Little Mermaid

Charlos stretched lazily. "Come on, let's go buy something at the auction house."

"Yay, we're going to the auction house!" Shalria threw both arms high into the air and shouted.

The group arrived at Auction House No. 11 by the Sabaody Archipelago's mangrove trees. Charlos strode forward, and the heavy doors instantly swung open to either side. Everyone entered the venue. Countless gazes immediately turned toward them. The auctioneer promptly shouted, "Welcome, Saint Charlos!"

Charlos walked straight ahead and took a seat in the honored section of the front row.

"Now, the auction will continue."

Shalria quietly leaned closer to Charlos and asked in a low voice, "Brother Charlos, what are you planning to buy here?"

Charlos replied casually, "I don't know. Just looking around."

At that moment, the first auction item was brought out.

Charlos looked at the item being presented and smiled.

Someone in the venue immediately raised a bidding paddle.

"100 million Beli."

Shalria looked at Charlos. "Brother, that sword is so huge."

"It is."

"Brother, what are you smiling about?"

"Nothing. I just remembered something interesting."

"What was it?"

Charlos patted Shalria's head.

"Secret."

Just then, the auctioneer's voice rang out.

"230 million Beli. Any higher bids?"

Seeing that no one else in the venue spoke up, the auctioneer brought down his hammer. "Congratulations to buyer number 67 for purchasing this Supreme Grade Blade."

Charlos turned to look at the man, studying him as he thought, I've never seen this person before.

Akali bent down beside Charlos and asked softly, "Saint Charlos, do you need me to investigate him?"

"No. Just keep an eye on him."

"Yes, understood."

The auction continued. Just then, the doors were violently shoved open, and Charlos walked in at an unhurried pace, shouting impatiently, "Hey, why are there so many commoners here? Auctioneer, bring out the best thing you have!"

Shalria abruptly stood up, pointed at Charlos, and rebuked him loudly, "What are you, you fat pig, doing here? You're ruining Brother Charlos's mood!"

Charlos froze, only then noticing Charlos in his seat. He said in surprise, "Huh? Brother Charlos is here too?"

Shalria snapped, "Get out of here already!"

"I only came to buy a few slaves."

The auctioneer hurriedly shouted, "Welcome, Saint Charlos!"

Shalria immediately yelled, "Why are you welcoming him?"

Charlos tilted his head at Shalria, looking utterly confused. "Why shouldn't he welcome me?"

Charlos raised a hand and rubbed his brow. "Continue."

A bead of cold sweat appeared on the auctioneer's forehead. He hurriedly wiped it away and quickly said, "All right! Then let's bring out the second item!"

After several more items were sold in rapid succession.

The exhibition staff stepped onto the stage again and carefully brought out a fruit covered in strange patterns.

"Everyone, please look! A rare Devil Fruit! The starting bid is 100 million Beli!"

The instant he finished speaking, Charlos raised his bidding paddle.

"100 million Beli."

The entire venue instantly fell silent. Everyone who had been eager to bid shut their mouths, and no one dared raise the price.

The auctioneer reacted quickly and loudly announced, "All right! 100 million Beli! Congratulations to Saint Charlos for winning this Devil Fruit!"

Amira tilted her head slightly and asked softly, "Saint Charlos, why does no one dare bid once you make an offer?"

Charlos smiled faintly. "You'll understand when you grow up."

Amira nodded obediently. "Oh."

"I've already gotten what I wanted. There's no need to stay here any longer. Let's go, Shalria."

"Okay, Brother!"

Just as the group was about to rise and leave, the auctioneer suddenly shouted:

"Next, it is finally time for today's grand finale! A mermaid from Fish-Man Island!"

The staff slowly pushed a huge glass aquarium onto the stage. Charlos, who had been about to leave, stopped and turned to look.

Inside the tank, a little black-haired mermaid was curled up quietly, sobbing softly. She looked no older than five.

"What's wrong, Brother Charlos?" Shalria asked in confusion.

Amina looked at the crying little mermaid in the tank and softly said to Amira, "Sister, she looks even younger than us."

At that moment, Charlos impatiently raised his bidding paddle, his face full of greed. "100 million Beli! I want her! Hehehe, a mermaid!"

He jumped excitedly in place without stopping.

Looking at his ugly display, Charlos calmly raised the bid. "120 million."

Charlos turned to Charlos and asked in confusion, "Brother Charlos, why are you competing with me? Haven't you already gotten what you wanted?"

Shalria snapped, "Charlos, you idiot! Brother Charlos wants this item, so don't bid anymore."

"But I really want this mermaid!"

"Fat pig, do you believe I'll flatten you?"

Charlos hurriedly waved his hands. "Fine, I won't bid anymore!"

The auctioneer's hands trembled slightly as he shouted, "O-okay! Congratulations to Saint Charlos for winning this little mermaid!"

Charlos nodded slightly. "Let's go."

Akali stepped forward, smashed the glass aquarium with one hand, and gathered the trembling little mermaid into her arms, preparing to take her away with the group.

Charlos walked at the front, with Shalria close beside him. She asked in confusion, "Hey, Brother, this isn't the way back to the Holy Land Mary Geoise."

"I never said we were going back."

"Then where are you going?"

"You'll know soon enough."

The little mermaid in Akali's arms trembled all over, her body shaking nonstop. Charlos noticed and walked over, reaching out to take her from Akali's arms.

Seeing this, the little one became even more frightened and trembled harder.

"Are you that scared of me?"

Charlos's gaze fell on the cold slave collar around her neck.

Beside him, Shalria puffed out her cheeks and secretly snorted, jealousy filling her thoughts. Hmph, that spot was obviously supposed to be mine.

In the distance, Charlos stood with his personal guard, watching the group's retreating backs with an unwilling expression. He muttered, "Damn it, I wanted that mermaid too... Having a mermaid slave would be really great!"

Before long, the group arrived at the shore.

Akali spoke up at the right moment. "Saint Charlos, are you planning to set her free? The slave collar around her neck hasn't been removed. Once she leaves a certain range from you, it will automatically explode and kill her outright."

"Akali."

"I'm here."

"I've been learning Haki for three months. This is a good chance to test the results. I'm going to forcibly remove this slave collar. If anything goes wrong, knock the collar away immediately."

Akali's expression turned grave. Staring at Charlos, she advised, "Saint Charlos, if you wish to test your strength, I personally suggest that you do not try this. It is too dangerous."

"You think my skills aren't good enough?"

Akali immediately lowered her head. "Saint Charlos."

"Good. Then no objections."

"Your skills really aren't good enough."

Charlos shot her a vicious glare. "Don't add unnecessary pauses when you talk from now on."

"Understood."

"Then you do it."

"Yes."

Akali stepped forward and grasped the slave collar. Her palm was instantly coated in pitch-black Armament Haki. With a crisp cracking sound, the hard slave collar shattered. She flicked her wrist and tossed the broken collar into the air.

The next instant, a thunderous explosion erupted overhead.

The little mermaid startled and curled up sharply. Charlos raised a hand and gently smoothed her tangled long hair, softly comforting her, "It's all right now."