Auctioning a Devil Fruit

At last, it was time for the final item. The host brought out a Devil Fruit, shaped like a bright red apple and covered in strange devil swirls. Julian did not recognize it either, so he could only buy it back and study it later.

Julian shouted, "Five hundred million Berries!" Before the host could even introduce it, Julian had already named his price. The other pirate crews had been waiting a long time for this fruit as well. A pirate at captain level shouted, "Six hundred million!" That was all the wealth he had left. Julian showed no courtesy as he shouted, "One billion Berries!" "What?" The host exclaimed in shock, "One billion Berries? My God, he actually bid one billion Berries!"

The others looked unwilling, but there was nothing they could do. Julian began pulling money out of his body, and before long, he had thrown out one billion Berries. The mountain of Berries was truly an imposing sight, and countless pirates stared at it with envy.

Julian took out a Den Den Mushi and began taking pictures. He was planning to advertise in the future that the Mud Dragon Pirates bought Devil Fruits at high prices. Looking at the Berries before him, Julian said, "Come count the one billion Berries." The host shouted, "Sir, that is enough. There is no need to count them. We trust you."

The host continued, "Since Captain Mud Dragon, we know you like slaves, our Auction House will also give you the several hundred slaves we have as a gift. Thank you very much for supporting our Auction House." After saying that, he had the guards bring out all the slaves and handed the Devil Fruit to Julian. Finally, Julian had everyone take pictures with their Den Den Mushi. When they saw a News Bird later, they were to have it delivered to the News King, Morgans. News Birds were basically all raised by Morgans. He had already made a name for himself in the news business, and he himself had eaten a Zoan Devil Fruit, the Zoan Bird-Bird Fruit, Common Type: Albatross Form.

Julian planned to have him spread the word that the Mud Dragon Pirates purchased Devil Fruits at high prices, starting at five hundred million regardless of the ability. That was just how extravagant he was. Julian waited for the guards to deliver the slaves, then had Herbert take the auctioned slaves back first. Julian watched as the guards slowly brought over around three hundred slaves. The manager said with a smile, "Lord Mud Dragon, we have given all the slaves to you."

Julian said to the slaves, "All of you, come with me. I will give you a brand-new life." With that, Julian began walking away. The other slaves followed behind him one after another. If they did not leave, were they supposed to stay and wait to be auctioned? They might as well follow this imposing young man. More than three hundred people followed Julian onto the ship in just over twenty minutes.

They were basically citizens of that fallen nation, just as Julian had guessed. Before long, the princess of that fallen kingdom ran up to Julian. She first bowed to him, then said, "Thank you for saving me, and for saving my people." Julian asked, "What kingdom are you from?"

The princess said painfully, "My name is Marlena. We are from the Edmon Kingdom. Pirates attacked my country, and it has already fallen. My father, Edmon Wikijis, was killed by pirates. Our homeland was plundered by pirates."

Julian later learned that several pirate crews, along with several Slave Traders, had done it. Their nation only had a little over a hundred thousand people and was relatively poor. Because they could not afford Heavenly Gold, they could not join the World Government. The Marines ignored nations like theirs. If they were destroyed, then they were destroyed. They had no powerful fighters, after all. There were too many small countries and too many islands in this world. Some small nations with only tens of thousands of people established their own countries, while large nations usually had several million people, or even ten million, like Alabasta.

Julian said, "Marlena, do you want to return and restore your kingdom? If you want to go, then just go." Marlena pleaded, "Please save our country. I am willing to make you our king." Julian said, "So many countries disappear from this world every day. The weak are easily eliminated by the world. Your country has already become history." Marlena continued, "If you can help my country, it can surely continue on, and you will become their king as well."

Julian looked at the sincere yet sorrowful Marlena and said, "The young and able-bodied people of your kingdom have all become slaves. That island will soon become a deserted island, and history will erase every trace that your people ever lived there. There will no longer be a country called Edmon, and that deserted island will no longer be called Edmon Island."

Julian continued, "If you want to go, you can go right now." Julian pointed at the other slaves and said to Marlena, "Or ask them who is willing to go. They can all leave directly. I said it already: once you left the Auction House, you were no longer slaves." Marlena looked helpless.

Julian transformed into a motivational speaker and said to the crew, "Any member who wants to leave me will receive one million Berries. As for those who follow me, how many Berries will they receive in the future?" Julian added, "At least one hundred million. If you understand, applause!"

Herbert said, "Captain is truly the most loyal and righteous man on the Sea. He treats money like dirt." George and Pekki also said, "Captain, you are mighty and domineering!" Allison said, "Captain, your heart is as vast as the sea." Pierre said, "Captain is truly the most dazzling man on the Sea. I love it!" All the crew nodded and said, "Count me in!"

Julian said to Marlena, "The Mud Dragon Pirates are preparing to set sail. I am prepared to give you one million Berries so you can restore your kingdom. You may leave now." Julian saw that the other crew members had all been shaken by the motivational master's words.

With that, the others followed Julian aboard the Mud Dragon main warship. The other slaves followed in Julian's footsteps as well. Julian had Pablo arrange them on the least crowded of the five merchant ships behind them. Looking at the still-hesitant Marlena, Julian said, "Go back and establish your country. If you go back, our loyal and righteous Mud Dragon Pirates will sponsor you with one million Berries." Marlena answered, "Sorry for the trouble."

Marlena continued, "Lord Julian, you are right. From now on, I will no longer bear the name Edmon. My name will simply be Marina. I am willing to join your pirate crew. I like music and can write stories too. I am willing to become a musician."

