The auction proceeded quickly.
Jewelry, antiques, weapons, Devil Fruit... one item after another was brought to the auction stage, and one after another was sold off.
The bidding from the audience rose and fell, and the atmosphere grew increasingly heated.
But Roy noticed that Saint Charlos, who was sitting in the front row, never raised a sign once.
Those treasures that are priceless in the eyes of ordinary people are utterly worthless in his eyes.
He came here today with only one goal—the mermaid.
Finally, the host struck the gavel.
"Distinguished guests, thank you for your enthusiastic participation."
His smile grew even brighter.
"Next up is the part everyone's been waiting for--"
Auction of 'Living Treasures'!
The atmosphere in the audience instantly erupted.
The eyes of the nobles and wealthy merchants lit up.
Even the pirates showed greedy expressions.
The host was very satisfied with the result.
He snapped his fingers again.
The floor in the center of the stage slowly opened, and a huge golden cage rose from the ground.
Inside the cage, locked up was the mermaid girl with long blue hair.
Her wrists and ankles were bound with Seastone shackles; her face was pale, and her eyes were filled with fear.
The golden fish tail shimmered softly under the light, breathtakingly beautiful.
A gasp of amazement erupted from the audience.
"A mermaid! It really is a mermaid!"
"What a nice view..."
"If I bought one and kept it in the pool, wow..."
Saint Charlos's eyes lit up.
He sat up straight, and for the first time, he showed an expression of interest.
The host raised his voice. "Ladies and gentlemen! This is today's first 'living treasure'—a pure-blooded mermaid girl from Fish-Man Island! She's only fourteen years old!"
"Her fishtail glows in the moonlight! Her singing voice can enchant even sea creatures!"
Starting bid: 50 million Beli!
As soon as he finished speaking, someone in the audience raised a sign.
Fifty-five million!
Sixty million!
Sixty-five million!
The bidding was in full swing.
Saint Charlos did not rush to make a bid.
He watched leisurely as those "lowly people" scrambled for the prize, like a cat toying with its prey.
Only when the price reached 100 million Beli and the number of bidders dwindled did he slowly raise his hand.
Five hundred million.
The entire room fell silent instantly.
Five hundred million Beli.
It jumped directly from 100 million to 500 million.
The wealthy businessmen who were still gritting their teeth and bidding turned deathly pale instantly.
No one dares to steal from the Celestial Dragons.
There is no one.
The host grinned from ear to ear. "Five hundred million! Saint Charlos has bid five hundred million! Any higher bids?"
The entire room fell silent.
"Five hundred million at a time!"
"Five hundred million twice!"
"Five hundred million three times--"
"Make a deal!"
The mallet struck.
The mermaid girl belongs to Saint Charlos.
Inside the cage, Shyarly closed her eyes in despair.
She knew what awaited her.
Slaves of the Celestial Dragons never have a good ending.
Jinbe's fists were clenched so tightly they cracked.
His body was trembling slightly, and his eyes were filled with rage.
Roy pressed down on his shoulder.
"Wait a little longer."
His voice was calm.
"It's not over yet."
Next up were the two female warriors from Amazon Lily.
They were raised from the ground and locked in the same golden cages.
His injuries hadn't healed yet, but his eyes remained defiant.
"Everyone! These two are pure-blooded female warriors from Amazon Lily! They are twenty-two and twenty-five years old respectively!"
"They are proficient in Haki and physical combat, and their fighting strength is comparable to that of a naval captain!"
"Buying it will not only allow them to act as bodyguards, but also..."
The host smiled knowingly and didn't continue.
But the men in the audience understood.
The bidding has resumed.
This time, Saint Charlos did not make a move.
He wasn't interested in female warriors.
Ultimately, the two Kuja warriors were sold to a masked, obese nobleman for a total price of 120 million Beli.
Elder Nyon's face was so gloomy it could drip water.
The auction is still ongoing.
More "living treasures" were brought up— Mink Tribe warriors, Longarm Tribe craftsmen, Dwarf Tribe maidens...
