In almost an instant, he covered dozens of meters, charging at Vladimir from the side.
Vladimir's reaction to this attack was incredibly swift. He quickly extended his right hand, reaching out to meet the oncoming impact.
"Illusion Annihilation."
Snap!
As if something had shattered, the black-suited man's transformation was forcibly dispelled. Before he could even recover, a powerful impact immediately threw him back.
Boom!
He was sent flying backward, all the way beyond the wasteland, and tumbled down a cliff.
"Ahhh!"
A scream echoed, causing everyone present to blanch in unison.
"It really is an ability that nullifies Devil Fruit powers!" Jack's mind reeled. "Damn it! Does he possess a power similar to Seastone?"
"No, Seastone only renders ability users powerless, but it doesn't nullify the ability itself..."
The Bounce-Bounce Fruit user shook his head. "However, it seems direct physical contact is required."
Hearing this, Vladimir slowly retracted his hand and said, "Leisurely analyzing my abilities. The Picnese Family, Royal Guards of the Ten Great Families? I wonder how many of the Ten Great Families have shown up this time?"
Half of the Ten Great Families were old acquaintances, while others were quite unique and worth keeping an eye on.
For example, the Vinsmoke Family of the North Blue, and the Picnese Family before him.
These people undoubtedly possessed Devil Fruits, and he would have to deal with them sooner or later.
The reason he set up these trials was to see how many Devil Fruits these groups carried and which factions had allied with each other.
The results, of course, were gratifying. In order to obtain the blueprints for Pluton, the major powers in the twelve private suites, with the exception of Whitebeard's faction, had each prepared at least twenty Devil Fruits.
The Marines, in particular, had prepared nearly forty, likely having raided the Celestial Dragons' treasury.
"I'm done playing with you."
With that thought, Vladimir suddenly withdrew his hand. "For you to force me to take a single step back is a pipe dream. This time, I will make an exception and let you pass. The exit is beneath this wasteland. Simply jump down, and you will be out. Farewell."
With that, Vladimir turned and walked away. He took a single step, and instantly vanished from the Dream World.
...
Meanwhile, at the auction venue.
On the fourth level, above the seats of the Ten Sovereigns, space rippled around the high chair at the very top.
Vladimir stepped out of the Dream World, accompanied by Nico Robin and Lihit.
Lihit, as a captive, had helped Phantom open the Dream World and set up the trials this time. Considering her slight usefulness, Vladimir had granted her permission not to be confined.
The two appeared alongside Vladimir, then quickly retreated to the side.
This was a place only those above the rank of Sovereign could occupy; they didn't even have the right to stand there.
As everyone saw Emperor Vladimir's appearance, they all became alert.
In an instant, dozens, even hundreds, of Observation Haki probes reached out towards the throne.
"Hmph!"
The Sea Dragon let out a cold snort, and its dragon's might instantly enveloped the entire venue.
At this, the Observation Haki probes receded like a tide.
Nevertheless, this fleeting glimpse sent chills down the spines of countless people.
"Unbelievable. My Observation Haki couldn't even detect his aura... If it weren't for my eyes seeing him, I'd suspect he didn't exist at all!"
Someone inhaled sharply, muttering to themselves.
"Fufufufu..."
Doflamingo stood on the red platform. He glanced at Emperor Vladimir, then announced, "The last private suite, number 12, has also been occupied. It is by the Four Emperor Kaido. Congratulations!"
Kaido's face was grim, and he snorted in annoyance, taking his seat directly.
He didn't know about the others, but as for him, if Emperor Vladimir hadn't gone easy on them, he probably wouldn't have had the chance to enter.
Therefore, Doflamingo's congratulations felt like mockery to him.
However, Doflamingo was unaware of this, and he didn't care.
"Since everyone is now present, the World's Greatest Auction officially begins! We are auctioning only one item... the design blueprints for the Ancient Weapon Pluton!"
The first-floor hall had 48,000 seats, the second floor had 3,600, the third floor had 240, and the fourth floor had 12 large private suites.
Everyone was present. Doflamingo announced that the auction had officially begun.
"Before we start, I will explain the auction rules."
He looked up at the bidders on the third and fourth levels. "Bidding will only be accepted in Devil Fruits. Now, let's look at the sole item up for auction!"
As his words fell, tendrils of black smoke billowed from the red platform, gradually coiling and forming a figure.
Shadow, entirely black, abruptly opened his eyes. The next moment, he reached out his right hand towards the space in front of him.
Immediately, space tore open, and Shadow's right hand delved into the rift. Moments later, he pulled out a stack of packaged blueprints.
The stacked blueprints were as thick as a finger, comprising over fifty sheets. Each sheet depicted extremely complex diagrams and textual descriptions.
"Pluton!"
With the appearance of the blueprints, the bidders in the hall looked on with burning eyes, staring intently at the stack of papers, their hearts unable to remain calm.
To possess it would be to possess the power to overturn the world!
"Fufufufu..."
Doflamingo chuckled twice wickedly, took the blueprints from Shadow, and placed them on a rosewood stand.
Then, a projection Den Den Mushi rose from beneath the stand. The Den Den Mushi projected the uppermost blueprint onto a large screen for everyone to view.
In an instant, countless gazes fixed upon it, but upon seeing it, many were momentarily dumbfounded.
____________________
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