Akainu’s body suddenly stiffened, and he abruptly turned to look in the direction of CP0, his eyes nearly erupting with magma!
His fists were clenched tight, nails digging deep into his palms.
For the sake of the Marine’s future, he hadn’t hesitated to give up on important items that might appear later, yet he never expected the World Government to directly intervene and snatch it away!
Staff Officer Tsuru’s hand quickly and firmly pressed down on Akainu’s arm.
She shook her head slightly, her gaze complex as she whispered, “Sakazuki, calm down.
It is the World Government’s decision.” Her voice also carried a hint of helplessness and unwillingness.
Aokiji and Kizaru also fell silent.
Garp gave a heavy snort and turned his head away.
Facing the will of the World Government, even the Fleet Admiral had to bow his head.
The other Four Emperors all frowned, but they understood that when it came to competing in financial power against the World Government, no one present could match them.
They only hoped to make the World Government spend a few more Berries.
Adam calmly scanned the room, especially the ashen-faced Akainu and the silent Marine generals: “3 billion Berries, going once!” “3 billion Berries, going twice!” “3 billion Berries, going thrice!
Sold!” Thud!
“Congratulations to the World Government for winning the hundred times gravity room!” The second auction item had once again fallen into the hands of the World Government.
The lingering sound of the auction hammer seemed to still echo in the hall, and the air was thick with an indescribable oppression.
With two consecutive treasures taken by the World Government through overwhelming financial might, all the pirates, Underworld Emperors, and even the representatives from Marineford felt a tightness in their chests.
Doflamingo’s fingertips stopped twitching their strings.
He leaned back slightly and let out a low, peculiar laugh: “Fuffuffuffu!
The World Government certainly has deep pockets!” It was hard to tell if there was mockery or awe in that laughter, but the gaze behind his sunglasses sharply swept toward the CP0, as if he were re-evaluating something.
In the center of the auction stage, Adam seemed completely oblivious to the undercurrents surging below.
With that same composed smile on his face, he gently raised his hand.
“It seems the first two items have stirred up everyone’s enthusiasm.” His voice was calm, yet it clearly suppressed all the whispering.
“Now, let us bring out the third auction item.” Behind Adam, a third display stand rose, with a warm jade bottle standing quietly upon it.
“The third auction item—” Adam’s voice carried a strange, soothing power, “—the limb regeneration pill!
It originates from the Alchemy Arts of a Cultivation World.” “The effect of this pill, as the name suggests, is that no matter the reason for losing a limb, as long as one consumes this pill, the limb can be regrown and restored to its original state!” As soon as these words were spoken, the reaction in the hall was completely different from the first two items.
It wasn’t a universal frenzy, but rather a subtle divide.
For those top-tier powerhouses with intact limbs, the attraction of this pill was relatively limited.
They pursued ultimate power or strategic advantages.
However, for those with the relevant need, the value of this pill was immeasurable!
In several corners, lone powerhouses or leaders of underworld forces leaned forward slightly, their breathing becoming hurried.
Among them, some had empty sleeves, while others wore prosthetic legs.
This pill meant a new life for them!
But everyone’s eyes, whether intentionally or not, simultaneously drifted toward the Red Hair Pirates, focusing on Red-Haired Shanks’s empty left sleeve.
Shanks felt those gazes, yet his face still bore his signature carefree smile.
He even took a sip from his wine gourd, appearing quite relaxed.
But beside him, Benn Beckman’s eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s as he scanned the room, already understanding the situation that was about to unfold.
“Starting price—600 million Berries!
Each bid must be no less than 10 million Berries!” Adam announced.
“Begin!” “600 million!” An underworld leader with a cold aura and wearing a half-metal mask immediately spoke up; his right arm was severed at the shoulder.
“630 million!” shouted another Great Pirate who was notorious for his cruelty on the Grand Line but had lost a leg.
The bidding rose steadily, mostly concentrated among those with an actual need.
However, at that moment.
Red-Haired Shanks slowly raised his right hand.
His voice was calm but carried an unquestionable power, instantly drowning out the previous bids: “800 million Berries.” This bid showed his determination to win and instantly eliminated those seekers with weaker financial resources.
Benn Beckman, with a cigar in his mouth, whispered, “Shanks.” Shanks felt his companion’s concern and gave a carefree smile.
“Although I’m used to it, having the chance to drink and hold a sword with both hands seems quite nice.” His tone was light, but deep in his eyes, a flicker of longing for a complete body still flashed.
Many years ago in the East Blue, he had lost his left arm to save Luffy.
It wasn’t a disability that prevented him from fighting; with Shanks’s strength, he had long since adapted, but it remained a regret.
The Red Hair Pirates’ sudden intervention and their doubling of the price instantly silenced those who had been bidding before.
They might have needed it, but facing the wealth and determination of one of the Four Emperors, they could only give up unwillingly.
But this was exactly the moment other top-tier forces had been waiting for!
In the Marine seats, Staff Officer Tsuru’s eyes flickered as she whispered, “Sakazuki, Aokiji, although this pill isn’t a necessity for our forces, since Red Hair wants it, we can use this to drive up the price.
We can deplete his funds and weaken his ability to compete for the final items later.” Akainu snorted.
Although he disdained such methods, for the sake of the Marine’s overall situation, he immediately called out, “850 million!” Over at the Beasts Pirates, King whispered to Kaido, “Boss, Red Hair wants this pill.
We can’t make it too easy for him.” Kaido grinned savagely, “Worororo, exactly!
900 million!” Katakuri of the Big Mom Pirates analyzed calmly, “Mama doesn’t need this, but weakening Red Hair’s financial power is beneficial to us.
970 million!” The price was pushed up rapidly, far exceeding the pill’s practical value to an ordinary person, turning into a financial war of attrition against the Red Hair Pirates!
Red-Haired Shanks frowned slightly and looked at Benn Beckman.
Beckman, with his cigar, analyzed steadily, “They are driving up the price, wanting to deplete our funds so they can bid on the remaining items.” Shanks nodded and raised the bid again: “1 billion!” “1.1 billion!” Akainu followed closely.
“1.16 billion!” Kaido roared.
“1.2 billion!” Katakuri applied pressure once more.
After several rounds of intense competition, when Shanks offered the high price of “1.8 billion Berries,” the Marines, Beasts Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, and other forces finally stopped driving up the price.
This price was already heavy enough, achieving their strategic goal.
“1.8 billion Berries, once!” “1.8 billion Berries, twice!” “1.8 billion Berries, thrice!
Sold!” Thud!
“Congratulations to the Red Hair Pirates for winning this limb regeneration pill!” Shanks let out a soft breath, a smile returning to his face.
Benn Beckman stepped forward to complete the transaction and solemnly brought the jade bottle back.