I collect everything in the One Piece world.

"I...I..." The young man's lips trembled, and he tried to say something but couldn't make a complete sound. His legs went weak and he almost collapsed into the chair.

He was filled with remorse, wishing he could slap himself. Damn it, why couldn't he control his loose tongue! He vowed never to show off or provoke others again!

"No... I'm sorry... I... I was just joking..." he stammered, his voice trembling. He dared not look at Mo Sen again, shrinking his neck as if he wanted to hide himself in the gap between the chairs.

He even started planning to seek refuge at the nearest naval base as soon as the auction ended! No, maybe he should slip away now!

Chapter 103, Auction and Undercurrents

Seeing the other party's cowardly appearance, the cold light in Mo Sen's eyes also disappeared, and he returned to his lazy and casual demeanor, as if he hadn't said those murderous words just now.

He continued to examine the ancient sword in his hand, seemingly having completely lost interest in the terrified fellow.

Sometimes, it's fun to tease these self-righteous fools, but as for actually killing him... Mosen isn't some born killer.

On stage, the auctioneer, seeing that things seemed to have calmed down, quickly wiped away his cold sweat and hurriedly invited the next item to be auctioned.

Although he tried his best to rekindle the atmosphere, the atmosphere in the room had already subtly changed. Most people looked at Mo Sen and his group with deep apprehension and fear, and no one dared to murmur anything anymore.

However, at the same time, both Mosen and Robin noticed that after the conflict, several figures quietly got up, lowered their heads, and quickly left the auction house.

Their movements were well-concealed, but they did not escape Morsen's keen senses and Robin's meticulous observation.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of understanding in each other's eyes.

Robin picked up the black tea that the waiter had just brought him, took an elegant sip, and chuckled softly in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Looks like we won't be too lonely after the party ends. Those guys must have gone out to make preparations. Someone else is eager to 'give us money' again."

Mosen chuckled upon hearing this, placing the ancient sword on his lap with a hint of amusement in his voice: "Yes, being too famous has its downsides. There are always some clueless individuals who think we're just walking Pele bags."

Robin paused for a moment upon hearing this, a deeper thought flashing in her dark blue eyes: "It might not just be those money-grubbing hyenas. The Navy, and the World Government too..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning couldn't be clearer.

Her status as the "child of the devil" makes her a greater nuisance and a higher priority for the World Government than Mosen, a newly emerging high-value wanted criminal.

People in the CP organization may have already noticed their movements.

With so many "valuable" targets gathered at this auction, it's hard to say that there weren't government informants involved.

Before she could finish speaking, Mosen reached out and gently patted the back of Robin's hand, which was resting on her knee. His hand was warm and steady, carrying a reassuring strength.

“There’s nothing to worry about.” Mosen turned to look at her, his usual calm smile on his face. “You have to trust your captain. Even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over an item being displayed on the stage.

It was a bracelet woven from tiny sapphires and silver threads, with a simple yet elegant design that shimmered with a serene, star-like glow under the light.

“Instead of those troubles that haven’t even started yet,” Mosen changed the subject, asking in a relaxed tone, “would you like this piece of jewelry on stage? I think the color and style suit you very well.”

Robin paused slightly, following his gaze to the bracelet. It was indeed very beautiful, a style she would like.

Mo Sen always had this confidence and ability, which made her unconsciously relax and believe that all problems could be solved.

Thinking of this, the gloom in her heart seemed to dissipate a little, and she smiled gently, nodding slightly.

As for her hand, it was still gently covered by Morsen's hand...

Yes, that was just the captain offering comfort and encouragement.

Of course, it's also possible that he was taking the opportunity to "measure" her wrist size to determine if the bracelet would fit.

That makes perfect sense.

The auctioneer's voice rang out again: "The next item, the Blue Star Tear Bracelet, starts at 500,000 Berries..."

"Six hundred thousand Berries!" Mosen called out decisively.

The bracelet itself wasn't an extremely valuable item, and given Morsen's lingering influence, no one in the room dared to compete with him for it.

The auctioneer only made three symbolic calls before quickly bringing down the gavel, and the bracelet easily went to Mosen.

Soon, the waiter respectfully presented the bracelet, which was placed on a velvet tray.

Mosen picked up the bracelet that shimmered with a tranquil blue light under the lamp and gestured to Robin.

Robin paused for a moment, then gracefully extended his left hand.

Mosen gently wrapped the bracelet around her fair and slender wrist. The silver wire and sapphire fit her wrist surprisingly well.

Robin glanced down, a faint smile playing on her lips, and said softly, "Thank you, Captain."

"You're welcome, it suits you perfectly." Morsen smiled, his gaze lingering on Robin's wrist for a moment before looking away.

Upstairs in the VIP box, Princess Vivi gripped the one-way glass window with both hands, taking in everything. Her blue eyes sparkled, and her little face was full of excitement and admiration.

"The collector is so handsome!" she whispered excitedly, then mimicked Morsen's tone, lowering her voice and trying to sound cold: "'Watch out... I'll kill you~'"

However, the girl's soft, sweet voice and deliberately imitated tone had no intimidating power whatsoever. Instead, it sounded like a kitten trying to roar like a tiger, making it exceptionally cute and amusing, and impossible not to laugh.

Seeing his princess's expression, Icarum couldn't help but twitch his lips, his face full of black lines.

His feelings were extremely complicated. What he had just witnessed was clearly the "collector" intimidating and crushing the provocateur in front of everyone, fully demonstrating his ruthlessness and domineering nature as a high-value wanted criminal.

Isn't this the most obvious danger sign? How come in the princess's eyes, all that's left is "handsome"?!

