At this moment, the spectator areas and most contestants around the venue erupted into excited chatter, sensing that there might be more dramatic developments before the competition's conclusion.
"Haha, from what the appraisers said, the value of that item should be quite substantial!" one observer noted with obvious interest.
"That guy seems to have caught something absolutely incredible!" another added enthusiastically.
"Indeed, but those judges explained the details so thoroughly. How could they possibly know so much about such a specific piece?" a curious spectator wondered aloud.
"Don't you know? Master Dick used to work here before he became famous," someone explained knowledgeably.
Skull and Brook exchanged amused glances, their skeletal features somehow managing to convey satisfaction.
"Brook, it seems what we predicted earlier was absolutely correct," Skull observed with obvious delight. "Boss Jerry really does have remarkable luck when it matters most."
"Yohohoho! That's right indeed," Brook agreed with his characteristic laugh. "What an extraordinary discovery, though I must say it's quite an unusual fishing catch!"
After the judges finished their detailed explanation, the host realized this was indeed a dramatic reversal that could completely change the competition's outcome. He immediately asked the question that everyone in the surrounding crowd was most eager to hear answered:
"Thank you for that passionate and informative explanation! So what exactly is the monetary value of this extraordinary piece? This will directly affect our final competition rankings!"
After a brief exchange of whispered consultation, the two red-faced appraisers approached the host and excitedly announced into the microphone:
"According to the original auction price when Master Dick first created this piece, the base value of this jeweled accessory exceeds 50 million Berries!"
"When you factor in additional considerations such as historical significance, artistic value, and the fact that the master hasn't produced any other works of comparable quality since then, we estimate the total worth at well over 100 million Berries!"
When their final valuation was announced, everyone present stood in stunned silence, struggling to process the magnitude of this revelation.
"What?! That little thing is worth 100 million Berries?" someone gasped in disbelief.
"Are you serious right now?" another spectator demanded skeptically.
"Why would we lie about something like this? Besides, those two are well-known and highly respected treasure appraisers with decades of professional experience," a knowledgeable observer pointed out reasonably.
"I mean... that decorative piece is really worth that much money?" the confused questioner persisted.
The crowd instantly erupted into a boiling cacophony of excited voices rising and falling throughout the venue. Everyone stared at the sparkling, gem-encrusted accessory with a mixture of disbelief and intense envy burning in their eyes.
According to the official competition rules, all items obtained by contestants during the event would become their personal property upon conclusion.
"Ah! Handsome Jerry, I want to have your babies! Can you give me that beautiful piece?!" one woman shouted desperately from the crowd.
"Pfft! Shallow gold-digger! As if someone like you has a chance? Brother Jerry obviously prefers someone elegant like me—after all, I just turned eighteen~" another retorted haughtily.
"Get lost, you old hag! You're still claiming to be eighteen?! You look completely obsessed with money, unlike me—I only care about Jerry's feelings..." a third voice chimed in sweetly.
"Did you just call me old?! I'll fight you right here and now!" the second woman shrieked furiously.
Many women in the audience stared hungrily at the high-priced item still held carefully in the appraiser's hands. They began competing to show off their appearances and charm, each trying desperately to attract the attention of Jerry, who remained facing away from the crowd while gazing contemplatively at the sky.
However, their rivalry unexpectedly escalated into physical confrontations due to increasingly heated disagreements. When women become truly determined, their competitive spirit should never be underestimated.
Seeing that the entire venue seemed to have experienced a collective spiritual awakening, the host smiled with deep satisfaction. He knew this incident would likely go viral quickly across the region, which meant he could potentially leverage the opportunity for a promotion, salary increase, and maybe even marriage to a beautiful, wealthy woman—basically reaching the absolute peak of his professional life.
Secretly wiping away drool from the corner of his mouth, the host carefully averted his envious gaze from the precious gemmed object. He understood perfectly well that such a valuable item was completely beyond his ability to covet safely.
The vivid memory of Jerry effortlessly throwing the intimidating McGee into the lake remained fresh in his mind, and he had absolutely no desire to test whether his own body could withstand similar treatment.
"Very well then! It appears that Jerry has completely claimed the top position in our fishing competition with this absolutely amazing catch!" the host announced with professional enthusiasm.
"He has even shattered the point total ceiling established by all previous competitions! He has become our undisputed champion by the largest margin we've seen in many years!"
