Sabaody Archipelago, Hotel Street, 70 GR.
Adjacent to the Marine garrison, this street was the island's only lodging district for travelers other than pirates, bandits, and other criminals.
It was livelier at night than during the day. The crowds, dressed to the nines, flowed between all manner of entertainment venues. Couples linked arms as they headed to the amusement park to ride the Ferris wheel at night and watch the dazzling fireworks show.
Conrad chose to stay here for the time being. Kujaku and Baby-5 shared one room, while the original three roommates still stayed together.
The news was widely known: this large-scale auction would last a week, with countless slaves, rare treasures, and other items up for bid. The Gold-Gold Fruit would be the final lot auctioned on the seventh day.
At that moment, by the hotel window.
Conrad was looking over a price list for slaves. In the lawless district, they were handed out like flyers—people shoved them into your hands everywhere you went.
The heading even specifically noted that the targets of human trafficking were criminals and citizens of nations unaffiliated with the World Government.
Bling Bling leaned over and said flatly, "It's all fake. Once someone's been captured as a slave, the sea is so vast—who's going to know who they were?"
Drake popped up behind them and chimed in, "As long as you're not a pirate, it's fine. Once you become a pirate, anyone can just grab me and sell me as a slave."
Conrad smiled, crumpled the list into a ball, and tossed it over his shoulder. "Trash belongs in the trash can."
He pushed open the window, climbed out, and leaped onto the rooftop in a few steps. Standing beneath the eaves, he formed a seal with his fingers and gazed at the