Stussy's charming smile faltered for a moment — the faintest crack in her mask of poise. But she recovered quickly, rolling her eyes in feigned flirtation and said with a teasing lilt,
"My, my, Your Majesty of the Seas certainly knows how to tease a lady. Are you calling me a fox spirit, perhaps?"
Luo Xing didn't even glance her way. He sipped his wine in silence, unmoved.
Her fingers tightened around her fan. Still nothing?
She had used the same tone that could melt a king's resolve — yet this man before her, this so-called Fifth Emperor, barely acknowledged her existence.
Could it be… that the Empress was right? Have I lost my charm?
Her pride rebelled at the thought. Nonsense. I'm Stussy — the world's most refined woman. My allure doesn't fade.
With a flash of irritation, she leaned closer, her breath warm, her perfume wrapping the air between them.
"What's wrong, Lord Luo Xing?" she whispered with a smile. "Don't tell me one of the great Emperors of the Sea is afraid of his wife?"
That got his attention — just barely. His brow lifted.
Stussy's heart leapt in satisfaction — until a small, fur-covered figure suddenly slipped between them.
"My master already said you're a sly fox! Leave him alone!"
The voice was sharp and fierce — coming from Carrot, her long ears twitching, her fur bristling with static.
Stussy blinked.
"A… Mink girl?"
Carrot's small hands sparked with electricity, claws glinting in warning. One wrong move and she'd lash out without hesitation.
Luo Xing didn't even look up — just took another slow sip of wine.
The rejection was complete.
Grinding her teeth, Stussy straightened, forcing a smile as she turned to leave. Behind her, Carrot stuck out her tongue.
"Hmph! Fox lady!"
Luo Xing chuckled quietly.
He appreciated beauty, yes — but not every woman deserved his attention. Stussy, for all her polish, was nothing but a government spy dressed in silk and sugar. Her perfume couldn't hide the scent of the system she served.
She was here for one reason: information.
And Luo Xing had no intention of giving her any.
The Auction Begins
Moments later, the host's amplified voice cut through the noise of the crowd, booming across the colosseum.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed rulers and warriors of the New World — the wait is over! The Senzu Bean Auction officially begins!"
The crowd erupted, cheers and laughter crashing like waves.
"There are five Senzu Beans up for auction today — each one capable of healing any wound, any injury!"
"Starting bid: 300 million Beli, with minimum increases of 10 million per raise!"
"Raise your numbers high — and bid with everything you've got!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the first bid came flying.
"Three hundred and ten million!"
The host spun toward the voice. "Ah! The warrior Hajrudin of the Giant Tribe! Three hundred and ten million to start!"
A scoff came from another seat.
"Only ten million more? You think you can buy a miracle with pocket change?"
A second paddle shot up.
"Four hundred million!"
"Four hundred million from the west stands!" the host shouted, his voice cracking with excitement.
"Wait— correction! Five hundred million! From the Hero of the Flower Kingdom, Chinjao the Drill!"
His aide Lao Cai frowned beside him.
"Old man, do we even have that kind of money?"
"Shut up, you idiot!" Chinjao snapped, veins bulging. "Once I heal my drill and open our kingdom's vault, I'll have all the money in the world!"
Indeed, decades ago, Chinjao's famous drill head had been crushed flat by Garp the Hero, leaving him unable to open the Flower Kingdom's treasure vault — and he'd never forgiven that humiliation.
To him, the Senzu Bean was salvation.
"Seven hundred million!" shouted another voice.
All heads turned.
"From King Elizabello II of Prodence!"
Chinjao glared daggers at him, and the king glared right back.
"Eight hundred million!"
"One billion!"
The crowd gasped.
In less than a minute, the bidding had shattered the billion mark — exceeding even the price of the Monster Cells.
"You trying to mock me, Elizabello?!" Chinjao roared, aura flaring violently.
From below, Diamante, charged with keeping order, barked coldly,
"Sit down, Chinjao! Save your fighting for after the auction!"
The host, sweating, forced a laugh.
"Such passion! Such spirit! But please, dear guests, remember — we're bidding with Beli, not fists!"
The Titans Join the Fray
From the VIP section, Feld, the King of Loans, clicked his tongue impatiently.
"Can't even afford ten billion and still dare to bid?"
He raised his paddle —
"Fifteen billion Beli."
The host froze mid-sentence.
"Fi–Fi–Fifteen billion?! Confirmed! A fifteen-billion bid from Lord Feld — the Underworld's King of Currency Flow!"
Even the other VIPs turned to look.
Then, just as the host was about to strike the hammer, a calm, regal voice broke through the noise.
"Seventeen billion."
The colosseum went silent.
All eyes turned toward the speaker —
the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
Her tone was cool, her expression distant, her beauty radiant enough to make hearts stop.
Even those prepared to raise their paddles forgot to move.
Feld slowly lowered his own, exhaling smoke through his nose.
Beside him, Doflamingo smirked.
"What's the matter? Don't tell me you've fallen for her?"
"Tch." Feld grunted, puffing his cigar. "Fall for her? I just don't fancy getting turned to stone."
A fair point — cowardly, but fair.
Across the arena, Lucky Roux leaned over toward Marco, still munching his drumstick.
"Didn't you come to buy one for Pops' treatment? Why not bid?"
Marco shrugged, calm as ever.
"I'll wait for the next one. I brought enough — I'll get my chance. What about you?"
Roux laughed.
"Me? I'm broke. If I go back empty-handed, the Captain will just laugh it off. He's gotten used to missing an arm anyway."
The Winner's Glory
And so, the first Senzu Bean was sold —
for 1.7 billion Beli,
to the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock.
Money exchanged hands; treasures gleamed.
Carrot carried the massive chest filled with gold and jewels, eyes sparkling.
"So much money, Master!"
Luo Xing only smirked.
To him, it was nothing compared to what he'd swindled from Big Mom — a tidy fifty billion.
But still, seeing that overflowing chest wasn't unpleasant.
"This is only the first one," he murmured. "And the game's just begun."
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