"Nami."
The newcomers were none other than Nami, Sanji, Chopper, Franky, and the escapees from Cocoyasi Village - Hachi the octopus and his starfish companion - who had just arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.
Hearing that "familiar" voice, Nami's body stiffened abruptly. She instinctively turned her head and, upon confirming it was indeed Ryan, her face instantly darkened. Her tone was full of vigilance and surprise: "What are you doing here, you bastard!"
Sanji immediately stepped in front of Nami, clenching his fists tightly. Chopper hid behind Franky, his round eyes filled with tension. Franky crossed his arms, his mechanical limbs emitting faint clicking sounds, clearly prepared for battle at any moment.
Back in Water 7, Ryan had pursued them, making it clear he was no friend.
The most nervous of all was Hachi. The moment he saw Ryan, his face turned deathly pale, his tentacles trembling uncontrollably. The memory of the massacre at Cocoyasi Village still haunted him.
Ryan's gaze swept past everyone and settled on Nami. His eyes held an undisguised appraisal of her youthful, lively figure, and he couldn't help feeling somewhat nostalgic. A teasing smile curled at the corners of his mouth: "What else would I be doing at an auction house? Of course I'm here to buy 'merchandise'."
Nami felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze. That familiar teasing sensation shot through her spine like an electric current, causing an instinctive psychological tremor. She sharply turned her head away, avoiding that unsettling gaze, and gritted her teeth as she muttered under her breath: "Bastard!"
Sanji immediately took another step forward, shielding Nami completely. Just as he was about to scold Ryan for his rudeness, his gaze inadvertently swept past the person beside Ryan. When he clearly saw that peerlessly beautiful face, he froze instantly. His eyes widened into perfect circles, his mouth gaping wide enough to fit a fist, and pink hearts uncontrollably popped out. Even his speech became stammering: "W-who is this peerless beauty!"
Hancock paid no attention to Sanji's loss of composure. She examined Nami with some curiosity - the orange hair, lively eyes - she did have some charm, but ultimately couldn't compare to her own.
"Just an ordinary woman."
Hancock snorted coldly in her heart, but for some reason, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She suddenly came to her senses and scolded herself inwardly: "Boa Hancock, what are you thinking? What does it matter to you who that bastard is involved with? There's nothing to compare."
With that thought, Hancock deliberately turned her face away, no longer looking at Nami.
"Next is item number 14..." Just then, Disco's voice came from the stage. Ryan glanced at the maid being pushed onto the platform, his interest piqued. He stopped teasing Nami and instead examined the maid with keen interest.
Her looks and figure were acceptable, the maid uniform adding a touch of uniform appeal. The key was that she could do housework, help Ryan with cleaning, and was skilled at various games like poker and chess - perfect for killing time.
You know, Ryan loved playing poker best, especially Fight the Landlord.
"Starting bid: 600,000 Belly!"
The moment Disco's voice fell, bidding voices rose from below the stage. The price climbed from 1 million to 2 million, then to 3 million, scaling upward like climbing stairs.
The bids rose steadily like a staircase until Ryan simply raised his hand and calmly stated, "4 million Belly," silencing all other voices and securing the "merchandise."
Nami, Sanji, and the others watched Ryan effortlessly purchase the slave, their frowns deepening and eyes filled with disgust. Even Hancock beside him turned away coldly, instinctively repulsed by the scene of "trading human lives."
But Ryan couldn't care less. The World Government had long tacitly approved human trafficking, even disguising this filthy trade under the guise of "employment agencies." Since it was compliant and legal, and he hadn't personally captured these people—merely spending money to "buy" goods—what was there to avoid?
Soon, the stage lights focused again as Lot 15 was "led" out: the stunningly beautiful slave, the 20-year-old dancer Pascia, one of today's hot commodities and the very reason Ryan had come to the auction.
Her smooth, blue-purple hair fell neatly, with straight bangs covering her smooth forehead, adorned by an exquisite silver headpiece that exuded an air of mysterious, exotic charm—like an elf from an ancient desert kingdom.
Her off-shoulder white gauze dress was of the simplest style, yet its edges were trimmed with delicate, wavy lace. The sheer, cicada-wing-like fabric did little to conceal her figure, instead outlining the full curves of her bust with breathtaking clarity.
The swell resembled rising tidal waves, carrying a rhythm of startling undulations. By Ryan's estimation, it was the most astonishing scale he had seen since setting sail—even the "World's Most Beautiful Woman," Hancock, paled slightly in comparison.
Most captivating was her figure, seemingly favored by the Creator: a slender waist that abruptly flared into an exaggerated yet perfectly symmetrical curve just an inch below her lower back, paired with long, straight legs of flawless proportion, every inch radiating the unique suppleness of a dancer.
It seemed this trip was well worth it!
Facing the dancer Pascia, Ryan was determined to win her, and in the end, he secured her without surprise at a high price.
"Little Nami, I'm heading off first. Have fun," Ryan said, turning to Nami with a meaningful tone and a smiling wave after securing his target. "Oh, and don't forget your promise. Sooner or later, I'll come to collect it."
Now, with Hancock—the "Pirate Empress" possessing both beauty and pride—by his side, and having just acquired Pascia and a maid, he hardly lacked for company. He had little interest in teasing Nami further, especially since she still carried a trace of immaturity. Only when she fully matured, shedding her youthful naivety and gaining a more sophisticated charm, would she truly hold the allure to make one linger.
Good food isn't afraid of being late; such matters shouldn't be rushed. Taking it slow makes it all the more flavorful.
The most important task now was to retrieve the "merchandise" from the auction house's backstage. After all, the Straw Hat Kid's crew would soon take center stage, and it wouldn't be long before the auction descended into chaos. He needed to get the people out before the turmoil began.
Nami's cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment at Ryan's remark about "collecting the promise sooner or later." She shot him a fierce glare before turning away completely, refusing to grant him another glance.
Unfazed by Nami's temper, Ryan naturally wrapped an arm around Hancock's waist and left with Daz Bones and Rob Lucci.
Stepping out of the noisy auction hall and into the quiet corridor, Hancock finally felt her tense nerves relax slightly—no longer having to face the greedy gazes in the auction house or witness the glaring scenes of slaves being traded.
Yet the unrestrained hand around her waist still made her deeply uncomfortable. Instinctively, she tried to push it away, only to be pulled even tighter. Hancock bit her lower lip, a flicker of humiliation flashing in her eyes. In the end, she didn't resist further, gritting her teeth and enduring the discomfort.
Just then, orderly footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor. A group of people approached, led by a man in an ornate robe embroidered with the golden emblem symbolizing the Celestial Dragons. He wore the iconic transparent bubble helmet, with four attendants trailing behind him.
The moment Hancock saw the bubble helmet, her face turned deathly pale. Her deep blue eyes were instantly filled with terror, and her breath caught in her throat…