A faint glimmer appeared on the eastern horizon, cautiously suffusing the pale blue canopy of the sky. A new day gradually arrived from afar.
"Young Master! We have news about the Devil Fruit you've been searching for!"
A subordinate rushed in breathlessly to report to Doflamingo. The Donquixote Family executives, gathered together eating breakfast, all turned their attention to their leader, who was still calmly finishing his food. Doflamingo noticed their gazes, methodically wiped his mouth with a napkin, composed himself, and then began his inquiry.
"Today is truly starting out as a beautiful day! Good news so early in the morning," Doflamingo remarked coolly. "Where is this Devil Fruit now?" he asked the subordinate.
"Young Master, according to our intelligence, the fruit is scheduled to be auctioned one month from now, at an auction house in the South Blue," the subordinate quickly narrated all the known details.
"South Blue, hmm? Alright," Doflamingo mused. He turned to Ibes beside him. "Ibes, let us go check out this auction together." He extended the invitation to her.
"Okay!" Ibes replied with a sweet smile.
"What about me? Onii-chan, can I come too?" Robin piped up immediately. Hearing about an auction excited her, and she couldn't help but voice her desire to join, especially since Doflamingo hadn't invited her.
"We're going for business, Robin," Doflamingo replied, not coddling her. "Your strength isn't quite up to par yet. You need to get stronger quickly! Otherwise, how can I truly rely on you? How can I trust you to watch my back?" He opted for a dose of tough love rather than simple refusal, leaving her momentarily speechless. In Doflamingo's view, building Robin's strength was far more critical right now than attending a mere auction; there would be plenty of opportunities for such things later.
Doflamingo's logical explanation effectively silenced Robin's request. Under his gentle but firm instruction, she obediently turned to leave for her training, though her slightly pouting lips betrayed her lingering disappointment. Doflamingo paid her mood no further mind, his focus already shifting entirely to the upcoming auction.
"Let's go," Doflamingo instructed Ibes.
"Mm," Ibes nodded, rising gracefully to follow him.
One month passed in the blink of an eye. In a certain town in the South Blue, a grand auction was about to commence.
Having received the detailed intelligence, Doflamingo, accompanied by Ibes and a small contingent of subordinates, had hurried along and arrived just in time.
There was no need for showing off or causing a scene. Doflamingo and Ibes quietly took their seats in a designated area, while their subordinates unobtrusively stood guard behind them.
Doflamingo surveyed the attendees. The crowd consisted mostly of South Blue underworld figures, various pirates, and local nobles. He scanned the faces but recognized no one of significance. Makes sense, he thought. Supernovas like Kid and Kira probably haven't even been born yet. Any truly powerful pirates from the South Blue would have already left for the Grand Line long ago; they wouldn't waste time on small-scale events like this.
Finally, the curtain rose, and the auction began.
The host walked onto the stage, delivered an eloquent opening speech, and then unveiled the first items, immediately capturing the audience's attention.
The auction proceeded much as Doflamingo remembered such events: slave trading, a timeless, ugly business. Perhaps influenced by the predilections of the World Nobles, it seemed no auction house could resist engaging in this shady enterprise – even Doflamingo's own future operations would dabble in it. Various slaves were brought out and put on display. Doflamingo watched impassively, feeling no particular pity. This is their choice, perhaps one made under duress, but ultimately, who is truly to blame? Weakness leads to enslavement; it's the natural order of this world. Struggling free, taking control of one's own destiny... the hope for that is depressingly slim.
The auctioneers certainly understood their clientele. The first lot catered directly to the desires of the men in the audience: two young women with pitiful expressions were brought onto the stage. They were identical twins, indistinguishable from one another. Though dressed in scant clothing – just enough to cover the vitals – much of their pale skin was exposed. The sight elicited cries of excitement from the crowd below; men swallowed hard, already viewing the twins as private playthings.
The twins clung together fearfully, their eyes wide with terror as they looked out at the leering faces below. Ironically, their palpable fear only seemed to excite the bidders further.
The host observed the audience's reaction with satisfaction. Starting with top-quality identical twins had clearly whipped the atmosphere into a frenzy. Everyone certainly enjoys this sort of thing.
"Ahem!" The host cleared his throat. "It seems everyone is quite pleased! This is a pair of top-quality twins, unspoiled, full-figured, and barely twenty years of age!" he announced with a beaming smile.
"Enough talk! I want those twins! Start the bidding!" someone shouted impatiently from the floor.
"Since this esteemed guest is so eager, I won't delay further!" the host replied smoothly, wary of annoying the 'Gods of Wealth' in attendance. "There is no reserve price! The highest bidder wins!"
