At the entrance, Nami had no time to call out the mermaid's name, as Sage pointed them out to the renowned Keimi.
And then... Two hundred million Belly just magically appeared.
Two hundred million!
She had indeed borrowed two hundred million from Sage earlier, but that was genuinely to buy Keimi, not for a rescue like this.
Does this require money too?
Wasn't she just directly given to her?
She hadn't even seen the Belly, and inexplicably owed Sage two hundred million Belly?!
Is the Grand Line really this dangerous?
But before Nami could stomp her feet in frustration, the scene that unfolded made her stand frozen on the spot, not just her, but everyone except those Super Rookies who knew what was going to happen were all dumbfounded. They stood like statues, in a mix of terror and disbelief, wondering if they were still dreaming.
Besides Charlos, there were two other Heavenly Celestial Dragons, dressed similarly, even with the same high bun hairstyle, chained around the neck, being dragged onto the stage.
"Ro, Saint Rosward, Charlilia Palace!" Someone exclaimed as if in a trance.
...
"Fofofofofo, hahahahaha!"
In the New World, Dressrosa Royal Palace.
Doflamingo, in a secret chamber, couldn't help but laugh out loud as he watched the images fed back by the Radio Snail.
"Good! Very good, Sage, you actually dared to do it!"
While laughing heartily, veins throbbed on his forehead, looking both furious and conflicted.
"You've gone too far, you guy not only disrespect the heavens but also want to trample them underfoot. You lowly commoner, what you did is truly..."
Doflamingo grinned, his eyes beneath the sunglasses contracting, radiating killing intent.
This scene was so reminiscent of his childhood.
Also three people, his father, him, and his brother, watched by others, humiliated just the same...
"This is great!"
He spread his arms wide, his face menacing, "Even more delightful than the impending war! Damn Sage, wretched Sage... you did an incredible job! A new era is about to dawn, without waiting, you've already been brought down, hahahahaha!"
...
Mary Geoise.
Until today, because of the need to execute Ace, to force Whitebeard into a decisive battle, Sengoku also arrived at the Holy Land atop the Red Earth Continent, to prepare for a meeting.
Only at this critical moment... a major incident emerged.
Looking at the reporting Navy, Sengoku's head felt like it might split, his body swaying.
"Heavenly Celestial Dragons have been captured?! And it happens to be at this crucial moment, and it's that guy again!"
He steadied himself against the conference table, gritting his teeth: "Since you've escaped, wouldn't it be better to just go to the New World without making such a big scene, what exactly does he want! Is the information reliable?!"
"Yes, because... it was too conspicuous."
The reporting Navy officer's face was ashen, showing terror, "According to the residents' reports, the Disaster Pirates chained the Heavenly Celestial Dragons without any attempt at concealment and moved toward Tree No. 1. Moreover, the over-a-million Bounty Pirates gathered at Shampodi Islands are also converging in that direction, and it's unclear what they intend. As it stands, two Heavenly Celestial Dragons are estimated to be held hostage by the Disaster Pirates, likely at the No. 1 human trafficker... Professional Introduction Agency."
Sengoku's expression grew grimmer.
The Navy officer pursed his lips, "Fleet Marshal, it's understood that another Heavenly Celestial Dragon will also be going there. If they encounter the Disaster Pirates, given their ways, there's a possibility of having three hostages."
"Do they have any demands?" asked Sengoku.
"As of now, none have been detected."
"Damn Sage!" Sengoku cursed, "What exactly does he want!"
"Oh~ how terrifying, even after coming out of Impel Down, he still hasn't changed his ways, truly deserving of being the pirate with the highest bounty in the first half."
Kizaru, sitting nearby and drinking tea, put down his teacup, stood up, and pursed his lips, "But involving the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, we can't just sit back, can we, Mr. Sengoku? Let me take action, I'll be back soon."
"Be careful, Kizaru!"
Sengoku said, "That guy, he's different now. According to Magellan's information, he's become increasingly difficult to deal with!"
Breaking into Impel Down alone, and even momentarily repelling Magellan, making it impossible for him to catch up to that guy's speed.
