"Yeah… the more I think about it, the more it feels like we should build something of our own," Karl said, tapping the newspaper. "Ellie, pass that to me."
Ellie found the paper and handed it over.
"Zoan – Insect-Insect Fruit, Model: Giant Bee. Produces a special honey that can enlarge bees and boost their lifespan and speed… just like I remembered."
Karl's eyes lit up. "What if we start a courier company? Urgent deliveries across the sea—medical supplies, contracts, rare goods. If we secure this fruit, we'll raise a legion of giant bees and use their speed to ferry parcels by air!"
Ellie nodded. "Makes sense. Merchant ships fight weather and pirates. Airborne runs dodge both—and they're faster."
"Done, then! We're founding a courier company. The name will be—Swift Wind Courier!"
"Swift Wind Courier?" Everyone's eyes brightened at once.
Ann grinned. "Uncle, that name slaps."
"Good. Then we make best speed for the North Blue. We must win that fruit."
A chorus of "Aye!" rolled across the deck.
And just like that, the first—and only—courier company of the Grand Line was born.
North Blue — Nodis Kingdom
After more than twenty days at sea, Tiger God cut into Nodis's harbor. The city was swelling with visitors—pirates, merchants, nobles—drawn by the upcoming grand auction.
The moment their figurehead came into view, the docks erupted. Whisper after whisper: Are they here for the auction too? Or to wreck it?
A young man in an immaculate suit, trailed by a dozen retainers, waited respectfully at the gangway. Gino Gald, heir of the Gino family—the clan hosting the auction.
"Honored Lord Karl," he greeted with a bow, voice carefully steady. "Welcome to Nodis. I am Gino Gald, the event's steward. May I ask… are you here to attend the auction?"
Karl smiled. "You guessed right. We heard you're offering four Devil Fruits. True?"
"Yes, my lord. You and your companions must be travel-worn—please, allow us to host you at our finest hotel. The auction begins in three days."
"Lead on." After twenty-plus days underway, even the Tiger God crew wouldn't refuse soft beds and hot baths.
The harbor seethed with speculation as they left; half the room resigned itself to losing any bidding war Karl entered.
Auction Day
Karl's crew was shown into Box No. 1, the most prestigious suite overlooking the hall.
"Honored guests," the auctioneer boomed, "welcome to the Gino family's Grand Auction! We've assembled rare antiques, precious gems, named blades… and, of course—four Devil Fruits!"
"Cut the fluff!"
"Show us the Fruits!"
"Devil Fruits first!"
The hall surged with shouts—North Blue captains with real bounties and worse tempers. The auctioneer kept his smile pinned on.
"All in due time. The centerpieces come last. We'll begin with historical lots…"
An hour crawled by. Karl stifled a yawn.
"…and now, a late addition—a blade of the Ō Wazamono (Great Grade) 21!"
The hall exploded.
Karl's eyes sharpened. He already had his black blade—but Ann didn't.
"This sword is named Cold Moon (Kangetsu)," the auctioneer continued. "Forged from rare, ice-aspected ores. Mishandling may cause frostbite; prospective owners, take care. Opening bid: 100 million Berries!"
"100 million!"
"130 million!"
"180 million!"
"300 million! I'm Captain Derrick—who dares bid against me? Wah-hahaha!"
Gasps rippled.
"That's Derrick, bounty 96,000,000! He razed a World Government affiliate city last month—slaughtered everyone!"
Bidders wilted; few wanted that kind of grudge.
"500 million," Karl said lazily from Box No. 1.
Derrick's face twisted. "Whoever you are—do you want to die when you step outside?"
"Enel," Karl said.
"God's Sanction!"
A white pillar crashed from the heavens. Derrick and his core thugs hit the floor charred and smoking—auction over for them.
The hall went silent.
"…If there are no further bids," the auctioneer swallowed, "Box No. 1 wins Cold Moon! A round of applause for our esteemed guests!"
Polite thunder filled the room. Backstage runners hustled the sword to Karl's box.
He drew it partway—pale-blue steel breathed cold mist. A fine blade.
Ann couldn't hide it; the sword was calling to her.
"Uncle—!"
Karl laughed and handed it over. "All yours. Don't let it gather dust."
The moment Ann gripped the hilt, the blade seemed to wake—perfectly attuned to her chill aura.
"Next," the auctioneer announced, voice regaining confidence, "the items you've all been waiting for—Devil Fruits!"
The hall boiled. For most, Devil Fruits were legends from tavern tales. To see four at once…
Karl's fingers tapped the armrest twice.
Swift Wind Courier had just entered its first acquisition war.
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