On the Marine side, Akainu, Staff Officer Tsuru, and the CP0 representative quickly whispered to each other, their expressions extremely solemn.
“We must stop the Four Emperors from getting it!” Staff Officer Tsuru urged.
A moment later, the CP0 Member spoke coldly: “Pooling funds, 4 billion!” The price broke through the astronomical 4 billion Berries!
The entire hall felt suffocated.
“4.1 billion!” The Alliance of the Four Emperors raised the price again, staking everything on this bid.
“4.5 billion!” The World Government representative refused to yield.
The bidding entered a fierce stage, with the price soaring all the way to 5 billion Berries!
This was a terrifying figure capable of shaking the foundations of major powers.
“6 billion!” The Alliance of the Four Emperors announced their final price.
Charlotte Linlin and Kaido were both panting; this was their limit.
The World Government representative remained silent for a moment, then spoke coldly again: “7 billion.” The Alliance of the Four Emperors fell silent, their unwilling fury nearly burning everything down, but their financial power was ultimately lacking.
Just when everyone thought the World Government would succeed again— “8 billion.” A voice, calm to the point of indifference, rang out from the back side of the hall.
Everyone looked over in shock, seeing a mysterious person who had been inconspicuous before, entirely shrouded in a large black robe, his face hidden in shadow, slowly raising his hand.
On the screen of his asset verification device, that suffocating astronomical figure clearly flashed!
This person actually possessed such terrifying financial resources!
The World Government CP0 Member whipped his head around, locking his cold killing intent onto the Man in Black Robe, but ultimately, after weighing the subsequent finale items, he chose to remain silent.
This price was simply too high.
Adam calmly glanced at the Man in Black Robe, confirmed the funds were correct, and quickly brought down the gavel: “8 billion, going once!” “8 billion, going twice!” “8 billion, going three times!” “Dong!” “Congratulations to this guest for winning the curse removal talisman.” As the transaction was completed by this mysterious person, he obtained the ‘curse removal talisman’.
Before everyone could fully react, the Man in Black Robe put away the talisman.
Without the slightest hesitation, he instantly pushed his speed to the limit and reached the doorway in the blink of an eye.
“Crap!” “He’s leaving!” “Quickly send people to follow!” The Four Emperors, the Marine, and the World Government CP0 reacted almost simultaneously!
Marine seating area: Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Kizaru: “Borsalino!
Use your speed to follow him!
Don’t lose him!” Kizaru, for once, dropped his lazy expression and curled his lips: “Oh What a troublesome task” Before his voice faded, his body had already transformed into a streak of golden light, silently gliding out of his seat at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, chasing toward the door.
Beasts Pirates seating area: Kaido roared at King: “King!
Go yourself!
You must bring that guy and the talisman back!” “Understood!” King didn’t say another word, flapping his black wings and darting out like a phantom.
Red Hair Pirates seating area: Shanks looked at Benn Beckman, his eyes sharp: “Beckman, I’m counting on you.” Beckman, chewing on his cigar, nodded steadily: “Leave it to me.” His movement when standing up seemed slow, yet he instantly closed the distance to the doorway.
BIG MOM Pirates seating area: Charlotte Linlin shrieked: “Katakuri!
Smoothie!
Go together!
You must snatch that talisman back!” Katakuri and Smoothie immediately accepted the order, their figures flashing and disappearing from the spot.
Whitebeard Pirates seating area: Whitebeard said in a deep voice: “Marco, Jozu, Vista!
You three go, and proceed carefully!” “Yes, Pops!” Marco transformed into blue flames, and Jozu and Vista also burst forth with maximum speed, rushing toward the exit.
World Government CP0 seating area: A CP0 Member wearing a bizarre mask silently merged into the shadows, disappearing as if he had never been there.
Doflamingo roared at Diamante and Trebol: “You go too!
Don’t let him escape!” “Yes, Doffy!” The two hurriedly chased after him.
Other powerful Underworld Emperors and lone strong individuals also reacted, sending out their capable subordinates or personally leaving their seats to pursue.
For a moment, figures flickered inside the auction hall, and dozens of silhouettes rapidly surged toward the exit in various ways, creating a somewhat chaotic scene.
However, everyone strictly adhered to the auction house’s no-fighting rule, merely competing in speed without engaging in conflict.
Soon, all the pursuers disappeared outside the auction hall doors.
The hall instantly became much emptier, but all the remaining faction leaders—Akainu, Kaido, Shanks, Charlotte Linlin, Whitebeard, Doflamingo, and the CP0 leader—forced down the anxiety and unease in their hearts and redirected their solemn gazes toward the auction stage.
They knew very well that the finale item might be even more precious than that talisman; they had to stay focused!
Adam seemed completely unconcerned by the sudden disappearance of a large number of people and the commotion below the stage.
He calmly waited for the scene to stabilize again, then gently tapped the auction gavel.
“Dong!” The crisp sound of the gavel forcefully drew everyone’s attention back.
“It seems everyone is very busy with business.” Adam smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of jest.
He paused, then his voice abruptly rose, filled with extreme allure: “And now, let us focus our attention on the final, and most precious, item of this auction—the grand finale auction item!” Following his words, the final display stand slowly rose under the gaze of thousands, signaling that the climax of the entire auction was about to arrive!
The final display stand behind Adam slowly rose, focused upon by countless fervent gazes.
In an instant, the lighting in the entire auction hall seemed to be absorbed by an invisible force, becoming dim, with only the center of the auction stage enveloped in a beam of pure light.
An indescribable sense of oppression spread, not killing intent, but sharper than killing intent; not Haki, but purer than Haki!
That was—the Will of the Sword!
“Qiang!” “Weng!” “Ling!” Almost simultaneously, the swords of every swordsman in the hall, whether they were the most ordinary long swords or the peerless famous blades among the supreme grade swords, all uncontrollably slid three inches out of their scabbards, either trembling violently or emitting clear, prolonged sword cries, as if paying homage to their sovereign!
The massive black blade yoru behind Hawkeye Mihawk let out a muffled roar.
Unprecedented brilliance burst forth from the eyes of the World’s Strongest Swordsman, and he instinctively reached out to press down on his restless beloved sword.
The Konpira of Momousagi Gion, and the famous sword of Flower Sword Vista, also thrashed wildly within their scabbards.
Even Red-Haired Shanks’s “gryphon” emitted a low, battle-ready hum.
This kind of phenomenon far surpassed the scene when any previous auction item was unveiled!
Where the light converged, the final display stand slowly appeared before everyone’s eyes.
There was no dazzling brilliance, no alluring shape, only a single streak of silver flowing light—condensed to the extreme, almost substantial!
The flowing light continuously changed form, sometimes resembling a galaxy reversing its course, sometimes a solitary peak towering high.
At its core, a faint, illusory figure sitting cross-legged with closed eyes was visible, exuding a terrifying Sword Intent that was lofty, arrogant, and capable of cutting down everything!
Adam’s gaze swept across the hall, lingering especially on the faces of the agitated swordsmen, as he clearly announced: