Only...
On the shoulders of Saint Figarland Garling was a Black Rod, chains on his hands, and even bruises and blood at the corner of his mouth, yet his face remained full of defiance.
Even a group of onlookers standing by, watching the spectacle, was so frightened by his gaze that they trembled and left, fearing that this Heavenly Celestial Dragon might retaliate and kill them once he recovered...
However, the Konoha Pirates couldn't be bothered with him.
It was merely because they needed this guy for bait that they spared his life. When his usefulness ran out, he would be made into a Human Puppet by the Red Sand Sasori.
Red Sand Sasori stood at the door of the Slave Auction, staring at the Slave Auction manager in front of him: "Release all the slaves inside your auction house. Do not allow noble Heavenly Celestial Dragon slaves to be sold together with those of low status. From now on, this will be an auction place exclusive to Heavenly Celestial Dragon slaves. Don't dirty this place..."
"But they are worth quite a large sum..."
The Slave Auction's manager, Disco, hesitated, wanting to protest.
Next moment!
His head vanished!
Red Sand Sasori's hand revealed a sharp blade, swiftly severing his neck!
The gaze of this Red Hair youth fell upon a guard next to the corpse, who nodded frantically in fear and hurriedly went inside to bring people out.
One must say...
The business here was quite booming.
The Slave Auction had quite a number of slaves captured inside.
The guards at the Slave Auction fearfully unlocked shackles on these slaves, releasing them directly, frightened of provoking the Konoha Pirates, that bunch of ominous stars.
"Little bro, has something happened?"
An elderly gentleman with glasses asked the guard with a smile.
"Don't mind so much, hurry and get out!"
Regardless of who this old fellow was, the guard directly unlocked his shackles, urging him to leave the auction quickly.
"..."
The elderly gentleman squinted, wondering if some prominent figure was arriving, only to see a familiar figure while leaving.
"Figarland..."
The elderly gentleman saw the Divine Knight Order Commander with high-standing hair, his face involuntarily showing shock, recalling an event many years past.
Only...
This person's appearance vastly differed from past memories!
The once high-standing man...
Now appeared so miserable!
Even among the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, counted as a strongman, Saint Figarland Garling was chained like an ordinary slave, standing out in a group of Heavenly Celestial Dragon slaves!
The elderly gentleman had long heard news of Holy Land Mary Geoise being breached and guessed that Saint Garling's fate might not be good, but never expected him to fall to such a degree!
Truly...
How the world changes...
Just as the elderly gentleman decided not to meddle, planning to slip away, he sensed a sharp gaze that made him instinctively look back!
"Pirate King's second-in-command, Dark King Rayleigh..."
Red Sand Sasori focused on the elderly gentleman, uttering a sentence that exposed his identity: "Would you be interested in hosting an auction here?"
Indeed.
This elderly gentleman was the second-in-command of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, the Vice Captain of Roger Pirates, Dark King Rayleigh.
Since the Roger Pirates disbanded, Dark King Rayleigh retired completely, hiding on Shampodi islands for years, occasionally posing as a slave to pick up some extra cash...
Unexpectedly...
His identity was exposed with a single sentence today.
"I've already reached the age of retirement..."
Rayleigh waved his hand hastily, chuckling lightly as he planned to decline.
"Rayleigh..."
Saint Figarland Garling heard this name, his gaze fiercely falling on Dark King Rayleigh, gritting his teeth instantly!
This jerk...
Even dared to appear here!
Particularly when he was at his most pathetic!
Never had there been such a painful moment for Saint Figarland Garling as when he encountered this past foe, yet found himself a prisoner at his worst!
"Oh."
Red Sand Sasori didn't mind the refusal, his face unchanged as he continued: "If interested, you could auction Heavenly Celestial Dragon slaves. Although there will be many such opportunities in the future, at least this is the first in so many years..."
"Definitely..."
Rayleigh nodded with a smile on his lips.
Such a spectacle... he wouldn't miss it!
One that could shock the world even more than finding Laugh Tale!
However...
If Saint Figarland Garling were indeed auctioned, perhaps he ought to inform that kid Shanks about rescuing Garling early?
"By the way."
Red Sand Sasori called out to Rayleigh once more as he was about to leave: "Mr. Rayleigh, apart from these Heavenly Celestial Dragon slaves, we'll soon hold a secret hunting game above Sky Island on Gaya Island for the world's strong to participate..."
"If interested, you could join the hunting game above Sky Island on Gaya. We've prepared Heavenly Celestial Dragons as prey, with extremely lavish rewards for those killing or capturing the most..."
"..."
Rayleigh quickly recalled the Valley of the Gods incident years ago.
Should say...
Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west, yes?
How many years has it been since Heavenly Celestial Dragons, the hunters in previous Valley of the Gods hunting events, find themselves becoming prey...