On a beach in the Sabaody Archipelago.
Rayleigh sat on the ground, panting heavily, his face a mask of regret for having been played.
"I knew it! That hundred million Belly a month wasn't going to be a free ride!"
"I have to say, Rayleigh, your stamina is pathetic. You're completely wiped out after less than six hours?"
"Listen here, do you have any idea how old I am?! I'm seventy-four! Seventy-four years old! I've maintained a high-intensity battle for six straight hours—do you have any respect for your elders?" Rayleigh snapped back, feeling the sting of Sean's disdain.
Sean, however, wasn't buying it.
"What's wrong with being seventy-four? Garp is the same age as you. Look at him... then look at yourself."
"You've got some nerve..."
'Damn it, who wants to be compared to a monster like Garp?!' Rayleigh grumbled internally, though he couldn't argue.
Despite being the same age, Garp's energy remained boundless. As expected, those who specialized purely in physical arts were monsters. As for himself... if he fought at full power, three or four hours was likely his limit.
"Tell you what," Sean suggested. "If you're willing to sign a lifelong employment contract, I'll help you solve your declining physical stamina. How does that sound?"
"You brat, what are you plotting now?"
"Nothing much. I just feel sorry for you in your current state. With your level of endurance, I actually feel bad for Shakky."
Having said his piece, Sean walked over, grabbed his officer's coat, and departed. Since Rayleigh was currently incapacitated, there was no point in continuing; he would let him rest for a few hours and return tonight.
He left the legendary pirate alone, bewildered and defeated in the wind.
'''
The next day.
A massive contingent of Marines and agents in black suits appeared outside the auction house. Following them, under the protection of even more guards, arrived five Celestial Dragons.
Each rode a massive slave and held several iron chains, leading a number of other slaves—most of whom were women of exceptional beauty and stature. This was a common sight in the Sabaody Archipelago.
Akainu followed closely beside them. He remained silent, but a faint, barely perceptible trace of disgust flickered in his eyes.
At that moment, several people approached from another direction. Unlike the others, they didn't kneel; instead, they strolled along with an air of leisurely ease.
This immediately drew the attention of all the guards and Marines. However, when the soldiers saw who was approaching, none of them moved to intercept. Instead, their faces filled with admiration.
By now, the events of two days ago had spread throughout the Sabaody branch. Who in the entire branch didn't know Sean?
A Marine Vice Admiral who gave no face to the Celestial Dragons, who had slaughtered every one of Charlos's guards right in front of him, and who had faced absolutely no repercussions.
It was simply badass.
Furthermore, rumors claimed that Rear Admiral Bastille had been beaten senseless by Sean after he followed a Celestial Dragon's order to hand over a female Marine to be toyed with. Word was that Bastille would be bedridden for months before fully recovering.
This only deepened the ordinary Marines' admiration. This Vice Admiral was the real deal—when it came to the Celestial Dragons, he actually fought back!
The Marines at the Sabaody branch viewed their posting as a high-risk profession. The area was swarming with pirates, specifically the strongest of the first half of the Grand Line. Normally, Marines accepted injury or death as part of the job, driven by their sense of justice.
However, about thirty percent of the annual death rate at the Sabaody branch wasn't caused by pirates, but by the Celestial Dragons. Those narcissists would shoot a Marine in the head if they were slightly dissatisfied. Sometimes there wasn't even a reason; if they simply didn't like the look of you, they'd fire. Worse still, there were several instances where they killed Marines right inside the branch, right in front of Bastille.
In the past, no one dared to resist. Even the branch head, Rear Admiral Bastille, never disobeyed the Celestial Dragons, nor did he ever attempt to persuade them otherwise.
It was easy to see how much of a shock Sean's actions two days ago had sent through the ranks.
While the Marines remained still, the black-suited guards—brainwashed from childhood to be completely loyal to the Celestial Dragons and devoid of independent thought—did not care who you were.
The Marines were allowed to remain standing only because they were on official guard duty for the Celestial Dragons, or because they held a rank like Akainu's. The people walking toward them clearly did not fit that exception.
Immediately, a dozen guards rushed toward Sean and his group.
Seeing that a fight was imminent, Akainu realized things were about to go south. A man like Sean... would he actually kneel? Impossible.
Although the outcome of the incident two days ago had been unexpected, causing another scene here would likely not be so simple. He prepared to intervene.
But it was already too late.
