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The two made their way into town, passing by the vendors and traders and their items. They sneaked a glance at essentially everything being sold, and they noted there wasn't anything important—mostly illegal items and weaponry.
They had eventually reached the steps outside of the building, observing the inside carefully.
"These people are.. really rich." Vin said, jealously.
"Yeah, it's hard to get into this island in the first place. Gotta be rich to even step foot in here." Koma added. "To get into this building, though, is on another level. Take this." He handed the boy a red mask to cover his face, then put one on himself. "Everyone has to stay anonymous." Upon further inspection, Vin noticed everybody donned these masks. He put it on, stepping into the building behind Koma.
The interior of the building was not any less impressive than the outside. Ahead of the entrance corridor was an intricately designed ball room, with great white architecture all around. At the far end of the room was a dining space composed of many dining tables and chairs, and in the middle lay a large dance floor on which many aristocrats pranced on. However, at the far right of the room was another corridor, assumingly leading to the auction hall.
"THE AUCTION STARTS SOON. PLEASE, TAKE A SEAT." A loud voice played from the many transponder snails inside the room. The rich immediately began crowding around said corridor.
"That's the auction hall. Let's go!" Koma called out, essentially picking Vin up and throwing themselves within the auction hall. They took a seat at the far back of the hall, farthest away from the bargaining itself. The two began watching intently, though Koma appeared much more focused than the other.
Three men entered onto the stage, presenting a fragile girl. Her body was twisted and battered, it was obvious she had not been in the greatest conditions. 'Why would they take a girl on stage in this state?' Vin thought to himself.
"Starting bid for this girl is 250,000 Beri." One of the men on the stage shouted. Vin's pupils dialated as his question was answered for him. The people began bidding immediately, and soon the price was raised to 500,000 beri.
"This makes me sick." Koma broke the thick air with his remark. Vin nodded, continuing his observation. "I was expecting slavery, but.." Koma added. "It's different in person."
Another man bid, and another, and another. The price eventually reached 1,000,000 Beri, an absurd number. Vin began to question whether this was truly because they wanted a female slave or simply wished to compete against other aristrocrats. Whatever it was, the bid ended at 1,000,000, and the girl was taken away back behind the stage.
Next, a man entered the stage once more, though, this time, he was carrying a Devil Fruit in a glass box. "This is the Ame Ame no Mi, the Candy Syrup logia. Starting bid is 250,000,000."
The people hesitated not a single bit to purchase the fruit. Within mere seconds, the price had already increased threefold.
This continued for a while, Vin and Koma noting the items that were being bidded. They noted that slaves were the main attraction of the auction—there was no shortage of bids for slaves of multiple races and genders.
"THE BIDDING WILL BE TAKING A MOMENTARY PAUSE." The voice from the transponder snails scattered throughout the room echoed, and everybody inside the hall left, spare for the ones that won the bids. The duo entered the main room, heading over to the side of the dance floor.
"Vin-chan." Koma blurted out. "Ya know, these are the people we have to protect."
"I see." Vin said, quietly. Within all the commotion of the room, it was very difficult to hear what he said.
"You're not disgusted, Vin-chan? No questioning the morality of your affiliation???" Koma added, looking at the smaller marine in shock and confusion.
"Not really." The boy explained. "I like money and food." The Rear Admiral seemed amused by his reply. "If you know this, why are you still on the job?"
Koma thought for a moment. "No matter how many pirates I kill, I'll be on the good side of the World Government cuz of my rank. One less enemy to deal with! And I don't particularly enjoy the idea of being a pirate.." He grinned. "It's kinda funny though, right?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah, sorta." He said with a smile. "I'm gonna get myself some water, want anything?"
"Vin-chan thought about doing me a favour!!!" He said, attempting to embrace the boy with quite a happy look. Vin put his hand in front of himself to stop Koma. "Although sake would be good."
Vin left to pour himself water and Koma sake, though something felt strange. A smell he'd only experienced once before, on his first mission. During his first battle with the illusionist and that man with the gun, his fellow marine was shot and... 'The smell of blood.' Vin sprinted towards the back door at the far end of the building, forgetting about pouring Koma or himself a drink. He attempted to open it traditionally by the handle, though it was locked.
A faint energy left Vin's hand as he constructed the door elsewhere, allowing himself to escape into the night. His instincts were correct, the smell was closer now. 'Far too close.' Regardless of this, his curiosity struck and he charged towards the source of the smell.
As he had predicted, a dead body lay on the ground. It was intact, thankfully, though it was bleeding violently 'Fresh wound.. blood still leaking.' He had to report this back to his superior, and quick. This was above Vin's duty and mission—a tinge of regret formed in his mind. 'Smell of blood.. different source.. behind m-'
Vin was punched in the face violently as he attempted to turn around to view the source behind him—he was sent flying into a nearby tree. His face was now, unfortunately, broken and somewhat disfigured, blood leaking out of every imaginable bit of his face. The punch was not severe enough to kill him, but his bleeding left him in a critical position where he was due to die at any moment. As for now, he remained unconcious.
In front of him were two people: an oversized, round man who had just punched him and a thin, slender woman. The man donned a simple tank top and trousers whilst the woman wore a navy blue dress and gloves.
"What shall we do with him... Amelia?" The man asked in a raspy voice.
"I believe he's seen what we've done—we better get rid of him. Roche, end him." She responded in a sharp and cold voice.
"Yes.. ma'am.."