Before leaving the bar, Noah waved at Nami and the others.
"We'll see you all later before we leave the archipelago," Noah said.
"Don't get into trouble!" Nami shouted.
The trio stepped outside and headed straight toward a small park filled with rides, games, and huge puffy bubbles floating everywhere. Kids raced around with cotton candy.
Emma bought three sticks of cotton candy and shoved one at Amy.
"Try it!" she said with eyes sparkling.
Amy laughed. "Why did you buy three though?"
"One is for emotional support," Emma said proudly.
Noah just smiled. "You two are unbelievable."
The fun atmosphere suddenly died when Noah noticed a crowd standing still a few meters away.
A Celestial Dragon was beating a man with a gold cane.
Amy's eyes widened. "W—we have to help him!"
Before she could move, a terrified man grabbed her arm.
"Are you crazy?! That's a Celestial Dragon!"
Amy blinked. "A what?"
A man stepped beside her. "They're the nobles of the World Government. They treat everyone like slaves. If anyone touches them, they call Marines and an Admiral."
Amy tremble.
"Come on," Noah said. "We're leaving."
The trio walked away before things escalated.
Hours later, while passing a shady alley, Noah heard men talking in low voices.
"—Auction house....Special items—"
Noah looked at Emma. "Let's follow them to the auction house."
Emma groaned loudly. "I knew it. I could smell trouble already."
Amy giggled. "Trouble is fun, though."
While following the men, Emma noticed Marines everywhere, blocking roads, checking IDs, guarding rooftops.
"Why are there so many Marines here?" Emma asked.
"You remember what the man said about the Celestial Dragons?" Noah replied. "They're the reason."
They entered the auction house and took three seats at the back.
The bidding began—golden statues, rare animals, strange weapons, Humans...people threw money around like it was nothing.
"Are they really selling people?" Amy whispered. "This place is awful…"
Soon the auctioneer brought out a green-haired mermaid in chains.
People started bidding instantly.
"50 million berries!" one voice shouted.
"100 million!"
"200 million!"
The crowd roared louder with each bid—
until a Celestial Dragon lazily raised his hand.
"500 million berries."
Silence crashed over the room instantly. No one dared to speak after that. The bid was decided the moment he opened his mouth.
BOOM!
The front doors burst open.
"CAMIE!!!" Luffy shouted.
Everyone stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
"This idiot… doesn't he know who's here?"
A Celestial Dragon stood in anger.
"You there. Do not move unless I command it."
Luffy ignored him and ran straight down the stairs.
The Celestial Dragon pulled out a pistol.
"How dare you disobey me!?"
He fired.
The bullets bounced off Luffy's skin.
Luffy's eyes hardened.
He punched the Celestial Dragon in the face, sending him flying across the stage.
Shock spread through the room.
Guards rushed in with guns pointed at Luffy.
At that exact moment, an old man with silver hair walked out from behind the stage holding two bags of money.
He glared once.
And all the guards collapsed instantly.
"No way…" someone whispered.
"That's Silvers Rayleigh!"
Rayleigh walked to Camie and broke her chains.
"It's been a while, Camie."
"Thank you, Rayleigh!" she cried.
Rayleigh turned to Luffy. "Monkey D. Luffy."
Usopp whispered, "Do you know this guy?"
"Nope," Luffy replied.
Outside, Marines shouted:
"Everyone inside come out with your hands up!"
"Tch. Guess coming here wasn't a big waste," Eustass Kid said.
"Let's go, Captain, before Admirals arrive," Killer added.
Law stepped forward, smirking.
"Well, well. Eustass Captain Kid."
Kid laughed. "Trafalgar Law."
"It doesn't matter if you run," Law said. "This place will soon be surrounded by Marines and Admirals."
Luffy walked between them. "You two scaredy cats stay here. I'll deal with them."
Kid snorted. "No, you stay."
Law pointed. "No, you stay."
They kept arguing all the way outside.
Outside, the auction house was surrounded by Marines.
A familiar voice spoke.
"You haven't changed a bit."
Luffy turned—and his face brightened.
"Noah!"
"It's been a while, Luffy," Noah said.
Kid stared. "No way… he's here."
Law smirked. "Of course he'd show up."
"To be damned," Kid laughed. "The destroyer himself."
Noah walked up to the three captains.
"Why don't you three sit this one out?"
Kid smirked. "Show us a bit of your skill then."
Noah chuckled and unsheathed his sword.
Emma ran up. "Noah!"
Marines whispered in fear.
"That's… the Ghostly Merchant…"
Emma grabbed Noah's arm. "What are you planning?"
"I'm going to show them a little," Noah replied.
"If you fight here, you'll destroy the whole archipelago!" Emma snapped.
Amy rushed over. "Emma, what should we do?!"
"Ask our captain," Emma sighed.
Noah grinned.
"Vector Manipulation- Gravity Crush."
BOOOOM!
Every Marine slammed into the ground.
"That was easy," Noah said with a grin.
Law whistled. "Unbelievable."
One Marine somehow got up and fired his pistol at Noah.
Before the bullet reached him Noah disappeared.
He appeared behind the Marine instantly and slit his throat in one clean motion.
The Marine collapsed.
Kid took a step back. "This guy… is dark."