Akainu had heard about the scene from two days ago—where Sean used a high-intensity Conqueror's Haki targeted strike to shatter the souls of twenty guards—but he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
Now, he saw it.
Sean didn't even break his stride. He continued walking as if nothing were happening, showing no sign of attacking. Yet, the dozen guards charging him suddenly collapsed one by one, their life force extinguished instantly.
The entire scene was eerily surreal.
A moment later, Sean stopped and looked at the fallen guards in black suits with a look of genuine surprise.
"What happened to them? Did they faint from hunger because the food here is too bad?"
That expression of surprise was worthy of an Academy Award.
Watching this, Akainu was simultaneously stunned by what method Sean had used to strike.
Indeed, just as Sean suggested, these people must have been starving. These Celestial Dragons were so stingy they let their own subordinates go hungry!
What? You're saying Sean did it? Who saw it? Where's the evidence? Didn't you see how surprised Sean himself was?
The five Celestial Dragons, led by Saint Sosolack and Saint Vidoran, glanced at each other, their eyes filled with confusion.
Fainted from hunger? How was that possible?
However, while the two didn't immediately link Sean to the fallen guards, they were still irritated.
"Akainu! Who gave those people permission to stand and look us in the eye? Kill them all immediately!"
"Saint Sosolack, these are Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters, responsible for the outer perimeter security."
"Is that so? Then fine."
Sosolack nodded and didn't pursue the matter further. It was true that most Celestial Dragons were characterized by extreme arrogance and low intelligence, but not everyone was as utterly brainless as Charlos.
Akainu let out a sigh of relief, secretly praising himself for his quick thinking.
However, in the next second, he was stunned.
Sean and his group had already stepped inside the auction house.
"Akainu, didn't you say they were responsible for the outer perimeter?"
"That's correct. They were responsible for the perimeter just now, but they need to enter the auction house first to conduct an inspection and ensure there are no threats!"
"I see. Hmm, well done!"
Saint Sisolak nodded, looking quite satisfied. He glanced at his own guards and wondered why they hadn't thought to inspect the venue beforehand.
'What a bunch of useless waste!'
Having successfully bluffed his way through, Akainu breathed another sigh of relief.
'Sean, you brat... stop causing trouble! I'm running out of excuses!'
Soon, the five Celestial Dragons and their massive entourage of guards entered the auction house. As soon as he stepped inside, Akainu hurriedly scanned the room to locate Sean.
He should have just kept his eyes closed. The moment he spotted him, his heart sank.
Sean was sitting on the right side of the first row's center aisle, lazily crossing his legs with an air of complete indifference.
"Akainu, are you sure they entered first to eliminate all dangers?"
"This... right! After they confirmed the venue was secure, they decided to blend in as ordinary people. That way, if danger arises, they can protect the Celestial Dragons immediately. That's why they look so relaxed—the more casual they appear, the less suspicious they are..."
"Impressive. Very professional!"
Saint Sisolak nodded again, completely oblivious to the glaring holes in Akainu's logic.
'You're wearing a Justice coat of a Marine officer and you're telling me it's to blend in as a commoner?'
Akainu felt a deep bitterness in his soul. This kid, Sean, seemed to have come here specifically to train Akainu's reflexes and silver tongue.
He could only hope that Sean would attend the auction peacefully and leave quietly. Although, instinctively, Akainu felt that was highly unlikely.
Walking down the center aisle, the five Celestial Dragons took their seats on the left side of the first row, while their guards occupied the entire five rows behind them.
It wasn't until five minutes later that the other guests were permitted to enter.
The wealthy socialites, who would normally be boisterous upon arriving at an auction, were now deathly silent. Some looked as if they were trying to stop breathing entirely.
After all, if a stray word caught the attention of a Celestial Dragon who happened to be in a bad mood... the response would likely be a bullet to the head.
'Quiet, be quiet!!'
'Low profile, stay low profile!!'
After a long period of suffocating tension, the auction finally began. The host stepped onto the stage and began introducing the items one by one.
This was Sean's first time attending an auction in the Sabaody Archipelago, and he finally understood why this place had become such a popular haunt for the Celestial Dragons.
Because...
At least eight out of every ten items were slaves.
There was every variety imaginable. It wasn't just commoners or pirates; even the wives and daughters of bankrupt nobles were sold here.
Want a delicate, refined beauty? No problem.
Want a mature, seductive woman? No problem.
Want a fierce female pirate? Still no problem.
Want other races? Of course, no problem!
