"No matter how many times it's destroyed, as long as it has government support, it can always be rebuilt," Daniel mused, observing the bustling No. 1 Island entrance on Sabaody Archipelago. Human trafficking was lucrative, and with official backing, it was as brazen as ever. Past incidents that occurred here seemed forgotten, even though a Celestial Dragon had once lost their life in this very place. Despite that, Celestial Dragons still frequented this market, and nobles and the wealthy continued to come here for the auctions.
The so-called "sacred inviolability" of the Celestial Dragons was only a facade, much like the fabricated history that concealed the century of the Void. The allure of the missing hundred years intrigued some, but to Daniel, it was likely little more than a manipulation of records, not unlike what he had seen in the worlds of Titans or Alchemy.
With a thunderous boom, Daniel's thoughts were interrupted by smoke rising from nearby No. 3 Island. Unsurprisingly, a fight had broken out. The chaotic environment was inevitable, as eleven Supernovas from nine pirate crews were gathering here. To the bounty hunters who thrived on the island, this gathering was a rare and tempting opportunity—capturing any of the infamous Supernovas meant instant wealth.
Not every Supernova was immune to capture here; while bounty amounts often signified strength, there were exceptions. Crew size, reputation, and past deeds all played a part. If not for Daniel's influence, Luffy's bounty likely wouldn't be the highest among the Supernovas—the "Worst Generation." That honor would have gone to Eustass Kid, a fierce captain with magnetic abilities and the Conqueror's Haki, known for his violent tendencies. Unfortunately, Kid's luck ran out in the New World, where encounters with the Four Emperors saw him imprisoned by Kaido.
"Magnet powers, Fortress-Fortress Fruit, possible Time Fruit, and a rumored Instrument Fruit… these eleven Supernovas wield some interesting powers," Daniel noted. The abilities were unique, but he didn't intend to take them. He had the power to extract Devil Fruits, but he wasn't the type to hunt abilities. Only truly extraordinary powers warranted his attention.
"Well, look who's here! Are you interested in the auction too?" Daniel asked upon entering the largest human auction house on No. 1 Island. To his surprise, the entire Straw Hat crew—minus their captain—was present. This was different from the original storyline, where they had initially scattered before regrouping.
The moment Daniel appeared, Usopp and Chopper instinctively cowered behind Franky, while Nami looked on, her expression unreadable.
"The Warlord of the Sea!" Usopp's shout put everyone on edge. Other pirates around the room turned their wary gazes on Daniel, with Killer, Eustass Kid's right-hand man, drawing his weapon almost immediately.
In the far back, Trafalgar Law's eyes glinted as he noted Daniel's presence, while his white bear crewmate Bepo looked as scared as Usopp and Chopper, practically trying to disappear into his seat.
"Do I look that terrifying?" Daniel thought, exasperated by Chopper and Bepo's reactions.
"It's unusual to see a Warlord at a place like this. Are you here for us?" Law's voice was cool, though his stance betrayed his readiness for a fight.
Supernovas and Warlords were natural enemies, much like marines and pirates.
"Relax, I'm not here to capture anyone," Daniel replied, raising his hands to signal peace. Noting Daniel's gesture, Kid waved at Killer, and the tension in the room relaxed somewhat.
"If you're not here to catch us, you're here to join in the auction, then? Hard to believe a Warlord is into this," Kid sneered, his disdain for the human trafficking business clear. Kid was no saint, but he despised human trafficking even more.
"I may be a Warlord, but that doesn't mean I sink to such levels. I'm just here to see the eleven Supernovas gathered on this island—just a little sightseeing," Daniel replied, emphasizing "sightseeing."
Kid shrugged, moving to put distance between himself and Daniel, still wary. He wasn't convinced Daniel would pass up a chance to capture them, even if the presence of the Celestial Dragons in the auction house might give him pause.
"You don't seem like a Warlord," Law commented after a moment, his gaze steady on Daniel.
"What do you think a Warlord should be like? Heavy-handed with a massive entourage?" Daniel asked, amused. He had a certain respect for Law, not only as a fellow user of the Ope Ope no Mi but also for his ethics. Unlike most pirates, Law and his crew were medical professionals, and they financed their voyages through paid treatments rather than plunder.
As for Law's luck and judgment, Daniel couldn't say for sure. On one hand, Law had allied with Luffy, the main character. On the other hand, this alliance meant enduring Luffy's reckless disregard for any plan and watching the Straw Hat captain repeatedly throw caution to the wind.
