Pop~~~ Pop~~~

  Two weeks ter.

  Sabaody Archipego.

  tless bubbles floated through the air, refleg light in a rainbow of colors, creating a dreamlike se. From time to time, a bubble would float too high, break free from the unique climate of the Sabaody Archipego, and burst with a crisp pop.

  "Ladies alemen, thank you for waiting..."

  At that moment—

  On Grove No. 1.

  The Au House.

  The venue was already packed with people—from pirates and bounty huo merts and nobles from all over the world.

  In the middle row of seats sat several figures dressed in luxurious spacesuits, their heads encased in bubble helmets. Their mere preseirred a range of reas from the audience, whether defiant pirates, wealthy merts, h-ranking officials from various nations.

  Some were filled with fear, others with awe, unease, or even terror.

  But no matter their true feelings—whether disgust or hatred—no one dared to act out of line.

  The reason was simple: these individuals were the desdants of the twenty kings who fouhe Wover, known as the Celestial Dragons, the world's supreme nobility, reized by the gover as untouchable.

  Acc to the highest ws of the Wover, the desdants of the creators were sidered sacred and enjoyed every privilege. If offended, even an admiral from the Navy Headquarters would have to personally interveo protect them. Whether they killed in broad daylight, kidnapped women, or ensved people from any race, they were never held atable. In fact, anyone who tried to obstruct or oppose them would be guilty of a crime.

  Anyone who offehe Celestial Dragons would be hunted down, no matter where they fled, ah was the only oute.

  This was on knowledge across the seas.

  "The moment we've all been waiting for is about to arrive. I’m sure everyone here is excited..."

  On the au stage.

  A man in a suit and sungsses excitedly announced, "Our Bck Fg Trading pany has been preparing for this grand au for three years, and it’s about to begin!"

  "But first, we—"

  Bang!

  "Ah—"

  Suddenly, a gunshot echoed through the hall.

  The aueer, who had been passionately expining the au's rules, screamed as blood spttered from his shoulder. He fell to the ground, wounded.

  Panic immediately spread throughout the venue.

  Some women screamed, while others turned pale with fear and fusion. But soon, everyone’s eyes widened when they saw who had fired the shot—it was one of the Celestial Dragons.

  "Enough with the jabbering. So noisy..."

  In the middle row stood a bloated, obese figure with a face full of fat, holding a smoking pistol. He gred at the terrified aueer, who was struggling to stand, and shouted impatiently, "Get on with it and start already... Don’t waste this saint’s time!"

  The other Celestial Dragons remained silent, clearly unbothered by his as.

  When the obese Celestial Dragon sed the room with his impatient gaze, everyone instinctively averted their eyes in a panic, terrified of drawing his attention or ire and bringing disaster upon themselves.

  The noisy au house quickly fell silent. Even the women, who had been g in fear, were quickly silenced by their panions, who covered their mouths and whispered stern warnings, urging them not to make a sound.

  "Y-yes, my deepest apologies..."

  The aueer, pale and drenched in cold sweat, shakily wiped the blood from his shoulder. Fortunately, the shot hadn’t hit a vital spot. Two staff members rushed over to help him backstage.

  Meanwhile, the au house manager hurriedly ran out from behind the ses, repeatedly bowing to the Celestial Dragons. "Please five us, my lords. The new aueer didn’t uand the rules and offended you... The au will begin immediately!"

  With that, he personally took over the role of aueer.

  "First—"

  "Let’s present today’s first item!"

  As the manager’s voice echoed through the hall, he gestured toward the first "item" being brought out.

  A beautiful young woman with a graceful figure, dressed in a revealing dancer’s outfit, was led onto the stage like livestock. s were ed around her knees and limbs.

  "Ah—"

  "hat a beauty!"

  "As expected of a gra held once every three years!"

  "I didn’t think the first item would be this stunning!"

  "Bck Fg Trading pany really lives up to its reputation as the biggest mert pany in the first half of the Grand Line. Impressive!"

  "I’ve heard that in addition to Devil Fruits, they also have rare special races up for au!"

  "Could it be the legendary mermaids?"

  "No, not just mermaids—there are others too..."

  The audience was immediately captivated. Pirates, nobles, and merts alike gazed at the woman on stage with glowing eyes, their attention fully focused on her slender and alluring figure.

  Seeing the lustful, predatazes of the audience, all directed at her like she erfect pieerdise, the dancer’s face paled with terror. She trembled, looking pitiful and helpless.

  "She just turned 18 this year, a beautiful dancer from the West Blue—Bacca. She’s skilled in various dances, aalents are top-notch!"

  The manager, clearly an experienced aueer, gestured eically as he passionately introduced the first item, seemingly ued by the earlier disturbance. He quickly threw himself into his work, loudly prog, "Look at that geous face! Look at that devilish figure! She’s truly the woman of every man’s dreams..."

  "Furthermore, after thh iion, we guarahat this product is pletely untouched—an authentic virgin!"

  "If we’re wrong, we’ll pay ten times the price. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!"

  The tense, uneasy atmosphere in the room began to heat up once again, guided by the aueer’s enthusiasm.

  "The starting price is 300,000 Belly, with minimum is of 10,000 Belly. Although the price may seem high, the quality is unmatched—definitely worth every Belly!"

  "So, dies alemen, what are you waiting for? Pce your bids!"

  "350,000 Belly!"

  "380,000 Belly!"

  "400,000 Belly!"