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Chapter 153 Celestial Dragons
Chapter 153 Celestial Dragons
After entering Sabaody Archipelago, Bai Yu and his companions continued to advance into the forests with other numbers. Vendors on both sides had already set up long stalls, and the colorful goods dazzled the eyes in the sunlight. In addition to the salty smell of the sea, the air was filled with the aroma of baked goods, the sweetness of fruits, and the unique fresh scent of resin bubbles.
Robin walked in the middle of the group, his eyes scanning the shops and stalls on both sides with some curiosity.
The goods here are full of unique features of the Grand Line, such as bandanas printed with certain pirate flag patterns, backpacks made of sea monster fur, glowing corals that can emit seven-colored light, and various strangely shaped navigation tools and logbooks.
Robin casually picked up a seashell ornament engraved with sea king patterns, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes. To be honest, after encountering the World Government agents who threatened to use the Buster Call in Water 7, she hadn't been in the mood for shopping.
Now things are different. Artoria and Hana easily defeated the Buster Call, not to mention they now have companions by their side who they can trust to travel with them.
"Buy it if you like it."
Bai Yu glanced at her, his tone indulgent: "Here, there's no need to worry too much. We're very strong right now."
Robin paused for a moment, then nodded gently and put the small seashell ornament into his pocket.
She shouldn't have questioned Bai Yu's words; she was so foolish as to almost turn herself in.
Artoria followed silently behind Kanna, keeping a close eye on the crowded people around them.
The Sabaody Archipelago is a bustling place with a diverse mix of people, including pirates, merchants, adventurers, marines, and even mysterious figures shrouded in cloaks.
Despite being a queen, she never let her guard down. But when she saw Kanna chasing after Bubbles, her eyes crinkling with laughter, her gaze softened involuntarily.
Occasionally, a reckless pirate would brush past her, but she would simply sidestep him without making a sound, gracefully and powerfully separating him without causing any commotion.
Kanna was completely immersed in this world of bubbles. She would rush towards the giant bubbles that floated in front of her, and then squat by the roadside, looking at the colorful cotton candy wrapped in bubbles in the vendor's hands, her eyes sparkling.
The vendor was a kind-looking uncle. Seeing how cute she was, he offered her a string of pink cotton candy. Kanna took it and immediately started munching on it, her cheeks puffed out like a satisfied little squirrel.
"Baiyu! It's delicious! You should try a bite!"
She held up the cotton candy to Bai Yu, who helplessly lowered her head, took a small bite, and felt the sweet taste melt on her tongue, with a hint of the refreshing foam resin. This was Chambord's special cotton candy, with a unique flavor.
Retsu Unohana strolled leisurely through the small shops along the street. She showed no interest in the various weapons, but instead paid special attention to the unique plants, herbs, and novel daily necessities of Sabaody.
She walked into a shop selling Chambord specialties and looked closely at the tropical flowers and plants on the shelves that were sealed and preserved with bubble resin.
"Baiyu-kun, this plant has a strong vitality. If it is used to make a healing ointment, it should have a good soothing effect."
She picked up a small pot of light blue-leaved grass and looked back at Bai Yu: "It's a pity that once they leave the environment of Shambaugh, they will wither quickly. We can only grind them up as soon as possible."
Bai Yu walked to her side and glanced at the goods on the shelf: "Everything in Sabaody depends on the Yarchiman mangrove. It seems beautiful, but it is very fragile."
Retsu Unohana smiled gently: "Indeed, like a mirage, beautiful, but not necessarily real."
These words made Bai Yu's lips curl into a slight smile.
He felt that he was not a real person because he came from another world, and his soul came from another universe.
The group continued strolling forward, and the streets became increasingly lively. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, haggling over prices, the laughter of pirates, and the clinking of glasses from the taverns mingled together, creating the most authentic and vibrant atmosphere of Sabaody.
The aroma of milk wafted from the roadside dessert shop. Kanna tugged at Artoria's sleeve, refusing to leave, and pointed at the adorable bubble cakes in the window, her eyes filled with longing.
Artoria already found it difficult to refuse a child's request, especially when it was something she herself liked to eat.
Before long, Kanna was carrying the cake, eating as she walked, oblivious to the cream getting on her lips. Even Artoria's mouth was constantly moving.
Robin stopped in front of an antiquarian bookstore.
