying to them. No one knew if Cifer might be a bloodthirsty pirate who killed without mercy.

Tens of thousands began shoving and scrambling to flee, cries and wails filling the entire arena.

"Silence."

A tidal wave of Spiritual Pressure swept across the entire Colosseum and stands. The once-chaotic crowd instantly lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground, leaving only Cifer, Ah Yin, and Brother Kun.

Brother Kun's legs were trembling with fear. When Cifer had entered the arena earlier, he'd sensed something was off, but he never imagined the man was this terrifying!

"Are you his companion?" Cifer tore off Bite's shirt to wrap up his head. Dirty as it was, it was still worth 37 million.

"I'm just a refugee who drifted to this island! I only joined him because I couldn't afford food! Aside from the Colosseum matches, we have nothing to do with each other!"

Ah Yin quickly distanced herself, terrified of being implicated and split in two next. This man was far, far stronger than her—she didn't even know when her sword had been taken.

"Are there any other Bounty Criminals among his companions?"

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

Cifer didn't bother continuing the conversation. Picking up the bundle, he turned to Brother Kun: "Let's go. Take me to the Auction House."

"Yes!"

Brother Kun was now on edge, even wondering if Cifer would kill him once they reached the Auction House. After all, he looked like a demon who wouldn't blink at murder!

Ah Yin stared at the headless corpse on the ground and the tens of thousands unconscious around her. On a sudden impulse, she rushed behind Cifer and dropped to her knees: "Please, sir, take me as your subordinate!"

Cifer didn't stop, didn't even respond. If every time he showed his strength, someone wanted to join him, and he bothered to acknowledge them all, it would be far too tedious.

Yute Bligh had at least knelt to follow him because Cifer had saved his life. This Ah Yin was nothing but a slave bowing to power.

The world was full of strong men like fish crossing a river. Those who submitted to Cifer's strength today would one day betray him for another's power—or their own.

Cifer was looking for companions—people willing to walk with him to the end, willing to give everything to overturn this world alongside him.

Seeing Cifer give no response, Brother Kun could only hurry to follow. Ah Yin remained kneeling on the ground, never rising even after Cifer had left. No one knew what was going through her mind.

The Auction House was close. With Brother Kun leading the way, they reached a massive circular building in just over ten minutes.

"Please present your invitation!"

Just as they tried to enter, the armed guards at the door stopped them.

Brother Kun looked nervously at Cifer. Back at the Colosseum, the islanders had given him enough face to squeeze in, but the Auction House didn't care about that.

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

Cifer didn't force his way in. He still needed Doflamingo to help find the Small-Small Fruit, so there was no need to start off on bad terms. Besides, he was confident that with Doflamingo's personality, his men would know who he was.

"What? Someone wants to see me?" The Auction House boss was lounging in a private booth, sipping red wine and enjoying the sweet sounds of transactions closing, when a guard interrupted. "Not interested!"

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

"What?!!"

He shot up from his chair, not even caring that red wine had splashed all over his jacket.

How could he not know Cifer's name? The young master had given strict orders—if they ever ran into this man, they had to win him over.

Besides, being in the underworld, how could he not know about the Sabaody Archipelago incident that had shaken the entire world not long ago?

There was no time to change clothes. He ripped off his jacket, ordered the maids to wipe up the spilled wine, then hurried after the guard, sprinting toward the Auction House entrance.

Brother Kun's mind was on the verge of collapse. He desperately wanted to flee this place. The pressure of being near Cifer was overwhelming—especially with that bundle in his hands.

He was just a little old man who never bullied civilians and was always happy to help others—so why had he taken that demon's money to lead the way for him?

Maybe in a little while, the demon would kill him for it, or after he left, that Bait's men would pin everything on his head!

Brother Kun only wanted to hurry home, grab his family, and hide somewhere with no people around. As for leaving? The docks were full of wolves in sheep's clothing; even your skin would get stripped off if you went there.

"Mr. Cifer! Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm the owner of this Auction House—just call me Bater."

The moment Bater saw Cifer, his whole body wanted to turn and run. A man with the strength of an Admiral and the guts to kill a Celestial Dragon—in Bater's eyes, this person was clearly a madman!

"I want to speak with your boss. You know who I mean." Sitting in the booth that originally belonged to Bater, Cifer told him to take out a Den Den Mushi.

"Bruu~ Bruu~"

The call connected.

"What's up, Bater?"

"I am Ulquiorra Cifer."