The Grand Finale, the Lunarians!

"Next up! A slave from a special race, the Lunarian Tribe!" the host announced.

Immediately, a cage made of Seastone was pulled out.

Inside the cage was a teenage boy bound by iron chains.

His skin was a dark, brownish-yellow, he had off-white hair, a pair of injured wings on his back, and traces of flames on his body. He was around eighteen or nineteen years old, and his face was full of terror and exhaustion.

Most people in the auction venue exchanged glances in bewilderment when they heard the Lunarian Tribe, having no idea what kind of race it was.

Because this race had long been classified as taboo by the World Government, and only a few people knew about it.

As for why the host knew, she had probably tortured the information out of the young man in the cage.

Swain well knew that King, the eldest of the All-Stars, was a member of this race. He was crystal clear on just how formidable their strength was, and moreover, their regenerative ability could be called an "undying body."

It was precisely because of this special regenerative ability, coupled with powerful fire-control capabilities, that he had been studied like a lab rat by the World Government ever since his youth, until Kaido accidentally rescued him and he finally escaped a sea of misery.

Furthermore, special races in this era had always been sold at astronomical prices. Just like how a Fish-Man fetched an exorbitant price at Sabaody, let alone an even rarer race like this one!

Continuing to hype up the crowd, the host said, "Through our discoveries, no matter how he is beaten, this slave can recover as good as new. It's truly amazing!"

"Having a slave like this is simply a matter of great prestige!"

Hearing this, Swain shook his head with a mocking smile. To think that a noble race of the Red Line would be cheapened and sold off like this!

Besides, watching the slave beneath the shackles still tending to his wounds, Swain knew he was probably suffering abuse every single moment.

If not, how could his wounds still not be healed by now? Would a Lunarian Tribe member's recovery leave behind scars?

Only a few people in the venue's expressions changed drastically.

Swain looked at Gray and Onigumo. Onigumo showed no particular change, still gazing indifferently forward at the host's introduction, as if the surprise of the Lunarian Tribe's appearance wasn't as significant to him as a Devil Fruit.

Swain guessed that he was mostly acting on orders from higher-ups in the Marines, and probably didn't have much extra information, which was why he appeared so calm.

In contrast, Gray was faintly unable to hold back his urge to shout out.

This was also normal; the Vinsmoke Family was famous for its technology, focusing primarily on genetics and modifications.

Every member of that family was a cyborg with formidable strength, and only by virtue of that could they dominate the North Blue!

Gray stood up directly and said, "My Vinsmoke Family has pre-ordered this slave!"

He had come here this time without bidding on anything else, simply waiting to see if the rumors were true.

Once he saw that it genuinely was a Lunarian Tribe member, he could no longer hold back and intended to use his family's pressure to force others to back down.

Silence filled the venue.

Yet the host was somewhat displeased!

Since this was the finale item, the goal was to sell it for a high price, but someone was trying to halt the bidding right away, which simply cut off their source of wealth.

Rather indignantly, she said, "Please, Mr. Gray, do not disrupt the venue's rules. It is fair and just: highest bidder wins!"

She was reminding Gray that there were people from other factions in the venue, not just him alone.

Gray glanced around and saw that someone was already dissatisfied with his arrogance.

After all, this wasn't the North Blue.

He snorted and sat down in his seat!

He hadn't brought many high-end combat forces with him this time, and he wasn't necessarily a match for Onigumo alone, let alone the several pirate captains with bounties in the hundreds of millions present in this venue!

Seeing him behave, the host started the bidding.

"Lunarian Tribe slave! Starting price, one hundred million!"

"I bid two hundred million!" Gray instantly called out.

He looked around, and only a few people could meet his gaze.

"Two hundred and fifty million!" shouted a pirate with a bounty exceeding one hundred million.

"Two hundred and seventy million!"

"Three hundred million!" called out Vice Admiral Onigumo.

Seeing the price gradually skyrocketing, Swain also wanted to muddy the waters.