That's clearly a threat that should raise alarm! Your Highness, open your eyes! Isn't your focus a little off?!

Icarum silently cried out in his heart, which also strengthened his previous idea: Princess Vivi must not be allowed to have any contact with this dangerous person!

Just as alarm bells were ringing in Icarum's mind, and he was repeatedly telling himself to keep a close eye on the princess, Princess Vivi stopped mimicking the playful expression she had just made, and instead turned to look at Icarum with a serious face.

“Icarim.” Vivi’s voice carried a hint of displeasure and reproach: “What was with that rude guy down there just now?”

"Using verbal threats when you can't win the bid is incredibly rude and a disgrace to Alabasta!"

She paused, her tone becoming serious, even commanding: "Make a note of that person. Also, keep an eye out for other people behaving inappropriately in the auction house who might harass customers."

"We absolutely cannot let these rude people bother the collectors again!"

Icarum was speechless for a moment upon hearing this, and his expression became even more subtle.

My princess... that terrified fool is probably hiding in some corner trembling right now, how could he dare to "disturb" her again?

Chapter 104, Hyena Corrudo, a Zoan Devil Fruit user, how wonderful! (6,000 words in the third update, plus one bonus chapter)

However, Icarum did notice that several figures had sneaked away before and after the conflict between Mosen and that person.

Clearly, the immense wealth displayed by Mo Sen and his group, as well as their status as "wanted criminals," has attracted the covetous eyes of many.

An ambush or attack targeting them is probably inevitable.

but……

Icarum's gaze involuntarily drifted back to the auction hall below.

The black-haired youth was leaning back in his chair, listening to the auctioneer's introduction, seemingly unaware of the impending danger.

His three female companions also appeared calm and composed, some admiring jewelry, some studying ancient books, and others chatting and laughing in hushed tones.

He recalled the Crocodile incident. Although Morsen and his group's intervention was heavily influenced by personal interests, it objectively prevented Baroque Works' conspiracy from causing more serious damage to Alabasta and indirectly helped the royal family stabilize the situation.

To some extent, Alabasta owes them a favor, even if both sides tacitly agree on it and it is not explicitly stated.

“…Never mind.” Icarus sighed inwardly and made his decision.

As a way of repaying the unspoken favor from last time, and also to ensure that the order of the capital city wouldn't be ruined too much by an anticipated conflict, he decided to do something.

“Your Highness,” Icarus bowed slightly to Vivi and said in a low voice, “You are right. I will send people to keep an eye on the movements of those suspicious individuals.”

"As for the guests below... we can remind them in a way that doesn't seem too deliberate."

"After all, they are still guests of our capital, and we have an obligation to ensure basic safety precautions before they leave."

He didn't say "protect," but rather "warn," which is consistent with the royal family's neutral stance and leaves room for interpretation.

Vivi's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she immediately nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, yes! Icarus, you're right! As the hosts, it's our duty to remind our guests to be careful! Go and make the arrangements!"

Seeing Vivi's earnest expression, as if she were simply doing her duty as a host, Icarum shook his head helplessly, but inwardly he felt relieved.

This is good; it repays the favor, fulfills the duties of the host, and avoids making the royal family seem too close to the wanted criminal. It also makes the princess feel that the matter has been handled properly.

He turned around and whispered a few instructions to another guard standing at the door. The guard obeyed and quietly left the private room.

Ikaram turned his gaze back down; the auction was nearing its end, with the final few items up for auction being fiercely contested.

Mo Sen, on the other hand, seemed to have lost interest in the final act. He was turning his head to whisper something to his companion beside him, a faint smile on his lips.

The calm before the storm is always exceptionally short-lived.

A moment later, in a subtle atmosphere, the auction came to a successful conclusion.

After finishing up the follow-up matters, Mosen and his group followed the flow of people out of the ornately decorated auction house building and into the streets of Albania, where the lights were just coming on.

However, they hadn't gone far when, at the entrance of a relatively secluded alley connecting the main street to the warehouse area behind it, several soldiers dressed in Alabasta royal guard uniforms blocked their way.

The leading squad leader, with a serious but not hostile expression, stepped forward, nodded slightly to Mosen, and said in a deep voice:

"Gentlemen, we are here on orders from our superior to warn you. Several suspicious groups have been spotted in and around the auction house, and they seem to have designs on you."

"Therefore, we kindly request all guests to be mindful of their safety and return to their accommodations as soon as possible, or choose to walk along main roads with high pedestrian traffic..."

The guards spoke politely and used careful words, conveying both a reminder and a clear demarcation of boundaries.

Upon hearing this, Mosen smiled knowingly, understanding the Alabasta royal family's current attitude.

They kept their distance from themselves, but were not completely detached, so they used this subtle way to express friendliness.

"Thanks for the reminder." Morsen nodded. "However..."

"...What was bound to happen seems to have already happened." Mosen's tone remained calm, as if he were stating something insignificant.

His gaze then swept over the shadows on both sides of the alleyway and the road behind.

At the same time, Robin, Baccarat, and Nami also sensed something was amiss, tensed up slightly, and looked around warily.

As Mosen finished speaking, figures emerged from the shadows of the once quiet alleyway.

They emerged from behind stacked wooden crates or from around the corner of the alley, quickly forming an encirclement that blocked their way forward and backward, trapping Mosen and his party along with the royal guards in the middle.

There were no fewer than twenty of them, each with fierce eyes and a powerful aura, clearly not just an ordinary rabble.

The leader was a thin, middle-aged man with a mohawk, several scars on his face, and a cold, vulture-like expression.

He was dressed in a leather hunting outfit that allowed for easy movement, with several short knives of different designs and grappling hooks hanging at his waist.