Auction

Kalifa, having "escaped" from Senga's office, leaned against the wall of a room, her right hand in a black leather glove pressed against her chest, where her heart was still racing.

Huff... After taking a deep breath, Kalifa calmed herself slightly, then reached into her cleavage and somehow pulled out a Den Den Mushi, dialing someone.

After a brief wait, the Den Den Mushi reacted. Its face turned feminine as it opened its mouth and spoke.

"This is Stussy. What do you have to report, Kalifa?"

That was right. Kalifa had called her current direct superior, Stussy of CP0.

Every matter that had occurred today was extremely important intelligence. As a qualified spy, she would not let personal emotions interfere with her work.

"Today, the surveillance target, Uchiha Senga, went to the lawless area of No. 16 and wiped out the Blood Rat Pirates."

"Oh? Were there any survivors?"

"Not one. Every pirate had their internal organs crushed by that strange ability of his. Captain Jerry was even slapped into a pile of meat paste by his pet cat."

"It seems Uchiha Senga's methods lean rather heavily toward the hawkish side. That is a good thing. And regarding that pet cat, tell me in detail."

"According to Uchiha Senga himself, he fed the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit he previously received as an assessment reward to his pet. That black cat possesses immense Battle Power and can use Black Flame with freezing properties. Blood Rat Jerry, whose bounty was 120 million, was like a toy before it."

"A Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit? Such Battle Power makes sense, then. Good, this intelligence is very valuable. Is there anything else to add?"

Kalifa pursed her lips and spoke with some difficulty.

"Uchiha Senga seems... interested in me."

"What do you mean? Are you referring to...?"

"He wants me to become his woman. Including that kind of relationship between a man and a woman."

"...Hehe. I never expected our new Marine star to have such tastes. But this is good news. Do not give in too easily yet. Continue observing him. Uchiha Senga will certainly become one of the Marines' top combat forces in the future. If we can use this method to make him fully side with the World Government, it will be a great achievement for both you and me. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Kalifa let out a soft breath. Just as she had expected, sacrificing herself in exchange for Uchiha Senga's favor was an extremely worthwhile deal in the eyes of the government's upper ranks.

But was she really just going to become a sacrifice? Uchiha Senga was indeed handsome, powerful, and gave off a strong sense of security, but...

Forget it. At this point, she could only take things one step at a time. The games played by those powerful figures were not something a rookie spy like her could influence. All she could do now was quickly arrange Senga's itinerary and prepare for tomorrow's auction.

Early the next morning, Senga set off for Area 1. This time, he brought only Metis and Kalifa. He was not wearing a Marine uniform either, but his favorite black robe. It could be said that he was keeping a very low profile this time.

Even so, the moment Senga and his group entered the auction house, they drew most of the attention.

News of Senga's destruction of the Blood Rat Pirates had spread throughout the Sabaody Archipelago in an extremely short time. Many important figures had even memorized his portrait, so he was recognized as soon as he entered the auction house.

"That man is Uchiha Senga, the Marine Colonel newly sent from Headquarters? He is really young."

"Indeed. I heard from a friend at Headquarters that Uchiha Senga took first place in this year's Marine elite Training Camp. He even defeated a Vice Admiral in the Year-end assessment. Because he was too strong, he was assigned here ahead of schedule."

"He also slaughtered the Blood Rat Pirates yesterday. Young people are full of vigor. Some of Sabaody's pirates are going to be in trouble."

"Relax. Some important figures will not let him cause too much trouble. You know what I mean."

After taking seats in a good location, Senga praised Kalifa's professional ability once again. She must have secured these seats in advance too. Ever since she had come along, Senga felt like he was becoming a lazy man.

Kalifa's expression did not change. She adjusted her glasses and sat beside Senga, only for him to pull her over the instant she sat down, pressing her entire body against his.

This time, Kalifa only made a token struggle before ceasing to resist. She merely turned her head and glared at Senga. Senga smiled, lightly patting her shoulder with the arm around her as he said,

"The auction is about to begin. Behave yourself."

You are the one who is not behaving! Kalifa helplessly adjusted her posture and looked toward the stage below.

After an opening dance, a host took the stage and announced the start of the auction.

The first item wheeled onto the stage was a Mermaid race girl soaking in a water tank. Her appearance could only be called average, but rarity had its value. In the eyes of many nobles with unusual tastes, the fish tail on the lower half of a mermaid was a huge bonus.

Once the host announced the beginning of the bidding, many people began raising their bids one after another. Before long, the Mermaid race girl's price had surpassed 100 million, leaving even Senga clicking his tongue in amazement.

"These people really are rich."

Kalifa glanced at Senga and said,

"Are you not interested? She is from the Mermaid race. Even auctions here do not have them every day."

Smack! Senga gave a hard slap to a certain part of Kalifa's body. She cried out, her face flushing red as she looked at him and lowered her voice.

"Colonel Senga, that is sexual harassment!"

"A small punishment. What kind of person do you take me for?"

What kind do you think? Fine, in Kalifa's mind, Senga's name had become completely synonymous with a pervert.

Looking back at the stage, after several more rounds of slave auctions, an auction staff member finally wheeled out a completely purple fruit covered in strange patterns atop an exquisite tray. It was a Devil Fruit.

It was finally here. The moment the Devil Fruit appeared, Senga withdrew the arm around Kalifa, leaned forward slightly, and narrowed his Rinnegan as he examined the Devil Fruit on the stage.

Judging by its appearance, it should be a Paramecia Devil Fruit. The reaction from his Rinnegan was particularly intense this time as well, so it seemed to be a good Devil Fruit.

Sure enough, the host's next words confirmed Senga's prediction.

"Up for auction next is a treasure of the seas: the Devil Fruit, Paramecia, Gravity-Gravity Fruit!"

Hearing the fruit's name, Senga smiled.

It was actually the Gravity-Gravity Fruit. As his opponents grew stronger and stronger, his basic Deva Path ability had begun to fall short. If he absorbed this fruit, his Deva Path ability would undoubtedly be greatly enhanced.

Senga made a grasping motion toward the Devil Fruit and said in a low voice,

"I am taking this Devil Fruit. Not even Jesus can keep it from me. I said so."