Chapter 111: Bone Marrow Vein

Gao Wen frowned slightly.

The speed of the Tang Jikede family reaching this degree is simply incredible.

It must be remembered that only half a month has passed since Smoker fell.

Within such a short time, transporting these auction items, or rather slaves, from all over the world is already an extremely difficult task.

However.

Thinking again, Gao Wen gradually realized.

Rare races in the underworld possess far greater value than ordinary humans, yet they are scattered and hidden across the world.

To sustain a stable human trafficking business requires countless supply chains, interwoven to form a massive trading network covering almost the entire world.

From this perspective, the auction shown in the Sabaody Archipelago in the original work was merely the final link in this underground evil.

Delivering innocent people like those two girls into the buyers' hands.

"Truly... excessively filthy."

In his words.

A trace of murderous intent unconsciously flashed in Gao Wen's eyes, but what he understood even more clearly was that where there is demand, there is a market.

Precisely because of the twisted, dark desires in the hearts of these so-called nobles before him did Doflamingo's underground human trafficking network find its foundation.

His gaze shifted downward.

One by one, the 'goods' were gradually pushed onto the auction platform by the carts.

Apart from a few symbolic antiques appearing on the auction platform, the remaining auction item was only one.

Humans.

From beautiful young girls to robust male humans, and then to some rare races unheard of in the East Blue, they directly drove the East Blue nobles present into madness.

Gao Wen even saw three muscular fish-men with gills on their shoulders and rows of vicious sharp teeth in their mouths.

When they first appeared, everyone was first surprised, followed immediately by indescribable madness!

"There are... there are even such monsters!"

"Fish-men of the same race as Arlong, who was defeated by Knight Gao Wen before!"

"Possessing a strong physique, the ability to move freely underwater, and even racial talents that can elevate physical capabilities to a higher level; they not only possess immense strength but are also the finest sailors!"

"Even if merely used as ornamental objects, they hold extremely high value!"

"I want them!"

"No one else can take them from me!"

"Then..."

Disco on the auction platform, seeing the madness in everyone's eyes, stuck out his tongue and licked the corner of his mouth.

By this point in the auction, the total transaction amount had already surpassed the maximum value Disco initially predicted.

This made Disco even more fortunate that he had seized the right to host the first slave auction in the East Blue from Doflamingo this time.

Afterwards, as long as things stabilize in Loguetown, wealth and fame will come; as for the feelings of those slaves... who cares?

Are they even human?

Of course not!

From the moment they were shackled, their identity was only one: goods!

The corner of Disco's mouth gradually curved into a vicious arc.

The only value of goods is to stand on the auction platform and sell for the highest price!

"Now, the fish-man auction begins!"

"Starting price... three million... no, five million Berries!"

"Each bid increase must not be less than one hundred thousand!"

Bang!

The sound of the gavel hitting the ground, the atmosphere in the venue instantly pushed to its climax!

"Five million five hundred thousand!"

"Six million!"

"Eight million!"

In a few breaths.

The bidding on the spot directly broke ten million, and this could not stop the madness of the East Blue nobility at all!

After all, the most peaceful sea also means this area is far wealthier than the other four seas; nobles at the pinnacle of power naturally earn mountains of money.

Standing in the VIP room, watching everyone's madness, Gao Wen felt regret for the first time.

Damn it!

If I had known, I would have let Xiang Keluo and the others be harsher; at least strip a layer of skin off these people!

However, after this auction ends, it should still be too late?

Finally, these fish-men were bought by a noble of the Goa Kingdom at an ultra-high price of nearly thirty million Berries.

The auction proceeding to this point gradually entered its climax.

No matter how Disco tried to suppress it, the smile on his mouth would not go down, simply because this price was far above the average transaction price in the Sabaody Archipelago!

He barely suppressed his smile, seeing the expressions on everyone's faces gradually calm down, cleared his throat, and spoke:

"Next is the main attraction of this auction; I believe quite a few people here came for it."

Gao Wen instantly sat upright, his eyes fixed tightly on the auction stage below.

A waiter in a suit and leather shoes slowly walked onto the auction stage, placed an exquisite octagonal box from his hand on the table beside Disco, and then quickly retreated.

Bang!

Blinding light struck the box.

Disco casually pressed the mechanism above the octagonal box; with a bang, the octagonal box split open like flower petals, revealing the strangely shaped fruit hidden inside.

Like countless ribs surrounding a central skull, the stem remaining on the fruit stalk curled together like a spine.

Fierce yet revealing a hint of evil intent.

"This is tonight's main attraction."

"Paramecia-type: Bone-Bone Fruit!"

