Chapter 163 – Lumenarquia 03.
Chapter 163 – Lumenarquia 03.
[Chapter Size: 2100 Words.]
Third Person POV
Lumenarquia, First Half of Grandline.
....
...
As human slaves were brought onto the stage, the auctioneer, with a voice echoing authority and greed, announced each of the slaves, describing them as if they were mere commodities.
The first to be presented were men and women of various ages and nationalities. Some seemed to have been fishermen or rural workers, captured and forced into a terrible fate. Others looked like people who had already lost all hope, their gazes empty and resigned.
Bids started to be made, with values varying, but quickly reaching exorbitant figures. The bids for these male human beings reached up to 2 million berries among the strongest.
Nami, whose own history was stained by slavery and loss, felt each bid as a personal blow. "How can they treat people this way?" she wondered in a low voice, her expression a mix of anger and sadness.
"This is so cruel…" Shirahoshi commented, frightened.
The crew represented freedom at sea, seeing such a scene was abominable to him.
As the auction continued, an even more disturbing situation unfolded. Semi-nude women were brought onto the stage, displayed in a degrading manner before the ravenous crowd of buyers. These women, some young and others older, were presented with a vulgarity that only served to accentuate the obscenity of the event.
The auctioneers described each woman lasciviously, highlighting their physical characteristics and suggesting indecent uses for them. Bids for these women started high and quickly escalated, with some reaching the figure of 5 million berries. It was a scene that distilled the purest form of exploitation and dehumanization.
"This is sick," Luffy said aloud, unable to hide his disgust.
"Do we still have to watch all of this?" Vivi complained, not appreciating any of what she witnessed.
Hugo, whose past was also marked by slavery, felt a wave of overwhelming anger. His fists were clenched so tightly that rocks began to form from his akuma no mi power.
Luffy turned to his companion. "Calm down, Hugo. We'll sort this out, but we can't lose our heads," he said in a low but firm tone, trying to calm his companion.
Many other crew members had distastes, some looked indifferent, but the gleam in their eyes said it wasn't a scene appreciated, Chopper and Vivi almost cried seeing this.
At the height of the tension in the VIP room, an unexpected moment interrupted the growing indignation of the Straw Hat crew. The doors opened and the king of Lumenarquia, who they saw on the posters, entered, his imposing presence and prominent nose immediately drawing attention. He approached Luffy with a diplomatic smile, but his eyes betrayed a hidden urgency. Luffy looked at him indifferently, wondering what that guy was doing invading his crew's space without asking if he was welcome or not, whether a king or not.
Soon his guards entered with him, and the auction manager stood by his side. "Excellency Monkey D. Luffy, this is King Javier Lumen VII of Lumenarquia," the manager said, "We're here because a very important guest from the underworld wishes to speak with you. He's known as Joker," the king suddenly announced, watching the Straw Hat captain's reaction closely.
Luffy, who was indifferent, not liking the approach, narrowed his eyes upon hearing the name. He knew exactly who this "Joker" was - Doflamingo, one of the Shichibukai and a notorious figure in the new world. A member of the crew frowned at that moment, Lami, clenching her fist, as this was someone she wanted to kill.
"Joker, huh? Seems like he's interested in us," Luffy murmured, his casual tone hiding the strategic calculation in his mind. He knew that any involvement with Doflamingo could lead to complications, but it was also an opportunity to state his position regarding the current king of Dressrosa.
Lami approached Luffy and whispered, "Be careful, Luffy. Doflamingo isn't someone to be trifled with. He's dangerous and unpredictable."
The king, sensing the tension in the air, tried to ease the situation. "Don't worry, he just wants to talk. It will be in a safe place."
Luffy nodded slowly, his mind already working on different scenarios. "Alright, let's see what he wants," he said, stepping forward. The VIP room of the auction fell into silence as Luffy answered the den den mushi. All eyes were on him, curiosity in the air. The king of Lumenarquia handed the transmitter to Luffy, who didn't hesitate to answer it.
*Katcha*
On the other side of the line, Doflamingo greeted Luffy with his characteristic laugh and honeyed voice. "Fufufufu. Monkey D. Luffy, it's a pleasure to finally speak with you."
Luffy, without any trace of hesitation and with a provocative smile, responded immediately, already angry from those slaves: "Hello Joker, it's a surprise for me to be talking to you here, since it's not every day we talk to Kaido's dog." The room, already steeped in silence, seemed to freeze even more. The crew members exchanged surprised and nervous glances, while the king of Lumenarquia swallowed hard, not expecting this development.
Doflamingo, on the other side of the line, maintained his composure, but the tone of his voice revealed a slight trace of surprise and irritation. "You're more audacious than I imagined, mugiwara. But be careful, insolence can cost you dearly."
Luffy, unperturbed, kept his smile. "I'm just telling the truth. So, Joker, what do you want?"
"... First answer me, how do you know about my involvement with Kaido?" His voice remained as annoying as ever.
"Well, I'm not going to tell you and fuck what you think about it." Luffy spoke, leaving both the king and the manager stunned by Luffy's audacity.
The voice of Doflamingo, transmitted through the den den mushi, took on a threatening tone, marked by a chill. "I wanted to negotiate some things with you, Mugiwara. But you have no idea who you're dealing with. Underestimating me and the forces behind me will be your biggest mistake."
