Dramatically, the velvet drape swung open, revealing the opulent interior of the subterranean auction house. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, their light shining down across polished marble floors. Row upon row of plush seats curved inward toward a raised platform bathed in fierce spotlights. Every aspect of the room appeared to personify decadence—but beneath the veneer was something more malevolent. Every single person in the room appeared to exude menace.
Solian sat with his men in one of the private viewing booths above the auction room, a heavy glass screen between them and the crowd below. A small control at their fingertips allowed them to place silent bids, as a personal attendant waited silently, rigid as a statue.
His eyes scanned the room. Pirates, hunters, and black-market traders filled the room in expensive robes and showy finery. They wore their attire as camouflage though—their mood gave them away. Solian's Observation Haki danced around like fireflies, picking up flits of assassination intent, large ambition, and cold calculation.
"We're surrounded by killers," Itachi muttered from beside him, arms folded as he leaned on the glass. "Almost half this room could level a town."
Solian didn't respond immediately. His own heart was calm, steady. The system interface in the back of his mind remained inactive, no new quests yet.
He'd been in battle, hunted, and threatened before. But this was a different battlefield—one of coin, masks, and strategy.
Let us simply remain low for the time being," he said. "This is their turn for the moment. Ours arrives later."
The Bidding Begins
The auctioneer came forward, sporting a white mask with gold delineations, silky smooth voice and dramatic tone speaking in ringing accents through the assembly.
"Welcome, honored guests, to this evening's indulgent soiree! We have brought you the best and most dangerous of the booty discovered for your pleasure—things from beyond the seas, treasures recaptured from blood and devastation."
Applause and catcalls from the crowd.
"First item on this evening's offering… A select group of Eternal Poses, attuned to islands across the New World!"
Ahhhs. Whispers. Some of the pirates stretched in anticipatory hope.
"Opening bid: 5 million berries!
The bids quickly climbed. Solian watched the dial quiver in one crew's seat when they increased the bid.
8 million. 12. 15.
"Sold! To our South Rising Fang guests—18 million berries!"
The light moved on. A small crew in the front row smiled. Their captain, a slender woman with silver braids in her hair, sneered at the rest of the room.
The next item: a Seastone shackles set. Very sought after, especially by pirate hunters and those who are intimidated by users of Devil Fruit.
It went for 32 million.
Then there was a Devil Fruit. The room went quiet.
"A Beast-type Zoan… retrieved from a destroyed Marine vessel off the coast of Kano. Our people inform us that it grants one the abilities of a lion, granting increased strength and stamina."
The bidding was fierce. Multiple crews fought tooth and nail for it. In the end, it sold for 48 million to a crew that looked like mercenaries—scarred, armored, and cold.
Solian leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly. "None of these are what we're after," he thought. "But they're giving us a good read on the competition."
The Room Full of Monsters
Milo stretched farther over the side of the booth, scowling over narrowed eyes.
"Three crews at least, each with a bounty close to 300 million," he growled softly. "Back corner, right hand—see the fella in the wide-brimmed hat and green glasses? That's 'Deadshot' Bren. His sniper streak is unbelievable."
Solian followed his eyes. The sniper lounged with bored attitude, one leg crossed, but his rifle—longer than most torsos—rested against his chair.
"Middle row, dark kimono swordsman?" Milo went on. "That's Niles the Blade. 120 million on him alone. Assassinated a Marine rear admiral in the middle of a storm and vanished."
Kael, ever quiet, finally spoke.
"There's also a member of the World Government here. Maybe CP-0. Observation Haki feels… empty. Wrapped. Like there's nothing there."
Solian's forehead creased. "CP-0? That is bad news."
"No," Kael replied. "It means whoever is significant wants that fruit."
Itachi flicked his fingers back into place. "Let them try. We came for one reason. They try and interfere, they will burn."
Tension Builds – The Strategy
They sat in the booth, huddled around the middle table.
"We'll wait until the main attraction comes out," said Jorin, voice solemn for once. "When all eyes are on the stage… we attack from behind."
"Or," said Lee, arching back over his chair, "we let loose 100 million berries and get the room into a panic."
Solian shook his head. "We're not here to show off. We're here to win. Let them believe we're just another desperate crew."
Kael nodded. "Low profile. Until it's too late for them to do anything about it."
Milo smiled. "That's the Solar Rift style."
They leaned back as another item was auctioned off. A set of magical throwing knives. Then a rare log pose tuned to a "floating island." Then a sculpture purported to be poneglyph fragments—though likely not.
The crowd grew angrier. Booze poured. Bids started with shouts instead of dials. Pirates got arrogant. Crews sneered at other crews. One intoxicated riot broke out before guards cracked down in seconds.
The Shift – Something Big
Suddenly, the lights faded.
A sharp bell clanged once. Twice.
Then the auctioneer returned to the stage, arms wide.
"Ladies and gentlemen… we now embark upon the second tier of tonight's presentation. To those of you who have actual ambition, prepare yourselves."
A massive platform was wheeled onto the stage, its contents hidden under a massive black velvet drape. There were two masked guards standing at either side of it, their presence radiating wordless threat.
There was a shiver that ran around the room.
Whispers started. A pirate crew moved forward. Niles the Blade stood up. Deadshot Bren nodded once, rifle in hand.
Even CP-0's agent stiffened slightly in his chair.
Solian's gaze was sharp.
"It's coming," he said softly.
His hand rested near his thigh, where a tiny glimmer of solar power chased along the skin.
Each crew had its breathing frozen.
Whatever was hidden underneath the cloth. was the cause each crew was gathered for.
And at any moment, disaster would break out.