As a shipping hub, the Sabaody Archipelago has gathered books and documents from all over the world. As she pushed open the shop door, a musty smell of old paper hit her. The bookshelves were filled with rare books, travelogues, and historical fragments written in various languages, and even many out-of-print editions.
Her gaze swept quickly across the bookshelves, her eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge.
Shiraha didn't disturb her, but stood quietly at the door waiting. Unohana Retsu also accompanied Robin, occasionally picking up a book about medicine and quietly flipping through it.
For her, this knowledge was both incredibly interesting and practical.
By the time Robin walked out of the bookstore with several selected books, it was already getting late afternoon, and sunlight filtered through the countless bubbles, casting dappled and soft shadows.
The group continued along the main street of Sabaody Archipelago, passing lavishly decorated hotels, bustling taverns, boutiques filled with luxury goods, and numerous bounty hunter agencies displaying pirate flags.
The relaxed and dreamy atmosphere in the air gradually mixed with a faint chill and greed, and the eyes of the pedestrians became complicated. Some were wary, some were fanatical, and some had subtle calculations hidden in their eyes.
Just then, the sound of two men in black suits talking in hushed tones drifted into everyone's ears from the street corner ahead.
"Is everything ready for tonight's auction?"
"Don't worry, the latest batch of slaves, rare Devil Fruits, and ancient relics are all high-quality items authorized by the World Government, and the Celestial Dragons will be present in person."
"I heard there are mermaids too? If that's true, we've hit the jackpot this time."
"Keep your voice down. You can't just say things like that. Anyway, it's 8 p.m. tonight at Auction House No. 3. If you miss it, you won't get another chance."
After they finished speaking, they lowered their hat brims and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Kanna was still eating the rest of her cake and didn't understand what the two were saying. She just tilted her head curiously.
Artoria's brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
"A slave auction?"
As the queen of Britain, she hated oppression and enslavement more than anything. Upon hearing those two words, her aura involuntarily turned cold.
In the Sabaody Archipelago, human trafficking is an open secret, backed by the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
The darkness hidden beneath the bubbles was finally exposed to the sunlight, little by little.
Retsu Unohana sighed softly, "Even the most beautiful place has filth that can't be washed away."
Bai Yu didn't speak, but simply looked up in the direction the two had left, his gaze landing on a luxurious-looking building enveloped in a giant bubble in the distance.
That was the most famous human auction house in the Sabaody Archipelago, and also the dirtiest heart of this dreamlike island.
"An auction?"
"Perfect timing, I'm getting a little interested in this farce that the world government has tacitly approved."
Kanna didn't understand the complicated details, but she tilted her head up and tugged at Bai Yu's sleeve: "Bai Yu, what's an auction? Are there any delicious desserts?"
Bai Yu lowered his head, ruffled her hair, and his tone instantly softened: "There's no dessert, but there's a very good show."
"Kanna, would you like to go see it?"
Kanna nodded vigorously immediately: "I want to see it! Kanna loves watching plays!"
Artoria gripped the holy sword at her waist, her eyes resolute: "Together, if anyone treats freedom as a commodity, I will not stand idly by."
Auction Room No. 3 was tightly enveloped by a giant, lustrous bubble, gleaming luxuriously in the afternoon sun, perfectly complementing the dreamlike appearance of the Sabaody Archipelago. However, upon pushing open the gilded, intricately carved door, one was not greeted by the fresh scent of resin, but rather by the rich aroma of perfume and cigars, mixed with a lingering, cold, and oppressive feeling, like an airtight net that shut out all the beauty.
The venue was already packed, with steps leading up to an auction stage covered in a scarlet carpet, adorned with exquisite display cases. The air was thick with the restless energy of money and desire.
Richly dressed merchants, armed pirate captains, and arrogant bounty hunters took their seats in twos and threes, conversing in hushed tones while their eyes were fixed on the items up for auction, their eyes burning with greed.
Bai Yu and his group found a corner with a good view and sat down. Kanna obediently leaned against Bai Yu, her little hand still clutching the cake crumbs she hadn't finished eating, looking around curiously.
Artoria sat to one side, her eyes cold as ice, constantly alert to everything around her.
The auctioneer was a middle-aged man in a tuxedo with a shrewd smile. He held a golden gavel and gently tapped the table, instantly silencing the noisy hall.
