The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind-and Someone Behind the Oriole
"The highlight of this auction is none other than the Artificial Devil Fruit Technology everyone has been longing for!"
As Morgans spoke, Moria brought Caesar Courland, who was wearing Seastone Handcuffs, onto the auction stage.
As soon as Caesar Courland appeared, he immediately attracted everyone's attention.
They all knew that what was supposedly an auction of Artificial Devil Fruit Technology was actually an auction of Caesar Clown.
They were quite satisfied.
After all, technology can be faked, but people cannot be faked.
The scientists from the former MADS were among the most renowned scientists in the world. Anyone with even a little knowledge of their abilities knew of Caesar's value.
At this moment, Caesar Courland looked haggard and trembled uncontrollably from the intense gazes of the crowd.
He felt like a lamb to the slaughter, and he was terrified.
Morgans, disregarding Caesar's thoughts, grabbed him and enthusiastically introduced him:
"This is the inventor of Artificial Devil Fruit Technology, one of the world's most outstanding scientists! The Artificial Devil Fruit Technology is in his mind!"
"Moreover, this scientist is also very accomplished in other areas. Buying him might bring more than just Artificial Devil Fruit Technology; there could be other surprises!"
"Even the current Artificial Devil Fruit Technology might be further advanced through his research!"
Morgans spoke with such eloquence that he practically portrayed Caesar as Vegapunk, exaggerating it by more than a thousandfold.
Am I that good?
I'm so awesome, why did you sell me out?
Caesar looked at Morgans with a puzzled expression, already feeling flattered and somewhat indifferent to the fact that he was about to be sold off.
After Morgans's introduction, the atmosphere among the audience suddenly became serious.
"Hahaha, Caesar Courland, I'm determined to have him!"
The Gild Tesoro Gild Tesoro stared intently at Caesar Courland, as if he were looking at a rare treasure.
If they could obtain Caesar's Artificial Devil Fruit Technology, with his wealth, they could quickly develop an army of Devil Fruit users.
With money and manpower, coupled with the immense power he Devil Fruit Awakening his Devil Fruit, his future as one of the Four Emperors is promising.
Gild Tesoro burst forth with boundless ambition, gazing at Luo Wen atop the high platform.
A true man should act like this; he can be replaced!
"This guy is way too arrogant."
Those around him, such as the King of Loan Sharks Du Feld, the warehouse king Giberson, and the assassin king Pieklo, all frowned.
Currently, Gild Tesoro is their biggest obstacle to obtaining Artificial Devil Fruit Technology.
And this Gild Tesoro certainly had the right to be arrogant.
His Paramecia Gold-Gold Fruit ability grants him immeasurable wealth.
Even the wealthiest King of Loan Sharks among them didn't have the confidence to compete with him in terms of wealth.
First bid, then if things don't look good, take action against him.
The three Underworld kings exchanged silent glances and instantly formed an alliance.
They won't let Gild Tesoro get it so easily, and even if he does, they'll prevent him from taking it back.
"Heh, what a clown."
Gild Tesoro naturally noticed their subtle movements, but didn't take them to heart.
He's the Gild Tesoro!
His strength is only below that of the Four Emperors' Admiral; even if these people joined forces, he was confident he could escape.
Moreover, he had the shipping magnate Umit as an ally, whose powerful cargo-carrying capabilities were enough for them to travel far and wide.
On the other side, Katakuri and his group also had their eyes fixed intently.
"He's finally here, Caesar Courren!"
Katakuri stared at Caesar Courland as if he were looking at prey.
The Big Mom Pirates weren't really that eager for Artificial Devil Fruit. What they wanted more was revenge for Caesar Clown's betrayal.
"Is this the person who dared to deceive Mom? He looks so pathetic now."
Smoothie said through gritted teeth.
Caesar Courland once tricked his mother out of a large sum of research funding with a project on human giantification, but he never achieved any results.
At that time, their mother was in a fit of rage, causing them a lot of suffering.
Upon seeing Caesar Couran, Smoothie wished he could immediately make up for all the pain he had suffered.
"Smoothie, don't worry."
Katakuri said in a deep voice.
Although he also wanted to take Caesar away immediately and teach him a lesson, now was not the time.
Katakuri looked at the man on the high platform who was looking down at the four directions, feeling immense pressure in his heart.
Although Luo Wen did not speak, his gaze swept across the room, sharp and cold as a knife.
To be disrespectful in front of Luo Wen is something that puts immense pressure on one's mind, even just thinking about it.
"As long as someone makes a move, the scene will inevitably become extremely chaotic. Even though Luo Wen is strong, he cannot suppress everyone."
"Brother, can't we really give it a try?"
Smoothie stared at Caesar and said in a low voice.
She could see that everyone around her was eager and ready to pounce, and as soon as someone took the lead, they would swarm in.
The people present were a mixed bag, and even with their strength, it would be difficult to guarantee a victory against Caesar. But if they stirred things up, the chances of them taking advantage of the chaos would be much higher.
She believed that with Katakuri's strength, he could escape unscathed from Luo Wen's clutches.
Katakuri glanced at his sister and thought she was overestimating herself.
Give it a try?
Try it and you'll die!
"Don't make a move in Dressrosa. Even if someone else makes the first move, we shouldn't follow suit."
"This Godslayer is a genuine Four Emperors powerhouse, even more terrifying than my mother. I am no match for him."
Katakuri repeatedly emphasized how terrifying Luo Wen was, and that Smoothie must not be allowed to do anything foolish.
Otherwise, she would probably have been captured and used as a sex slave by Luo Wen as soon as she made a move.
"I see. I understand."
Smoothie nodded silently, surprised that Katakuri had no confidence at all.
This is the most perfect member of the Charlotte Family, yet he doesn't even have the courage to make a move against Luo Wen.
Although it was hard to believe, Katakuri possessed Observation Haki, which Future Sight, so his judgment was still reliable.
Seeing that Smoothie agreed, Katakuri said, "Don't think about that. We'll just rob the others after the auction. Compared to them, they're the easy targets."
Only at this moment did Katakuri have a sliver of confidence.
However, if he knew that there were two Admiral and one of the Four Emperors hidden among the crowd, he probably wouldn't have thought that way.
Upon seeing Caesar's appearance, Aokiji, who had been dozing off, immediately woke up.
"Get ready, Borsalino."
"Aokiji Kizaru lost in thought," Kizaru said softly.
At times like this, you can't afford to slack off anymore.
"Okay, I understand."
Kizaru snapped out of his daze and stared at the crowd with Aokiji.
Whenever someone successfully bids for a piece of the item, they give that person a big surprise.
With two Admiral taking action, even one of the Four Emperors wouldn't be able to take Caesar away safely.
Unbeknownst to them, their actions were being observed by Kaido at the very back. "Those two guys in front, are they Kizaru and Aokiji?"
"I didn't expect them to come too."
Kaido's eyes narrowed, and he decided to be more careful later.
Originally, he was considering directly poaching them. But now that he'd discovered these two Admiral, he naturally gave up on that idea.
If we try to seize it now, we'll be facing opposition from Luo Wen and everyone else.
With two Admiral fighting alongside Luo Wen, even if he were Kaido of the Beasts, he wouldn't have an easy time.
Thus, one link leads to another, and victory or defeat can change in an instant.
As the saying goes, "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; little do they know the slingshot beneath the tree."