The next day.
Following Don's instructions, Rayleigh went to the dock to reinforce the Rose Hunter's hull.
The news of the auction suddenly spread throughout the Sabaody Archipelago.
Of course, the information had been circulating for a while—many who were eager for the auction had already been waiting.
But aside from knowing that an auction was coming, nobody knew the exact time.
"Looks like it's about to start!"
Rayleigh murmured, his expression serious.
Soon after, the Rose Hunter departed the dock, submerging beneath the water's surface.
Rayleigh watched the ship leave, then turned his gaze toward Area No. 1.
"He's letting everyone around him leave… he's really planning to make a move!"
Muttering under his breath, Rayleigh didn't return to the bar for a drink—he headed toward Area No. 1.
The carts transporting Fishman slaves were not concealed, boldly making their way to the auction house.
"Brother Jinbe!"
Behind him, numerous Fishmen flared their eyes with anger.
"There are still many not yet transported,"
Jinbe growled, keeping his composure as he turned to the Fishmen behind him.
Even knowing the chaos this would provoke, he had come.
Even if facing Kizaru, he would not retreat.
These slave traders had crossed the line this time.
If the auction succeeded, Fishman Island's situation would become even more perilous.
Previously, even when slave traders captured Fishmen or merfolk, they hadn't dared to advertise it so openly.
But this time… they were digging at the very roots of Fishman Island.
Jinbe's eyes blazed. Then, as his gaze fixed in a direction, his pupils constricted sharply.
A Celestial Dragon sat atop a person's back, a transparent bubble covering their head.
The person carrying him was massive, though now bloodied, likely from whip marks.
"Celestial Dragon!"
Jinbe's face darkened as he muttered the words.
The Fishmen behind him fell silent.
Though impulsive, they were not fools—they understood the danger of provoking these beings.
Not just one.
A line of Celestial Dragons, each riding a slave, strolled leisurely down the street from afar.
Everyone present—guards escorting the slaves, the slaves themselves, and unknown figures along the street—immediately dropped to their knees.
"Bastard!"
Amid the sudden quiet, a sharp cry rang out.
One clumsy Celestial Dragon wobbled and fell off the back of the slave he rode.
Nearby CP9 agents rushed to steady him.
"You idiot, why didn't you sit properly?"
The near-fall enraged him, and the glances from the other Celestial Dragons only fueled his anger.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
The slave lying on the ground took a bullet to the head.
Yet the shot left only a blood mark.
The sheer toughness of his body and bones absorbed the impact.
It was clear just how terrifyingly strong he was.
But even after the shot, he didn't resist.
Instead, his whole body trembled, and he didn't even dare to cry for mercy.
"Hehe… you idiot, you can't even kill a slave. How dumb are you? Watch this!"
A nearby Celestial Dragon, who had stopped to watch, laughed mockingly. He pulled out a gun.
Bang!
The slave under him had his head blown off.
The massive body collapsed limply.
Witnessing this, the first Celestial Dragon almost fell himself.
"Bastard! Why did you make me fall?"
He glared at the dead slave, screaming in fury.
The other Celestial Dragons around him laughed.
On a rooftop along the street, two tall figures stood side by side, observing.
Sakazuki clenched the cigar in his mouth, his expression grim.
Kizaru's face was unreadable, giving nothing away.
"When will that guy arrive?"
Sakazuki asked, withdrawing his gaze from the street.
"Admiral Sakazuki, I have no idea,"
Kizaru replied, shaking his head.
"I've only met him once before. Where he is now… I don't know."
Sakazuki frowned at the response.
"If you knew, why didn't you stop them?"
"Well… I can't do much about it. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku can't stop them."
Kizaru's gaze returned to the street below.
Gunfire erupted repeatedly.
The Celestial Dragons' anger escalated.
This slave… was indestructible.
Bullets only lodged in his muscles.
"Kill him!"
Despite continuous gunfire, the slave remained unharmed, frustrating the shooter.
The mocking laughter of the other Celestial Dragons only made him angrier.
Upon hearing the order, a CP agent dressed in black stepped forward.
"Storm Kick!"
A blade of wind cut through the air.
The slave, unscathed by gunfire, was beheaded instantly.
Satisfied, the Celestial Dragon gestured for the next slave, who climbed onto the fallen one's back with the help of CP agents.
The new slave, seeing the dead body beside him, felt a flicker of envy.
"He's here!"
As the Celestial Dragons prepared to enter the auction hall, a golden light streaked across a rooftop, coalescing on the street below.
Kizaru's expression turned serious as he watched the other side of the street.
"Admiral Kizaru!"
With his appearance, a minor chaos erupted in the street.
But the disturbance barely began before a sudden pressure descended.
Like prey caught in the gaze of a top predator, the very air seemed to freeze.
The Celestial Dragons atop their slaves rolled off, knocked down by the sheer weight of the aura.
CP agents attempted to help, but the overwhelming presence pinned them to the ground.
Thud, thud, thud!
The Celestial Dragons hit the ground silently.
Under this immense pressure, they had lost consciousness.
A figure appeared at the end of the street, walking slowly toward them.
One hand gripped a sheathed long sword, the other hung naturally by his side.
His steps were unhurried, yet each footfall crackled with black lightning.
Don.
Seeing him approach, Kizaru's face darkened.
He had arrived—and had used Conqueror's Haki against the Celestial Dragons.
On a nearby rooftop, Sakazuki's eyes locked onto Don, red energy flickering across his arms, smoke curling upward.
"What…?"
Jinbe's expression turned grave.
The Fishmen behind him were frozen under the pressure of Conqueror's Haki, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.
Who had come?
Who was wielding that terrifying Haki?
Who had the audacity to attack the Celestial Dragons?
END OF CHAPTER
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