The entire commercial district was buzzing with excitement today.
The streets were lined with stalls selling all kinds of strange and curious goods.
In the center of the district stood a massive building, grand and majestic, so lavish it could only be described as glittering with gold and jade.
This was the auction house.
It was said the backers of this auction house were extremely influential, and ordinary people would never dare cause trouble here.
Entry wasn't open to just anyone—you needed an admission ticket.
The two handed over their tickets and entered. For the Navy, getting a couple of tickets was, of course, the easiest thing in the world.
Inside, it was even more extravagant than outside, sparkling with jewels and luxury.
The seating was spacious, with small tables nearby topped with snacks and fruits.
Looking around, the place was packed—merchants, bounty hunters, even Marines and pirates.
Here, the two groups coexisted peacefully.
Once seated, there was no long-winded opening speech—the auction began immediately.
Creed and Ain watched with interest.
The items on offer were indeed impressive—rare and exotic beasts, famous paintings…
The rare animals were quickly bought up by wealthy merchants who loved to build private zoos and collect such creatures.
But nothing so far caught Creed or Ain's interest.
As time passed, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly heated.
"Next, we have a Great Grade Sword of the 21 Ō Wazamono—Scarlet!!"
The host lifted the red cloth covering the item, revealing a blade with a cherry blossom-pink hue along its entire length.
It was stunning—like a piece of art meant to be admired.
As the host's excited words rang out, the room instantly erupted.
In this world, famous blades were rare: the twelve Supreme Grade Swords, the twenty-one Great Grade Swords, and the fifty Skillful Grade Swords.
Altogether, only 84 such named blades existed.
That meant only 84 swordsmen in the entire world could own one… perhaps even fewer, since some master swordsmen hoarded multiple blades, and others wielded two or even three swords.
And here was a Great Grade Sword!
Even many master swordsmen didn't own one, yet one had appeared here on Sabaody Archipelago.
Every swordsman in the hall was in an uproar.
"5 million!"
"10 million!"
"30 million!"
…
The price kept rising until it hit 100 million.
Creed's gaze lingered on the Scarlet, shining under the spotlight.
As expected of a Celestial Dragon-backed auction house—they even had a Great Grade Sword.
And this one seemed perfect for a woman.
He glanced at Ain beside him, then raised his paddle. "150 million!"
The sudden 50 million jump brought the room to brief silence.
But soon, the bidding resumed.
"160 million!"
"165 million!"
"170 million!"
As the price climbed higher, most dropped out.
Only fewer than ten bidders remained.
"200 million!" Creed bid again, raising it to two hundred million outright.
That eliminated most of the competition. The room went quiet again.
Finally, just before the host began counting down, a swordsman gritted his teeth and called out, "230 million!"
"290 million," Creed replied without hesitation.
No one dared bid higher. Three seconds later, the host declared the auction closed.
Every swordsman there watched with unwilling eyes as the famed blade slipped from their grasp.
But there was nothing they could do—the price had far exceeded their limits.
The auction continued, offering more rare treasures.
It even sold a Paramecia-type and a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user—both abilities were fairly ordinary, yet each fetched 150 million.
At last, the auction ended.
Creed went backstage and paid 290 million to claim the Scarlet.
He couldn't help but sigh—money really didn't last.
Three hundred million Berries had barely warmed his hands before it was down to just ten million.
Suddenly…
The corner of his mouth curved into a faint smile. At some point, several figures had gathered behind him.
He recognized their faces—they'd all bid on the Scarlet earlier.
They must be skilled swordsmen.
"Something you need?"
Creed turned his head slightly and asked casually.
"Kid, that Scarlet… Scar… Scar…" One of them suddenly stammered, his tongue seemingly tied.
They had all gone pale, cold sweat beading on their faces as they looked at Creed, now unmasked.
Yesterday, they had watched from afar as he fought the Iron-Arm Madman.
"What about the Scarlet?" Creed asked.
"We just wanted to say… Scarlet suits you perfectly, sir. Only a great swordsman like you could truly match it."
"That's right, only someone of your strength deserves to wield Scarlet."
They smiled obsequiously.
"Oh. In that case, I'll be on my way." Creed put his mask back on.
They watched his departing back, breathing heavily, their clothes soaked in cold sweat.
They wished they could slap themselves—how could someone with the means to buy Scarlet be ordinary?
…
"This is for you." Creed handed the Scarlet to Ain.
"Huh?" Ain froze.
"I already have Rinne, and this sword looks perfect for a woman. You don't have a good named sword yet, do you?" Creed said.
Hearing that, Ain's heart warmed. She looked at him, and a smile like a blooming flower lit her face. She took the sword, looked up at him, sunlight spilling across her cheeks and tinting them pink. "I'll use it well!" she said earnestly.
She gripped the Scarlet tightly, as if it were her second life.
After all, this was the first gift he had ever given her.
Since it was still early, the two continued to wander through the commercial district.
For Creed, it was eye-opening. Though he had been in this world for nearly eight years, the first five were spent in Foosha Village, and the rest at Marine Headquarters.
It was his first time seeing so many strange goods and exotic foods.
They bought quite a few things as they strolled.
"Hm?" Suddenly, Creed let out a small sound, as if he had spotted something.
…
(End of Chapter)
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