The power of the Float-Float Fruit needs no elaboration.
With its top-tier mobility and strategic value, it is considered a Paramecia-type Fruit comparable to the Quake-Quake Fruit.
Teach, who had long been obsessed with the Dark-Dark Fruit, couldn't help but reveal a look of greed upon seeing this fruit.
Glancing at Griffin and the others before him, he carefully concealed his expression.
Not yet…
This isn't what I want, or rather… once I have that fruit, I'll have the chance to seize any fruit I desire!
…
Thump—
A dull, earth-shaking heartbeat, as if emanating from the depths of the earth, struck directly against the chest cavity of everyone present.
Slow and unstoppable, it was the "momentum" gathered before a mountain collapsed or the sea reversed its flow.
Shigure's temples were beaded with fine sweat, while the ever-present smile on Stussy's face vanished. From the shadows, a masked agent in a white suit stepped forward.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on that inhuman monster, Kaido of the Beasts.
It wasn't Conqueror's Haki—merely the aura leaking from his body in its normal state made the air thick and heated, making it difficult to breathe.
…
"This fruit belongs to me."
An utterly plain, matter-of-fact voice, more intimidating than any roar.
…
…
The venue fell into dead silence until a clear, bright male voice broke it.
"If we start fighting outright now, wouldn't that be too boring?"
A chill filled the venue, providing relief to those whose faces had flushed red from the pressure.
Griffin smiled faintly as he looked at Kaido. "Since we've chosen the civilized approach, let's not resort to Pirate tactics."
He turned to Doflamingo on the stage. "What's the starting bid?"
…
Doflamingo took a deep breath to steady himself, grinning widely. "Forty billion Belly! Each bid must increase by no less than five billion. A fitting starting price for such a legendary fruit, isn't it?!"
Forty billion Belly—a sum exceeding the Celestial Tribute of most nations. In Pirate terms, it was a bounty befitting an emperor.
…
"Forty-five billion."
The first voice came from a private booth, mechanically distorted to conceal its origin.
"Who… dares to bid first after Kaido's declaration?"
"Hiding in the shadows—what kind of shady organization is this?"
"Could it be…"
…
The specially treated booth walls could block Observation Haki, but they couldn't stop the gaze of the Sharingan.
Inside was a burly man draped in a black feathered coat, wearing a bird-beak-shaped mask.
Griffin thought for a moment…
Crow, Captain of the Revolutionary Army's Northern Army.
It made sense—a force of that scale couldn't resist the temptation of the Float-Float Fruit.
It would've been interesting if Sabo had come instead…
Griffin glanced at Ace.
"Why are you looking at me? I don't have any money to lend you," Ace said, leaning against Teach. Their closeness made it hard to imagine they would one day become enemies.
"You're not even worth much if sold," Griffin retorted with a disdainful smirk, ignoring Ace's bristling reaction.
…
With the first bid placed, others quickly followed.
"Five point five billion!"
A jump of one billion, directly reaching the former Pirate King's bounty.
Stussy smiled charmingly, gently blowing out a smoke ring. "Everyone, I hope you don't mind me joining in."
After an awkward silence with no one acknowledging her, she felt rather foolish.
...
"Six billion!!"
The loud voice drew everyone's attention.
It was a handsome man with golden curly hair, wearing an ornate cloak, seemingly enjoying the crowd's gaze.
Someone took on the role of commentator.
"It's the White Knight Cavendish! With his dazzling swordsmanship, he earned the title of Dazzling Supernova and shook the New World!"
"He's actually that rich!"
"Don't forget he's the prince of Brûlée, with the wealth of an entire nation behind him!"
...
Cavendish wore a radiant smile on his face, his hands nervously clenched inside his sleeves.
He wouldn't recklessly bid and break the rules, but this was all Brûlée could muster. He was a bit worried that if he actually won the Float-Float Fruit, the kingdom's future...
No matter!!
Right now, they're all looking at me. I am the center of attention, the most popular one here!!
Cavendish looked up, his smile freezing.
That man wasn't even looking at him.
...
