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Especially with Rossi's Observation Haki continuously spread around them like an invisible mesh, something as absurd as being swallowed whole by a shark was even less likely to happen.
"So many ships."
Oni raised one hand to her brow as she steered, squinting into the distance.
Indeed, as "Hachinosu"
drew nearer, the sea grew crowded with ships of every shape.
All manner of bizarre pirate flags fluttered in the wind, interspersed with quite a few merchant vessels with bulging holds.
There were also several fleets flying the plainest skull flags, yet maintaining meticulous formations.
The sailors on their decks stood straight as spear shafts, their sails dazzlingly white-all that was missing was the word "military"
painted on their hulls.
The quadrennial "pirate feast"
had already begun.
Here, one could buy almost anything: rare ingredients, mountains of ore, ships and cannons equipped with new technology, living people, and even-
"Oh? Three of them?"
As the ships entered the waters surrounding Hachinosu, flocks of brightly colored macaws circled overhead, constantly mimicking cries of "Welcome"
to those below while scattering countless slips of paper.
Printed on those slips were the goods that the hosts of this feast, the "Ochoku Pirates,"
would be auctioning.
Rossi's gaze stopped on three entries: Devil Fruits.
"How extravagant.
Look at this-"
Diamante caught a drifting sheet and waved it at the others.
"'Magiatsuka Kingdom,' sold in its entirety.
The country has a population of roughly one million, thirty percent of whom are healthy male laborers. Its specialty is slave warriors... starting bid, thirty billion Beli."
"Even countries can be treated as merchandise?"
Rossi lightly stroked his chin with his fingertips.
Just what one would expect from a feast organized by pirates-Devil Fruits, countries, giants... on one flyer, he even glimpsed the words "Navy Lieutenant"
and "Navy Rear