"Distinguished guests, welcome to Auction House No. 3, Chambord! Today's lots are all rare and exceptional, each offering you unparalleled value. The auction is now officially open!"
The first round of auction items consisted of gold and silver jewelry, ancient relics, and precious marine animal furs, all of which are considered treasures by the world.
Bidding was in full swing, with wealthy merchants spending money like water, while pirates used large sums of Berries to fight for treasures that could signify status. The scene was extremely lively.
Bai Yu and his group watched coldly. Kanna yawned listlessly and whispered to Bai Yu, "Bai Yu, when will the show start? These shiny things aren't fun."
Bai Yu gently patted her head and said softly, "It'll be soon, the show is about to begin."
After several rounds of ordinary auction items, the auctioneer's voice suddenly rose, and his smile became even more obsequious: "The next item is a treasure among treasures, a Devil Fruit. Its power needs no further explanation; consuming it grants extraordinary abilities. Starting bid: 100 million Berries!"
As soon as the words were spoken, two men in black carried a sealed glass case onto the stage. Inside the case lay a fruit with a peculiar pattern, instantly igniting the entire audience.
"One hundred and fifty million!"
"Two hundred million!"
"Three hundred million! I'll take it!"
The pirates' eyes instantly turned red. Devil Fruits are the treasures of the sea, and even Zoan-type fruits are enough to make countless people flock to them. The bidding war intensified, pushing the atmosphere in the venue to its peak.
Just then, a shrill commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance of the venue, instantly silencing the frenzied crowd. All sound ceased, and even the air seemed to freeze.
Everyone looked up and saw a person wearing a white bubble robe and a transparent helmet slowly walking in, escorted by dozens of navy personnel.
He was hunched over, extremely arrogant, and when he glanced at everyone in the room, his eyes were filled with undisguised contempt and disdain, as if everyone present was just an ant under his feet.
They are Celestial Dragons!
The thought exploded in everyone's mind, and the venue fell into a deathly silence. Some people trembled, some lowered their heads and dared not look directly at each other, and even the pirate captain who had been bidding the most aggressively covered his mouth and dared not even breathe.
Everyone in the Sabaody Archipelago knows that the Celestial Dragons are the world's nobles, descendants of the creator, and possess supreme power. Even a casual glare at them would be considered a grave offense.
If anyone dares to lay a hand on a Celestial Dragon, the Admirals of the Marine Headquarters will immediately mobilize and flatten the entire area. This is a sword hanging over everyone's heads, making everyone present dare not speak out in anger.
The Celestial Dragon leading the group was a fat man with blond curly hair named Saint Charlos. He glanced at the Devil Fruit on the stage and said in a high-pitched and arrogant voice, "I'll take this fruit. Five hundred million Berries."
With a casual remark, the price increased several times over, and no one dared to raise the price any further.
The auctioneer was overjoyed and quickly raised his gavel: "Five hundred million Berries once! Five hundred million Berries twice! Sold!"
"Lord Charlos has purchased this Devil Fruit!"
Charles Saint chuckled, as if he were buying a piece of trash, and his attendant immediately stepped forward and took the Devil Fruit off.
The Celestial Dragons' appearance completely changed the atmosphere of the auction. For every item that followed, as soon as a Celestial Dragon spoke, even if it was just a casual price announcement, no one dared to compete.
Rare ancient weapon blueprints, medicinal herbs that are only found once in a thousand years, and unique maritime treasures were all easily acquired by the Celestial Dragons at several times or even dozens of times the price. They spent money like water and regarded Bailey as dirt. The arrogance and swagger in their eyes made everyone present feel tense, but no one dared to utter a single complaint.
Artoria's fists clenched tighter and tighter, her knuckles turning white, and anger blazed in her golden eyes. As a queen, she could not tolerate such bullying and trampling on the dignity of others. If Bai Yu hadn't gently pressed down on her shoulder, she would have already drawn her sword.
The Celestial Dragons' arrogance and domineering behavior are primarily due to the World Government's indulgence and protection.
Beneath the beautiful bubble island lies such ugly darkness; the so-called nobles are nothing but demons in glamorous attire.
Just then, the auctioneer's voice rang out again, this time filled with extreme flattery and excitement, and the atmosphere in the hall became strange.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item to be auctioned is the most precious treasure of this auction: a mermaid from the Fishman tribe!"
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