One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

The golden doors of the auction house slowly opened.

The once noisy venue fell silent instantly.

That kind of quiet wasn't natural quiet, but a repressive, fearful quiet where you didn't even dare to breathe.

Everyone—whether they were wealthy merchants or ruthless pirates—lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the doorway.

Even the most notorious pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million were now obediently seated, their arrogance completely suppressed.

Three figures walked in from outside the door.

Leading the way was an overweight middle-aged man wearing a white robe and a square glass hood.

That's the unique attire of the Celestial Dragons—the bubble hood, supposedly because they don't want to breathe the same air as the lowly people of the "lower realm."

Behind him followed a woman who was also wearing a bubble hood, was obese, and had thick makeup on her face.

The woman, holding the hand of a seven or eight-year-old boy and wearing a bubble head covering, arrogantly surveyed the surrounding crowd of people with their heads bowed.

A family of three.

Celestial Dragons.

The two members of the Charlos family and the Charlüa family, along with their youngest son.

Behind the three were four CP agents dressed in black suits, each with a calm demeanor and sharp eyes.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Charles Saint held his head high, his gaze sweeping over the lowered heads, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"The commoners are at least sensible."

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the quiet room could hear him clearly.

No one dared to refute it.

No one dared to speak.

No one even dared to look up.

Charles Saint, with his family, sat down in the VIP seats at the very front and center of the venue.

That was the best spot in the entire auction house, with a superb view, spacious and comfortable seats, and even a personal attendant.

The atmosphere in the hall eased slightly after the Celestial Dragons took their seats.

But it was still oppressive.

Those pirates who were originally making a lot of noise were now shrinking their necks and even speaking in hushed tones.

Roy sat in the back corner, watching this scene, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"This Celestial Dragon is as arrogant as ever."

His voice wasn't loud, but under the cover of his psychic field, only those nearby could hear it.

"It seems the lessons learned from Mary Geoise a few years ago have been forgotten so quickly."

Now they dare to swagger away from Mary Geoise and come to the 'lower realm' to show off their power.

Roy looked at the bulky white figure in the front row, his eyes growing cold.

Charles Saint sat in the VIP seat, legs crossed, flipping through the catalog of today's auction items.

His gaze lingered on the poster of the mermaid girl for a long time.

"This mermaid is quite beautiful."

His voice carried an air of self-righteous arrogance.

"I want it."

Charlia glanced at the poster and pursed her lips: "What's so great about mermaids? They don't have any fighting power."

"You don't understand."

Charles Saint waved his hand.

"The way a mermaid swims in the water is more beautiful than any jewel."

I'm going to keep her in my private aquarium in Mary Geoise.

He said this as if he were discussing a piece of furniture or a pet.

There was not a trace of guilt, nor a trace of pity.

In their eyes, all races in the "lower realm"—whether human, fish-man, mermaid, or anything else—are merely tools, toys, and slaves.

Yamato's hand, gripping the spiked club, was bulging with veins.

She gritted her teeth and whispered, "Roy... I want to punch him."

"Don't worry," Roy said calmly. "There will be a chance."

Jinpei sat beside him, his fists clenched so tightly that the prayer beads rattled.

That usually honest face was now filled with suppressed anger.

The blue-haired mermaid girl on the auction stage is named Shirley.

He was an ordinary resident of Fishman Island who, because he was playing around, floated to the surface and was captured by slave traders.

She was still a child.

Grandma Niu's face was also ashen.

The two nine-snake female warriors locked in the cage were her people.

The women of Amazon Lily receive warrior training from a young age, preferring to die in battle rather than suffer humiliation.

Now, they are treated as commodities, placed on an auction stage, and bid on at will.

The three Hancock sisters huddled behind Granny New, their faces pale.

They recalled that a few years ago, they had also been locked in such cages, picked and chosen like goods.

That despair, that fear, that humiliation—it remains etched deep in their memories.

Hancock bit her lip, her eyes reddening, but she held back her tears.

She is the next empress of Amazon Lily, she cannot cry.

Roy gently placed his hand on her head.

Hancock looked up and saw Roy's calm eyes.

"Don't be afraid."

His voice was very soft.

"No one will be taken away today."

Hancock nodded vigorously.

10 o'clock sharp.

"Snap—"

The lights in the venue suddenly went out.

Only the center of the stage remained, with a spotlight shining brightly.

A man in a tuxedo with his hair neatly combed walked out from behind the curtain.

He had a smile on his face and was elegant in his manner, just like a gentleman.

But everyone present knew that he had handled more slaves than most people had ever seen in their entire lives.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to the Golden City Auction House."

His voice, amplified through the loudspeaker, resonated throughout the venue, carrying a professional enthusiasm.

"Today, we have prepared dozens of treasures for you—rare jewels from the West Sea, mysterious weapons unearthed from ancient ruins, and legendary Devil Fruits..."

He paused, then his smile deepened.

"Of course, there's also what everyone's been waiting for most—'living treasures'."

A burst of excited whispers arose from the audience.

The host raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

"Well then, without further ado—"

"The Golden City Auction is officially open!"

"Snapped!"

He snapped his fingers.

The spotlight shifted to the center of the stage, where a display stand slowly rose.

On the display stand, there was a sapphire the size of a fist, which refracted a dazzling light under the lights.

"The first item up for auction—'Star of the Deep Sea'! A top-quality sapphire from the deep-sea veins of Fishman Island!"

"Starting bid: ten million Berries!"

Immediately, someone in the audience raised a sign.

"Eleven million!"

"Twelve million!"

"Fifteen million!"

The bidding was in full swing.

Roy leaned back in his chair, watching the farce with utter boredom.

His Observation Haki had already penetrated into the underground of the auction house.

There were rows of cages there.

Mermaid girls, nine-snake warriors, and many more slaves treated as commodities were all imprisoned there.

He remembered everyone's location.

Then, withdraw your Observation Haki and continue waiting.

The best is yet to come.