The wind howled across the Sabaody Archipelago today, carrying with it the usual chaos of this lawless paradise.
On Islands 1 to 29, the human trafficking rings were as active as ever. Slave trading houses and auction venues bustled with custors, their doors constantly revolving with buyers eager to acquire the latest "rchandise."
Nobles, wealthy rchants, and slavers, all escorted by their private guards, entered these establishnts to browse the latest selection of slaves and exotic beings.
A young nobleman, accompanied by several affluent patrons, stepped into a slave-trading house and was imdiately handed a price list.
"Humans: 500,000 Belly. Tontatta: 700,000 Belly. Longarm Tribe, Longleg Tribe, Snakeneck Tribe... all priced at 700,000 Belly."
"Wow, these slaves are dirt cheap! Fish-n are only 1,000,000 Belly, and male Giants go for just 50,000,000 Belly! Female Giants, only 10,000,000! I'm definitely buying a whole bunch this ti!" The young noble grinned excitedly.
Having co prepared with a fortune of 1 billion Belly, he barely saw money as a concern.
"Viscount Nass, the real treasures are the rfolk slaves. I wonder if any are available today? A beautiful rmaid costs just 70,000,000 Belly, while male rn are as cheap as Fish-n—only 1,000,000 Belly. And once they turn thirty and gain the ability to transform their tails into legs, they beco even cheaper! A rmaid with legs goes for only 10,000,000 Belly. A true delicacy!"
A sycophantic rchant fawned over the young noble, his voice dripping with flattery.
"Exactly! Not to ntion Devil Fruit users, rare creatures, and other exotic races—they're all auctioned at market price."
Another rchant chid in, eager to gain favor. Nass' father was a count of the mighty Valoran Kingdom, a man of imnse power and wealth. Even the royal court bowed to his influence.
"rmaids that can grow legs?"
Viscount Nass licked his lips, intrigued. Though still young, as a noble of considerable power, he had indulged in such pleasures since before the age of fourteen. He relished the thrill that wealth and status afforded him.
"They exist, but availability depends on luck. You know how it is—rfolk live deep beneath the ocean in Fish-Man Island, making them incredibly difficult to capture. The slave-hunting crews suffer heavy casualties just trying to get their hands on them. So are even wiped out completely!"
The rchant sighed, acknowledging the deadly risks taken by those who sought to enslave the deep-sea dwellers.
"Fine. If I can't get one today, I'll stay on Sabaody for a month if I have to. I'll wait until they have fresh stock!"
A wicked grin spread across Viscount Nass' face. He had already made up his mind—he would own a legged rmaid, no matter how long it took.
...
Aboard the Golden Ship.
"Sabaody Archipelago, I'm back!!!"
Shakky shouted with excitent, eager for everyone who knew her to witness her grand return.
"Captain Brook, the headquarters of the World Peace Dove News Agency is on area 48. It's close to the Marine base. If we attack, the Marines could arrive within half an hour!"
Antonio held a notebook in hand, ticulously gathering intelligence. Under Shakky's rigorous training, his ability to collect and analyze information had improved trendously.
"If most of this year's Supernova rookies hadn't already entered the New World, I'd almost want to take one or two of them out."
Redfield crossed his arms, gazing at the final island of Paradise. He wondered if any Supernovas still lingered on Sabaody.
Brook still couldn't understand how, in Luffy's era, eleven Supernovas had all managed to arrive at Sabaody at the sa ti. In this era, such a coincidence simply didn't happen. Whoever reached Sabaody first got their ship coated and set sail for the New World. Most only stayed briefly, indulging in a little leisure before moving on.
"Tom, as soon as we land, get the Golden Ark coated. Gather as many workers as possible and make it quick! The mont we take down the World Peace Dove headquarters, we're heading straight for Fish-Man Island!"
Brook gave his orders. He had considered bypassing the Red Line entirely, but the lure of the Poneglyph on Fish-Man Island was too great. He had to make a copy of it—or better yet, keep it for himself.
"Understood, Captain! I can handle the coating myself, actually. Most Fish-n learn the skill growing up!"
Fish-Man Island had its own ship-coating industry, after all. Otherwise, how would all the pirate crews, rchant ships, bounty hunters, and kingdom fleets passing through get to the New World?
After so discussion, Antonio and Crocus decided to stay behind on the ship. Neither were suited for battle, and they didn't want to hold the others back.
That didn't an they were weak, though. Crocus wasn't soone a re 30-40 million Belly bounty pirate could take lightly, and now that Tom had awakened Armant Haki, he was practically invincible against pirates in Paradise.
...
On area 50, Sabaody's shipyards and coating factories were bustling with activity.
The shipwrights and coaters worked diligently as always, their daily routine uninterrupted—until suddenly, a massive shadow blanketed the ground.
Heads tilted upward in unison.
"A flying pirate ship?! Has the Sky Pirates returned to the Grand Line?!"
"Wait, what's that golden shine? So new kind of material?"
"Holy crap! It's all gold!!!"
As the Golden Ark descended, an overpowering lody blasted through dozens of Sound Dial speakers, amplified even further by Den Den Mushi loudspeakers.
Brook sighed as he watched Shakky's extravagant preparations unfold. She had "persuaded" Antonio into organizing the whole show. Even Redfield, usually indifferent, seed eager, his expression expectant.
"These youngsters... They have no concept of subtlety. Why can't they be as mature and composed as I am?"
Brook adjusted his sunglasses and took his place at the ship's prow, standing firm at the forefront. Shakky, eager to bask in the spotlight, tried to push past him—only to find she couldn't.
Seeing Brook's dramatic stance, Redfield and Silva, both naturally cool and reserved, wordlessly fetched their own sunglasses. Arms crossed over swords and rifles, they flanked Brook on either side.
Shakky gritted her teeth in frustration. This was her grand return! Her mont of glory! And yet, she couldn't even secure a pri spot on the ship's deck.
Frantically searching for a way to stand out, she leapt onto the back of the golden Qilin Lion, its radiant mane and gilded horns making her even more eye-catching.
Brook groaned. "Damn it! She one-upped !"
"That flag... It's the Hell Pirates! Not the Sky Pirates! They have a flying ship too?! A golden flying ship?! Damn, they're loaded! I wanna join them!!!"
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100 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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