With Vic backing him up, the host became somewhat embarrassed and fell silent, simply staring at those who had previously bid and won items.
Katakuri was eager, but the mysterious person he had been wary of had already bought the last Devil Fruit and left, which made him feel much more relaxed. So he joined the middle of the line with his sister Brulee.
Once backstage, the group split into two: one went to the slave quarters to complete the transaction, while the other went down the stairs to the backstage basement, where a treasure vault was located, storing all valuable items except for the slaves.
The defenses here are very strong, with dozens of burly men guarding the place. The treasure vault is also made of some kind of black metal, which is exceptionally sturdy and impervious to strong attacks.
Furthermore, the treasure vault requires several people to take turns operating it to open, and finally the host from before uses the key to open the door, take out the items, and complete the transaction.
Tesoro not only bought the beautiful slave Baccarat, but also a Devil Fruit. He needed to travel between the two places, but Tesoro chose to come to the treasure vault first. His heart had begun to be corrupted by money and power!
Shalria, however, had long since abandoned her father and brother to eagerly go see Grandpa Rayleigh; she was driven by desire.
Vic was neither at the very front nor the very back of the line. In front of the line was a counter-like structure between the line and the vault. Above the counter were metal bars made of the same metal as the vault, with very small gaps between them, making it impossible for most people to squeeze through.
Only a small trading window remained on the counter, with a row of strong, burly men standing both inside and outside to ensure the smooth operation of the transaction.
Anyway, all the necessary precautions have been taken at the treasure vault. If someone still manages to steal or rob something, then there's really nothing that can be done. Doflamingo can't be in charge personally. It's not the theft itself that's worrisome, it's having someone eyeing the property. As long as someone is eyeing it, even the best protection is useless. This is a world with all sorts of amazing Devil Fruit abilities!
Tesoro hesitated for a moment about whether to get the Devil Fruit or go redeem Baccarat first, so after making up his mind, he could only be at the back of the line. He wasn't in a hurry. Doflamingo was still very strong, and only a few dared to cause trouble. He didn't think he would encounter one.
At the entrance to the treasure vault, internal personnel, each possessing a unique unlocking method, were taking turns unlocking the metal doors, while those in line waited for this necessary procedure.
Just as the host stepped forward to perform the final procedure, the person in the middle of the line, shrouded in a black robe, suddenly turned around, and those behind him looked at the mysterious person who had suddenly turned around in surprise.
Tesoro, at the back of the group, was in the same situation. Like the others, he couldn't see the face under the hood at all, but he could feel the gaze from the shadow of the hood looking at him!
The mysterious man turned around just for him? Not knowing what the man in black robes wanted, Tesoro stared intently at the mysterious man ahead, and then a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
I'll be waiting for you at the beach in area 50!
The voice was the same one that had spoken in his mind during the treasure map auction. Tesoro had been guessing who the speaker was while he was at the front desk, but he never expected it to be this mysterious person in front of him!
Before he could think any further, an invisible force struck him. He tried to resist, but to no avail. He was like a rootless duckweed, and everyone in front of him in line was scattered by this force!
Two of them crashed directly into him. When he struggled to his feet, his expression changed drastically, only the man in black robes remained standing in front of him. Even Katakuri, the Sweet Commander of the Four Emperors Big Mom Pirates, had been thrown aside and crashed into some of the structures.
Needless to say, the others were in even worse shape. Celestial Dragons Charlos and Rosward had already crashed into the wall and passed out. Even the agents who wanted to be their human cushions were powerless to control their own bodies.
Everyone lay on the ground, staring in astonishment at the mysterious man in black robes. Apart from the Celestial Dragons father and son who were deliberately targeting him, no one else suffered any real harm; they were merely repelled by an invisible force, so they could all lie on the ground and watch the spectacle.
They saw the mysterious figure look around, then leap and land on the counter blocking the entrance to the treasure vault. Everyone could roughly guess what he was planning, but could he break through such a formidable defense?
Only Tesoro and Katakuri believed this person could do it. Katakuri considered himself quite strong, but Haki Emission, he was utterly powerless to resist. This person was too strong! In this person's eyes, what was Doflamingo? What were the obstacles before him?
If it weren't for waiting for the host to remove the final shackle, this person probably would have already made his move. Although Katakuri did have this concern before, he was worried about Dragon. After Dragon used the Pierce -Warp-Warp Fruit, he was no longer worried!
Now, he wasn't worried anymore, but disappointed. He still longed for the Mirror-Mirror Fruit, but he knew he couldn't defeat this mysterious person. A single Haki Emission rendered him helpless; was a fight even necessary? Had the Devil Fruit he'd coveted for so long ultimately been destined to remain forever out of reach for Brulee?
The mysterious man in black robes reached out and grabbed two metal bars, pulling them apart without hesitation. He then swiftly passed through the arched gap between the bars and slipped into the treasure vault. The door was then closed again from the inside.
The mysterious man in black robes swiftly and decisively blasted through the air, pulled open the railing, leaped into the treasure vault, and closed the door. His movements, though seemingly numerous, were incredibly fast. Before anyone could react, his figure had already vanished from the treasure vault.
"Damn it! Someone's trying to steal it by force, they're really courting death! These two sneaky people are definitely up to no good!"
Two of you go and call over all the extra security guards from the auction house. The rest of you reopen the doors. This guy is utterly foolish; he's locked himself in the treasure vault. Isn't that like trapping a turtle in a jar for us?"
After Vic closed the metal door, the host instinctively ran forward and pounded on the tall metal door several times. The force of the impact from his hands brought him back to his senses, and he quickly arranged for someone to call the remaining security personnel from the auction house.
After saying this, he quickly took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed the number, believing that the mysterious person had already locked him in the treasure vault and wouldn't be able to escape anytime soon.
Katakuri and Tesoro didn't think that way. They both believed the host had lost his mind. The treasure vault contained the Mirror-Mirror Fruit and the Warp-Warp Fruit- Devil Fruit, both of which had the ability to escape. All this person needed to do was eat one of Devil Fruit.
The Mirror-Mirror Fruit might be less effective in the treasure vault, but as long as there are mirrors made of gold or with gold decorations in the vault, it won't be difficult to leave. Even gold that can reflect a person's face would be enough. The Warp-Warp Fruit makes it even simpler; this metal treasure vault can't hold a Pass- Devil Fruit User at all.
Moreover, not to mention that the mysterious man himself is a Devil Fruit user and cannot eat those two Devil Fruit, his own strength is enough to sweep through the enemy. Even if the host calls in Doflamingo, it won't make a difference. That powerful man just needs to wait for the treasure vault door to open.