In his memories, many things about this world had never been fully shown.
It was a hot-blooded anime where the protagonist mostly just knocked enemies flying. Death was rarely depicted.
But when this world became real, all of its ugliness, things far worse than death, were laid bare.
Sabaody Archipelago.
With its resin bubbles and bustling commerce, it felt like a dreamlike world.
But that only applied if you were not in Areas 1 to 29, the lawless zones, and if you were not targeted by Celestial Dragons looking for slaves or their next wife.
Inside the largest human trafficking shop, Rowan saw all kinds of races.
According to the note Tesoro had given him, this shop had connections above. Any high-quality "goods" were first reported upward before being sent to auction.
To them, those connections mattered more than auction profits. And most of the time, Celestial Dragons paid far more than any auction.
This was already the third one.
Still wearing his cloak, Rowan felt a bit helpless.
Three trafficking shops, and still no sign of those vermin.
And every time he saw this…
The values he had carried from his previous life stirred within him.
The past month had been the same.
Watching auctions, then rescuing people afterward and sending them to Baltigo.
"Interested in anything, sir? This one was just captured from West Blue. A young woman. Whatever you want to do with her… it's all possible."
An old man with a greasy smile squinted as he spoke, his tone suggestive.
Rowan looked over.
Inside the cage was a young blonde woman.
Clearly dressed up to appear appealing.
Beautiful.
But her eyes were empty.
In the past month, Rowan had seen too many like her.
He did not need an explanation. He already understood.
As long as Celestial Dragons existed, as long as there were people willing to pay high prices for slaves, there would always be those who captured the innocent for profit or favor.
"Rest assured, sir. Though these slaves are trained, they are untouched. Many customers don't like used goods."
Rowan said nothing.
But all three shops today were now on his list.
The old man alone had a sin value of over 1,600.
And he was just a salesman.
This shop had six of them.
"Clang."
From a distant room, a muffled sobbing sound echoed.
"Please… let me go…"
"I just wanted to see the real sun… I won't come to land again… please…"
"I want to go back to Fish-Man Island… please…"
Rowan looked at the old man. "Fish-man? Or mermaid? Female mermaid?"
The old man grinned. "You have a good eye. A female mermaid, very rare. Ever since Fish-Man Island realized their value, they've become harder to capture."
"And as you know, female mermaids fetch extremely high prices. Many are taken directly to Mary Geoise. But to the Celestial Dragons, even the rarest things are just toys."
"Toys break. They need replacing. That's why their value keeps rising."
Rowan asked directly, "How much?"
The old man shook his head. "Not for sale. Like I said, she has special value. Reserved for certain people."
The crying stopped.
Clearly, she would be kept unconscious until taken away.
The old man continued smugly. "Unlike normal slaves, female mermaids cannot be trained. The nobles prefer to 'train' them personally."
Rowan fell silent.
Different values. Different worlds.
It left a weight in his chest.
"So a Celestial Dragon will come pick her up soon?"
The old man nodded. "The boss has been preparing since morning. Red carpets so their feet won't touch ground dirtied by commoners, formal kneeling ceremonies, showing absolute humility."
"Humility like dust?"
That level of self-perception… even Rowan found it absurd.
After a moment, he smiled. "I've never seen one of these so-called descendants of gods. Can I stay and watch?"
The old man hesitated. "You know what happens if one takes a liking to you, right?"
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Even men?"
The old man pointed upward. "The slave arena. And… preferences vary. But I can't allow it. If anything offends them…"
Ah. He wanted money.
Rowan shrugged and walked away.
No point.
When Celestial Dragons moved, the streets would be cleared anyway.
And money?
The Revolutionary Army was short on funds. He had only given Hikichiro two hundred thousand.
No way he was wasting money here.
Leaving the largest trafficking shop in Area 6, Rowan forced himself to ignore what he had just seen.
One salesman had 1,600 sin value.
Six of them meant nearly ten thousand.
Add the boss, plus two more shops…
Tonight could bring in around forty-six thousand.
And maybe…
A big one.
If someone hit a hundred thousand or more…
That could mean a diamond chest.
Marine Headquarters really was a treasure ground.
Perfect alibi.
Close to Sabaody.
Low stamina cost for Flying Thunder God.
If he could open a diamond chest…
He needed to focus his mind.
What he thought about influenced what the chest gave.
And stamina determined what he could actually use.
Android 17 and 18?
Power enough to destroy the world… maybe even one hundred thousand sin value would not be enough.
A Zanpakuto?
Ryujin Jakka… even if he had it, his stamina would not sustain its true heat.
Two hours passed quickly.
Rowan yawned.
Two days without rest was catching up to him.
Then, down the street, in the night…
A large group of people suddenly dropped to their knees.
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