Luffy, defiant and fearless, didn't miss the chance to mock Doflamingo. With an ironic smile, he replied: "Ah, I'm trembling... Not. You're just another Shichibukai, and I've dealt with them before."
"I'll give you one more chance, hand over Trafalgar D. Lami from your crew and I can save you from your imminent destruction," Joker spoke with a tone of anger and demand.
"Do you talk such nonsense there in Dressrosa? How did you become a king like that? Demanding one of my crewmates is the same as asking to die, are you wanting that so much, Doflamingo?"
The room remained silent, the crew members watching the interaction, alternating between tension and admiration for Luffy's audacity. Luffy's provocation clearly irritated Doflamingo, but he maintained control, responding with a cold and calculating voice.
"Be careful, Luffy. My patience has limits. Don't provoke a sleeping dragon."
Luffy shrugged, unconcerned. "Dragon or not, I don't care. I was here to have fun, but then I saw your living items in the hall and the audacity of this king and the manager to invade the space where me and my crew were, so I'm not in a good mood anymore." This left the men who were not from the crew quite nervous about their mistake.
"I could save you, but I see that you are just an arrogant kid, your time is running out and the one you said is my master has already sent forces to hunt you in this sea," Doflamingo mocked.
"I see... That should be expected." Luffy understood what Doflamingo meant by that, after all, Yamato is in his crew, and her image in the newspaper and on the wanted posters would reach Kaido one way or another. He was always aware that he would be hunted.
"Joker or Doflamingo, I should thank you for this information, Kaido couldn't come to this sea without bringing a fleet, which would take a lot of time, King is essential to be with Kaido, Queen wouldn't leave the new world so easily, so the person who is pursuing us must be Jack, the drought or some members of the flying six," Luffy commented calmly.
"That old bastard, I'll beat him when I get to Wano!" Yamato exclaimed furiously in the background.
"Yamato's father is Kaido?!" Vivi exclaimed in shock, as she still didn't know this fact, just like Robin who looked shocked at the woman dressed in Wano's attire.
Luffy turned back to the den den mushi and began to laugh when he saw a silence from Doflamingo. He started to laugh openly at the prospect of facing such a formidable opponent, Luffy expressed his excitement for the imminent hunt. "So, Jack is after us? This is going to be interesting!" he said, without a hint of fear or hesitation.
On the other side of the line, Doflamingo frowned, realizing that Luffy was not an ordinary pirate. Luffy's lack of fear and his willingness to face the forces of Kaido, one of the most feared names in the world as if it were an adventure, was disconcerting even to him. Doflamingo, well aware of Kaido's ferocity and his subordinates, was impressed and even a bit disturbed by Luffy's courage.
Luffy spoke again into the silent communication device with Joker's face. "So, Joker, since we're enemies, it's okay if I loot this auction house, right? You won't mind that?"
On the other side of the line, Doflamingo visibly gets irritated with Luffy's audacity. "If you dare to do this, Mugiwara, I swear you will pay dearly! Don't underestimate what I can do!" Doflamingo threatens, his voice laden with fury and authority.
Luffy, however, doesn't seem the least bit intimidated by the threat. With an even wider smile, he responds in a challenging tone: "I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do, Joker. You won't be the first Shichibukai I take down." And, with a carefree click, Luffy hangs up the Den Den Mushi, cutting off the connection abruptly.
The room, which was in tense silence, Luffy looks at the king and the manager, openly disturbed, and speaks with his arms crossed, "Well, folks, it looks like we have a looting party ahead!"
Many crew members, initially shocked by Luffy's audacity in challenging Doflamingo and even Kaido, soon follow with a sharp look. They prepare for what promises to be an exciting night at the auction house, ready to follow their captain into yet another audacious raid and end these slavers.
Luffy, with a confident and challenging smile, breaks the glass, drawing everyone's attention while they were bidding on a frightened, crying girl on the stage, and announces, loud and clear, not just to his crew, but to the entire auction house: "Everyone, listen up! Now, we, the Straw Hat Pirates, are going to start a raid! We're going to steal everything and everyone present here! So please behave while we're robbing all of you."
His statement echoes through the hall, causing a mix of shock and panic among those present. And with the charged atmosphere, the Straw Hat crew prepares for the inevitable confrontation. Zoro, with a determined look, adjusts his swords, while Usopp, though nervous, seems ready for battle. Hugo, still containing his anger, positions himself strategically, ready to use his power and physical strength to protect his comrades and the oppressed. Nami looks around, her expression reflecting a mix of anger and determination in the face of the injustice of the slaves. Bepo, Hachi, and Kuina quickly face off against the king's guards. Lami looks at Luffy with some admiration for defending her and prepares her sword while opening her room.
Chopper, in his human form, seems ready to offer combat support. His eyes show a mix of determination with Luffy's words. Alvida, with her confident smile and mace in hand, is ready to face any challenge. Nojiko, standing next to her sister Nami, keeps a serious expression, her fists seeming ready to explode at any moment.
Shirahoshi, still frightened, keeps her gaze fixed on Luffy, showing admiration and trust. Vivi and Robin exchange understanding glances, knowing the time to act had come. Reiju, as elegant as ever, displays a confident smile, prepared for what's to come while taking a cigarette out of her pocket. Yamato moves to Luffy's side. The giants Broggy and Dorry seem very excited as they talk to each other. The crew is finally ready to act.
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