Want to read 100+ chapters ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.c(o)m/inkshield <<
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 53: Shodai Kitetsu! Tree World Birth
As soon as he said this,
The auctioneer wearing a black-and-white smiling mask spoke in a deep voice.
"Everyone knows that the Supreme Grade Swords, the Twelve Supreme Works, are the highest-quality weapons in the world!"
"There are only 12 blades that bear this title!"
"And the one we are about to auction next ranks absolutely at the top even among the Supreme Grade Swords!"
As he spoke,
At a signal from his eyes,
The two fearful women opened the tightly closed long box.
With a chilling demonic wind, the dark purple scabbard and hilt emitted a bewitching glow. Just one look filled people with dread.
Many people stared at the blade and unconsciously swallowed.
"This… this is?"
The auctioneer paused for a moment before continuing.
"That's right! This is none other than the legendary supreme demon blade, ranked at the very top of the Supreme Grade Swords—Shodai Kitetsu!"
"Only a true powerhouse can gain acknowledgment from this blade!"
As the words fell,
The entire audience erupted into an uproar.
Every swordsman had heard of Shodai Kitetsu's name.
As one of the legendary demon blades,
The number of people who died by its hand might even outnumber those who ever wielded it.
Even Lotte narrowed his eyes slightly.
He never expected to encounter this demon blade here. He had thought it would be in the hands of the Five Elders in later years. It seemed this auction trip was absolutely worth it!
If he could obtain Shodai Kitetsu,
His combat power would undoubtedly see another massive leap!
According to Lotte's current estimation:
Ordinary Seven Warlords had combat power roughly between 10,000–20,000.
One level higher were cadres like the Sweet Commanders, with roughly 25,000–35,000.
Even higher were Admiral candidates and Yonko seconds-in-command. The current Whitebeard was roughly at the peak of this level.
But due to insufficient information, Lotte couldn't yet calculate exact numbers.
After all, combat power was just a number.
With the Wood Release advantage from his Hashirama Cells, as long as it wasn't a head-on slugfest, he basically had no fear even against Admiral candidates.
If he couldn't win, couldn't he just run?
Lotte snapped back to reality.
He refocused his attention on the auction stage.
Seeing the crowd's slight panic, the auctioneer quickly continued.
"But as long as one can master this blade, it will greatly enhance their strength. Everyone knows a good sword is vital to a swordsman!"
"In the future, becoming one of the top powerhouses on these seas is not impossible!"
"Starting bid! 1 billion berries!"
As the words fell,
Most people in the room immediately lost any desire to compete.
After all, this was a 1 billion berry starting price. Given the value of Supreme Grade Swords, this blade would likely multiply several times over!
It probably wouldn't go for less than 5 billion berries.
That was almost equivalent to the yearly Heavenly Tribute painstakingly saved by a small affiliated nation!
A moment later,
A voice finally came from one of the second-floor private boxes.
"1 billion berries. This blade belongs to this prince. I've never seen a demon blade before."
A very arrogant young voice rang out, making the others who wanted to bid hesitate. If they remembered correctly,
This voice belonged to a prince from a major affiliated nation.
Only people like him had such abundant wealth—they simply couldn't afford to offend him.
Just when everyone thought the auction was about to conclude,
A calm, indifferent voice echoed through the venue from the exclusive noble box reserved for Celestial Dragons.
"This demon blade is being bid on by Saint Rosward at 3 billion berries."
Without question,
This was the voice of the CP0 member serving as bodyguard inside the box.
To the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons,
Beli were just numbers.
Once a Celestial Dragon made a bid,
All other voices in the room instantly vanished.
Perhaps against that prince, many still harbored thoughts of murder and robbery.
But against a Celestial Dragon? That was a completely different matter!
Everyone knew that Celestial Dragons were World Nobles.
If anyone harmed a Celestial Dragon on Sabaody Archipelago,
What awaited them was undoubtedly the crushing pursuit of an Admiral!
Even the auctioneer adopted an extremely respectful attitude. He didn't even bother with a countdown, immediately declaring,
"Then this demon blade belongs to Saint Rosward!"
"All items in this auction have now been sold!"
As the words fell,
Lotte exchanged glances with Whitebeard and the Lone Red beside him.
It was about time to start moving!
A smile curled on Lotte's lips. He pressed his hands together and spoke in a low voice.
"Wood Release—Tree Sea Birth!"
...
Inside the private box.
On an extremely luxurious gem-encrusted chair,
The Celestial Dragon wearing a transparent air bubble helmet looked smugly at the auction venue.
Saint Rosward originally had no interest in that so-called demon blade Kitetsu.
But seeing that lowly commoner act so arrogantly earlier, he wanted to let those people know who the real masters of this world were.
No matter how rare the item,
As long as he wanted it, there was nothing he couldn't obtain!
Beside him stood two white-robed CP0 members silently guarding.
In their view, this auction was basically foolproof. Besides their CP0 members,
There was also Marine Headquarters providing protection.
And among them was even an Admiral!
Even if it was Whitebeard and Tree Demon Lotte together, they were just courting death!
Outside the venue,
Garp, wearing a Vice Admiral uniform and looking extremely displeased, led a team of Marines patrolling and guarding the entire auction perimeter.
As the auction was about to end, there was still no sign of Tree Demon Lotte or Whitebeard.
Garp couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
"Damn it, did the Fleet Admiral trick me?"
"He said Whitebeard and Tree Demon Lotte would be here—where the hell are they?"
If not for those two,
He wouldn't have bothered coming here to act as a Celestial Dragon's bodyguard.
What did the lives of Celestial Dragons have to do with him? It would be best if those bastards all dropped dead!
Beside Garp stood a white-haired old man wearing an Admiral's coat. He reached out and patted Garp on the shoulder.
"Relax. Not encountering them is actually a good thing."
"Otherwise if a Celestial Dragon dies here, Steel Bone Kong would definitely get punished."
Garp nodded helplessly.
Just as he was about to say something more,
From the venue behind them, countless towering giant trees suddenly erupted from the ground, enveloping the entire auction hall—including them!
The giant trees pierced through the auction venue!
Garp reacted instantly and clenched his fist tightly.
This forest.
There was no doubt—this was Tree Demon Lotte's signature move!
Want to read 100+ chapters ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.c(o)m/inkshield <<
----------------------------------------------------------