Chapter 311: Devil Fruit Auction (Part 1)
"This auction features three Devil Fruits. Two have been identified, while the last remains unknown!"
The auctioneer ignored the noisy crowd, maintaining a polite smile as he introduced the fruits.
He opened one of the boxes and presented it to the audience.
Inside lay a grey-white banana marked with swirling black patterns.
"The third-to-last item—Zoan-type: Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Grey Wolf!
Starting bid: 100 million Beli!"
As soon as the name was announced, several burly-looking attendees had their eyes lit up with excitement.
"130 million!"
"150 million!"
The price climbed quickly.
Devil Fruits were incredibly rare in the Four Blues.
Usually, anyone who found one would eat it immediately instead of bringing it to auction.
The gamble was too tempting—gain power, and everything from riches to fame would follow. Fail, and there was nothing to lose.
Only truly ambitious people would weigh the value of each fruit carefully—like that pirate crew Charlotte had encountered earlier.
The fierce competition inside the hall pushed the price up past 300 million Beli in no time.
Clearly, this Grey Wolf Fruit was considered a solid Zoan-type combat fruit.
"330 million!"
That amount exceeded most people's budgets. The hall began to fall quiet.
The bidder was a fierce-looking man sitting alone at the back.
No one dared sit near him.
"It's the Wolf King Pirates. No wonder he's so determined."
Whispers started to spread.
The bidder was Captain Ellison, an existing Zoan-type user with the Jackal Fruit.
He led his vicious crew across the West Blue, infamous for deception and cruelty.
Several Marines sitting in the VIP boxes frowned, but considering whose turf they were on, they refrained from acting.
"Zogg! Don't worry! Big brother will win it for you. You'll be our second wolf!"
Ellison smiled at the man next to him.
"Thanks, big bro!" Zogg replied, grinning dim-wittedly.
Seeing no further bids, the auctioneer prepared to bring down the gavel—
"350 million Beli."
A calm voice rang out.
Charlotte, from Box 4, had spoken.
A mere 20 million raise—but it instantly shocked the entire hall.
"Box 4 again?! Just when I thought they were done after the potion auction, they suddenly drop a bomb!"
The commotion returned in full force.
Ellison's expression darkened as he glared at Box 4, as if trying to pierce through its walls with sheer hatred.
"360 million!"
"400 million," Charlotte replied calmly.
He wasn't bidding for fun.
These Devil Fruits were for Caesar Clown's artificial fruit research.
Charlotte couldn't let his prized collection be used for experimentation, so he needed more "expendable" fruits like this one.
Money?
Heh. If he had it, he'd pay. If not?
He was a pirate, after all.
As for the mafia on the island? Under the pressure of his Conqueror's Haki, how many could even approach him?
If not for the reputation hit it would cause, he would've just stolen the fruits.
But some rules were still worth following—for now.
Ellison's face twisted.
He was just a pirate, relying on stolen funds. Spending over 300 million was already a stretch.
Four hundred? That was out of his reach.
"Little brother, let's let this one go. I'll get the next one for you," he said after a pause.
"Okay, big bro!" Zogg replied, still grinning.
Seeing no new bids, the auctioneer slammed the gavel down.
"Sold to Box 4! Congratulations to our honored guest!"
He smiled brightly, silently thanking Box 4 for being his lucky star tonight.
Next came the second fruit.
Another banana-like Devil Fruit, yellow with black streaks.
"The second-to-last item—Zoan-type: Bear Bear Fruit, Model: Polar Bear!
Starting bid: 100 million Beli!"
Excitement reignited.
The bidding shot past 300 million again.
Once more, Ellison led the way.
This time, he was determined.
But fate had other plans.
Just as the auctioneer was preparing to strike the gavel—
"400 million."
Charlotte called again.
CRASH!
Ellison slammed his cup to the ground.
The glass shattered instantly.
"You bastard! Trying to mess with me? You already got one—why are you stealing another? What, too rich for your own good?!"
He was livid.
The timing of the bids—always just before Ellison could win—made it personal.
Charlotte, unfazed, sipped his tea.
Even without looking, he could sense the anger radiating from below.
Barrett stepped forward, ready to make a move.
But Charlotte raised a hand to stop him.
"No need. Just keep bidding."
Everyone settled down after Charlotte's calm command.
But when they glanced toward Ellison, it was with scornful eyes.
Ellison's rage flared again.
"Sir! Please observe auction rules. The highest bidder wins—Box 4 has done nothing wrong,"
the auctioneer announced sternly.
His tone remained even, without a hint of emotion.
Ellison had nowhere to vent his fury.
"Humph!"
He sat down, fuming.
"Brother, should I go kill them?" Zogg asked in his usual dopey tone.
"Don't worry," Ellison replied, his tone cold.
"They won't leave Kardan Island alive."
He was done playing by the rules.
As the gavel came down once more, Charlotte smiled.
Another Devil Fruit, claimed.
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