"As witnesses to this historic achievement, let us cheer for him with everything we've got!"
Hearing this official declaration, Jerry finally turned around slowly to face the crowd and competition officials.
Seeing that both the host and head referee were nodding respectfully in his direction, while staff members carefully collected his impressive haul for the day and gestured for him to return with them to the award ceremony area, Jerry resigned himself to the inevitable conclusion.
Soon, the entire group returned to the ceremonial stage positioned along the shoreline. Simultaneously, other staff members escorted the remaining prize-winning contestants onto the platform for the formal award presentation.
Although McGee was clearly unwilling to accept his defeat, he didn't dare voice any complaints or objections. As he looked more carefully at Jerry's face and bearing, he seemed to be slowly recognizing something familiar about the champion's identity.
So McGee pretended nothing unusual had happened and attempted to greet Jerry cordially alongside the other winners, though he noticed that Jerry's expression appeared somewhat troubled about something.
The other contestants didn't think much of Jerry's mood because the award ceremony commenced immediately afterward.
Following a series of brief award presentations progressing from lowest to highest rankings, the time finally arrived for the championship award presentation.
The host delivered an impassioned speech with obvious excitement radiating from his features. He suddenly extended his left hand dramatically and proclaimed in an inspiring voice that carried across the entire venue:
"Now, let's welcome our legendary champion! Jerry! We invite him to share some words about his historic victory with us!"
"Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" the enthusiastic crowd chanted in perfect unison.
As the host concluded his introduction, the spectators shouted together with infectious energy and genuine admiration.
Originally, Jerry's expression had been gradually calming as he observed that people weren't making too many strange comments about the unusual nature of his prize-winning catch.
However, an unintentional emphasis by the host on the specific item he'd caught had unexpectedly highlighted the embarrassing circumstances of his victory, causing Jerry to instantly display a helpless expression as if he'd lost all hope for maintaining his dignity.
When he had first recognized exactly what was attached to his fishing hook inside the fish's mouth, he had already anticipated that this awkward situation might develop.
Although he'd attempted some psychological preparation for potential embarrassment, he still couldn't face this moment of social mortification in his fishing career with complete composure.
He struggled to accept the fact that he'd won the fishing competition through such an unconventional catch, and probably would have fled the scene entirely if he hadn't heard the satisfying chime of his system notification confirming quest completion.
After quietly opening the treasure chest obtained for finishing his mission, the reward items he discovered did provide some psychological comfort for the embarrassing circumstances. Otherwise, he probably would have vanished from the competition venue long ago.
This ridiculous championship felt like more trouble than it was worth.
With countless conflicting thoughts racing through his mind, Jerry calmly approached the host and delivered some brief, generic remarks about his appreciation for the competition and his fellow participants.
Soon after, the official ceremony concluded, and Jerry walked back toward the spectator seating area carrying his valuable but embarrassing prize, feeling distinctly depressed despite the envious and admiring gazes directed at him from audience members of both genders.
"Oh hahaha! Welcome, our legendary champion Boss Jerry, winner of the most memorable fishing competition in recent history!" Skull greeted him with obvious mischief.
"Yohohoho! What an extraordinary achievement, Mr. Jerry! When are you planning to fish up something even more spectacular?" Brook added with his signature laugh and a teasing tone.
Skull and Brook exchanged amused glances and continued their playful mockery, producing festive confetti from somewhere and enthusiastically waving it over Jerry's head without any hesitation, making the colorful paper pieces fall around him like celebratory snowflakes.
Just as Jerry was about to respond to their teasing, he heard the thunderous sound of running footsteps echoing from the street behind the spectator areas, followed immediately by the voices of a large group of people in obvious pursuit.
"Hey! Don't run away!" came urgent shouts from the distance.
"Come back here immediately!" other voices added desperately.
Jerry's expression instantly shifted to one of concern as his eyes darted around quickly, assessing the situation. Then he grabbed his various competition prizes securely and immediately began moving toward the source of the commotion.
"Maybe Ace got himself chased again after eating without paying!" Jerry called over his shoulder as explanation. "I'd better go check on the situation!"
Jerry completely ignored the continued excited chatter and burning gazes from female audience members around him. His figure disappeared instantly from the venue, leaving Skull and Brook staring at each other in bewildered confusion about his sudden departure.