Auctioning Devil Fruits

The final item was presented, and the host brought out a Devil Fruit. It looked like a red apple covered in devilish patterns. Julian didn't recognize it either and decided to buy it first and research it later.

Julian shouted, "Five hundred million Belly!" The host hadn't even introduced it yet, but Julian had already made an offer. Other pirate crews had also been waiting a long time for this fruit. A pirate captain-level pirate shouted, "Six hundred million!" This was his entire remaining fortune. Julian, without hesitation, yelled, "One billion Belly!"

"What?" The host was shocked. "One billion Belly? My goodness, he actually bid one billion Belly!"

The others looked displeased but helpless. Julian began pulling money from his body, and soon, one billion Belly was thrown out. The mountain of Belly was truly impressive. Many pirates stared enviously at the pile of money.

Julian took out a Den Den Mushi and started taking pictures. This was for future advertising: "Mud Dragon Pirates High-Value Recovery of Devil Fruits." Julian looked at the Belly before him and said, "One billion Belly. Come and count it." The host exclaimed, "Sir, that's enough. No need to count. We believe you."

The host continued, "Since Mud Dragon Captain knows you like slaves, our auction house has over a hundred slaves. We'll give them all to you. Thank you very much for your support of our auction house." With that, he had the guards bring out the slaves and handed the Devil Fruit to Julian. Finally, Julian had everyone take pictures with their Den Den Mushi. He planned to send them to the News Bird so it could deliver them to the News King, Morgans. News Birds were mostly raised by Morgans, who was now doing very well in the news industry. He himself was a Zoan Devil Fruit user, the Bird-Bird Fruit, common type, Albatross form.

Julian intended to use this to make a splash for the Mud Dragon Pirates' high-value collection of Devil Fruits, starting at five hundred million regardless of ability. How domineering! Julian waited for the guards to bring the slaves. Julian asked Herbert to take the auctioned slaves back first. Julian watched as the guards slowly brought over the slaves, about three hundred people. The manager, with a smile, said, "Lord Mud Dragon, we have delivered all the slaves to you."

Julian said to the slaves, "Follow me. I will give you a new life." With that, Julian began to walk away. Seeing this, the other slaves followed Julian, choosing not to stay and wait to be auctioned. It was better to follow this young man with an unstoppable aura. In about twenty minutes, Julian reached the ship, with three hundred people following behind him.

They were mostly citizens of a fallen kingdom. Julian's guess was correct. Soon, the princess of the fallen kingdom ran up to Julian, bowed, and said, "Thank you for saving me and my people." Julian asked, "What kingdom are you from?"

The princess said with great sadness, "My name is Marlena. We are from the Edmon Kingdom. My country was attacked by pirates, and my nation has been destroyed. My father, Edmon Wikijis, was killed by pirates. Our homes were plundered by pirates."

Julian learned that several pirate crews, along with some slave traders, were responsible. Their country had only about ten thousand people and was quite poor. They couldn't afford to pay Heavenly Gold, so they couldn't join the World Government. The Marines ignored such countries, letting them be destroyed. There were no strong individuals. There were too many small countries in this world, too many islands. Some small countries had only tens of thousands of people but still established their own nations. Large countries typically had millions, even reaching ten million like Alabasta.

Julian said, "Marlena, do you want to return to your country and restore it? If you want to leave, you can go now." Marlena pleaded, "Please save our country! I'm willing to make you our King." Julian replied, "So many countries disappear every day in this world. 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 to exist, and you will become their King."

Julian looked at the sincere and sorrowful Marlena before him and said, "The strong young people of your kingdom have all become slaves. That island will soon become a deserted island, and history will erase all traces of your existence. In the future, there will be no country called Edmon, and that deserted island will no longer be called Edmon Island."

Julian continued, "If you want to go, you can go now." Julian pointed to the other slaves and said to Marlena, "Or you can ask them if anyone wants to go. They can all go. I told you, once you leave the auction house, you are no longer slaves." Marlena looked helpless.

Julian then transformed into a motivational speaker for his crew. "To those members who wish to leave me, I will give them one million Belly. How much Belly will those who follow me receive in the future?" Julian added, "At least one hundred million. Understand? Applause."

Herbert said, "Captain is truly the most righteous person on the sea, treating wealth like dirt." George and Pekki also said, "Captain is mighty and powerful." Allison added, "Captain's magnanimity is as vast as the sea." Pierre said, "Captain is truly the most dazzling man on the sea. I love him!" All the crew members nodded in agreement, saying, "Support added."

Julian said to Marlena, "We, the Mud Dragon Pirates, are about to set sail. I'm prepared to give you one million Belly to help you restore your country. You can leave now." Julian watched as the other crew members were stunned by the motivational speech.

With that, the others followed Julian onto the Mud Dragon's main ship. The other slaves followed Julian's footsteps. Julian asked Pablo to arrange them on the least crowded of the five merchant ships behind them. Julian looked at Marlena, who was still hesitating, and said, "Go back and establish your country. If you go back, our righteous Mud Dragon Pirates will sponsor you with one million Belly." Edmon Marlena replied, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Marlena then said, "Righteous Julian, you are right. From now on, I will no longer bear the name Edmon. My name is Marlena. I wish to join your pirate crew. I like music and can write stories. I want to become a musician."

