The auction was over, but no one had calmed down yet.
One shock had followed another.
First came the enormous number of Devil Fruits, then the cards that sold for astronomical prices, and the three precious paintings depicting the Rocks Pirates.
There was the Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng, one rare Devil Fruit after another, and creatures of legend. Even a Millennium Dragon had appeared.
The Mechanical Hand could change the world.
And finally, the Swordsmanship Tournament had shown just how grandly the Pluton Pirates did things.
The magnificent Battle Pyramid had caught many people's attention. Countless spectators, nobles included, could hardly wait to watch the tournament's battles in person.
Every time anyone started to feel sleepy, another shock jolted them awake.
If the World Expo was a celebration for pirates, then the Swordsmanship Tournament would be a gathering for swordsmen.
Even if they came only for the title of "World's Greatest Swordsman."
One Great Pirate after another had already decided to enter. Who knew what formidable swordsmen might emerge next?
And the prizes were far too tempting!
Many swordsmen at the venue gripped the hilts at their waists. They were going to enter, without a doubt.
Even if they knew they could not stand against those monsters, it would still be an extraordinary experience. They could learn a great deal and perhaps even break through a bottleneck in their Swordsmanship.
Meanwhile, swordsmen around the world were growing restless, famous and unknown alike.
Many wanted the title of World's Greatest Swordsman.
Some wanted the prize money, others the precious sword-forging materials. Some wanted it all.
Even those who had not heard the news soon would.
At a Kendo Dojo in the North Blue, a six-year-old boy with eyes as sharp as a hawk's watched the broadcast, longing flashing in his gaze.
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