Ch. 121Gathering Intelligence, the Auction Begins
Chapter Summary: “Gathering Intelligence, the Auction Begins”
Key Plot Points and Events
- The Sabaody Archipelago becomes the center of a massive auction, attracting powerful figures from across the world. Reported attendees include at least a thousand Marines disguised as pirates, Marine Admiral White Dove, Drought Jack of Kaido’s forces, Caesar, Morgans, Stussy, Hajrudin, the Van Ku Brothers, and professional assassins.
- Roya attends the auction in pursuit of the Gold-Gold Fruit, which he believes will allow him to generate wealth quickly and stop robbing Heavenly Tribute.
- Roya casually reveals that he has already stolen Heavenly Tribute and intends to use it as spending money at the auction. Shakky is alarmed because the money’s serial numbers can be traced by CP0, potentially implicating anyone who accepts it—including Doflamingo.
- After dining at Shakky’s bar, Roya walks through Sabaody with Kuina. Marines monitor his movements and report them to Sengoku.
- Using his White Dove identity, Roya asks Sengoku whether the Marines should attack and capture “Zero” immediately. Sengoku refuses, reasoning that an early assault would alert Roya and allow him to escape. The Marines instead plan to strike during the auction.
- The next day, the island is crowded with pirates and Marines. Doflamingo’s auction offers the Gold-Gold Fruit and other rare items, with ordinary access on the first floor and invitation-only areas on the upper floors.
- Roya and Kuina enter the auction house using an invitation personally sent by Doflamingo, who regards Zero as a figure comparable to Kaido and wants to establish a future relationship.
- Roya learns that the third floor contains five luxurious private rooms. When the attendant refuses to identify the occupants, Roya secretly uses the Illusion-Illusion Fruit to send insect-like phantom spies into the rooms. He first checks for surveillance Den Den Mushi, then removes his hood and reveals his true face.
Character Developments
- Roya/Zero: Displays confidence, cunning, and a willingness to manipulate every side of the conflict. He deliberately uses stolen Heavenly Tribute to provoke chaos and employs his illusion powers to gather intelligence before the auction begins.
- Rayleigh: Remains close to Roya and questions his motivation for obtaining the fruit, showing familiarity with Roya’s plans.
- Shakky: Becomes increasingly wary of Roya after realizing how ruthless and calculating he is. She decides that he is someone too dangerous to provoke and gives him information and food free of charge to maintain good relations.
- Kuina: Continues to admire Roya’s power and reputation while acting as his companion. Her playful insistence that she is not a child shows growing confidence and familiarity with him.
- Sengoku: Demonstrates caution and strategic discipline by rejecting an immediate attack, preferring to wait until Roya is trapped among the auction’s participants.
- Doflamingo: Seeks to cultivate a relationship with Roya by personally inviting him, suggesting that he views Zero as a major power comparable to Kaido.
Significant Themes
- Manipulation and double identities: Roya secretly operates as both Zero and Marine Admiral White Dove, allowing him to deceive the Marines while influencing their decisions.
- Power and reputation: Roya’s presence alone causes pirates and others to make way for him, demonstrating how status and fear can be as influential as direct force.
- Strategic deception: Nearly every faction is gathering intelligence and preparing hidden plans, turning the auction into a battlefield before it even begins.
- Dangerous alliances: The auction brings enemies and potential allies together, with Doflamingo, the Marines, Kaido’s forces, and other influential figures all pursuing their own interests.
- Wealth and freedom: Roya seeks the Gold-Gold Fruit to gain a more reliable source of money and escape the burdens and risks associated with robbing Heavenly Tribute.
Character Interactions
- Roya jokes with Rayleigh about using the Gold-Gold Fruit to make money.
- He shocks Shakky by admitting that he stole Heavenly Tribute, then further irritates her by ordering more food while using the stolen money as leverage.
- Roya and Shakky engage in a tense but humorous exchange in which she recognizes that he intentionally manipulated the earlier situation to benefit her.
- Sengoku and White Dove communicate indirectly about whether to arrest Zero, unaware that they are discussing the same person.
- Roya guides Kuina through the crowded archipelago, showing a protective but casual teacher-student relationship.
- At the auction house, Roya questions the attendant about the private rooms and then bypasses the rules through covert surveillance.