Watching Doflamingo's retreating figure, swaggering and arrogant as ever—
Momousagi clenched her fists tightly.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi, what now?" one of her subordinates asked.
"We're heading back to the auction house," she said firmly. "We've still got a mission to finish."
"Is it about Jun Lin?" Vice Admiral Yamakaji inquired.
She nodded, then turned around and strode back without another word.
---
Inside the Auction Hall
The final item was brought out, carried carefully by an attendant and placed onto a weighing scale.
Soon, the numbers lit up on the display:
28.17 kilograms
"If any of you doubt the weight, feel free to come up and verify it yourselves," the host said with a wide smile.
But no one moved.
"Come on, get started already!"
"Yeah, stop wasting time!"
"Hurry it up! There's still a real show waiting after this!"
The audience was getting impatient.
No one felt the need to verify the weight—when it came to authenticity, the black market's reputation was ironclad. One instance of fraud and their credibility would crumble. The black market wasn't foolish enough to risk years of reputation just for a minor profit.
Besides, as someone in the crowd had said, the true spectacle was yet to come.
This was just the prelude—a few major factions competing for bragging rights.
Everyone was eager for it to end. After all, even if most of them weren't planning to fight for the item, who didn't enjoy watching a good drama unfold?
"Alright, since everyone's so eager, let's not waste any more time!"
"The final item—a block of Seastone, weighing 28.12 kilograms. Starting bid: 500 million Berries. Each increment must be no less than 10 million. The bidding begins now!"
The moment the host finished, voices rang out from the floor.
"510 million!"
"Pfft, just 10 million? 520 million!"
"You talk big for a 10 million raise! 530 million!"
"540 million!"
Unlike the earlier auction of 'Yōmei', most of the truly wealthy factions remained quiet.
The current bids were just for fun.
Everyone knew this item would soar past 1 billion.
Right now, while it was still low, they could join in and enjoy a sense of participation.
Once it hit the 1 billion mark, who would dare shout?
What if the host slammed the gavel down at that moment? How would they pay?
So the scene was rowdy and playful—until…
"This is a waste of time. 1 billion Berries."
The entire hall fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the voice.
It was from Jun Lin.
Most factions attending had some level of intelligence network. Maybe they hadn't paid much attention to Jun Lin's actions in the East or South Blue…
But their recent move near Alabasta's seas had already spread far and wide.
Jun Lin had become a hot topic.
"1.1 billion Berries!"
A sultry woman's voice rang out—elegant, alluring.
Without even turning his head, Luo Lan knew who it was.
It was none other than Nico Robin, one of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Hey, Miss 79-million-Berry bounty, how about letting me have the Seastone?" Luo Lan replied with a smirk.
"1.2 billion!"
His words confused many.
But Robin stiffened.
As for Crocodile, he turned his gaze sharply toward Luo Lan. Though Luo Lan's face was hidden behind a mask, his eyes gleamed with unmistakable danger.
This man… knew Robin's identity.
In that moment, Crocodile had already sentenced Luo Lan to death.
Honestly, if this were happening on Alabasta—a continent-sized island—it would be troublesome.
But at sea?
Crocodile, are you serious?
If the ship sank, Crocodile would be finished before Luo Lan even lifted a finger.
And the nickname "Miss 79 Million" wasn't just a tease. It was a threat—translated, it meant:
"I know who she is. If you keep bidding, you know the consequences."
Sure enough, though Crocodile glared daggers, the three of them said nothing more.
But just when things seemed to settle…
"1.3 billion Berries!"
Momousagi burst into the hall, her voice booming.
Luo Lan frowned deeply.
This crazy woman!
He had sold the sword for 1.5 billion. With the black market's 20% cut, that left him with 1.2 billion.
Add that to the 1 billion he'd scraped together before arriving, he had 2.2 billion total.
He could've won at 1.2 billion—until this maniac showed up.
Now? He'd have to pay even more.
Luo Lan didn't believe for a second the Marines actually wanted the Seastone.
After all, the World Government already monopolized 90% of the Wano Country's production.
Prices here were massively inflated. The Marines buying it would be absurd—unless their brains were fried.
More likely, they'd steal it afterward, not spend real money.
Momousagi was just here to disrupt things.
"1.4 billion Berries!"
"Vice Admiral Momousagi," Luo Lan said coolly, "If you raise the price one more time, I'll back out. You have my word."
Just like with Crocodile earlier, Luo Lan was now threatening Momousagi.
Translation:
"I know you're not serious. But if you keep this up, you'll be forced to buy it—and I'll make sure you do. Let's see how you explain that to HQ."
Momousagi frowned slightly, then found a seat and sat down.
She didn't raise the price again.
The auctioneer looked disappointed, but he could only go through the motions:
"No further bids? Going once, going twice, sold!"
"Congratulations to the Jun Lin Organization for securing the Seastone at 1.4 billion Berries!"
With the host's final call, the auction officially ended.
Anyone who had brought enough money to the island could complete the transaction immediately.
Those who hadn't were allowed to send someone off-island to retrieve it—so long as everything was settled within three hours.
"Zoro, you—no, never mind. Ace, you go. Just bring back 200 million, that'll cover it."
"Got it!" Ace replied, getting up to leave.
Luo Lan had thought of asking Zoro at first, but quickly reconsidered.
That guy was hopeless with directions.
No one could guarantee he'd make it back within three hours.
Better to send Ace.
On the other side, Momousagi instructed Yamakaji to retrieve the funds, while she and Doberman approached Luolan.
"Can we talk?" she asked.
"Sorry, I'm not interested," Luo Lan replied flatly.
"What if I insist?"
"Then you get three questions."
He raised three fingers.
Truthfully, Luo Lan was already feeling a headache coming on.
The last thing he wanted was a prolonged conversation with her.
After all, she had held him as a baby.
She knew him far too well.
Even with a mask and altered voice, the more he talked, the more likely she'd recognize him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Momousagi asked, confused.
"It means I'll answer at most three questions. You may begin."
"Fine, three it is. First question—what's your name?"
...
...
Luo Lan suddenly realized… he might've underestimated this woman.
"Refuse to answer," he said blandly.
"Didn't you just say you'd answer three questions?"
"I did. But I never said I couldn't refuse to answer. That was your first question. You have two left."
He smiled calmly behind his mask.
Before him, Momousagi's eyes were burning with fire.
---
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