Even knowing how rare the pieces were, Rakuya still felt a jolt.
One casual grab and he was up one and a half billion Beli. Talk about a bargain.
He chose a deposit ledger. Hauling that much cash would take a small mountain of cases, and drawing attention in Sabaody was asking for trouble.
"Very good, sir. One moment."
The short haired broker moved quickly. Soon he returned and placed a slim booklet and a card in Rakuya's hand.
"This ledger records one point five three billion Beli. Please verify the amount. Also, because of the extraordinary value of your consignment, our auction house would like to present you with a VIP card. With it, you receive twenty percent off purchases made through our Sabaody auction house."
Rakuya nodded and pocketed the card.
"I have a question."
"Anything you wish to ask, sir. If I know it, I will tell you."
"Do you have any Devil Fruits."
"Devil Fruits." The broker paused, then smiled. "As it happens, we are hosting a major auction this afternoon, in Grove 1. There will be at least one Fruit on the block. If you are interested, you should attend."
"Grove 1. This afternoon."
"Yes, sir."
"Got it. I will take a look."
Ledger secure and confidence riding high, Rakuya stepped out. If he won the Fruit, he could convert it into points and push another element to the next height.
Devil Fruits usually started above a hundred million Beli, and the type mattered. If it was a Logia, forget three hundred million, even five hundred million might not do it at auction. Final prices were a storm no one could chart.
Fifteen billion might not be enough to guarantee a win. If it was not, he had other ways.
He spent the late morning in a small tavern, face down, cloak up, sipping in peace. No overeager pirates came to make a scene.
Afternoon.
He dressed the part, a dark cloak and a deep hood shadowing his face, and crossed the chaotic quarter alone into Grove 1.
The auction house loomed grand and gilded. Inside, the hall opened in two tiers. The first floor was packed with dense rows of seats. The second held private boxes with plush seats and quiet air.
"Sir, do you have a VIP card for our auction house. Without one, there is a one hundred thousand Beli entrance fee."
A floor attendant stepped forward.
"VIP card."
Rakuya fished out the one he had been given that morning. "This do."
"That is the one, sir. Please, this way. Private boxes are on the second floor. You may choose any available room."
Seeing the gold card, the man's smile turned polished. He bowed Rakuya through.
Rakuya grunted assent, took a box with a wide window, and sat.
People streamed in. Many wore rich fabrics over richer bellies, some with a pair of middling beauties hung off each arm. The first floor filled in a rush. Even men rumored to be worth a billion or two had to squeeze into the corners downstairs. Unless they wanted to spend thirty million Beli to rent a box, which almost no one was foolish enough to do.
Soon, the second floor boxes filled as well.
Then a commotion rolled in from the entrance.
An ugly man with hair spiked high and a glass bubble helmet strode into the hall. He held a leash. At the end of it, a scarred man crawled on hands and knees like a dog, dignity bled dry.
"Hmph. Lowly humans."
The newcomer swept a contemptuous gaze across the crowd and spat the words with open loathing.
Brows furrowed across the hall. Faces turned. When people finally saw who had spoken, the whispers died out entirely.
"Saint Charmaque, is it. Heh. Did not expect a Celestial Dragon here."
From the shadowed window of his box, Rakuya watched the hall's temperature drop and let a cold smile touch his lips.