Especially when it's only worth twenty million Belly.
Not one of those pirates with a bounty over a hundred million should be without even twenty million Belly.
"F-Five hundred thousand Belly?"
But in the end, a daring wealthy man raised his number card, speaking cautiously.
Apart from him, everyone else remained silent.
"Alright, then five hundred thousand Belly, Pearl, give him the map."
Sage nodded and said to the Pirate Captain, "You now have five hundred thousand Belly. You've never seen the real thing of twenty million, so it doesn't really count. But someone has bought your treasure map, which means you have money now, and you can use it to buy your freedom for five hundred thousand."
He then looked at the crowd, "Five hundred thousand Belly, anyone else want to bid? This is a Pirate Captain, though I don't know what use he might be. He might give your kingdom some privateering opportunities, provided he doesn't rebel. No one? Okay then, congratulations, you've bought yourself for five hundred thousand Belly."
Sage walked to the Pirate Captain's side and reached to grab the explosive collar on his neck.
"Hey! That thing will explode! White-haired man, what are you doing!" Luffy shouted loudly.
Snap!
Boom!!
The collar was pulled off directly, and Sage casually tossed it, causing it to explode in mid-air.
Everyone was stunned.
It exploded...
This slave-special collar, designed to prevent slaves from escaping by exploding once they leave a certain range, and remotely detonated collar, just got pulled off and exploded like that?
This thing's material is supposed to be extremely tough...
"Alright, you're free now, go down. Pearl, note the number of the person who bought the treasure map, and ask him for the money later. Now, proceeding to the next item, item number 17."
Sage waved his hand, directing his men to bring out the next person from backstage.
No surprises need to be made, nor adjustments to the auction to restore the mood, just follow the original order.
"I can walk by myself, no need to escort me."
At the entrance from backstage to the stage, a deep voice sounded as a white-haired old man with an explosive collar, sipping from his metal flask, walked to the front.
An ordinary, bespectacled, drunk... old man?
Guests who were terrified due to the earlier death and being trapped by pirates collectively froze.
Despite the fear, they were here for the auction.
And someone had already bid; this guy called 'Disaster' seemed to follow the rules, some thought the auction might continue as usual if the sales proceeded, potentially releasing them, as they were indeed here to buy slaves.
But who would buy an old man!
Even if this old man seemed robust... he's still an old man!
Even the pirates at the door were puzzled.
Would this kind of auction really sell such things?
Amid the curious murmurs, Lily and Renedia paused slightly and took an extra glance at the old man.
The duo had Observation...
What they sensed was different; this old man was quite formidable!
"Hmm?"
Sage also glanced at him, his perception deepening, noting from Observation that this old man was terrifyingly strong!
Such a powerful person, and in Shampodi, yet just an old man...
"What's your name?" Sage asked.
The old man first glanced at the entrance, his glasses reflecting Luffy's image. He stared briefly before turning to Sage, saying, "Just an ordinary coating master, old Ray, with skilled coating techniques..."
"Indeed, it's you, hm hm hm hm..."
Sage laughed, "Interesting, to end up like this, don't you feel ashamed before your captain?"
"Oh? You know me?"
The old man chuckled, "Couldn't be helped. When the captain disbanded, he didn't leave us any money, so we're fending for ourselves. Plus, what you wish to do is a pirate's freedom."
This formidable old man, only one in Sage's memory, had left a strong impression.
Because his circumstances were so destitute, they were unforgettable.
The Pirate King's Vice Captain, a man aware of Laugh Tale's secrets, relying on selling himself for his later years to survive. It's just...
"Remember this, any of you who end up like this, don't claim you're my men!"
Sage laughed to his subordinates in the hall:
"I treat you well, even if you're pirates, be rich and plentiful pirates! What others do is their freedom, but such freedom isn't on my ship, hahahaha!"
After his laugh, Sage addressed the guests in the hall, "Item number 17, former Pirate King Gol D. Roger's Vice Captain, Silvers Rayleigh! Starting bid five hundred thousand Belly, bidding begins!"
Pirate King...
Vice Captain?
Silvers Rayleigh!
"What?!"
Nami covered her mouth, eyes wide in shock.
This famous figure from the books, appearing here now, and being sold as a slave?
Is this for real?
Law squinted, "Is it really him?"
"Pluton?"
Kid spoke deeply, "A strange guy..."
Sitting on the luxurious throne, Hawkins slightly dazed, said, "Do such notable figures also fall to this state?"
"Really odd, all kinds of people on the seas." Urouge remarked with a strange laugh.
"'Pluton' Silvers Rayleigh..."
Gin was quite incredulous, "This is a legendary figure, to see him here!"
"V-Vice Captain?!"