"Ladies and gentlemen, today's item hasn't appeared at the Sabaody Auction House in almost ten years."
With that, the excited host opened the long box. Inside lay a katana that radiated a biting chill.
"It's Hamura, one of the 21 Great Grade Blades."
The host took Hamura from the box and drew it from its sheath.
The moment Werther saw its keen edge and the purple pattern along its spine, and felt the presence it gave off as it was drawn, he knew it was a Great Grade Sword.
"You all know what this blade is worth. The sword catalog lists its value at over twelve million Beli.
"But you should also know that in the hands of a skilled swordsman, it can do far more than a Devil Fruit.
"So we've set the opening bid at two hundred million Beli."
When the host finished, cheers rose from the audience.
A few people were especially excited. Some were dressed as pirates, while others looked like bounty hunters.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's premier lot, one of the 21 Great Grade Blades, is now up for auction!"
The host had barely finished speaking when bids rang out from below.
"Two hundred and fifty million Beli."
"Two hundred and seventy million Beli."
"Three hundred million."
Though bids kept coming, the price rose in modest increments. Most of the bidders were swordsmen; only a handful were nobles who appeared to want it for their collections.
"Four hundred million."
Werther raised a hand and calmly added a hundred million.
His bid doused the excitement in the room like a bucket of cold water.
One swordsman still looked deeply unwilling to give up, but he made no further bid. It wasn't that he lacked the money. He was afraid he wouldn't leave the auction house alive.