The auctioneer, Disco, took the stage, cutting their conversation short to announce the auction's start.
"We pirates may be called 'scum' of the seas, but these people here… they're worse," Kid said, watching the feverish bidding with disgust. The human trafficking business sickened him. He wouldn't have come at all if not for the down-time while his ship was being coated.
"For even Kid to see the hypocrisy of it… yet the Navy's higher-ups ignore it in the name of 'justice.' Admiral Sengoku—how laughable." The rot began at the top; expecting genuine justice from the Navy was a farce. Even the corrupt Black Snake in Wano avoided such vile practices. Although Kaido and Orochi had turned the people into a workforce, they had at least spared them from becoming slaves.
The more Daniel observed, the less he respected the Navy. It was no wonder Dragon had left his role as an admiral-in-training to become the leader of the Revolutionary Army. He must have realized that change would never come from within.
"Ten million!"
"Twenty million!"
Daniel, Law, and the others watched from the back as eager bidders fought for a host of individuals—warriors, swordsmen, captains, even singers—each one chained to the stage.
"The next item…" Disco announced, gleeful as he introduced the next "merchandise": a mermaid.
The sight of the mermaid drew gasps from the audience. Since Fish-Man Island had been under Whitebeard's protection and Jinbei had become a Warlord, mermaids had disappeared from the auction houses. While fish-men were sold at times, their appearance was deemed frightening, and rumors claimed they carried strange diseases. But a mermaid was a rare and expensive treasure.
"One hundred million!"
"Two hundred million!"
"Three hundred million!"
"Six hundred million!"
The mermaid sparked a bidding war, though the price barely registered before a Celestial Dragon raised the stakes. Nami clutched her money bag, realizing her paltry funds wouldn't suffice. Despite the wealth she had hoarded from Moria, it barely amounted to three hundred million—a fortune to most, but not enough to outbid these people.
With the Celestial Dragon's offer, the other bidders fell silent. No one wanted to risk angering them, no matter how wealthy they were. Disco promptly congratulated the Celestial Dragon, ending the auction, knowing no one would outbid them.
At that moment, the sound of breaking glass shattered the air. From above, a figure descended—a red vest flaring in the dim light. It was Straw Hat Luffy.
"Luffy!" His sudden entrance shocked his crewmates.
"Hey, Nami! Did you find Camie?" Luffy, standing in the aisle, grinned and waved at his crew.
"We found her… but…" Nami pointed to the fish tank holding Camie, unable to find words. She knew all too well the horror the Celestial Dragons represented.
"Camie, I'm here to get you out!" Luffy shouted, beaming as he waved to the captive mermaid.
"Guards! Guards!" Disco finally snapped to attention, calling for reinforcements.
The guards rushed forward, but Luffy swatted them away like flies, knocking them unconscious as he made his way toward the stage, ignoring the Celestial Dragon in his path.
"You filthy commoner! How dare you?!" the Celestial Dragon snarled, drawing his golden pistol—a weapon crafted more for show than for power.
"Luffy, look out!" Camie called out in fear. Though just a pistol, the weapon was still deadly to an unprepared person.
"Don't worry, Camie." Luffy responded calmly, delivering a single, powerful punch that sent the Celestial Dragon sprawling.
To Luffy, titles like "Celestial Dragon" meant nothing if they couldn't be eaten.
"What an idiot." Kid and Law's expressions soured. They had been watching to see how the "top rookie" would handle a situation involving the Celestial Dragons, but Luffy treated them like any other random thug.
"Is that Straw Hat Luffy? He's lost it." The other pirates scattered in panic, fearful of the consequences. The Celestial Dragons still carried an aura of untouchability, despite past incidents on Sabaody.
"An admiral will be here any minute. We have to get out of here!"
"You… y-you… do you know what you've done?" Disco stammered, his face pale as he pointed a trembling finger at Luffy and the
bloodied Celestial Dragon lying before him.
"Out of my way!" Luffy's open hand sent Disco flying as he leaped onto the stage, standing triumphantly beside Camie.
With their captain in action, the rest of the crew joined the fray. Zoro, Sanji, and Franky tackled the guards while Luffy freed the mermaid.
"What kind of people are the Straw Hats?" Law couldn't believe his eyes as Sanji's kick sent yet another Celestial Dragon flying.
Each second of chaos promised to bring the inevitable—an admiral's arrival.
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