"90 Devil Fruits!"
51, 58, 61!
The three highest auction prices projected on the large screen astonished many, including Doflamingo.
"Someone actually bid over 60... What kind of joke is this!? Where did they get so many Devil Fruits?!"
"Are they falsifying the bid? It's only the first round of sealed bids, so a false bid isn't impossible."
"That would be suicide. Aren't they afraid of enraging Phantom?"
Such discussions came from the lower two levels. These people had no bidding rights and were mostly subordinates of the factions on the upper two levels.
Those on the upper two levels, however, remained relatively composed, though their expressions weren't particularly pleased.
In private suite #3, a young woman couldn't help but frown, looking at the middle-aged man beside her.
"Father, at this price, if it's not the Marines, no single faction could afford it. Someone must have teamed up."
Hearing this, a young man with golden hair sneered, "Raising the price to 61 in the first round... the kind of people who would do that, it's very likely them."
As he spoke, he glanced towards private suite #5.
However, the middle-aged man sitting in the chair calmly stated, "A price of 61 is beyond our capabilities. For the next two auctions, Mana, you don't need to bid."
"Not bidding?" The woman, Mana, was stunned. "Father, this is the Pluton blueprint. Are we just giving up?"
"No, bidding is just the beginning," the middle-aged man said in a low voice.
"The real struggle will begin after the auction ends. Even if we win the blueprint, whether we can leave Sabaody alive is another question. Our 'Flores Bounty Hunter Alliance' is determined to get the blueprint."
The Flores Bounty Hunter Alliance was a power in the New World, gathering a large number of bounty hunters. Ordinary pirate crews were no match for this alliance.
Private suite #5, on the other hand, housed a group of fierce-looking men, each appearing cold and ruthless.
They were a mafia organization in the New World, with influence across dozens of countries, led by the 'Ortiz Family,' ranked tenth among the Ten Great Families.
As soon as the prices from the first sealed bid were revealed, the factions within these twelve private suites began to speculate about each other.
Someone had definitely teamed up; they just didn't know who.
Below, Doflamingo observed everything, chuckling softly. "The first round of sealed bids has ended. The three highest prices are 51, 58, and 61 Devil Fruits respectively. Next, we proceed to the second..."
At this point, his words suddenly halted. After a brief pause, he nodded. "...I've just received news. Phantom will grant you a 10-minute break. During this time, you are not permitted to leave your respective seats."
A ten-minute break?
Many people were surprised, then one by one they realized.
"Is Phantom giving these major powers time to react? Giving them time to secretly connect and form alliances, then drive the price even higher?"
This wasn't difficult to guess; it was, in fact, the first thing that came to mind.
On the fourth-floor throne, Vladimir's calm gaze swept across, as if he could see into their hearts.
The reactions of each major faction were all within his control.
Private suite #1: The Marines.
Private suite #2: The Whitebeard Pirates.
Private suite #3: The New World Bounty Hunter Alliance.
Private suite #4: An unknown faction, likely pirates.
Private suite #5: One of the Ten Great Families, the Ortiz Family's mafia.
Private suite #6: Unknown.
Private suite #7: Unknown.
Private suite #8: A pirate alliance, including Andy Polan, Captain of the Unicorn Pirates, and Lance, user of the Blood-Blood Fruit.
Private suite #9: Several people in black cloaks, likely quite old, at least in their fifties. Vladimir hadn't heard of them specifically.
Private suite #10: One of the Ten Great Families, the Vinsmoke Family, the Assassination Family.
Private suite #11: One of the Ten Great Families, the Delgado Family, an ancient lineage. There were even two giants in their private suite.
Private suite #12: The Beast Pirates and the Picnese Family.
Of course, the above was just the situation within the twelve private suites. On the third floor, there were 240 seats, concealing even more factions.
Vladimir even spotted a few old relics, remnants from Roger's era. However, these individuals were very low-key and would not reveal themselves unnecessarily.
They didn't even compete for the twelve private suites, content to simply secure a bidding right on the third floor.
Based on Vladimir's judgment, the price of 61 Devil Fruits likely came from someone on the third floor.
"Hehehe... I'll give you ten minutes. Go ahead and form alliances, and drive the price even higher!"
Vladimir's eyes gleamed, and he thought inwardly.
Ten minutes passed in a flash. Soon, the second round of sealed bids began.
During these 10 minutes, many subtle moves were made. Secret communications between bidders, choosing allies—all happened imperceptibly.
Soon, the prices for the second round were revealed.
62, 62, 62!
"Hmm?"
Seeing this result, Doflamingo was surprised.
"It seems the bidders have a good understanding of each other. We have three identical highest bids, and coincidentally, all are one Devil Fruit higher than the previous round's highest bid. Fufufufu... You all are playing a bit too much."
This was only the second round, and everyone was still holding back.
Moreover, the first round's price was indeed quite high. Those still capable of competing were not fools and naturally concealed their true intentions.
The key was the third round!
With this in mind, Doflamingo looked at Vladimir. A moment later, he said, "Then, let's begin the third round. Please note, this is the final round. The highest bidder will acquire the Pluton blueprints. As for the transaction, please do not worry. We, Phantom, guarantee that the blueprints will be delivered to you without anyone's knowledge, so... please bid!"
This time, there was no break. The third round of sealed bids began directly.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy. Compared to the first round, the number of bidders in the third round was at least eighty to ninety percent less. Only a dozen or two actively placed bids.
Many people held their black cards, hesitating on what number to write.
This wasn't just a simple number; these were Devil Fruits, each with a significant value.
Time passed. Five minutes later, the sealed bids concluded.
Seeing this, Doflamingo announced loudly, "Thank you all for your participation. Now, let's look at the results. First, the third-highest bid..."
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