Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 1.
This was the largest lawless zone in all of the Sabaody Archipelago, and also where the largest human auction house was located.
At this moment, in a cage...
"Though I know this is to use a 'legal' identity to join the White Wolf Pirates, this feeling really does not make me happy."
"Stay calm."
A man's voice came from the adjacent cage.
"We can at least guarantee your safety until you board the merchant ship. Though not everyone on that ship is our people, the first mate is one of our hidden intelligence agents. With him there, you will be safe until reaching Sphinx."
"I hope so."
The girl with the dark blue ponytail took a deep breath. She also wanted to stay calm, but as a cadet who was not even an official Marine soldier, suddenly participating in this level of undercover operation...
The pressure was immense.
Moreover, her experiences along the way were completely different from what she had imagined. Though Marine Headquarters was right nearby, Sabaody Archipelago had such a large human auction center.
That Marine Headquarters personnel could arrange for her to enter this auction and protect her safety showed the Marines had planted people in this auction house, possibly even having business dealings.
But Tsuru was not some hot-blooded fool.
She clearly understood that light was often accompanied by shadow. Perhaps the Marines kept this auction center for some unavoidable difficulties, perhaps due to high-level corruption, or perhaps this auction center served some purpose she did not know.
Tsuru tried to think optimistically.
"Tsuru, when you agreed to participate in this mission, you became an official Marine soldier. You are destined to encounter many things completely contrary to your understanding, but do not forget one thing."
"Remember, you are a Marine. Your duty is to expel pirates and protect the innocent!"
"At all times, hold on to your original purpose!"
The words of the Marine Chief of Staff echoed in her mind, and slowly, peace came over her face.
"What good merchandise has been brought in?"
"It's a giant mother and her child, originally bought as laborers by a trading company. However, the owner felt the female's strength was far below that of male giants, and the child, though small, had a huge appetite, making them too troublesome to raise."
"Hehe, after all, it is a female giant. If it were a mermaid, it would be different. Female mermaids cost dozens of times more than males!"
"Sigh, lately those pirates and slave-hunting teams do not know what is wrong. Have not caught a single mermaid. Those big shots have been complaining for ages."
"Tell me about it. I heard it is because the White Wolf Pirates appeared at Fish-Man Island. This damn pirate crew always opposes us!"
"Really?"
The casual conversation between two auction house workers made Tsuru and the Marine intelligence agent beside her expression shift.
"The White Wolf Pirates actually appeared at Fish-Man Island? That means they might very well make a stop at Sabaody Archipelago!"
The Marine intelligence agent looked excited.
"Tsuru, opportunity is here! If the White Wolf Pirates come to Sabaody Archipelago, given their usual methods, they might very well strike against the human trafficking here. Then you could reach Sphinx through more reasonable means!"
Having been at the auction center for a day already, this Marine intelligence agent did not yet know the White Wolf Pirates had already appeared at Impel Down.
If the White Wolf Pirates came to Sabaody Archipelago and incidentally rescued Tsuru, then her wanting to join the White Wolf Pirates out of gratitude would be natural.
"Why... would the White Wolf Pirates strike against human trafficking!?"
The intelligence agent's every word was understandable to Tsuru, but combined together, she felt something was off. What did he mean the White Wolf Pirates struck against human trafficking every time they came to Sabaody Archipelago?
The intelligence agent's question directly silenced the Marine intelligence agent. He had not thought about it before, but now thinking...
Why indeed? Should this not be the Marines' job?
"Right, though the White Wolf Pirates strike against human traffickers, that is only because the White Wolf Pirates' vice-captain Roya was once a slave, making the entire White Wolf Pirates despise human traffickers. It does not mean they are some harmless group."
The Marine intelligence agent explained.
"This is also why we are sending you to Sphinx with a slave identity. Slave status more easily gains White Wolf Pirates' recognition."
"I understand."
Though Tsuru accepted the explanation with a heavy heart, she was aware that many freed slaves had turned into human traffickers. The White Wolf Pirates were only the most notorious among them.
Could she one day become like them?
Tsuru considered how, if she became a White Wolf Pirates crew member, she could gain trust from other White Wolf Pirates members.
Most importantly... gaining Silas's trust.
Just as Tsuru was thinking, she suddenly heard someone nearby exclaim.
"The higher-ups just notified us that Celestial Dragons will participate in this auction! They want us to definitely list all our best merchandise!"
"Haha, looks like we will make a fortune this time."
"Pity there are no mermaids."
The auction house workers were somewhat surprised and somewhat regretful. Their attitude toward Celestial Dragons was not respectful. The only reason these villains would bow their heads was because Celestial Dragons were too rich!
Any merchandise they took a fancy to would definitely sell for high prices!
Celestial Dragons!?
If the Celestial Dragons' arrival was a pleasant surprise for auction house workers, then for Tsuru and the Marine intelligence agent beside her, it was pure terror.
"Damn, why would Celestial Dragons come? The higher-ups gave no notice at all."
The middle-aged Marine intelligence agent's expression had changed.
Under their Marine control, there were not many existences they could call variables, but Celestial Dragons definitely qualified as variables.
They were this world's true masters. World nobility that even the Marines had to bow to.
"Tsuru, the plan is cancelled!"
The middle-aged Marine intelligence agent did not hesitate.
"If it were ordinary competitors, even if we Marines could not outcompete them, we would have sufficient ability to snatch you back from opponents."
"But Celestial Dragons are different."
"Once they take a fancy to you, even we could not oppose Celestial Dragons for your sake!"
However, just as he prepared to use backup keys to escape with Tsuru...
Another voice rang out.
"It is... it is White King Silas!"
A terrified voice echoed in the auction center's preparation room.
"He has appeared at the auction center!"