"Six point five billion."
The voice that made the first bid spoke again, devoid of any emotion, shattering Cavendish's worries.
If this fruit were used for Revolutionary Army operations, its value would be immeasurable. Crow had received Dragon's highest authorization this time.
He had full authority over all the Revolutionary Army's current liquid funds.
...
Six point five billion.
The highest publicly recorded price for a Devil Fruit was many years ago at an auction on Sabaody Archipelago—a Mythical Zoan Fruit that sold for six point five billion.
When this price was announced, the venue fell silent for a moment.
Those who came just for the spectacle thought the potential buyers were hesitating, but in reality...
...
"Ten billion."
Gasps filled the air. Without any buffer, the price soared directly to the ten-billion level...
This amount was enough to buy a small kingdom or assemble a powerful fleet!
Tap—
A tall man in a white suit, wearing a white top hat, his face hidden behind a mask, spoke from the aisle.
Then, without anyone else bidding, he added.
"Another one billion. Eleven billion."
...
"This... he must be bidding recklessly!! Who calls prices like that? Even the Float-Float Fruit couldn't possibly be worth over ten billion!!"
"He's disrupting the auction! Hey! Joker, aren't you going to do something about it?!"
Ssssh—
Several threads pierced through the speaker's forehead, blood and brain matter exploding out the back of his head.
Doflamingo wore a sinister smile. "Those who don't know the truth of the world should just watch quietly."
"Eleven billion, once!"
...
Stussy frowned in displeasure. Lucci really didn't treat the World Government's money as money.
She had estimated the Float-Float Fruit would go for around ten billion. The original plan was for her to bid eight or nine billion, then for Lucci to seal the deal with a ten-billion bid.
What is this kid doing?!
...
Sensing Stussy's reproachful gaze, Lucci looked toward Griffin on the high platform.
Foolish woman, you underestimate that man too much, and you underestimate Kaido as well.
...
Following his gaze, the crowd remembered that Griffin and Kaido hadn't placed any bids.
Could it be that this price exceeded their expectations, and they planned to seize it by force?!
If that's the case... then we need to prepare to escape immediately!
—
"Eleven billion, twice!"
"One hundred... twenty billion!"
The voice from the private box finally showed a hint of emotion.
White mist seeped from the bird-beak mask; Crow was visibly tense now.
This was nearing the limit of the funds he could mobilize. Although the Revolutionary Army was a massive military organization, they did not engage in plunder. Most of the wealth seized from overthrowing corrupt kings was distributed to the common people.
After deducting expenses for construction and training soldiers, they could scrape together at most one or two hundred billion.
...
At this stage, still bidding—Lucci had already guessed who was in the private box.
Perhaps...
They could seize the opportunity to capture an important figure of the Revolutionary Army!
...
It was about time...
Just as Griffin was about to raise his hand, a voice rang out.
"One hundred fifty billion Belly!"
The man stood up, exuding an aura of wealth.
The ruler of the world's largest entertainment city, Gran Tesoro—the man known as the Gold Emperor!
Rumors said he controlled nearly 20% of the world's wealth and could even influence World Government decisions with his money!
The air seemed to ignite at the mention of that figure.
...
"I am willing to bid for this fruit and present it to you, Rear Admiral Griffin... as long as you agree to one thing in private!"
Tesoro's shocking statement made Doflamingo lick his lips, revealing a sinister, triumphant smile.
As expected, you made your move, Tesoro!
Just like me, you must be utterly dissatisfied with this world where no Hunters exist!
...
"In private... could it be..."
"It's not impossible... the Gold Emperor can have any woman he wants, so maybe he has some strange..."
"It wouldn't be surprising, either. The newspapers said the reason he cooperated with White Wolf's territory was..."
...
Griffin took a deep breath to calm his anger.
Losing his temper over mere whispers would be utterly tasteless.
Anyway... next time, he would definitely kill Morgans!
...
"Two hundred billion!!"
Jack's roar drowned out all the noise.
"What does the Gold Emperor amount to? How dare he compete with our Beasts Pirates!"
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