Chapter 30: The Human Auction
As they were discussing their next move, seven or eight figures emerged from a nearby path, riding bubble bikes. They swiftly surrounded Ian and his team, blocking their way from the front and rear.
A few minutes later, the confrontation was over.
Skylark rummaged through the documents in her backpack. "Found him! Captain of the Doshi Pirates, Doshi Diafan. Bounty: 35,000,000 Berries! These others are likely his crew, with bounties ranging from 1 to 5 million." She looked up at Ian. "Commodore Ian, verification complete. It's this group."
Peacock looked down at the men now littering the ground, her expression one of pure disdain. "I thought they were someone formidable. Just a bunch of losers led by a 35-million-berry captain. I shouldn't have taken it so seriously. It wasn't worth the effort."
Ian, now seated comfortably in one of the captured bubble cars, was counting the contents of a stolen money bag. He hadn't lifted a finger during the entire skirmish; Peacock had handled the entire group with ease. It wasn't that Ian didn't want the enhancement points, but as the unit commander on a patrol, he had to maintain a certain stature. If he did everything himself, what was the point of having subordinates?
"Is this all the money?" he grumbled, tossing the bag aside. "Why are the pirates in the Grand Line so poor? What a letdown. A bunch of paupers!" He then called out, "Nami! Have you made contact?"
"I have, Commodore Ian!" Nami replied, holding a Den Den Mushi. "The nearest marine patrol unit is nearby and will arrive shortly to take custody of the prisoners."
On their first day on the island, it was unwise to execute too many pirates. Throwing them in prison was a more measured approach, avoiding unnecessary provocation.
"Tie them to the trees. They aren't going anywhere in their condition," Ian ordered. "Let's move on. This group was utterly unremarkable. And they were riding bicycles! Let's find better transportation."
Just as he finished speaking, a series of splashes sounded from a nearby canal, followed by several large, winged fish leaping into the air overhead.
Whoosh!
Whoo-hoo!
Several unidentified riders were mounted on the flying fish, cheering as they soared through the air.
Flying Fish! These were far superior to bubble cars. They could submerge in water and then launch into the air, staying aloft for five to ten minutes at a time.
"Skylark! Shoot those riders down! Use standard rounds, and don't harm the fish! Fire at will—those men are kidnappers, not innocents."
Ian shielded his eyes, looking up at the sky with a wide, excited grin.
…
Not long after, the Flying Fish Riders were all captured. The marines commandeered five flying fish, a pack yak, and freed a kidnapped hostage. Their transportation speed had just been upgraded to maximum.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The wind screamed past their ears as they soared through the air.
"Hahaha! Now this is speed!" Ian laughed, exhilarated by the feeling of piloting a flying fish. He took the lead, with his four cadres forming up on his left and right wings. The kidnappers' equipment was surprisingly sophisticated; each flying fish was even equipped with a transponder snail for communication.
"Commodore Ian, this is T. Peng. Is our heading correct? Our current trajectory seems to be taking us toward Grove 1, not Grove 10."
T. Peng's steady voice came through the intercom. Ian was fully aware of their spatial position and the situation in Grove 1. This wasn't a navigational error; he was deliberately leading the team there.
Because Grove 1 housed the Human Auction House.
Using his enhanced hearing to scan the area, Ian had confirmed no auction was scheduled for today. The foot traffic would be lighter, making it the perfect time for reconnaissance. And while others might not know, Ian was certain of one thing: the real mastermind behind the auction house was none other than Donquixote Doflamingo.
Since their last encounter, Ian had been safely sequestered at Marine Headquarters. If Doflamingo wanted revenge, he'd had no opportunity. But now, the entire world knew Ian was on Sabaody. Knowing the Warlord's character, it was inconceivable that he would do nothing.
"The heading is correct," Ian replied into the transponder. "We'll check Grove 1, then head straight back to base. Doesn't look like we'll get much action today. We'll go hunting properly tomorrow!"
The last "wild monsters" he intended to engage today were right here in Grove 1. Soaring high above, Ian carefully observed the scene below. Seeing the crowd gathered at the entrance, a smirk touched his lips.
Perfect.
…
Grove 1, Human Auction House.
The main doors of the ornate building were open. A lanky, silver-haired middle-aged man with a sinister smile was directing guards at the entrance. He was dressed flamboyantly in a purple suit, a pink scarf, and a tall hat, his makeup garish and striking.
Disco. The host of the human auction house, its public face and manager. His nickname was "The Walking Auction." He was the only staff member with direct communication privileges to Doflamingo, and his personality was as divided and chaotic as his fashion sense.
Clang. Clang.
Between two rows of guards shuffled a line of humans of various ages and races. Each wore a metal collar around their neck, their hands and feet shackled. In the eyes of the auction staff, these were not people; they were "merchandise" to be sold on the block tomorrow.
While human trafficking was outlawed across the world, in this place, such evil was not just tolerated—it was a thriving business. The "inventory" consisted mostly of criminals and citizens from nations not affiliated with the World Government. There were also rarer specimens, kidnapped by groups like the one Ian had just dismantled, destined to become slaves for the wealthy and depraved.
End of Chapter