"I know the Sabaody Archipelago has several auction houses. How many auctions a year, are there different scales, and can you get me the auction lists?"
Kahn fired off everything he wanted to know.
"Understood. Please wait."
The middle-aged man nodded and left the parlor.
Within Kahn's sensing range, the man entered a room, took out a Den Den Mushi, and began making contacts.
Kahn withdrew his perception.
He could have freeloaded the intel by reading the man's heart, but with his status he wouldn't stoop that low.
The man did not keep Kahn waiting.
He soon returned to the parlor, sat, and spread five fingers. "Five million Beli for this intel."
"Fine."
Kahn glanced at Robin, who had finished decanting the wine.
She opened the metal case she carried, took out five stacks of ten-thousand-Beli notes, and set them on the low table.
The man accepted the money without counting and delivered the report. "Sabaody has only one auction house. It's on Grove 1, in the lawless zone."
"The owner is unknown, but with Celestial Dragons behind it no one dares make trouble there."
"There are auctions every month, not all large-scale."
"Only at the end of each quarter does the house hold a major auction."
"In other words, there's one large auction every three months, four a year."
He then produced a list, faxed from somewhere, and handed it to Kahn. "Basic info is cheap. The fee is high this time because it's March with ten days left. The first major auction of the year is coming up, and getting this list cost me plenty."
"Fair enough."
Kahn nodded and read through it.
A moment later he found what he wanted and the corner of his mouth lifted.
"Pleasure doing business."
He put away the list, raised his glass, and clinked with the man.
After the wine, Kahn rose to leave with Robin.
"One moment, Sir Kahn."
The man called after him and offered a card. "This is a membership card for this outpost. Please take it."
"The card has my outpost's contact details."
"As long as you're in the first half of the Grand Line, if I have what you need, I can get it to you."
Kahn accepted it. "Then I won't be shy."
"Safe travels."
Out in the alley, Kahn looked to be in a good mood.
Seeing silent Robin at his side with the metal case, he smiled. "Robin, aren't you curious?"
"A little."
She met his eyes honestly. "Master, you didn't collect advance news. You suspected Sabaody would auction something you want but weren't certain, so you bought intel from the black market?"
"Correct."
Watching her tilt her head, Kahn pinched her cheek again. "I'll explain back at the hotel."
"Master, could you not touch a girl's face without washing your hands?"
"Sorry, sorry. Couldn't help it."
Back at the hotel, Kahn laid out the reason he'd prepared long ago. "At the end of last month I fused telekinesis with Haki and overheard a ring of slavers."
"They were trafficking warriors from Amazon Lily, the Kuja."
"Chances are they'll deliver those Kuja warriors to Sabaody for auction."
"So I came to try my luck and cut them off."
That was right.
Kahn chose to enter the Grand Line this year to intercept the Boa sisters.
Boa Hancock was his choice for a right hand.
"Kuja warriors?"
Robin asked after hearing him out. "For you to come all this way, are they truly that strong?"
"You could say so."
Kahn nodded. "The Kuja Pirates are one of the oldest crews in the world, with centuries of lineage."
"Every captain of the Kuja is also the monarch of Amazon Lily, and without exception."
"To be king, you must command all three colors of Haki."
"The warriors who sail with their king must wield two colors."
"So the Kuja are a pirate crew where everyone uses Haki."
He paused, watching Robin's dawning understanding as she guessed his main reason for intercepting them. "The Kuja share another trait. They're all young women."
"Their country has a complete Haki system that trains young women to master two colors quickly."
"If I cut in now, not only can I make up for my lack of Armament Haki, I can master Haki power at the fastest pace."
"I understand, Master."
"Come on. Let's eat, then stroll Water Seven and unwind."
Kahn moved as if to pinch her cheek again, then switched to ruffling her hair and headed for the door.
Robin didn't bother to complain.
She smoothed her hair, took up the case, and followed.
For the next week they vacationed in Water Seven to shake off the strain of the half-month voyage.
Once the Log Pose was fully charged, they returned to the Grantaine, raised anchor and sails, and set course for the Sabaody Archipelago.