With Rayleigh acting as a mediator, the group finally managed to begin a peaceful conversation.
Hachi recounted his experiences over the past several days, explaining that all he wanted now was to quietly sell takoyaki and live a calm, ordinary life. Ryuuto expressed his full support and even invited Hachi to set up his stall right at the entrance of the auction house. After all, here, he wouldn't have to disguise himself as a human. Hachi happily accepted.
The day of the auction finally arrived. The event was scheduled to begin at ten in the morning. People started arriving early, transforming the usually quiet Grove 18 into a bustling hub of activity.
The Foxy Pirates were in charge of running the auction itself. Meanwhile, the Buggy Pirates handled security, with a large contingent of their members lining both sides of the auction house, acting as guards. They had invested a great deal of effort into this event and would not allow anyone to disrupt it. Just like that, the Universe Auction proceeded in an orderly fashion.
For this auction, Ryuuto was the one providing the Devil Fruits. As the boss behind the scenes, he had no intention of making a public appearance unless a problem arose that Foxy, Buggy, and the others couldn't handle.
Watching the endless stream of wealthy merchants, pirates, and underworld figures file into the auction house, Ryuuto and his companions sat leisurely to one side, sipping tea. Hachi, on the other hand, was working tirelessly, grilling takoyaki.
"They're so enthusiastic!" Hachi exclaimed, his hands a blur as he struggled to keep up with the demand. Camie and Pappag worked alongside him, constantly placing fresh takoyaki onto the grill.
At that moment, seven or eight lavishly dressed, wealthy women were standing before Hachi's stall, sampling his food. More than a dozen bodyguards stood watch behind them.
"This is absolutely delicious!" one of them, a blonde with exaggerated sunglasses and a slightly plump figure, remarked.
"It certainly has a unique flavor!" the others chimed in.
"Thank you for your kind words!" Hearing their praise, Hachi grinned broadly, using one of his hands to scratch his head while the others continued to grill at an accelerated pace.
"That Hachi fellow sure is full of energy," Rayleigh commented with a light chuckle from a short distance away.
Ryuuto watched the scene with a sense of satisfaction. "It feels good to have subordinates," he said softly. "You don't have to do everything yourself."
Before long, Ryuuto spotted Kid and Killer in the crowd. Kid walked with an arrogant swagger that dared anyone to challenge him, while Killer followed silently by his side.
"Gyahahaha, what a crowd! It seems the allure of Devil Fruits is as strong as they say!" Kid boomed as he moved with the flow of people, taking in the bustling scene. The two of them then entered the auction house.
Next to appear were Luffy and his two companions. Luffy's eyes were immediately drawn to Hachi's stall.
"Takoyaki!" Luffy inhaled deeply, a look of pure bliss on his face. "It looks so good!" With that, he charged straight toward Hachi.
Sanji, meanwhile, possessed an almost supernatural ability to spot beautiful women, even in a chaotic crowd. He took a few steps, his gaze sweeping the area, and immediately locked onto Nami and Vivi's location. In an instant, his body contorted into a wavy line, and his eyes turned into hearts.
"Naaami-swaaan!" Sanji wriggled as he rushed toward where Ryuuto's group was sitting.
Seeing this, Zoro left the takoyaki-obsessed Luffy and glanced over as well. "That guy? Ryuuto!" His eyes narrowed as he recalled their previous encounter. He then followed after Sanji.
"Nami-swan, I can't believe we meet again!" Sanji exclaimed, his heart practically leaping from his chest. He then turned his head and, with an even more exaggerated expression, shouted, "And this beautiful lady here, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Sanji was overjoyed. Not only had he run into Nami-swan, but there was another woman here who was just as beautiful.
"Sanji? What are you guys doing here?" Nami was pleasantly surprised, feeling the warmth of seeing a familiar face in a foreign land. This was the first time she had seen Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro since they had parted ways in Cocoyasi Village.
"Hmm?" Vivi was about to teach this lecher a lesson when she noticed that he knew Nami. She simply covered her face with a newspaper and ignored him.
"Zoro!" Nami called out loudly, waving as she looked past Sanji and saw him approaching.
"Sanji, it's been a while. Is Luffy with you?" Ryuuto nodded at Sanji before asking calmly.
"Ryuuto!" Sanji immediately dropped his flirtatious demeanor upon seeing him. He replied with a serious expression, "Yes, we heard there was an auction here, so we came to check it out. Thank you for your help back in Loguetown!"
Just then, Zoro walked up. "Ryuuto, long time no see! We left in such a hurry last time, I never got to thank you properly!" Zoro said, expressing his gratitude with a solemn nod.
"It was nothing," Ryuuto waved his hand, dismissing it as a minor deed.
Hearing their exchange, Nami finally remembered that Ryuuto had already met Luffy back in Loguetown. Rayleigh and Crocus, uninterested in the reunion, were dozing off in their lounge chairs.
At Zoro's waist hung only two famous swords. One appeared to be Wado Ichimonji, the other Shusui. He had come to the auction with his own agenda, hoping he might be able to purchase another fine blade.
Meanwhile, Buggy, who was standing guard at the entrance, also saw Sanji and Zoro. He gritted his teeth in frustration. Seeing how familiar they were with Ryuuto, however, meant that starting a fight was out of the question.
"Captain Buggy, it's Zoro and Sanji!" Cabaji and Mohji, who had also been keeping an eye on Ryuuto's group, poked Buggy's shoulder and pointed them out.
"You think I didn't see them?!" Buggy yelled. He then placed his hands on his hips and scanned the crowd. "Where's that Straw Hat brat?"
"Found him!" Finally, Buggy spotted Luffy at Hachi's stall, his mouth already stuffed with takoyaki.
"That damn Straw Hat!" Buggy's fists clenched in rage.
Over by the lounge chairs, Zoro, Sanji, and Nami chatted briefly before deciding to get Luffy. "Luffy!" Sanji shouted towards the crowd, but it was no use. Luffy didn't hear him at all.
Dong!
Suddenly, the clear chime of a bell rang out. Everyone realized that the auction was about to begin.
"The auction's starting!"
The people still outside quickened their pace and streamed into the building. Luffy did the same. After a quick, fruitless search for Zoro and Sanji, he simply followed the crowd inside. His logic was simple: if he couldn't find them out here, they must be in there.