"...The More-More Fruit!! The Devil Fruit once wielded by the legendary pirate, Byrnndi World!!"
"If you obtain the power of the More-More Fruit... you could become the next 'World Destroyer' feared even by the World Government!!"
The auctioneer remained as professional as ever. His voice, posture, and delivery were electrifying—just a few words were enough to ignite the crowd. The audience's eyes burned red with frenzy.
"Now, let the bidding begin!"
"The starting price for this More-More Fruit is... 500 million Berries!!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall exploded with excitement.
Considering Byrnndi World's bounty had once been 300 million Berries, no one was surprised by the starting price.
"The Big Mom Pirates bid 600 million Berries!"
Perospero was the first to shout, raising the price by a hundred million in one breath—clearly an attempt to intimidate the competition.
But before his voice had even faded, a cold response rang from Box 1A:
"The Beasts Pirates, 700 million."
"That damned bastard!"
Perospero cursed, glaring furiously in the direction of King's private box. Grinding his teeth, he raised the bid again:
"The Big Mom Pirates bid 800 million Berries!"
His grip tightened around his candy cane. He gave Daifuku a subtle glance.
Eight hundred million—this was the limit of the Big Mom Pirates' auction budget. If they couldn't win the fruit with this bid, they would make their move.
"800 million Berries!! Truly worthy of being one of the most powerful pirate forces in the New World—the Big Mom Pirates have raised it to 800 million!!"
The auctioneer flushed with excitement.
He could already picture the hefty commission he would collect after the auction ended.
King, seated in the Beasts Pirates' box, fell silent.
Eight hundred million was also their limit.
They had only just entered Wano, and their military factories were still under reconstruction. Funding was extremely tight.
Even gathering 800 million Berries for this auction had been incredibly difficult.
But just then, a calm voice rang out once more from VIP Box 3A:
"One billion Berries."
A hush fell over the room.
All eyes turned toward the 3A box, stunned. No one could believe what they'd just heard.
That man... after spending over a billion Berries already, still had another billion in cash at his disposal!?
And judging by the ease in his voice, this wasn't even his full budget.
Most importantly...
Everyone present knew very well that the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates had come for the More-More Fruit.
Yet this man in Box 3A dared to bid against both crews?
He clearly didn't take them seriously!
Was he not afraid to die?
This was practically a direct challenge to two powerful crews!
"One billion Berries!! This mysterious and noble guest has raised the bid to an astounding one billion!! Even on Coin Island, this is a historic first!!"
The auctioneer fanned the flames skillfully:
"With nothing but his own voice, he's outbid two of the most fearsome pirate crews!! Incredible!!"
"So, will the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates respond with a higher offer?"
"Or will even they—mighty as they are—have no choice but to yield before the might of gold?"
"Let's hold our breath and see—"
BOOM!!
Twin explosions thundered from Boxes 1A and 2A simultaneously.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls shattered to pieces as three furious figures burst out, flying straight toward Box 3A.
At last, the violence had begun.
The guests in the hall tensed. Many moved silently, drawing weapons, waiting to act.
"You're courting death!!"
Daifuku charged forward, closer than anyone. A cruel glint lit up his lifeless eyes.
As his hand brushed his golden belt, thick plumes of blue smoke erupted from it, quickly coalescing into a towering blue djinn.
Puff-Puff Fruit.
A Devil Fruit capable of summoning a mighty Genie to fight with overwhelming strength!
"You think just because you've got money, you can do whatever you please?"
Daifuku lunged forward. Above him, the massive Genie raised its giant naginata and brought it crashing down toward Box 3A.
Genie Slash!!
Swish!!
The powerful strike tore the luxurious box apart. Walls and glass shattered, clouds of dust billowing into the air.
Within the haze, towering silhouettes stirred—unclear, yet imposing.
Daifuku cackled, directing the Djinn to strike again at the blurred figures within.
"This is the New World! Here, only strength matters—"
"Daifuku! Get back!!" Perospero's voice suddenly cut through, alarmed and urgent.
"Huh?" Daifuku blinked.
Before he could react, a brilliant golden light flared before him, searing his eyes and burning them to tears.
Reflexively, he shut his eyes tight.
"You ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
A languid voice sounded at his side, laced with lazy amusement.
In that instant, a chill like death ran down Daifuku's spine.
Whoosh—
A white dress shoe, wrapped in radiant golden light, shot out from the swirling dust—leaving a streak of light in its wake.
Light-Speed Kick.
BOOM!!
Before the eyes of every stunned guest—
The beam-wreathed foot tore through the massive Genie, then slammed squarely into Daifuku's face.
He was launched downward at a speed several times faster than he'd rushed up.
Crash!!
The impact cratered the ground like a falling meteor. Cracks spread outward, rubble and dust exploding in all directions.
Guests instinctively ducked and shielded themselves, faces filled with shock and fear.
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Perospero's forehead.
Behind King's mask, his pupils shrank into pinpoints.
The dust was swept away by a sudden gust of wind.
And there, standing amidst the wreckage of the shattered box—
Three towering figures emerged.
Their massive frames exuded overwhelming pressure. Behind them, pure white Justice coats billowed in the wind.
"Ma…"
"It's the Marines!!!"
The entire auction hall froze in dead silence—
Then someone finally screamed in horror.
---
To be continued…