"Three hundred and fifty million!" Swain shouted loudly.

Everyone looked toward the back, feeling somewhat resentful upon seeing that it was just an inexperienced punk calling out the bid.

Even the usually calm Onigumo frowned.

Seeing such gazes, Swain merely smiled faintly.

They unanimously believed that Swain was simply a shill for the auction house.

Otherwise, how could someone not from the front rows dare to bid!

The host on stage was also somewhat dazed, but immediately overjoyed; she figured that with a reckless greenhorn stepping up, she would earn all the more.

"Five hundred million!" Onigumo called out.

This was already his limit, as Marine Headquarters had only given him seven hundred million for this trip.

"Seven hundred million!" Gray bid once more!

"A jump of two hundred million all at once! This is probably the highest record in auction history!"

"Indeed! I heard that the people in the back rooms of the auction got lucky and accidentally discovered this slave while mining for oil."

"That seems like news from a few years ago, doesn't it?"

"Right, who would have thought that the little slave back then could be worth seven hundred million!"

The crowd discussed animatedly as they dug up the discovery history of this Lunarian Tribe youth.

"No wonder! I was wondering how someone of this powerful race could possibly be captured by this level of force after reaching adulthood," Swain thought to himself.

He figured that any force capable of capturing an adult Lunarian would at least be on the level of the Four Emperors.

Following the shout of seven hundred million Beli, the auction venue gradually quieted down.

This was already the limit for many people.

Yet it wasn't Gray's limit; he had the entire Vinsmoke Family backing him up, and he could even pull out one billion! As long as he could acquire this tribal experimental subject!

"Going once for seven hundred million... going three times! Sold!"

"The Lunarian Tribe slave is won by Mr. Gray!"

Then someone delivered a key to him—the key to open the cage!

Swain looked at the few people who had been competing for the slave in the arena. At that moment, their expressions were uncertain, and they all seemed to harbor other ideas!

With a joyful expression, Gray took the key, completely unaware of those harboring malicious intentions.

"Thank you all for participating! Until we meet again!"

After receiving the payment, the auction organizers left Lardo Manor with extreme swiftness.

Because they knew that a drastic upheaval might occur within the next few days.

They were crystal clear on the principle of a person's wealth being their own downfall, which was why they hadn't dared to delay auctioning him off.

Sure enough!

Five hours after they departed, people began making their moves!

However, it was merely to seize a black blade from the auction; the attacker was a pirate with a bounty exceeding one hundred million.

The person who bought the blade was likewise a pirate.

Naturally, no one would interfere in fights between pirates, and some might even hope they would destroy each other so they could reap the benefits.

On the other side.

Swain also received the key to the cage holding Mokai and his sister.

Hiding huddled in a corner of the cage, the two of them didn't even have the courage to look up at their "master" before them.

"Alright, you're safe," they heard a young man's voice say.

Mokai looked up and was momentarily stunned upon seeing that it was Swain!

Then he burst into tears.

This left Swain somewhat speechless. These two brothers seemed to bear a grudge against him—why did they cry the moment they saw him?

The older sister at his side was also full of confusion, thinking Swain was a bad person as she tightly clutched Mokai's clothes.

"Sister, it's okay! The big brother came to save us!"

He explained between sobs.

Fortunately, the sister was a sensible person and didn't cry.

She stood up, straightened herself out, and said, "Thank you very much for saving our lives!"

Swain looked at her pretty face, which still bore traces of tears; she had evidently wept helplessly in the dark night as well.

"You're welcome! You should leave now, this place might be dangerous in a moment!"

Without further explanation, Swain led the brother and sister to the carriage they had arrived in, sending them back to the tavern first.

As if to prove his words, shortly after they left, the sound of gunfire echoed from behind!

"Will the big brother be alright?" Mokai worriedly asked.

"He will!" the sister consoled him in return.

Yet the worry in her eyes could not be concealed.

A true battle for the prize had begun!