Meanwhile, in Garp's office at Marineford...
Garp's hair had gone white, but he showed no sign of tension over the coming war. He held a bag full of rice crackers and ate one.
"Dark King Rayleigh and Thunder Swordsman Werther?"
The adjutant standing before Garp hurried to answer.
"No one around them seems to have noticed. They think Rayleigh is just an ordinary old man. As for Thunder Swordsman Werther, we only managed to identify him by the coat supposedly made from Dragon Hide. His face doesn't match.
"Our agent says Werther nearly spotted him after he looked at him just once. He couldn't mistake that savage aura. The agent has seen the Thunder Swordsman before, but because his face is different, we can't confirm his identity yet.
"As things stand, the Auction may sell Dark King Rayleigh and Thunder Swordsman Werther."
Garp burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! They're going to sell the Dark King and the Thunder Swordsman at a human auction? Hahaha!"
The adjutant stepped forward and looked at Garp nervously.
"If they really are those two, it's unbelievable. We still can't confirm it for certain. What should we do, Vice Admiral? Should we inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
Garp held out his empty teacup for a refill.
"No. I'll handle this. Don't tell anyone. Tell your men to keep their mouths shut."
The adjutant set the refilled cup before Garp and asked uncertainly, "But what if they really are those two?"
"Rayleigh probably is. We can't confirm the Thunder Swordsman yet, but knowing his personality, it could be him.
"Rayleigh must have lost a bet and sold himself.
"As for Thunder Swordsman Werther, I've never met him, but he's definitely the sort to do whatever he pleases. Maybe he thought it would be fun to sell himself alongside Rayleigh.