Chapter 31: First Blood
As they were talking, seven or eight figures appeared from a nearby path. Everyone rode bubble bikes, blocking Ian and the others from the front and back.
A few minutes later.
Skylark looked through the documents in her backpack: "Found him! Captain of the Doshi Pirates, Doshi Diafan, bounty 35,000,000 Berries! These people are probably his crew members. Bounties range from 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 Berries. Commodore Ian, verification complete, this is the group!"
Peacock looked down at the guys lying all over the ground and said with disgust, "I thought he was some powerful character, but he's just a loser with only 35 million. I should have known not to take it so seriously. It's not worth it."
Ian sat in one of the bubble cars, counting the money bags he'd taken from the others. During the entire process, he hadn't made a single move. Peacock alone had easily taken care of the entire enemy group. It wasn't that Ian didn't want to act and earn points, but as the leader of the unit, he was patrolling with his subordinates. If he had to do everything himself, it would lower his status too much!
"Is this all the money? Why are the pirates on the Grand Line so poor? I got so excited for nothing. These poor bastards! Nami! Have you contacted them?" Ian sat on the bubble car and shouted to Nami, who was holding a Den Den Mushi.
"I've contacted them, Commodore Ian! The nearest patrol Marine unit is nearby and will arrive soon." After defeating the Doshi Pirates, Nami had contacted the nearest patrol Marines to take these pirates away and imprison them. When you first arrive on the island, it's not advisable to kill too many people. It might scare off those guys who were neither strong nor weak and lacked the courage to cause trouble.
"Tie them to a tree. They can't escape even beaten up like this. Let's go, onward to the next spot. This group is really unremarkable. They're actually riding bicycles! Hurry up, let's find other transportation!"
Just as Ian finished speaking, the sound of splashing water came from not far away. Immediately after, several large fish with fin-like wings flew overhead.
"Woo hoo!"
"Woo hoo hoo!"
"..."
Several unidentified guys were riding on the big fish, flying through the air and cheering.
Flying Fish!
These things were much faster than bubble cars! Just dip into the water, and they could fly out for five to ten minutes.
"Skylark, shoot down all those guys! Use regular bullets; don't hurt the fish. Fire without hesitation. Those guys are kidnappers, not innocent people." Ian put his hands on his forehead, looked up at the sky with a smile, his eyes full of excitement.
...
Not long after, the Flying Fish Riders were all captured. Five flying fish, a pet yak, and a kidnapped hostage were seized. Their vehicle speed was now maxed out.
Whoosh...
Whoosh...
The sharp wind whistled past their ears.
"Hahaha! Pretty good speed!" Ian was thrilled with the feeling of riding a flying fish motorcycle through the air. He took the lead on his fish, guiding the way in the sky. The four cadres followed slowly on his left and right wings.
The kidnappers' equipment was no less sophisticated than a Marine squad's. The flying fish were even equipped with walkie-talkies for easy communication.
"Commodore Ian, Commodore Ian! This is T. Bone. Is the direction we're flying wrong? The current heading seems to be not Grove 10, but Grove 1!" T. Bone's steady voice came through the intercom.
The current spatial distance and the situation in Grove 1 were already within Ian's control. They hadn't gone the wrong way; he had deliberately led the team to Grove 1. Because that was... the Human Auction House! Using his ability to monitor Grove 1, he knew no auction was happening today. Therefore, there weren't many people coming and going, making it suitable for preliminary observation.
Moreover, others might not know, but Ian knew very well: the real mastermind behind the Human Auction House was none other than one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo! Since the last incident, Ian had been staying at Marine Headquarters. Even if Doflamingo wanted revenge, he wouldn't have had an opportunity. Now, the whole world knew Ian had come to the Sabaody Archipelago. Judging by his understanding of Doflamingo's character, there was no way this guy wouldn't react.
"The direction is correct. After we go to Grove 1, we'll head straight back to the base. Looks like we won't get much today. We'll go hunting tomorrow!" The last wave of "wild monsters" to fight today was in Grove 1.
Ian, high in the air, carefully observed the situation below. Looking at the crowded entrance, he couldn't help but curl his lips... It's a godsend!
...
Meanwhile.
At the main entrance of the Human Auction House, the doors were open. A thin, silver-haired middle-aged man with an evil smile on his face was directing the guards. He wore an eye-catching purple dress, a pink scarf around his neck, and a tall hat. His makeup was particularly striking.
Disco!
The host of the Human Auction House, also its apparent operator. Nickname: The Walking Sale! Among all the staff at the venue, he was the only one who could communicate directly with Doflamingo. His personality was as divided as his attire.
Clang!
Clang!
...
Between the two rows of guards were humans of varying ages and races. These humans all wore collars around their necks and had their hands and feet shackled. In the eyes of the auction staff, these people weren't human beings but "merchandise" to be auctioned off tomorrow!
Although human trafficking was prohibited worldwide, in this place, such evil acts were condoned. The trafficking targets were mostly criminals and citizens of countries that hadn't joined the World Government. There were also a few rare species who had been kidnapped here by abduction groups, becoming slaves purchased by the wealthy.