One Piece: With Sign-in System

After passing through the doorway and navigating several rooms and flights of stairs, they finally arrived at the auction hall. The lighting was dim, akin to that of a movie theater, casting a mysterious ambiance over the room.

Participants began to find their seats.

Ron chose a random spot toward the back and settled in, patiently waiting for the auction to commence.

It didn't take long before a bright spotlight illuminated the stage.

A striking woman with long dark hair, tan skin, and a poised elegance stepped onto the platform. She wore a white fur coat draped over her shoulders and a signature cowboy hat that set her apart. Her figure was tall and graceful, exuding an aura of cold confidence.

"Oh?"

Ron's eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise as he recognized her.

"Nico Robin, so she's the one hosting this auction."

Standing in the center of the well-lit stage, Nico Robin surveyed the audience, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips. "It looks like all the esteemed guests are present, so let's begin the auction."

"First item up for bid…"

As the auction commenced, at the top of the Rain Dinners Casino, Crocodile stood, draped in a black fur coat with a cigar between his lips. His sharp eyes gleamed with ambition as he overlooked the vibrant, sleepless city set in the middle of the desert.

"Let the revelry… commence."

Simultaneously, across Arabasta, Baroque Works agents were set into motion. Mr. 1, Daz Bonez, wielding his Supa Supa no Mi (Dice Dice Fruit) powers, led the assault on the underground forces of the royal capital, while Miss Doublefinger, with her spiked abilities, assisted. Mr. 4, Mr. 5, and Mr. 7 unleashed sudden strikes on the underground networks in Yuba, Erumalu, and Katorea.

Elsewhere, Mr. 2, Bon Kurei, with his Mane Mane no Mi (Clone Clone fruit) abilities, led a group of Baroque Works agents hidden within Rainbase, surrounding the various underground gangs and waiting for the perfect moment to strike and trap them all.

By dawn, the underground forces of Arabasta would be under the control of a single power.

This, for Crocodile, the mastermind, was just the first phase of his grand plan to usurp the throne.

Back at Rain Dinners Casino:

After the auctioning of nine items, the atmosphere in the room reached a fever pitch. None of the attendees were aware of the chaos erupting outside.

Finally, it was time for the main event.

"Up next is the final item of the night!" Nico Robin's voice rang out, causing everyone in the room to lean forward with anticipation, their eyes fixated on the platform and the cloth-draped display case.

Robin, now known as Baroque Works' Vice President, deftly removed the cover, revealing a glass case containing a fruit with a spiraled, textured skin.

"The Tetsu Tetsu no Mi (Metal-Metal fruit), a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit!" Robin declared.

"The starting bid is 1.8 billion Berries!"

A collective gasp swept through the audience.

"I bid 2 billion Berries!"

"2.3 billion!"

"2.5 billion!"

"Out of my way, 3 billion! The Leisai Family claims it!"

In an instant, the room became a frenzy of shouts and raised hands.

"A Paramecia-type Tetsu Tetsu no Mi, huh…" Ron's eyes assessed the fruit, comparing it to the image he recalled from a Devil Fruit compendium. There was no doubt—it was genuine. The Tetsu Tetsu no Mi, with its ability to manipulate metal, could become a formidable power if developed properly. Even without direct combat, the potential for producing and weaponizing steel was staggering.

It was no surprise these underground figures were losing themselves in a bidding war.

But Crocodile offering up such a potent Devil Fruit for auction? Ron's eyes flickered as he scanned the room and extended his senses with Observation Haki, gauging the crowd's reactions and identifying concealed threats.

As he suspected—this was bait. A lure meant to draw these underground leaders into madness. Crocodile had no real intention of letting the fruit go.

Robin's role as host, the Devil Fruit user hidden in the shadows, and the design of the retractable stage platform were all signs pointing to this conclusion.

"So that's how it is…" Ron's lips curled up slightly.

The bidding had reached its climax, with the price now at 7 billion Berries. Only two factions remained vying for control.

"7.6 billion."

"7.8 billion."

"7.8 billion Berries once, 7.8 billion Berries twice—"

"Damn it! 8 billion Berries!" The one-eyed leader of the Mojai Syndicate, known as One-Eyed Mochi, snarled at the prince of Alubarna's largest black-market family. "If you Leisai punks have more to offer, do it. Otherwise, back off! Try to cross me, and I swear we'll fight to the death."

Robin raised her gavel. "8 billion Berries going once, 8 billion going twice…"

The eldest Leisai son glared with clenched fists but didn't raise the bid.

"8 billion Berries, th—"

Just as Robin was about to bring down the gavel, a figure appeared on the stage without a sound, as if materializing from thin air.

"I'll be taking this fruit."

The calm, assured voice of a young man echoed through the hall, catching everyone off guard. Before anyone could react, the black-haired boy in black capri pants and a white hooded shirt broke through the steel-grade glass and took the Tetsu Tetsu no Mi in his grasp.

One-Eyed Mochi's eyes bulged as he recognized the figure from earlier in the hall.

"It's that kid!"

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