Starting bid, 200 million?
When the auctioneer announced this number, many people's expressions changed.
200 million berries... for a treasure map?
This was different from the Devil Fruit that had just been auctioned for 200 million. The existence of Another Piece was still controversial.
Even the entire treasure was only worth 400 million berries under the World Governnt's bounty.
The treasure buried in the Red Line was far away, but the money spent here was real.
This made many of the bidders hesitate.
In the VIP seats.
Celestial Dragon Charlos' face turned red, his expression becoming extrely strange.
While others hesitated, he was the first to raise his bidding paddle.
"Charlos is bidding?"
"What price is he going to offer..."
Many eyes turned toward him, making Charlos feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles. His expression twisted even further.
"Two..."
Charlos' voice was soft and sowhat unclear. This made the auctioneer smile in confusion.
"Charlos, could you repeat that?"
Huh?
Charlos' eyes seed to spit fire.
This damned auctioneer actually wanted him to repeat that unpleasant number?
He, a Celestial Dragon, had to compete with a bunch of lowlifes for his own stolen treasure... This alone was enough to make him furious.
Not only that, but the thief who had stolen the treasure was right here in the audience.
The key point was, he had gotten a bit carried away during the earlier bidding...
The cash Charlos had brought with him had dwindled to a number that made him extrely uncomfortable.
But he had to have this treasure!
"200 million... and one!"
Charlos roared.
After spitting out this number, Charlos' face turned green, his plump features twisting grotesquely, and goosebumps covered his body.
This twisted expression startled the auctioneer, who quickly continued:
"200 million and one, first call. 200 million and one, second call..."
Every ti he repeated the number, Charlos' expression twisted further.
But at that mont.
Another wealthy middle-aged man in the VIP seats raised his paddle.
Before he could even speak, Charlos shot him a furious glare, causing the man to swallow his words.
"This treasure map is mine!"
Charlos suppressed his anger and said in a low voice.
"I am Charlos, a Celestial Dragon. I ca here to retrieve sothing that belongs to my family."
"I'm giving you all a chance to contribute to the Heavenly Tribute. Give one billion."
"When I return to Mary Geoise, I'll repay you ten billion."
"Anyone who competes with will be an enemy of my Celestial Dragon family!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the audience beca extrely interesting.
Crowdfunding at an auction? Is this even allowed?
What about the rules of fair bidding?
"Rules? Weren't they already broken by Sig, one of the backers of this auction?"
After Sig's earlier disruption, Charlos had now dropped another bombshell.
I, a Celestial Dragon, need money!
Moreover, Charlos' words had revealed an important piece of information.
"Sig's treasure is actually the property of Charlos' family! He's the victim?"
"No wonder he ca here in person to bid..."
"Wait, doesn't that an Sig's treasure is real!"
"Even if it's real, how are we supposed to bid now?"
The crowd's thoughts were in turmoil, and their expressions grew even more grim.
Earlier, Sig had broken the rules, but that was one thing.
This treasure map was the reason many people had co to this island!
But now that Charlos had revealed himself as the victim, what could they do?
Compete with Charlos for his family's treasure? Openly bid against him?
Or stir up trouble like before?
This was completely different from the earlier situation!
When Charlos had been following the auction rules, they could still subtly raise the price.
But now Charlos had made it clear that he would get the treasure map no matter what, and he had even issued a threat... Speaking up now would likely have even worse consequences than refusing to give Sig face earlier.
Whispers filled the auction hall.
Similar to the earlier situation, no one dared to call out a bid.
"He can pull sothing like this?"
Sig was also stunned.
He had been hoping to drive the price of the treasure map to astronomical heights...
But now, a Celestial Dragon was out of cash and needed to crowdfund on the spot?
"Wait... does this an I have to take the bla for this too?"
Sig suddenly rembered the grand scene earlier, where the entire audience had united to raise the price bit by bit, collectively screwing over the Celestial Dragon...
Sig's eyes widened slightly, and he felt utterly frustrated.
"If I hadn't raised the price earlier, with the way Charlos was bidding, he would've casually offered ten billion for my treasure map, right?"
Now that he thought about it, he was filled with regret...
Sig sat in his seat, suddenly feeling as if he had lost all hope.
......
The VIP seats were silent.
Everyone knew what the Heavenly Tribute was.
Money given to the Celestial Dragons was never returned.
However, despite this, the people in the VIP seats were all influential figures. They couldn't afford to ignore a Celestial Dragon's face.
Umit, the Shipping King, thought for a mont, then whispered sothing to his subordinate.
Imdiately, a subordinate hurried over to Charlos' private booth.
Charlos' expression improved slightly, and he raised his paddle again.
"300 million."
Charlos called out.
Round numbers were so much more comfortable.
This made the auctioneer pause, and the entire hall fell into a brief silence.
Sig's eyes, however, lit up.
"But Charlos, no one else has bid yet, right?"
The auctioneer wiped his sweat and forced a smile.
"Stop wasting ti! Do you have a problem? Hurry up and continue the auction!"
Charlos snapped.
"300 million, first call..." The auctioneer continued, sweating profusely.
"So soone actually lent money to a Celestial Dragon... I guess we have to give up."
"Of course, who among the big shots in the front row would dare not give a Celestial Dragon face?"
"Is he also a user of the Face-Face Fruit?"
The Shipping King's intervention caused the few who had been considering taking the risk to finally abandon the idea.
No matter how much money they had prepared, it couldn't compare to a Celestial Dragon backed by a group of powerful figures.
If they succeeded in the bid, it would only bring trouble.
Not only would they beco enemies of the Celestial Dragon, but the big shots who had lent money would likely hold a grudge against them as well.
"300 million, second call... sold!"
The gavel fell.
The treasure map auction had co to an end.
"Charlos, the treasure map is in your hands. What about Sig..."
The man in the black suit asked in a low voice.
Hearing this, Charlos glanced at Sig out of the corner of his eye, his expression growing tense again.
"Enough! Protect and get out of here first!"
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