Chương 73: Caught
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Jack's heart pounded in his chest as the revelation washed over him. The human auction house – a pit of misery and despair he had heard whispered rumors of, but had never faced firsthand. "A human auctioning house?" He echoed, his voice low, the edge of his cold fury resonating with the wind rustling the leaves of the forest.
The thugs exchanged glances before one of them responded. He was the most rugged looking of the group, his skin covered with tattoos, and a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You don't know? In Sabaody it is normal for people of all races to be bought and sold. The World Nobles often descend from their heaven to purchase slaves. There are even fixed prices for members of different races."
Jack's fists clenched at his sides, his normally calm blue eyes turning stormy with rage. The casual way in which the thug talked about the human trafficking made his blood boil. This wasn't just about the Golden Lions anymore; it was about the helpless victims bought and sold like commodities on Island #1.
"And the Marines?" Jack gritted out, barely managing to keep his voice steady.
The thug let out a harsh laugh that quickly turned into a cough as Jack's fist landed on his cheek. The thug whimpered in pain, holding his bruised cheek in his hands.
"World Nobles are the customers. What can the Marines do?" He managed to choke out between winces of pain.
Jack's expression didn't soften. The anger that raged within him, the indignation for the victims of the human auction, had now coiled tightly around his heart. His gaze turned colder, his voice harder. "That's where you're wrong. Marines, or not, it doesn't matter. I will bring the Golden Lions down, and this 'Human Auctioning House' too. They made the mistake of crossing me."
The motley group of men watched in a silence that was amplified by the growls of the forest beasts as Jack left the safety of the Bodily Refinement Bead's space. His final grin – a deadly combination of resolve and confidence – hung in the air as the bead's entrance vanished, leaving the men to the mercy of the predators. There was no hint of pity or hesitation in his departure, a grim reminder of the fate that awaited them.
It was evening when Jack emerged on Sabaody Archipelago, the island's famous bubble lights glowing against the setting sun. The tranquil bead's space and the chaos outside stood in stark contrast to each other. The warmth of the evening sun did little to appease the storm that raged within him. He felt the pull of his destination, a grim beacon drawing him towards it - the Human Auctioning House on Island #1.
As he walked through the crowded streets, he kept his head low, the hood of his cloak masking his features. The market square was bustling with activity - traders advertising their wares, locals and tourists haggling over prices, children laughing as they chased each other around the stalls. The lively atmosphere felt like a grotesque parody, a stark contrast to the underlying reality of the island.
The transition from the market square to the affluent district was stark. The buildings were grander, the people more haughty. Slaves – men, women, and children, all shackled and broken – were being led around like pets on leashes. Their eyes held a haunting emptiness, a clear testament to the horrors they had endured. Yet, the rich and powerful ignored their suffering, focused only on their own extravagant lives. The normalcy of it all was what disturbed Jack the most.
Eventually, he stood before his destination – the infamous Human Auctioning House. The building was an architectural marvel, the facade adorned with intricate carvings and golden accents that shimmered under the setting sun. Grand pillars flanked the entrance, each sculpted to represent a different race. The irony was not lost on Jack; it was a twisted representation of unity, a mockery of equality.
Inside, the opulence was even more nauseating. Lavish chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a warm glow on the elegantly dressed attendees. The stage at the far end of the room was bathed in a more focused spotlight, an ominous sign of the horrors that took place there. Laughter and casual chatter filled the air, as people perused the slaves on display like objects in a store.
Though every instinct urged him to charge in and dismantle the entire operation, Jack remained focused. He had a mission, and letting emotions cloud his judgment would not help. Instead, he drifted among the crowd, his presence going largely unnoticed in the sea of flamboyant personalities.
Overhearing conversations and observing behaviors, he began piecing together the power dynamics in the room. There was a hierarchy, and those at the top flaunted their status with a disgusting sense of entitlement. More disturbingly, many wore badges signifying their affiliation with the Golden Lions. It was more than a criminal organization; it was an influential, deeply rooted syndicate operating under the complacent watch of the Marines.
His observations revealed a clear power structure: the Golden Lions, their many minions, the human traffickers, and the buyers – each playing their role in this twisted dance of dominance and submission. He couldn't dismantle such a deeply entrenched operation with brute force alone. A well-structured plan was needed, one that would strike at the heart of the organization and send tremors through its foundation.
As Jack meandered through the opulent crowd, a tidbit of conversation snagged his attention. "It is said that the World Nobles will be present today. The catch of the day is rumored to be an exquisite creature, a woman of immense strength and beauty."
The man's eyes glimmered with greed, his voice dropping to an excited whisper, "A member of the famed Kuja Pirates, they say."
Jack's mind went to the group of women he had encountered earlier who fit that description. Were they the ones the man was referring to? He quickly shook the thought from his mind. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not when he was so close to achieving his goal.
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