Chapter 15: A Celestial Dragon Adds 100 Million—You Add 300 Million?!
Backstage at the Human Auction House, Grove 1
Slave Holding Area
"What's all that noise outside? Sounds lively."
A giant the size of a small mountain tilted his head toward the faint roar coming from the auction hall.
"Seems someone's bidding against a Celestial Dragon,"
a lean, white-haired old man answered with an amused smile.
Even though he wore shackles and an explosive slave collar,
the old man looked completely relaxed—like he was just waiting for a show.
"Bidding against a Celestial Dragon? Are they insane?!"
The giant's eyes widened.
He already knew the old man beside him was no ordinary person, so the fact that he could clearly hear the hall didn't shock him.
What shocked him was that someone out there actually had the guts to challenge a World Noble.
Those were Celestial Dragons—
the terrifying aristocrats who could summon an Admiral with a single phone call!
"Heh, nothing too surprising. Get ready, big guy.
I'm taking you out to see the fun."
The old man stood up.
With a casual flex of his wrists—
clank!
The iron shackles snapped like dry twigs.
A former right hand of the Pirate King,
Silvers Rayleigh, wasn't going to be held by something as trivial as chains.
He was just curious who the reckless bunch out there were.
…
Meanwhile, inside the auction hall—
pure pandemonium.
Nami's 600 million bid had already blown everyone's minds.
Even the other Supernovas scattered among the crowd—
Trafalgar Law, Captain Kidd—frowned deeply.
They hadn't even officially crossed paths with the Straw Hats yet,
and they were already getting a taste of how insane that crew was.
They were openly picking a fight with a Celestial Dragon.
Was there anything these lunatics wouldn't do?
They just hoped the Straw Hats had some self-control and didn't actually start a war.
Because if an Admiral showed up, everyone on the archipelago was screwed.
"Ugh? Someone's trying to outbid me? Annoying!"
Saint Charlos finally realized what was happening.
Someone dared compete with him?!
Him—Saint Charlos?!
Turning around was too much effort, so he just lazily raised one finger.
"700 million berries!!!"
"Saint Charlos raises to 700 million berries!"
The auctioneer was practically shaking with glee.
A mermaid usually sold for 200–300 million tops.
Now they were at 700 million?!
Lord Doflamingo was going to be very pleased.
"Seven hundred million…"
Nami's face went ashen.
It was over.
Everything was over.
These Celestial Dragons treated money like trash—
money that came from the blood and sweat of ordinary people forced to pay the Heavenly Tribute.
Not just Nami—
Robin, Chopper, Usopp, Franky, Hatchan…
despair flashed across every Straw Hat's face.
Especially Hatchan.
He should've known better.
Trying to buy Camie's freedom in front of a Celestial Dragon?
It was a fairy tale.
Now not only had they failed,
they'd exposed how much money the crew actually had.
"I'm sorry, Camie…"
"600 million… that was everything we had."
Tears welled in Nami's eyes as she looked at Camie trapped in the tank.
She had no safe way left to save her friend.
She really thought 600 million would be enough…
"Hey, Nami, Robin-nee, everyone—don't look so depressed!"
"It's just money. They've got cash? So do we."
The masked man—Rok, wearing Usopp's Sogeking mask—suddenly spoke up.
"We… really don't have any more. Even with the bank job, we're tapped at 600 million,"
Nami whimpered, giving Rok a pitiful look.
Robin and the others just sighed—
now was not the time for jokes.
Rok almost rolled his eyes.
Just because you're broke doesn't mean I am!
It was his turn to take the stage.
Instead of waiting for Luffy to trigger the incident,
he'd direct the "worst disaster in Sabaody history" himself.
"Wait."
Rok lazily raised his hand.
"1 billion berries."
BUZZ—!
The entire hall froze.
Then erupted into pure chaos.
Everyone's brains short-circuited for a second before processing what they'd just heard.
This masked lunatic had just raised the bid by 300 million—
three times what the Celestial Dragon had added!
1 billion berries—
way beyond what even a top-tier mermaid was worth!
And he did it while directly challenging a World Noble!
Was he out of his mind?!
Not just the audience—
Nami, Robin, and the entire Straw Hat group stared at Rok in total shock, mouths hanging open.
Chopper and Usopp's jaws nearly hit the floor.
Hatchan and Pappag actually bowed deeply to Rok on the spot.
True or not—
the fact that he stood up at this moment meant everything.
"Sir, bidding isn't a joke.
1 billion berries is no small sum,"
the auctioneer snarled, stepping forward before Charlos could explode.
He didn't know who this masked idiot was, but it was clear they were here to cause trouble.
He didn't care if they fought the Celestial Dragon—
he cared whether the money was real.
Plus, he didn't want the event ruined because a World Noble threw a tantrum.
As expected,
Charlos didn't even bother speaking—just glared venomously at Rok and the Straw Hats.
Like hell these nobodies had 1 billion berries.
Though… those two women in their group looked pretty nice.
After the auction, he'd just take them as wives.
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