In this place, if you could imagine it, you could find it.
Two hours later, it was finally time for the grand finale of the day.
"Everyone, this is a Devil Fruit. After appraisal, it has been confirmed as a Paramecia-type: the Electric Flower Fruit."
"Everyone knows the value of a Devil Fruit, so I won't waste your time. The starting bid is one hundred million Belly. Let's begin!"
The host waved his hand and opened the bidding.
However, an awkward silence followed. Not a single person placed a bid.
Everyone knew that the Celestial Dragons had two primary hobbies: slaves and Devil Fruits. When they grew bored, they would even force a single slave to eat two Devil Fruits just for their own amusement.
With five Celestial Dragons sitting right there, who would dare bid? Competing with a Celestial Dragon was essentially a suicide mission.
The host seemed to realize this and hurriedly tried to save the situation, but no matter what he said, no one dared to speak.
Just as the situation became desperate, a voice rang out from the right side of the first row.
"One hundred million and one hundred!"
To the host, this was the most beautiful sound in the world. He let out a massive sigh of relief.
He knew what the Celestial Dragons intended for today, and this Devil Fruit absolutely could not go unsold. If the Celestial Dragons' "game" failed, the result would be catastrophic. If they flew into a rage, the host would undoubtedly be the first to die.
As for who the bidder was? Why should he care if someone else was signing their own death warrant?
Without even asking if there were other bids or following the three-bid rule, the host immediately slammed the gavel, announcing that Sean had won the auction.
On the left side of the first row, Saint Charlos spoke up.
"Saint Sisolak, Saint Vidoranou, it seems today's lucky winner is a Marine Vice Admiral."
"You wouldn't let the fact that he's a Vice Admiral stop you, would you...?"
Charlos spoke to Sisolak and Vidoranou. Normally, given Charlos's intelligence, he would never be capable of such a pointed remark. However, Rosward had planned all of this and spent two whole days drilling his idiot son; Charlos had managed to memorize the lines.
The initiators of the game, Sisolak and Vidoranou, both frowned slightly. While they were cruel, they were far more calculating than Charlos.
The two exchanged a hesitant glance.
It was true that the Marines were the dogs of the Celestial Dragons. They could kill a Marine for no reason or seize them as slaves without hesitation. But that applied to ordinary soldiers.
As for a Marine Vice Admiral?
If a Vice Admiral offended them, they could have them arrested and dealt with however they pleased. But to do it for such a trivial "game"... it felt slightly inappropriate.
While the two were hesitating, Sean had already leaped onto the stage and handed a case of money to the host.
"The money is here. I'm taking the goods!"
With that, Sean grabbed the fruit from the display table and prepared to leave.
"Saint Sisolak, Saint Vidoranou, what are you still hesitating for?" Charlos urged. "Do you want the other families in the Holy Land to mock us later? To say that we set the rules of a game but were too cowardly to act just because the target was a Marine Vice Admiral?"
Hearing this, the two were momentarily surprised. Since when did this idiot become so articulate?
However, they had to admit Charlos was right. Many other Celestial Dragons knew about this game. Once the news reached the Holy Land, the five of them would become the laughingstock of their peers. For them, that was absolutely unacceptable.
"Do it! Seize them all and bring them back to the Holy Land!"
"Yes, Saint Sisolak!"
The black-suited CP agents in the rows behind them responded instantly. They surged forward through the center aisle and quickly surrounded Sean and his three companions.
"Saint Sisolak, what is the meaning of this?!" Akainu shouted, suddenly panicking.
Chapter 1: The Celestial Dragons' Arrogance
What are these Celestial Dragons up to now?
"Hmph! As a guard, who gave him permission to attend the auction?"
"Is buying a Devil Fruit more important than our safety? This is dereliction of duty—yes, a complete dereliction of duty!"
"Furthermore, how dare they leave before we have?"
"Is this a provocation against us, the descendants of the gods?"
Sislak wasn't stupid; he had already prepared his justifications before issuing the order.
One had to admit that the members of the Five Great Families had their merits. While they weren't exactly impressive, Sislak was at least far more intelligent than Charlos.
Akainu was momentarily stunned, and then...
"Saint Sislak, Sean is a Vice Admiral of the Marine and a highly likely candidate for a future Admiral. If you wish to arrest him, you must have the approval of the Five Elders and Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"The Five Elders, eh? No problem. Just you wait!"
As he spoke, Sislak pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
'Purupurupuru...'