For example, weapons of terrifying destructive power… or slaves…
In truth, auctions of weapons—especially newly developed weapons of mass destruction—rarely take place in public auction houses.
Weapons have their own underground channels, and other contraband is sold through its own secret methods.
Strangely enough, aside from stolen goods, the slave trade is the auction house's second-largest business.
That was why Hancock's expression had barely improved since they walked through the doors.
It was El who took the initiative to find the auction house's frontman and demand a full, detailed explanation of the situation.
How could the owner dare treat him with anything but utmost respect? When the big boss himself showed up, every courtesy must be observed—no, it had to be twice as thorough!
"Very well, Lord El…"
From the owner's account, El and Hancock finally learned what had been going on.
For some time now, a man had been coming to the auction house just to pick fights. He appeared at fixed intervals, rain or shine.
This man was overwhelmingly strong; none of the enforcers hired by the house could stand against him. He would take them down in no time, rendering them completely useless.
As his visits grew more frequent, and with a major auction scheduled in just a few days, the owner had run out of ways to deal with the troublemaker.
That was why he sent an urgent request up the chain for help—never expecting that the big boss himself would come in person.
"I see…" El nodded lightly.
It sounded like a skilled warrior who disapproved of the auction house's dealings and deliberately came to block the entrance and cause trouble.
Normally, such a matter would never require El's personal attention. But since he happened to be there and planned to stay on the Sabaody Archipelago for a while, he decided it would be simpler and cleaner to resolve it himself.
"When was the last time he came?" El asked.
"Lord El, that blind man showed up three days ago."
"Blind?" El raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You mean to say you can't handle even a blind man?"
The owner immediately began to plead his case. "My Lord, you haven't seen him! Though his eyes are injured and he cannot see, his strength is absolutely first-rate! Not just us—even far larger and more powerful auction houses and gambling dens have all suffered losses at his hands!"
"I'm not sure…"
The owner hesitated, clearly afraid to speak his mind.
It was only natural. In the present era of the Grand Line, there were few pirates left stronger than El.
Standing in the presence of such a supreme power, even someone connected to the organization found it difficult to stay completely at ease.
All things considered, the owner was already doing quite well.
"If I may ask… why has it fallen to you, Lord El, to come in person?"
The owner distinctly remembered sending his report to Doflamingo, not to anyone else.
"Hmph!" Hancock looked displeased. "What is that supposed to mean? Are you unhappy that Lord El has taken time from his busy schedule to come here himself?!"
"Not at all, not at all!" The owner bowed repeatedly. "It is a great honor to have Lord El here. I… I only fear that my trivial problem might distract you from more important matters."
Hancock gave another cold snort and ignored the man, who was clearly an expert at reading moods.
"I came because I happened to be free," El said calmly. "If you'd rather, I can just call Doflamingo and have him come instead."
"No, no, please don't!" The owner panicked. "I wouldn't dare trouble you further…"
"It's no trouble," El waved a hand. "And this isn't just for your sake—I have my own reasons."
In fact, El had already recognized the man blocking the entrance.
That sightless powerhouse was none other than Fujitora "Issho"—the man who would later join the Marines through the World Conscription, rise to become one of the Navy's top forces, and eventually earn the rank of Admiral.
Fujitora was undeniably strong. To be honest, El felt somewhat reluctant to let such talent fall into the hands of the World Government and Marine Headquarters.
But things were different now; the Fujitora of this moment was not yet the man he would become.
He had not yet joined the Marines—he was merely a righteous, immensely powerful Devil Fruit user with no official ties.
Between Doflamingo's network and the way business was run on Sabaody, neither side was easy to provoke.
Yet this blind man dared to march up to the door all by himself. Only someone utterly confident in his own strength would dare such a bold move.
El's plan now was to have Doflamingo step in first, and then decide whether to intervene himself to maximize his advantage.
He had already asked—at least according to the owner, there was no connection between Fujitora and the Marines.
And on Sabaody, information flowed faster than anywhere else; dealers were always among the first or second to hear news from both the Navy and pirates.
One wrong move could mean ruin, so if the owner was certain Fujitora was not working for the Marines, it was likely he was still a free agent.
The concern Hancock had raised earlier was also weighing on El's mind. If he acted now, the situation could spiral beyond repair. But what about Hancock…?
El glanced at Hancock. He knew her strength well: when facing opponents who held no lustful thoughts toward her, her Devil Fruit's ability to force petrification was weakened, and her overall combat power dropped by roughly thirty percent.
If there was a choice, he would rather not assign someone like Fujitora to a subordinate like Hancock.
Besides, this matter fell under Doflamingo's jurisdiction. It made sense to call him in.
And regardless of how strong Doflamingo was, he certainly would not be completely outmatched against Fujitora.
Under the circumstances, the owner's opinion no longer mattered.
Even though he did not want El to bring Doflamingo into the matter, once El had made up his mind, it was impossible to change.
Even if Doflamingo later blamed the owner for dragging him into the trouble, that was none of El's concern.
When Doflamingo received El's new order, he was equally surprised. He had already prepared to stay in the background, cheering Lord El on from the sidelines. But now…
"Lord El personally summons me? To deal with that man harassing the auction house?"
Doflamingo knew the Sabaody Archipelago inside and out.
As a central hub of resources and intelligence, its importance was obvious, and he had many operations set up there.
The troubled auction house was one he had once protected.
But what problem could possibly require him to come? In terms of strength, influence, reputation—El surpassed him in every way.
Could there be some reason El could not handle it himself, and needed Doflamingo to act as a go-between?
Doflamingo began to wonder. He knew exactly where he stood in the hierarchy of the pirate world—and how much room there was between him and the true apex.
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