"Rest assured, it can also be an opportunity to deduce what kind of ability this guy has acquired." Kizaru said with a chuckle and walked out the door.
Back in Water Seven, the trio's capture didn't use full force; they were merely confronting at ease. On the great sea, no one could stand alone against two Admirals, let alone with Garp present.
Sage's strength was still a bit distant from these top-tier figures, though it was speculated he had gained an ability, even assumed it was the power of Byrnndi World he took down, but this was not confirmed yet.
Now, it was an opportunity to confirm it.
"It's not just that simple to verify though..."
Sengoku said, troubled: "Some gaps have already allowed him the qualification to be in discussions."
Some gaps, with the gap being too large, cannot be completely compared.
According to previous information, this guy already had the qualification to establish a foothold in the New World, and if he truly acquired that ability... with the Heavenly Celestial Dragons as hostages, there's nothing the Navy can do.
Even if Kizaru goes, it's the same.
...
Tree No. 1, inside the auction house.
As someone shouted their names, more people woke as if from a dream, some even pinched their thigh to confirm it was real and not a dream.
"Father, sister!"
Charlos, also seeing those chained, shouted harshly at Sage: "What do you intend to do! We are Heavenly Celestial Dragons, Admirals will come, Admirals will take you all down!"
"How noisy..."
Sage glanced at him, gesturing towards the Giant.
The collar on the Giant's neck was unlocked, though his hands remained shackled. Once he walked over, Sage effortlessly broke the shackles on the Giant's hands, binding them onto Charlos instead.
"Now that's fitting, slaves should wear collars!"
Sage laughed heartily, pointing to the three, "Well, the auction begins now, allow me to introduce this time's goods. Heavenly Celestial Dragons, World Nobles, descendants of ancient twenty kingdoms... however you put it, currently the most noble people on the sea."
"They claim not to be human, placing themselves above all else, should be even rarer than mermaids, mermaids have a price, representing an item previously auctioned, Heavenly Celestial Dragons have not, so I first introduce the auction, the first introduction of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, well then..."
"Surrender! Disaster Pirates, hand over the Heavenly Celestial Dragons and release the hostages inside, don't think about escaping!"
Just as Sage was speaking, a voice came from outside through a loudspeaker.
A crew member opened the door a crack, took a look, and called, "Captain, it's the Navy!"
"Let them in too!"
Sage smiled, "It's an auction, the livelier, the better, the more people come, more bidders there will be!"
The crew opened the door wide, shouting to the Navy, who had unknowingly set up a surrounding perimeter, "Our Captain invites you in!"
The one shouting was a Navy Rear Admiral, already drenched in cold sweat since knowing the Heavenly Celestial Dragons were taken inside; hearing this, his first reaction was delayed, his mind only on the safety of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
"What's wrong? Doesn't the Navy even have this much courage!"
"Of course not! You are just mere pirates! I shall come in!"
The Rear Admiral shouted, glanced at the Navy already set in formation around the building, gritting his teeth: "One squad with me, the others continue the surround!"
The Navy went in through the door, seeing in the entrance all were over-million Bounty Pirates, all the Super Rookies noted in the intelligence from Shampodi Islands were there.
Especially...
"The Navy is here too, you may as well participate in the bidding!"
Sage pointed to the three Heavenly Celestial Dragons on the stage, "You are the Navy, as a World Government agency, you should know the prices of Heavenly Celestial Dragons, right? How much does a male Heavenly Celestial Dragon cost? And a female? Won't you give me a price reference?"
The Rear Admiral trembled all over, his eyes almost bulging out.
"What are you doing! Disaster!!"
"Auction. In this place of human trafficking, what else is there to do? Why, aren't Heavenly Celestial Dragons people? It's okay, other races have pricing too; adding a Heavenly Celestial Dragon should be the same."
Sage chuckled softly, "You can't offer a price, then no price set, see your own bidding, starting price... 1 Belly."
He glanced at the three, pointing at Charlilia, "Let's start with this woman, any bids?"