As expected, after the price climbed two more times and reached 100 million Berries, Charlotte Cracker finally gave up on bidding.
Ash merely smiled.
It was only 100 million Berries. He earned more than that every month by casually enjoying himself at Gran Tesoro.
Naturally, Ash knew this was Tesoro disguising protection money as gambling profits, but compared to that, Charlotte Cracker only looked petty.
Not long after the famous sword auction ended, the grand finale arrived.
A Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, the Remnant-Remnant Fruit.
The moment he heard the name, Ash raised an eyebrow.
Another Devil Fruit that had never appeared in the original story.
And the name itself was misleading.
Did "Remnant" refer to forgotten traces, lingering remains, inheritance, or something else entirely?
If developed properly, it might become another conceptual-type ability.
Even without a collection mission attached to it, Ash had already decided to obtain the fruit.
The starting price remained at 100 million Berries.
After several rounds of bidding, only two participants remained.
Ash and Charlotte Cracker.
Ash simply kept increasing the price without hesitation. Berries meant very little to him.
But after several more rounds, Cracker began struggling.
Just like Perospero before him, the funds available to a Sweet Commander simply could not compete with Ash's spending.
In the end, the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit sold for 1.3 billion Berries.
The audience marveled at Ash's wealth while secretly enjoying the spectacle.
After several confrontations at Gran Tesoro's auctions, the hostility between Ash and the Big Mom Pirates had grown significantly.
On top of that, the Dawn was mapping the seas as it traveled and would soon enter Totto Land's territory.
A clash between both sides was only a matter of time.
And unlike Ash's previous encounters with the other Yonko, this one would likely not end quickly.
Many forces keeping an eye on Ash looked forward to the inevitable conflict.
What they did not know was that Ash himself was also looking forward to it.
He had not forgotten Big Mom's disgusting Tea Party invitation.
"Hehehehe... impressive. Heavenly Emperor Ash truly lives up to his reputation, wealthy and extravagant."
The auction had just ended when the towering biscuit soldier rose to its feet and turned toward Ash.
The entire auction hall instantly fell silent.
No one expected Charlotte Cracker to initiate a conversation after losing the bid.
Especially Tesoro.
Watching through a Den Den Mushi broadcast from his top-floor office, Tesoro understood exactly what kind of person this seemingly easygoing Heavenly Emperor truly was.
He still remembered Ash's cold words at the Sabaody auction house years ago.
"Kill everyone except the Celestial Dragons."
If this Sweet Commander said the wrong thing, things could spiral out of control very quickly.
Although Charlotte Cracker's bounty appeared comparable to Ash's, only a complete fool would believe their strength existed on the same level.
Even Ash found the situation slightly unexpected.
Considering the Dawn's brutal reputation among pirates, even Yonko officers generally kept their distance.
People like Perospero preferred staying far away, or outright retreating after sensing danger.
This Charlotte Cracker...
Interesting.
Ash leaned back slightly, curious to hear what the Sweet Commander wanted.
Unfortunately, Cracker had nothing worthwhile to say.
Instead, he chose provocation.
"To survive encounters with Kaido and Whitebeard and still sit here alive, your luck really is impressive. I just hope that luck never runs out."
Ash slowly stood.
His gaze rested on the biscuit soldier with faint amusement.
"You think luck is why I'm standing here today?"
"Hehehehe... isn't it?" Cracker sneered. "I just hope your luck lasts until you arrive in Totto Land. Mama seems very interested in a tender little man like you, heeheehee..."
Ash originally intended to humor him for a while.
But hearing such a revolting comment instantly ruined his mood.
His expression darkened.
Without another word, he casually waved a hand.
Flames erupted.
The biscuit soldier was instantly swallowed whole and reduced to ashes.
Ignoring the burning remains, Ash stood and flicked his fingers again.
A violent gust of wind slammed the auction hall doors shut.
Space itself twisted.
The entire venue was sealed.
Tesoro's live Den Den Mushi broadcast instantly cut off.
Guests who had already begun slipping toward the exits froze in terror.
No one could leave.
Ash paid no attention to the frightened crowd.
His gaze slowly swept across the room before a cold sneer formed on his lips.
"You think I can't find your real body, so you dare provoke me so freely?"
His voice echoed through the silent hall.
"Then today, I'll show you exactly why I can stand here untouched."
The moment those words fell, Ash released his Conqueror's Haki.
A terrifying pressure exploded across the auction hall.
People collapsed one after another.
Eyes rolled back.
Bodies hit the floor.
Within moments, the entire hall fell silent except for scattered gasps.
Conqueror's Haki truly was useful in situations like this.
Especially Ash's.
Because of his overwhelming spiritual strength, his Haki far surpassed that of most powerhouses in the pirate world.
Weaklings could barely remain conscious under its pressure, much less stand.
When the overwhelming force settled, only five people remained standing in the entire hall.
Ash.
Baccarat.
And three others.
Baccarat remained unaffected because Ash had deliberately excluded the auction stage from his Haki.
The first standing figure wore a dull brown top hat and cloak.
A Marine Vice Admiral.
At roughly three meters tall, with a face ugly enough to rival Kizaru's laziness, Ash recognized him immediately.
Tokikake.
A Marine Admiral candidate.
At that moment, Tokikake stood frozen in shock, so overwhelmed by Ash's Haki that he failed to notice the cigarette slipping from his mouth.
Ash only spared him a glance.
The man spent most of his time wandering around Gran Tesoro anyway.
Nothing important.
The second figure was a square-faced man in half-armor, protecting a crowned noble.
Ash did not recognize him.
Likely some kingdom guard.
The noble beside him, however, had already collapsed asleep after participating in the Devil Fruit bidding earlier.
The last person wore a hooded cloak.
Ash curled his lips.
Found you.
A gust of wind swept forward.
The hood was ripped away.
Purple hair tied into three braids came into view, one sticking awkwardly upward from the top of his head. A scar stretched across the left side of his face, cutting from forehead to ear.
Such an embarrassing hairstyle.
Who else could it be but Charlotte Cracker?
Seeing Cracker's slightly shaken expression, Ash smirked.
"Let me guess. You're around forty-one years old, right?"
His eyes drifted toward the ridiculous braid sticking upright.
"At your age, you're still wearing your hair like that? Interesting taste."
"You...!"
Cracker's composure cracked.
"How do you know what I really look like?! Even Marine intelligence only knows my biscuit soldier! How could you possibly know I..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ash vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared directly in front of Cracker.
A hand shot out.
Ash grabbed him by the throat.
"Your strength may surpass your eldest brother's," Ash said coldly, tightening his grip, "but your brain certainly doesn't."
Cracker tried to resist.
Yet his body suddenly felt weak, powerless.
No matter how hard he struggled, he could not break free.
Ash's grip tightened further.
"Oh, and here's something you should remember."
"There are arrogant people, and Heaven deals with them."
His eyes turned icy.
"But arrogant dogs?"
"They get dealt with by people."
Cracker's face twisted as breathing became difficult.
Ash stared at him with mockery.
"Go on."
"Aren't you good at talking?"
"Keep running your mouth."
"Heavenly Emperor Ash, stop!"
===
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