"Is that you?"
Shalria slowly raised her head, her gaze unfocused, and saw the trembling Fishman beside her who was trying his best to comfort her.
This Fishman, forcing an awkward smile despite her fear, was none other than the foul smelling Fishman from Darling's pirate crew.
"Lowly Fishman."
Every time Shalria saw her, she instinctively felt the urge to cover her nose, disgusted by a fishy smell that did not truly exist, but had long taken root in her mind.
"Hmph! This princess is not afraid!"
The moment she recognized the Fishman she despised, Shalria straightened up, forcing her drooping posture back into one of arrogance.
"You… you are not scared?" Kemi asked hesitantly, forcing a smile.
"That's good…"
She hunched her shoulders, eyes lowering to the iron chains around her wrists, her body trembling as she whispered, "Then you are very strong… unlike me, I am very scared…"
"…."
Seeing the Fishman openly admit her fear left Shalria oddly deflated.
"Hmph!" Shalria snorted stubbornly. "This princess is only… only a little scared…"
For reasons she could not explain, she disliked the Fishman even more.
You were supposed to comfort this princess. Why show your cowardice in front of her?
Did you not know… that this princess is also terrified?
Shalria subconsciously curled inward as the cold from the iron chains seeped into her body, draining away the last warmth she had.
"This princess is a Celestial Dragon. As long as this princess…"
Suddenly, she realized the surrounding noise had vanished.
"…."
Hostile gazes filled with hatred and resentment converged on her.
"What are you staring at?" Shalria snapped, lifting her head sharply. "This princess is a Celestial Dragon! How dare you look at me like that?!"
"Celestial Dragon?" A middle aged pirate sneered, his bloodshot eyes filled with loathing. "Then have your servants gouge out our eyes. Isn't that the punishment your kind loves so much?"
"That's right," another voice chimed in coldly. A petite girl, her small frame almost swallowed by chains, looked at Shalria with disdain. "A Celestial Dragon reduced to a slave. You are still dreaming even in a slave auction house. How laughable."
"This princess really is a Celestial Dragon!" Shalria shouted angrily, glaring at them. "You will all know once this princess gets out of here!"
"Enough," a handsome young man leaning against the wall said weakly, a bitter smile on his face. "We are all suffering here. There is no need to make it worse."
"She thinks she is above everyone," the petite girl scoffed. "That is the difference."
"Celestial Dragons… damn Celestial Dragons!"
The middle aged pirate ground his teeth, his voice trembling with rage. "If those monsters had not ordered cannons fired just to watch fireworks, my entire family would still be alive. I would never have become a pirate! I will never forgive them!"
"Commoner, do not look at this princess with such eyes!" Shalria screamed, panic creeping into her voice.
The pirate suddenly lunged forward, chains clattering violently as he strained against them.
"You really are just like them," he snarled. "Arrogant. Self centered. Exactly the same!"
Blood seeped from his bitten lips, yet his glare never wavered.
"Do not look at me! Stop!" Shalria screamed, shutting her eyes tightly as her body shook.
She was certain that if not for the chains, he would have torn out her throat.
…
What the others saw was entirely different.
No. 19, the white bearded old man reeking of alcohol, leaned against the wall, eyes closed, snoring softly.
No. 18, the towering Giant, stood with arms crossed, asleep against the wall.
No. 17, the young man, leaned quietly nearby, silent and unmoving.
But in a hidden world unseen by others, the three were seated comfortably, enjoying a feast spread across the floor.
"Shirogai San, that new girl seems to know you," Rayleigh said with a grin, gnawing on a pig's trotter and washing it down with fine wine. He glanced toward Shalria, who looked strong on the surface but was trembling inside. "What is this? Did you leave her behind after winning her heart? That would be irresponsible."
"Hm?" Stansen, the Giant, chewing on a massive bone, also looked at Shirogai with a curious expression.
"Heh, Rayleigh, you misunderstand," Shirogai said calmly, sitting cross legged with a cup of wine in hand. "I am innocent. But speaking of things like that… what about you and Shakky San?"
Rayleigh coughed, his old face reddening slightly. "Ahem. A man being a little unfaithful is not wrong. Still, I have always liked younger women."
He quickly changed the topic, squinting as he observed Shalria. "That girl's background is extraordinary."
"What she said is true," Rayleigh continued quietly. "She really is a Celestial Dragon."
"That is correct," Shirogai replied with a faint smile. "Your eyes have not dulled, Rayleigh San."
Stansen froze in place, staring at Shalria in shock.
A Celestial Dragon being auctioned as a slave?
Was the owner of this auction house insane?
Shirogai set his cup down and looked toward the trembling Celestial Dragon not far away. "It is almost amusing. She is my admirer. She used the Celestial Dragons' information network to learn that our crew would appear on the Sabaody Archipelago. She came here pretending to be an ordinary person in trouble, hoping to meet me by chance."
"You are dangerous, Shirogai San," Rayleigh laughed. "But this situation is troublesome."
He took a drink and continued, "There may be other Celestial Dragons among the bidders outside. If they realize one of their own is being sold, their fury will be unimaginable. The Admirals will be summoned immediately."
"Even without that," Shirogai replied calmly, "the Admirals will come anyway. The right hand of the Pirate King is being auctioned. Do you think the Marines are comfortable with that?"
Rayleigh laughed heartily. "Their heads are not worth my trouble."
"Care to make a bet?" Shirogai said casually. "The moment trouble breaks out involving the Celestial Dragons, the Admirals will arrive within minutes."
"So fast?" Rayleigh raised a brow. "They are preparing for war with Whitebeard. Are they not worried about Impel Down?"
Shirogai smiled without answering.
Rayleigh stared at him, then suddenly slapped his own forehead and laughed bitterly. "They are coming for you, Shirogai, aren't they?"
"You flatter me," Shirogai replied lightly, raising his cup.
Rayleigh laughed again. "The Marines must be having a headache. Watching you, while guarding against Whitebeard rescuing Ace."
"I know," Rayleigh added quietly. "Ace is the son of an old friend."
Shirogai's expression turned serious. "Then you do not plan to act?"
Rayleigh stared into his wine before draining it. "Not yet. The timing is wrong. Acting now would ruin the bigger picture."
…
"Moshi moshi. I have arrived. Please respond."
"…."
"Hm? No response?"
A man in a yellow suit with an Admiral's coat draped over his shoulders stood on the pier, holding a black Transponder Snail.
Boom.
A molten cannonball crashed into the nearby sea, exploding in a violent plume.
From the magma rose a figure in a dark red suit, justice coat billowing.
"Borsalino," Akainu said flatly, brushing flames from his body. "You picked up an eavesdropping Transponder Snail."
"Oh my," Kizaru drawled, scratching his head. "Weren't we supposed to be discreet? This entrance feels a bit dramatic."
…
Nearby pirates stared in horror.
"No way… that is…"
Screams erupted as they fled.
"Run! Run!"
"Admiral Kizaru! Admiral Akainu are here!"