Julian said seriously, "Welcome, Miss Marlena, to our Mud Dragon Pirates. Now that you are aboard my ship, remember the ship rules and code of the Mud Dragon Pirates. The first rule is absolute obedience to the orders of the loyal and righteous captain of the Mud Dragon Pirates. Violating the rules means Three Knives Six Holes."

I got aboard a pirate ship. Just as Marina was about to say that she wanted to go back and restore her kingdom, Julian began issuing orders. "Mud Dragon Pirates, raise the sails and set off!" Julian had originally planned to raid the territories of those nobles, but after thinking about it, time was of the essence. He would go take a look at Dragon Island first.

Julian thought of that Devil Fruit again and immediately returned to the third floor. He took out his Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and began comparing and searching. He discovered that this Devil Fruit was a Paramecia Devil Fruit, the Medicine-Medicine Fruit. Julian knew that it was an incredibly powerful Devil Fruit. It could allow medicinal herbs to fully display their effects or enhance their potency. There was a good chance it could develop the special profession of pharmacist.

Julian immediately called Rose to the third floor and said, "This Devil Fruit is an extremely special Devil Fruit, the Medicine-Medicine Fruit. Your medical skills have become almost as good as Alice's after all these days of study. With this fruit on top of that, you can become a great pharmacist and create your own special medicines. Most importantly, you will become famous throughout the world in the future." Rose said excitedly, "Really? Thank you, Captain!" Julian had Rose eat the Devil Fruit, then told him to develop his Devil Fruit ability.

Rose's swordsmanship was truly mediocre. He should just become the strongest doctor instead. Now that he had this Devil Fruit ability, he could enhance the effects of medicinal herbs in the future and make special medicines.

Julian also gave Rose the book that recorded all kinds of flowers, plants, and medicinal herbs. He encouraged him, "Keep it up, Rose. You will become the strongest Miraculous Doctor Saint." Afterward, Julian had First Mate Herbert use the Gale-Gale Fruit ability to increase the speed of all twelve ships.

When these sailing ships encountered wind, they immediately began speeding forward. Julian smiled and said, "What a great ability. As expected of the Gale-Gale Fruit, its acceleration is incredibly useful. I originally expected to reach Reverse Mountain in five months, but now it will only take a little over three months." Julian watched the hurricanes continuously blowing in as the navigator Garud began steering with all his strength. Julian also used a Den Den Mushi to tell the other Division Captains, "Follow the main warship at full speed. Maintain your distance and do not fall too far behind. The farther away you are, the more stamina Herbert will need to expend to create the strong winds."

Julian was also looking forward to gaining something on Dragon Island. Looking at Herbert constantly using his Devil Fruit ability, Julian asked with concern, "First Mate, how long can you use your Devil Fruit ability?" Herbert answered, "At most, I can use it continuously for three days. Fortunately, there are hurricanes on this stretch of sea. I only need to change their direction, so I can endure much longer at this level."

Julian said, "I am counting on you, First Mate." Herbert said, "Captain, using my Devil Fruit ability like this will speed up my development of it." Julian said, "Old Sen, I knew you were a good man." Herbert indicated that it was no big deal.

Julian arrived on the fourth floor and began training. He started practicing his Devil Fruit ability and said, "It would be great if I could fly myself." With that, he created two wings, but he simply could not fly. Once Julian's feet left the ground, his Devil Fruit ability weakened and became difficult to control. He could only develop a Devil Fruit technique: Earth-Exploding Heavenly Star. With that, a massive sphere of earth flew into the sky before slowly falling back down.

Julian was preparing to improve his Devil Fruit ability and make his release speed faster, so he used this move to train his stamina. He continuously controlled two round spheres of earth over twenty meters wide, sending them high into the sky before slowly lowering them from above.

Julian then transformed the spheres of earth into clay birds. Two clay birds more than ten meters wide circled in the sky. Julian lowered one of the clay birds before him.

Julian prepared to sit on that clay bird and see whether he could fly into the sky. Sitting on its back, Julian activated his Devil Fruit ability and slowly began rising into the air. Yet at only ten meters high, he could no longer control the clay bird. It fell from the sky and turned into chunks of earth.

Julian practiced the clay bird technique again using other kinds of soil. He discovered that everything was fine as long as he did not sit on it. So it really still won't work. However, Julian was not afraid of falling. With Elementalization activated, he would be fine even falling from two hundred meters in the air.

Moreover, as he continuously developed his Devil Fruit ability, Julian's sensing range across the ground continued to increase. He continued practicing control over earth, turning the yellow earth in his hand into red earth. This red earth was extremely heavy and dense.

As Julian continued developing it, he could make its weight even greater. It had previously only weighed three times as much, but now it had increased to five times, and its weight would continue increasing as Julian developed his ability.

Julian also began training with hard black earth. This earth was formed from many black ores wrapped within it. Julian used his Devil Fruit ability to break down the ores, giving the earth the properties of those ores. When combined, it became extremely hard mineral soil. Julian could sense that this mineral earth would grow even harder in the future.

Julian used yellow earth to break down Clay similar to Niter, then fused the dried yellow earth with that Niter. It could explode upon touching a target. Julian knew that the fusion of earth was the strongest. It could become devouring swamp earth, while yellow earth fused with water gained wet mud's binding and devouring abilities. Julian also tried letting his earth touch seawater, but the moment it entered the sea, he could no longer control it. Julian shook his head and said, "It really won't work!"