Disco said excitedly:

"After eating it, one can control all the bones in their own body, alter their composition to gain hardness surpassing steel, or change their shape, extending them from within the body to become sharp blades or armor."

"If developed properly, one can even control the bones inside an opponent's body!"

"Of course, you all know the side effects, but in exchange, it is an extremely comprehensive ability, absolutely worth it!"

"Starting price: one hundred million Berries! No limit on bidding increments! Bidding starts now!"

Bang!

A heavy hammer struck the table.

In the very first instant, someone in the buyer seats stood up directly and made an offer:

"One hundred and twenty million!"

"One hundred and thirty million!"

Gao Wen in the VIP room did not speak immediately, but stared blankly at the fruit on the auction stage.

Hearing Disco's description, the first thing that came to his mind was the Pika Pika no Mi... wait, no, the Shikabane no Mi!

Both control bones, both can change the strength and shape of one's own bones to form attacking blades or armor.

If this fruit is developed to the extreme, it can even control the bones inside an opponent's body, making it completely a superior ability to the Shikabane no Mi.

If supplemented with powerful Armament Haki, it would be enough to push the upper limit of this ability to an even higher level.

Thinking inwardly.

Gao Wen immediately made a decision in his heart.

"Akkin might be able to use this fruit; even if he can't, it is absolutely qualified as a prize for the tournament!"

In the few seconds he was thinking, the price of this Devil Fruit had already been pushed to nearly two hundred million.

Obviously, there was more than just Gao Wen who could see its potential.

Those who could come here, among the East Blue nobles who controlled countless wealth, naturally included fools who relied on their fathers' legacy to enjoy the fruits of others' labor, but there were also ruthless characters who had fought their way up through their own abilities.

These people understood far better than the former that only one's own strength is the hard truth.

As for the problem of being cursed by the sea after eating a Devil Fruit and unable to swim, for nobles with fixed territories, it was simply not a problem!

At most, they would just remain cautious when going to sea and prepare a rescue team.

But in exchange, they gained powerful combat strength sufficient to suppress rebellions within their territories!

No matter how you think about it, it's not a loss!

"One hundred and ninety million!"

"Two hundred million!"

Even Daz Bones, who had always been able to sit still, stood up.

He was just about to speak when he heard a low voice coming from the VIP room above:

"Three hundred and fifty million Berries!"

Daz Bones' hand holding the bidding paddle froze in mid-air, and the offer he had not yet spoken was swallowed back.

This price far exceeded his expected price; even with all the funds he brought, it was not enough.

"What should we do?!"

Sasha gritted her teeth, unwilling to fail like this.

As the assistant to the chief agent of Baroque Works, she knew far more than others.

"The Boss wants this fruit; it is said he intends to trade it with someone from the World Government, and that person will help cover our actions in Alabasta."

"Moreover, the Boss said this fruit is very special; it is said to be one of the five abilities of Flesh, Blood, Bone, Heart, and Soul, possessing hidden value."

Daz Bones' gaze slowly shifted to the position where the voice had come from, his eyes gradually turning cold:

"If we cannot obtain it through normal channels, then we can only snatch it! Go confirm the target's movements; after the auction ends, we will act!"

"As long as the opponent is not that mysterious powerhouse from just now, we have nothing to fear."

"Good!"

Sasha nodded, and was just about to move when she heard another voice coming from the VIP room above:

"Four hundred million Berries!"

The voice landed, and the scene instantly fell silent; for a long time, no one continued to raise the bid.

This price had already exceeded the psychological expectation of everyone present, and the cash most people carried with them was not that much.

Even the VIP room that had originally bid three hundred and fifty million did not speak again; obviously, that offer had also approached their financial limit.

Seeing this, the coldness in Daz Bones' heart grew even stronger:

"Quick!"

"Lest he get the thing and leave!"

"Good!"

Sasha nodded with a solemn expression, immediately stood up, took out his phone, and began distributing the operation tasks to the agents acting with them.

……

The auction venue.

Disco looked up at the VIP room that had placed the bid.

He was slightly taken aback.

He had some impression of the buyer in that VIP room—a young man whose appearance and clothing were both very ordinary—who would have thought the other party had such abundant financial resources.

"As expected, you can't judge a person by their appearance, but this price has already far exceeded expectations!"

Saying so.

Disco looked around and spoke:

"Four hundred million Berries, once!"

"Twice!"

"Three times!"

Bang!

The auction hammer fell, emitting a deafening sound.

"Sold!"

"Congratulations to this buyer!"

……

A few minutes later.

A Devil Fruit whose entire body was composed of a bone-like outer skin was placed on Gao Wen's table.

After giving it a cursory glance and confirming there was no problem, he put it away, stood up, and left the auction house directly.

(End of this chapter)