"What kind of fruit will it be?"
After a few yawns, Luffy finally perked up a bit.
On stage, the auctioneer gestured for the attendants to open the secure case, then began his usual scripted introduction to build excitement:
"As we all know, Devil Fruits fall into three main categories: Paramecia, Logia, and Zoan types.
While consuming one earns the wrath of the sea, it also grants the user incredible powers!
Today's fruit, as verified by our esteemed appraisers, is…"
The box was slowly opened, and in that instant, Luffy's lazy expression sharpened. His eyes widened, disbelief etched across his face as he stared at the fruit nestled inside the box.
"According to our appraisal… this is the mightiest of all Logia-type fruits, the Mera Mera no Mi—-the Flame-Flame Fruit!"
Crash!
Luffy jumped up in shock, accidentally shattering his chair with the force of his movement. He stood frozen, staring at the orange-red fruit covered in swirling, flame-shaped patterns.
No way… How is this possible?
This fruit… Ace found it after setting out to sea, didn't he? How could it be here now?
Did I cause a butterfly effect somehow? But even if that's the case… how could such a small auction house dare to sell something so valuable?!
Luffy's mind raced, question after question tumbling through his head. Finally, he activated his Observation Haki, a subtle wave of awareness sweeping across the auction hall.
As expected, he detected two powerful presences watching from above, observers stationed on the upper floor.
Damn… there are two people here stronger than me. Looks like I can't just take it by force.
Luffy frowned, anxiety flickering in his heart.
On stage, the auctioneer dramatically raised his gavel and declared, "Starting bid: 500 million Berries!"
"What!?"
Even among the elite of the Grand Line, the room erupted in shock at the astronomical starting price.
"Damn it! I only brought 400 million!"
"Tell the boss to bring another 300 mil, no, 400!"
"Hurry!"
The room descended into chaos. Although rumors had circulated that a Logia-type fruit would be auctioned today, no one expected this fruit, one of the strongest in existence.
In that moment, no one questioned whether the starting price was too high. They only cursed themselves for not bringing more money.
What do I do… I can't let anyone else get it! Luffy's brow furrowed in worry.
The bidding had already begun.
"510 million!"
"530 million!"
"600 million!"
─────────🏴☠️─────────
The price soared rapidly, hitting 800 million in mere moments.
Luffy scanned the room and muttered to himself, Screw it. I'll deal with the consequences later.
"1 billion!" he shouted.
Gasp!
A wave of shock swept through the hall. Everyone turned toward the back row, where Luffy sat.
Even Robin, wearing a mask and standing beside a VIP, turned curiously to look at the young man who seemed about her age.
"One billion Berries… going once!" The auctioneer raised his gavel and struck once.
"One billion Berries… going twice!"
"One bil—"
"Hold it!"
From the front of the hall, the big-shot beside Robin stood up and interrupted. "I suspect this man lacks the means to pay one billion Berries!"
His voice sent another murmur rippling through the crowd.
"Who is that guy?"
"Never seen him before. He's definitely not from around here."
Their suspicion was understandable. The front seats were reserved for major players of the Grand Line. The back rows were mostly for lackeys or members of minor organizations.
Even the auctioneer hesitated under the weight of their doubts. Initially, he just wanted to hike up the price, assuming no one would dare cause trouble on Shichibukai territory.
But now, as he examined Luffy more closely, he nervously asked, "S-Sir… could you please provide some proof of identity?"
Luffy lowered his head and muttered, "What a pain…"
He began to walk down the aisle, step by step.
Tap… tap…
The hall fell silent. Luffy's footsteps echoed like thunder in the hearts of everyone present.
Reaching the center of the hall, Luffy raised his head. A sudden gust of unseen wind blew through, rustling his hair.
Crack!
A visible crack split the ground. A kingly presence, Conqueror's Haki, burst forth once more.
The floor shattered. One by one, people collapsed unconscious in their seats. Even the auctioneer slumped to the floor. Only a handful remained conscious.
Luffy stepped forward again.
He stopped in front of the big-shot who had questioned him, standing above him on the stage, gazing down.
"What kind of proof do you need?" he asked, his eyes darkening, then flashing with a cold, black light.
His calm voice carried an unmistakable authority that allowed no refusal.
The man trembled, drenched in sweat. He couldn't move. He couldn't speak.
Terror consumed him. In that moment, he wished he could simply pass out like the others.
Luffy ignored him and turned his gaze back to the Mera Mera no Mi.
Crack!
His Conqueror's Haki was still flaring. Robin's mask suddenly shattered, pieces falling to the floor.
"Hm?" Luffy looked at her curiously. She seemed familiar. Though unsure, he eased the pressure on her and said nothing more.
He had more pressing matters to deal with.
Relieved, Robin stumbled back into her seat, only to hear approaching footsteps.
She looked up toward the staircase.
From the second floor, two figures descended.
One hunched, with messy hair and a thick glob of snot hanging from his nose.
The other had a muscular upper body, skinny legs, bronze-toned skin, and stood nearly three meters tall, clad in golden armor around his waist.
They were none other than the top two officers of the Donquixote Family:
Trebol, wielder of the Beta Beta no Mi, and Pica, user of the Ishi Ishi no Mi.
The two men eyed Luffy with deep wariness.
They recognized that aura immediately.
It was the same as their young master's, a Haki possessed by one in a million: Conqueror's Haki.
Luffy stared back at the two and understood why the Mera Mera no Mi had ended up here.
On the first half of the Grand Line, Logia fruits were objects of obsession, battled over by thousands.
But in the New World, where the truly strong roamed, personal power reigned supreme. Unless a Devil Fruit suited them perfectly, most wouldn't even bother.
For someone like Doflamingo, it made perfect sense to turn the fruit into maximum profit instead.
Trebol stepped forward, enduring the pressure of Luffy's Haki, and demanded,
"Who are you? Why have you come to disrupt the Donquixote Family's auction?"
Luffy withdrew his Haki. His pupils brightened, and after a moment's thought, he replied:
"I want to make a deal with you."
You can find much more on my Patreon: Patreon.com/Veltoria
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You can find much more on my Patreon: Patreon.com/Veltoria
There are currently 5 active fanfictions on Patreon, with over 418+ advanced chapters available across them!
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