Chapter 32: The Human Auction House
"Hurry up, go faster! Don't waste time here! Are you looking for death? Stinky woman, it's so hot, how long are you going to make me wait?" Thud!
Disco, sweat beading on his forehead, kicked fiercely at a frail, beautiful woman at the end of the line. The woman fell to the ground instantly and struggled to get up.
"Dare to make Master Disco angry? Teach her a lesson!"
"Give her a hard time, so she knows what this place is!"
"The merchandise isn't obedient and honest? Why pretend to be weak?"
"..."
The guards immediately surrounded her, ready to give the woman a severe beating. Disco didn't stop them but grinned and said, "Hey, hey, don't go too far, you guys. Just give her a beating and let her know her mistake. Only hit the body, don't hurt the face. Otherwise, you won't get a good price tomorrow!"
A little girl who was about to enter the gate ran back in a panic. "Stop hitting her! Stop hitting my mom! Please, let my mother go!" The little girl threw herself onto the woman, trying her best to protect her mother with her small body.
BOOM!
BOOM!
...
Just as Disco was about to explode, a loud crashing sound came from not far away. Clouds of dust billowed up from the site of the impact.
Within the dust, five figures in Marine uniforms slowly emerged.
"Oh my, what a big mistake! Is a flying fish so hard to stop? I should have slowed down earlier! Hey, are you guys okay?" Ian patted his cloak, dust falling off.
"It's fine, he's still alive."
"Commodore Ian, could you choose a safer landing spot next time?"
"Commodore Ian is a Devil Fruit user; of course he can't land in the water. That's seawater."
"Everything is fine, don't worry, Commodore Ian."
At the entrance of the venue, Disco and the guards all turned their attention to Ian and the others.
"Marines? Why are the Marines here today?"
"Yeah, there's no auction today, so there's no need for them to protect the Celestial Dragons!"
"You idiot! They only catch pirates. The Red Port Guards protect the Celestial Dragons!"
"So what? What are these Marines doing here?"
"..."
Disco appeared much calmer, that stereotypical villainous smile still plastered on his face. That morning, he had received a call from Doflamingo, and the conversation had been about Ian. Disco had read that morning's newspaper several times over. Just a few hours later, the real person had appeared, looking exactly like the portrait in the newspaper!
Watching Ian's team approach, Disco put on his star-shaped glasses, spread his arms wide, and said enthusiastically, "This must be the hottest rising star in the Marines from the newspapers, Mr. Jock Ian! I heard today is Mr. Ian's first day on the Sabaody Archipelago. On behalf of the auction house, I extend my welcome!"
Ian's expression remained calm, completely ignoring Disco's feigned enthusiasm as he simply brushed past him.
"Uncle T, please introduce this place to me." Coming here was nothing more than taking the inexperienced team members to see the ugliest side of the world with their own eyes.
"Commodore Ian, this is..." T. Bone, who was always straightforward, was speechless at this moment. The Marine officers who had been stationed here were well aware of the auction house's operations. However, there were clear regulations from above: what happened here could not be openly discussed.
"So, what's going on with those people? Why... are they locked up? The iron collars around their necks... are they criminals?" Nami asked, a look of surprise on her face as her eyes darted around. Before coming to the Sabaody Archipelago, she had done some research on the island. She had a basic understanding of the general functions and industries of each grove. However, there were no records detailing the specifics of the "Human Auction House."
The little girl surrounded by guards saw what Ian and the others were wearing. She immediately wiped her tears and said excitedly, "Mom, look! It's the Marines! The Marines are here, we're saved! Marine sir, please save my mother! We're not criminals!" The little girl waved her hands and shouted vigorously, trying to squeeze out from the crowd.
Thud!
"Shut up and behave!"
A burly guard in armor picked up the little girl and threw her back heavily. The little girl's mother immediately rushed over and held her tightly. "Be good... be good and listen to your mother. Stop shouting. It's okay, Mom, it's okay. We won't shout anymore. No... no one will come to save us." Tears streamed down the woman's cheeks as she closed her eyes in near despair. From beginning to end, she never looked at Ian and the others. She knew that on this island, "merchandise" would not be protected at all. Justice would not come...
Click!
Seeing this, Skylark immediately raised her special gun and aimed at the guard. However, Peacock stepped forward and blocked Skylark's line of sight.
"Peacock? Why... why are you blocking me? That damn guy is bullying that poor mother and daughter..." Under Skylark's confused gaze, Peacock held the gun barrel, slowly shook her head, and pressed it down. In terms of age, Peacock was slightly older. She knew much more information than Skylark. Although she had never been to the Sabaody Archipelago, Peacock had heard rumors and knew some inside information about the "Human Auction House"—the favorite venue of the Celestial Dragons and dignitaries from around the world. This was an evil trading place condoned by the World Government!
Ian and T. Bone, standing in front of the three women, also witnessed the entire scene.
Clench... clench...
T. Bone's pupils trembled violently, and the hand holding his sword kept shaking.
"Uncle T, don't you hate beating around the bush? Don't you only tell the truth and never lie? I'm asking you..."