Chapter 285

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In the midst of everyone's speculative and eerie atmosphere, the auction finally began, and it started with a bang!

The Treasure Tree Adam, which Abel had longed for, was actually being auctioned off as the opening item?!

And it was no small specimen!

Abel was a bit shocked. Although it's common for auctions to stir up enthusiasm by starting with a headline-making item, a Treasure Tree Adam of this size would fetch at least 500 million Berries in the black market. If it didn't sell for a good price in the opening, the person who suggested this gamble might well end up being fed to the fishes today.

As bids started to be called out, Doflamingo and others couldn't help but glance at Abel.

God knows if what the kid had been talking about was true.

Abel felt helpless but indeed needed this item, so he joined the bidding war to make his stance clear.

"This kid is really something," Doflamingo shook his head, thinking he had brought plenty of money and didn't stop him. In the end, it might come down to a standoff.

Today, anything he set his sights on, if it could be bought, he would buy; if not, he would snatch by force.

This was the tone he had set before coming.

Doflamingo was never one to play by the rules. Jokingly, he even dared to snatch the 'Celestial Dragon's gold'; what wasn't he daring to touch?

Before long, the bid reached 550 million Berries.

By this time, it was nearly reaching its true value, and those looking to flip it for a quick profit had all but given up.

The remaining bidders likely wanted to buy it either for collection or shipbuilding.

After all, it's not only Tom who could use the Treasure Tree Adam for shipbuilding. Many hidden experts could find it; Abel not finding it doesn't mean others couldn't, at most, it would just waste more time.

Seeing Doflamingo silent, Abel was overjoyed and continued bidding: "560 million Berries!"

Seeing him seemingly determined to win, another bidder gave up.

Probably also considering Doflamingo's strength and face value.

The only competition Abel had left was a wealthy individual, but when Abel raised the bid to a full 600 million Berries, he too chose to give up.

This price was already much higher than usual, unless for personal use, it was definitely a loss.

And it would also offend a 'crazy' Warlord of the Sea, which was not worth it.

As such, Abel successfully won the bid.

When the dust settled, many eyes were on him.

However, no one thought Abel bought it for his own use; everyone assumed Doflamingo was planning to build a new ship.

Besides, some pirates' eyes flickered.

That was 600 million Berries!

Spent right at the start, no one thought Doflamingo wouldn't participate in the following auctions.

Meaning, conservatively estimated, Doflamingo brought at least one billion Berries, possibly even more.

People die for wealth as birds die for food.

The title of Warlord of the Sea couldn't scare everyone off.

There's always someone who won't heed the warning until they see the coffin, wanting to try their luck.

For these people, Doflamingo didn't care at all; the more, the better, as they could help him recoup some losses.

"Thanks, Captain."

"No need, I was planning to rebuild a ship anyway. I'll leave you about a third of it, that should be enough for you."Doflamingo said in a light tone.

Immediately, many of the executives glanced at Abel with a teasing look, their jealousy subsiding considerably.

"Come on, a third is hardly enough for anyone!"

"Then tell me, how big of a ship do you want to build? Are you thinking of crafting a battleship?"

"It's not entirely impossible."

Abel muttered under his breath, not willing to give in, then defended himself, "Since when does it make sense to steal from one's own people?"

Doflamingo glanced at him, "The things I've bought with my money, do I need to steal them?"

Harsh!

Unyielding!

And impossible to refute!

Abel was at a loss for words. He had managed to save 600-700 million Berries, but he couldn't bring it up now unless he was ready to confront Doflamingo head-on.

"But at least I was the one who bought it. No matter how you look at it, giving only a third is too little, add a bit more."

Seeing Abel stumped, Doflamingo, finally in a better mood, 'reluctantly' said: "At most, I'll give you half, take it or leave it. And you won't have any budget for activities for the next three years."

"Don't haggle with me. Saving up so much private money, did you really think no one would know?"

With that, Abel immediately shut up.

It was an unexpected gain, so half would do.

However, both had misunderstood the situation. Abel thought Doflamingo was referring to the money he collected from Du Feld and the treasures he acquired from Skypiea.

On the other hand, Doflamingo believed Abel was using the family resources for kickbacks, not to mention the bounties from capturing criminals weren't small sums either.

In reality, Abel hadn't taken any kickbacks; he merely used family resources to fulfill prayer orders.

In essence, there was no difference, both fattened his own pocket.

So, Doflamingo didn't wrongly accuse him.

In a short time, a few more auction items passed.

Though none were as valuable as the Treasure Tree Adam, they were rare gems in their own categories.

But for Abel and Doflamingo, they held no interest, so they simply watched coldly from the sidelines.

Stussy only bought two rare-type slaves, then went quiet.

It seemed like she was just there for a casual visit.

However, the enthusiasm of the others did not wane, with not a single item failing to sell, and some even fetched high prices.

It seemed the auction organizer's spectacular approach worked wonders.

Mid-auction, everyone was once again astonished by the grandeur of the person behind the auction!

This time, it was a female giant up for auction!

Instantly, the venue was abuzz with discussions.

Even Stussy couldn't help but mutter, "Such a pity, a female giant. Would have been better if it was a male."

Why would the queen of Pleasure District say so?

Because female giants generally don't have the high value or strong power compared to male giants.

If it were a male giant, she wouldn't hesitate to bid.

Because Charlotte Linlin, also known as BIGMOM, lacks a giant in her many nations.

Charlotte Linlin has always wanted to find a husband from the giant tribe, to have a child with him.

So, one can imagine the benefits for anyone who could offer her a giant husband.

But if there really was one, it probably wouldn't be her chance.

Do you think the Celestial Dragons wouldn't want one?