Julian said with a serious expression, "Welcome, Miss Marlena, to our Mud Dragon Pirates. Now that you're on my ship, remember our Mud Dragon Pirates' rules and motto. The first rule is absolute obedience to the orders of the righteous Mud Dragon Pirates Captain. Violators will be given three knives and six holes."

Marlena secretly thought, I've gotten myself onto a pirate ship. Just as she was about to say she wanted to go back and restore her country, Julian gave the order, "Mud Dragon Pirates, set sail!" Julian had originally planned to raid some noble territories, but considering the tight schedule, he decided to check out Dragon Island first.

Julian remembered the Devil Fruit and immediately returned to the third floor. He took out his Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and began comparing and searching. Julian discovered that this Devil Fruit was a Paramecia type, the Medicine-Medicine Fruit. Julian knew this was a very powerful Devil Fruit, capable of maximizing the potential of medicinal herbs or enhancing their potency. It offered a great opportunity to develop the special profession of an Alchemist.

Julian immediately summoned Rose to the third floor. Julian said, "This Devil Fruit is the most special one, the Medicine-Medicine Fruit. Your medical studies these past few days are almost as good as Alice's. With this fruit, you can become a great Alchemist and create your own special medicines. Most importantly, you will become famous throughout the world." Rose was overjoyed and said, "Really? Thank you, Captain!" Julian had Rose eat the Devil Fruit and then told him to start developing its abilities.

Rose's swordsmanship was mediocre. Julian thought to himself, It's better to just be the strongest doctor. With this fruit's ability, he could enhance the properties of medicinal herbs in the future and create special medicines.

Julian also gave Rose the book recording various herbs and plants and encouraged him, "Go for it, Rose! You will become the greatest Miraculous Doctor Saint!" With that, Julian instructed his First Mate, Herbert, to use his Gale-Gale Fruit ability to boost the speed of the twelve ships.

As the sailboats encountered the wind, they began to accelerate rapidly. Julian smiled and said, "Great ability! As expected of the Gale-Gale Fruit. The acceleration is so useful!" Julian had originally planned to reach Reverse Mountain in five months, but now it would only take a little over three months. Julian watched the constant hurricanes blowing and the Navigator, Garud, steering with all his might. Julian took out his Den Den Mushi and told the other Division Captains to follow the main ship at full speed, maintaining formation and not falling too far behind, as the farther they were, the more Stamina Herbert would need to exert his great winds.

Julian was also looking forward to gaining something on Dragon Island. Julian looked at Herbert, who was constantly using his Devil Fruit ability, and asked with concern, "First Mate, how long can you maintain your Devil Fruit ability?" Herbert replied, "For three days at most. Fortunately, there are hurricanes on this sea, so I just need to adjust their direction. I can last even longer at this level."

Julian said, "I'm counting on you, First Mate." Herbert replied, "Captain, releasing my Devil Fruit ability like this will accelerate the development of my Devil Fruit power." Julian said, "Old Sen, I knew you were amazing." Herbert replied, "It's nothing."

Julian went up to the fourth floor to begin his cultivation, focusing on developing his Devil Fruit ability. Julian said, "If only I could fly." With that, he manifested two wings, but he couldn't fly at all. As soon as Julian's feet left the ground, his Devil Fruit ability became weak and difficult to control. He could only develop his Mud-Mud Fruit ability, Chibaku Tensei. With that, a giant mud ball flew into the sky and then slowly descended.

Julian intended to improve his Devil Fruit ability and increase his release speed, so he used this move to train his Stamina, constantly controlling these two twenty-meter-diameter giant mud balls as they flew high into the sky and slowly descended.

Julian then made the mud balls transform into mud birds. Two mud birds, over ten meters wide, circled in the sky. Julian then landed one of the mud birds in front of him.

Julian prepared to sit on the mud bird and see if he could fly. Julian sat on the back of the mud bird and began to activate his Devil Fruit ability. Julian slowly began to ascend. At a height of only ten meters, the mud bird became uncontrollable and fell from the sky, turning into pieces of mud.

Julian practiced the mud bird technique with other types of mud. Julian found that as long as he didn't sit on it, it was fine. Julian thought to himself, It's still no good. However, Julian wasn't afraid of falling. With Elementalization, he could survive a fall from two hundred meters.

Moreover, as his Devil Fruit ability continued to develop, his sensing distance on land increased. Julian continued to practice controlling mud, turning the yellow mud in his hand into red mud. This red mud was very heavy and dense.

As Julian's development continued, he could make its weight even heavier. It was previously three times its weight, but now it had increased to five times. Moreover, its ability would become heavier as Julian developed it further.

Julian also practiced with hard black mud. This mud was composed of many black ore particles. Julian had decomposed the ore with his Devil Fruit ability, giving the mud the properties of the ore. Combined, it formed very hard ore soil. Julian could feel that this mud would become increasingly hard in the future.

Julian decomposed the yellow mud into clay similar to saltpeter and then fused it with the dried yellow mud. This saltpeter could explode upon contact with a target. Julian knew that the fusion of mud was the most powerful, capable of becoming a devouring mud swamp. The yellow mud fused with water, creating a sticky, entangling, and devouring mud with powerful abilities. Julian also tried to touch seawater with the mud. As soon as it entered the sea, he couldn't control it. Julian became increasingly frustrated, saying, "It really doesn't work!"