Each one was priced and sold like a commodity.
Roy remained motionless.
He's waiting.
Wait until the auction ends.
Wait for the buyers to "pick up" the goods from the backend.
At that time, all the slaves would gather together.
Taking action is the easiest way.
Finally, the last item was sold.
The host bowed deeply. "Thank you, distinguished guests! This auction is now concluded!"
"All successful bidders, please proceed to the backstage area to complete the handover procedures!"
The crowd began to disperse.
Saint Charlos stood up, and with his wife and children, escorted by CP Agent, walked towards the backstage area.
The masked nobleman also stood up and impatiently headed backstage.
Roy finally moved.
He stood up, his Telekinesis Field remaining intact, enveloping everyone within it.
Let's go.
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear him clearly.
"It's time to close the net."
Yamato gripped his spiked club tightly, his eyes filled with excitement.
Savi clasped his fists together, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Jesus Burgess laughed heartily, his voice low.
Jinbe took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination.
Elder Nyon leaned on her snake-shaped cane, her face stern.
The Hancock Sisters followed closely behind Roy, their eyes filled with both nervousness and anticipation.
Shanks adjusted his straw Straw Hat, a signature smile playing on his lips, "Let's go, let's pull off a big one."
Beckman, a cigarette dangling from his lips, checked the ammunition in his pistol.
Yasopp carried a sniper rifle, his eyes sharp.
Lucky Roux, gnawing on his meat, mumbled, "It's finally our turn."
Under the cover of Roy 'Telekinesis Field, the group silently passed through the departing crowd and headed backstage.
The backstage corridor was covered with thick carpets, and the walls were adorned with valuable oil paintings.
At the end of the corridor was a huge metal door.
Eight fully armed security personnel stood at the entrance.
Roy Telekinesis to probe out.
All eight people rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground.
The lock cylinder of the metal door was gently Telekinesis.
Click.
The door opened.
Behind the door was a huge warehouse.
Dozens of golden cages were neatly arranged.
Each cage contains a "living treasure".
Mermaid girl, Kuja Warrior, Mink Tribe Warrior, Longarm Tribe Craftsman, Dwarf Tribe Girl...
They saw the door open, and when they saw the group of people walking in, fear, wariness, and confusion flashed in their eyes.
Roy's gaze swept over them, then landed at the back of the warehouse.
There, Saint Charlos stood before the mermaid girl's cage, smugly admiring his "trophy."
Behind him stood four CP Agent, their faces expressionless.
The masked nobleman who had photographed the Kuja Warrior was also nearby, greedily eyeing the "goods" in the cage.
Roy withdrew his Telekinesis Field.
The cover has disappeared.
Their figures appeared out of thin air in the center of the warehouse.
Who goes there?!
The CP Agent was the first to react, instantly drawing his gun.
But it was too late.
Roy raised his right hand, his five fingers slightly curled.
The Telekinesis transformed into an invisible giant hand, swatting the four CP Agent away simultaneously!
The four men slammed against the wall, became embedded in it, and passed out.
Saint Charlos was stunned.
He turned around and saw the group of people who had suddenly appeared; his face instantly turned ashen.
"You... you lowly people! Do you even know who I am?!"
"I am Celestial Dragons! A descendant of the Creator!"
"If you dare lay a finger on me, the Marine Admiral will—"
Before he could finish speaking...
Roy's hand was already around his neck.
Saint Charlos's voice abruptly stopped.
He stared wide-eyed at the dark-haired man before him, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Does anyone really dare to lay a hand on Celestial Dragons?
"You... you..."
Roy looked at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
" Celestial Dragons?"
"Is that so great?"
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the Saint Charlos away like trash.
The bulky body slammed against the wall, the bubble headgear shattered, and shards of glass cut his face.
Saint Charlos lay sprawled on the ground, trembling all over, his crotch soaked with sweat.
Roy withdrew his gaze and looked at the slaves in the cages.
Don't be afraid.
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear him clearly.
"I've come to save you."