Jotaro gave strict orders forbidding his subordinates from engaging in slave trade. This decision made Doflamingo freeze for a moment, then he immediately put on a face of repentance and reform, without hesitation showing his stance of turning over a new leaf.
He had to cling tightly to Jotaro's thigh and never let go.
After all, only Jotaro could help him realize that ambition of destroying the world.
"Lord Jotaro!" Doflamingo narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying a tone of persuasion.
"The slave trade is a source of huge profits. Even the World Government tacitly allows this kind of transaction. If we forbid it, won't we suffer a huge loss?"
He spread his hands, looking helpless.
"To build a strong force, the expenses needed are an astronomical number."
Jotaro didn't deny this.
He wasn't a daydreamer, he was very clear about the enormous cost of going against the World Government.
"As for this, I already have my own considerations."
Jotaro looked at those bidders in the auction house, shouting heatedly, faces full of excitement. A chilling cold light flickered in his eyes.
"On my turf, trading slaves, is a crime."
Hearing this, Doflamingo froze, then the corners of his mouth slowly curved upward, laughter bubbling out uncontrollably.
"I know what to do now! Lord Jotaro!"
"The atmosphere is getting more and more heated!" The auctioneer stood on the high platform, shouting loudly, his voice cutting through the entire auction hall, making everyone turn their heads.
"Then next, let us bring out today's most highly anticipated final item!"
He deliberately paused for a second, eyes flashing with fiery light, then suddenly raised his voice, "...A Devil Fruit user!!"
An uproar exploded instantly, the entire venue bursting into commotion.
Everyone's gaze turned toward the massive iron cage still hidden under a curtain.
A Devil Fruit user was the only entry on the slave list without a set price, because the price depended on the type of fruit they had eaten.
The rarer and stronger the fruit, the higher the auction price.
"She's not only a Devil Fruit user," the auctioneer continued with a beaming smile, hyping it up further, "but also an unmatched beauty."
"As for her name, sorry, we only know she calls herself 'Lord of Dreams.'"
As he spoke, he suddenly yanked the curtain off the iron cage.
The next moment, the figure of a woman appeared before everyone's eyes.
She had a head of long, waterfall-like deep purple hair, wore boldly cut, somewhat revealing clothes, and her delicate features looked as though carved by an elf, cold and striking yet noble.
"Bastards! Let me out right now!! I still have to meet up with my companions!"
The woman calling herself "Lord of Dreams" struggled a little, then simply flopped down on the floor without care for her image.
'Why don't I have any strength… I clearly just ate not long ago.'
The instant they saw her, every guest in the hall widened their eyes, their breath catching.
"Starting price, 2 billion Berries! Anyone interested can start bidding!"
The sharp voice of the auctioneer snapped everyone back to their senses.
They sucked in a cold breath.
"Are you kidding me! That expensive?! Even the starting price of the highest-quality mermaids doesn't exceed one hundred million!"
The auctioneer wagged a finger.
"Her rarity surpasses that of mermaids! Though we don't know exactly which fruit she ate, it is definitely among the rarest of Devil Fruits, Mythical Zoan."
"Opportunities like this won't come again!"
The value of Mythical Zoans needed no explanation. Those who understood were already raising their paddles!
"2.1 billion!"
"2.3 billion!"
———
"4 billion!!"
In just a minute, the price for this slave soared past 4 billion.
"5.5 billion!!" The agent of the Germa Kingdom raised his paddle, shocking all other bidders with the staggering figure.
Such a price could only be contended with by the Celestial Dragons here.
But the Celestial Dragons had long since been knocked out by Jotaro and were now under Doflamingo's control.
Though the people present eyed the woman on the platform greedily, they had no ability to continue competing.
"Forget it, the Germa Kingdom's wealth is on another level from us small countries. 5.5 billion is just a few months of their research budget."
"Yeah, I also heard the Germa Kingdom plans to ally with Big Mom's pirates. Offending them would only make our future miserable."
Hearing the surrounding discussions, the Germa Kingdom's agent stood proudly.
"Since no one else is bidding, this woman is mine now."
"Wait a moment!"
A voice, playful yet oppressive, rang down from the air.
Doflamingo leapt onto the high platform like a phantom, his tall shadow cast under the lights, the corners of his mouth hooked in a meaningful smirk.
"Today's auction, ends here."
He slowly swept his gaze across the hall, his voice suddenly dropping low. "...All previous transactions are canceled as well."
The auctioneer's face twitched, but he forced himself to stay calm and reminded cautiously, "Boss, canceling already completed deals will damage the credibility of our auction house."
The Germa Kingdom's agent fixed a hostile glare on Doflamingo, his voice cold.
"What do you mean by this? Joker!"
The Germa Kingdom was a technologically advanced nation, often shipping outdated weapons to other countries.
As an underworld broker, Doflamingo had frequent dealings with them.
The agent had met him several times, and the moment Doflamingo appeared, he recognized him, shouting out his unique underworld codename.
"Everyone calm down!" Doflamingo's mouth curved in a relaxed smile, his tone even.
"Just sit honestly where you are, because all of you have been… kidnapped!"
His words fell like thunder, the hall instantly exploding.
"Kidnapped? What the hell do you mean!"
"Literally!" Doflamingo looked at the crowd, a flash of madness flickering in his eyes.
'Kidnapping nobles.... That was far more fun than selling slaves.'
'As expected of Lord Jotaro, he easily thought of something I never could!'
Among these people were even royal families of allied nations of the World Government. The ransom would surely be hundreds of times higher than that of ordinary slaves.
"ORA!"
Star Platinum slammed the doors of the auction house shut with one punch.
Jotaro and Doflamingo, front and back, sealed the people inside.
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