As soon as the host stopped speaking, the bidding erupted. "10 million Beli! They're mine!" "50 million Beli! Beauties like these aren't so cheap!" "Idiots! 100 million Beli! I'd like to see anyone dare compete with me!" a portly nobleman sitting arrogantly in the front row declared, his eyes glued greedily to the twins.
Seeing a powerful figure from the front row make such a decisive bid, the others immediately extinguished their own desires. The twins were tempting, certainly, but life was more important.
With the 100 million Beli bid hanging in the air, the previously boisterous auction hall fell silent.
"100 million Beli, going once!" "100 million Beli, going twice!"
From the moment the twins appeared, Ibes had worn an expression of pained sympathy, though she remained silent. Now, seeing their fate about to be sealed, her inner turmoil grew. She finally closed her eyes, unable to bear watching any longer.
Her subtle distress did not escape Doflamingo's notice. He reached over and gently took her small hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered softly, "We aren't saints, Ibes. We can't save everyone. This world operates by its own rules. Only by standing at the very peak can one hope to make the rules. Are you willing to walk that path to the top with me?"
Hearing Doflamingo's words, which sounded almost like a confession yet weren't quite, Ibes felt her ears flush slightly red. She nodded subconsciously, her fingers tightening around his hand in return.
"100 million Beli, going three times! Sold!" the host announced happily, banging his gavel. "Congratulations to our esteemed guest! This exquisite pair of twins is now yours!"
"And now," the host continued quickly, riding the wave of excitement, "let us see the next batch of top-quality goods!"
This time, the 'goods' brought on stage weren't women, but a group of about ten young men, chained together, their bodies bearing the unmistakable marks of severe torture. (Men were treated differently, Doflamingo noted idly. Torture was acceptable, whereas disfiguring women would hurt their sale price.) Seeing men presented, most of the male audience members immediately lost interest – not everyone shared certain proclivities. However, several noblewomen in the crowd leaned forward, observing the men on stage with undisguised interest.
Under the naked, leering gazes of these women, the enslaved men flinched and shrank away, averting their eyes. Their status as slaves had already stripped them of their human dignity and confidence.
After another round of fierce bidding, primarily driven by the noblewomen, the group of young men was sold to a particularly large, opulently dressed woman of noble bearing.
The slave auction continued with fervent energy. Batch after batch of unfortunate souls were successfully traded away. After what seemed like a long time, this segment of the auction finally came to a temporary close.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the host announced, his voice ringing with renewed energy. "The slave auction for today concludes! But stay seated, because next up, we present the grand finale item of this entire event – a legendary Treasure of the Sea!" He held his gavel aloft, scanning the crowd, waiting for their reaction.
Truthfully, aside from ambitious individuals like pirates and underworld figures with a thirst for power, most of the nobles present weren't particularly interested in Devil Fruits; slaves better suited their needs. The desire for Devil Fruits burned hottest among desperados and pirates – those who craved strength above all else, knowing a powerful fruit could elevate their status dramatically.
Finally, the main event, Doflamingo thought, straightening slightly, his full attention now focused on the stage.
As the host finished speaking, the pirates and underworld guests remaining in the audience adopted serious expressions, masking their anticipation. The nobles, for the most part, looked bored or indifferent.
The host noticed the somewhat cold reception. This bunch is really tough to please, he sighed inwardly. "Haha, please be patient, esteemed guests!" he announced with a forced smile, maintaining the atmosphere. "The item will be brought out momentarily!"
While the previously auctioned slaves were led away one by one by their new, richly dressed owners, the final, most anticipated treasure was finally carried onto the stage, contained within an ornate chest.
As their eyes fell upon the chest presumably holding a Devil Fruit, the gazes of the remaining guests began to burn with fervent intensity.
The host, a keen observer, immediately sensed the shift in mood. A prime opportunity for extortion! he thought gleefully. Time to bleed them dry! He wouldn't let this chance slip away.
Drawing upon all his professional skills, the host launched into his final pitch.
"Esteemed guests!!" His voice grew louder, more passionate, and he began gesturing emphatically with his arms. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The grand finale of this auction! A genuine Treasure of the Sea – a Zoan-type Devil Fruit!!"
He deliberately drew out the last words, pausing dramatically before slowly placing his hand on the lid of the chest, keeping everyone in suspense.
In that instant, the entire auction hall seemed to hold its breath.
"Its identity is..."
The host finally threw open the lid, revealing the fruit within and announcing the ultimate prize.
"Zoan Type: Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Den Den Mushi!!"