Prescribe the Right Medicine

"Now presenting Lot Number One!"

"A great pirate with a bounty of 35 million Beli—Gallo!"

At the host's booming announcement, a massive cage was pushed onto the stage, containing a burly man three meters tall with a robust build.

Gallo Comprehensive Rating: D-

"Gallo hails from West Blue, height 321 cm, age 31. He has killed a Marine Rear Admiral in West Blue, massacred three villages, and slain countless Marine soldiers..."

As the host introduced him, the bidders in the hall gasped repeatedly.

Though each detail recounted Gallo's murder of innocents and Marines, every one was a mark of his infamy, boosting his value.

Admiral Zephyr's fist slammed heavily into the armrest beside him. Fortunately, even in his anger, he controlled his strength—otherwise, that punch wouldn't just have shattered the chair but reduced the entire auction house to rubble.

"Serves him right!"

Just hearing Gallo's exploits, Zephyr felt that selling the man as a slave was still too merciful for such a scumbag.

Deep down, Zephyr still held strong feelings for the Marines. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stepped back to serve as an instructor.

Perhaps among the Marines Gallo had killed, there were students he had once taught.

"1 billion Beli, going once... 1 billion Beli, going twice... Sold!!!"

Gallo, with a bounty of 35 million Beli, ultimately sold for 1 billion Beli—nearly three times his actual bounty.

"If they captured him for a 35 million bounty, no wonder bounty hunters hand over pirates to these slave traders instead," Zephyr remarked.

This was his first time in a place like this. He'd only ever heard rumors before and never came to witness the dark side.

If Ross hadn't arranged to meet here today, he probably would never have set foot in such a place.

"It's because the Marines set the bounty standards that these scum became valuable."

Ross lounged lazily against his chair, glancing at the obese noblewoman who had bought Gallo, silently pitying Gallo for a second.

With Gallo's relatively tough vitality, that rich woman should be able to enjoy him for quite a while.

As for whether Gallo would resist... he certainly would, but anyone who could buy a slave of this caliber wasn't foolish enough to give the slave a chance to rebel.

"These scum deserve to be wiped out by any means necessary," Zephyr said flatly.

Lately, because of Roger's words, the seas had been stirred into chaos, with pirates multiplying by the hundreds and thousands.

These pirates had become the last straw, making life even more miserable for commoners who could barely survive, leaving desolation in their wake.

"I recall you were once called the 'Admiral Who Kills Not'?"

"Kills not... After what happened ten years ago, no one mentions that title anymore." Zephyr sighed softly.

As a child, he admired heroes. He joined the Marines young, climbed the ranks step by step, and became a Marine Admiral at 38.

Throughout that time, he had never killed a single pirate, only capturing them and sending them to Impel Down.

But then, at 42—ten years ago—his wife and children were brutally murdered by pirates while out on an outing. How could he not hate pirates?

Now, he wished he could slaughter every last one of them.

After that incident, he submitted his resignation, but Kong persuaded him to stay, retaining his Admiral rank while stepping back to the second line to train the next generation of Marines.

Over the years, pirates hadn't decreased because of his efforts. Instead, thanks to that bastard Roger, there were even more. Many of the Marines he trained had died in battle against pirates.

Sometimes, Zephyr felt lost.

What would it take to wipe out all pirates?

That was why he hadn't refused the World Government's orders and was willing to meet Ross today.

"What is Admiral Zephyr's greatest wish now?"

Ross spoke casually, his gaze sweeping over the fifth lot of the day.

The first five lots were all pirates—in fact, aside from the final highlight, every lot today was a pirate.

The auction house ran to make money and wouldn't dare defy the Celestial Dragons' decisions.

He knew there were other slaves here, but he didn't want to see them today, and neither did Zephyr, so none of them would appear.

"Greatest wish?"

Zephyr glanced at Ross. He was 52 now—he could clearly see Ross's intentions.

To be honest, he rather liked Ross.

Unlike other Celestial Dragons who flaunted their status from the start, even if Ross had used his Celestial Dragon identity to command him, as long as it didn't violate his sense of justice, he would have complied.

But in that case, don't expect him to hold any goodwill toward Ross.

And if Ross ever crossed the line, he might just destroy the man outright.

After all, no matter how high one's status, without power, they're just an ant waiting to be crushed.

At worst, he could flee to the New World and find some unaffiliated place to live in seclusion.

But Saint Ross's willingness to treat him with such respect still put Zephyr at ease.

Ross was willing to respect him, so he was willing to respect Ross in return.

So in his heart, the idea of becoming Ross's personal guard no longer felt so repulsive.

"My wish is simple—to make all pirates disappear."

Zephyr's fists clenched tightly, his gaze fixed on the pirate slave being auctioned on the stage. He recognized this man.

Ricard, bounty 50 million, user of the Mantis-Mantis Fruit.

Ricard

Overall Rating: D+

The bounty wasn't particularly high, but a female student he once taught had died at this man's hands.

That female student hadn't been especially talented; she couldn't withstand the high pressure of the Marine Training Camp and ultimately withdrew regretfully, reassigned to a branch in the Four Seas.

It was on her way to that post in the Four Seas that she was killed.

Zephyr had never forgotten this. He also regretted it—if only he'd set lower expectations for her, maybe this could have been avoided.

"200 million!!!"

Devil Fruit users commanded higher prices, and this was Saint Rosward's first bid.

After Saint Rosward's bid, the entire venue fell silent.

No one dared to bid against a Celestial Dragon; they feared becoming slaves in this auction themselves.

"300 million!"

Ross said lightly. This slave was meant for Zephyr anyway, so he wouldn't let Rosward take it.

"Someone's bidding against a Celestial Dragon?"

"What an idiot—that guy's finished!"

"You're done for, don't drag us down with you!"

"..."

Seeing Ross place a bid without the special attire of a Celestial Dragon, many in the crowd jumped up in fright, quietly edging toward the exit.

They didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

As everyone expected, Rosward wouldn't tolerate such behavior.

Under the averted gazes of the crowd, Rosward stood up, turned around, and shouted at Ross:

"Saint Ross, I knew you wouldn't miss such a fine toy, but I won't let you win today!"

"500 million Belly!!!"

Rosward spread his hand grandly, as if money meant nothing.

But at that moment, the others in the venue had no attention to spare for the shockingly high bid; instead, they stared at Ross in disbelief.

That man—was also a noble Celestial Dragon!?