章節 9: Hancock's SOS, The Price
Just like the auction house held by Doflamingo in later years, this auction house also mainly deals with slaves.
Nobles, whether small-time or Celestial Dragons, have a fondness for slaves.
Their status is often measured by the quality and number of slaves they own.
As a result, the Sabaody Archipelago, the Celestial Dragons' backyard, has the highest concentration of human traffickers.
There are even more human trafficker groups than bounty hunters.
When bounty hunters can't make a living, they often turn to human trafficking.
This makes the first area's illegal zone extremely dangerous for pretty girls, who risk being kidnapped by human traffickers or bounty hunters and sold at the auction house or elsewhere.
Marines turn a blind eye to these activities due to the influence of the Celestial Dragons.
With only a few days left before this season's auction, most items have already arrived at the auction house.
The slaves set to be auctioned are fed well during these days to ensure they fetch a good price, as malnourished slaves don't sell as well.
The auction house likely operates under the Celestial Dragons' protection.
Despite many strong captives, there are no guards to keep them in line.
Using his unique perception, Kahn quickly found the three Boa sisters locked in a cage, causing his red pupils to shrink in anger.
Boom—
An invisible wave of energy erupted from Kahn, sweeping through the auction house.
In an instant, everyone except the three Boa sisters fell unconscious, no matter their strength.
"Sister... my lord, this is..."
The loud commotion woke the exhausted Boa sisters, who had been clinging to each other.
Recognizing the scene, Sandersonia spoke with a trembling, uncertain voice.
"There's no mistake..."
Hancock added excitedly, "This is Conqueror's Haki, just like the Empress."
Boom!
As soon as Hancock finished speaking, they heard the door being kicked open.
Looking towards the sound, they saw a figure in a cloak, with hair and face visible, entering the room.
"...Is it not here?"
Kahn walked in confidently, pretending to look around for something else, and ignored the excited Boa sisters, acting disappointed.
He turned as if to leave.
Seeing this, Hancock shouted anxiously, "My lord, don't go. Please save us!"
Kahn paused, a smug smile forming on his face.
Perfect, they took the bait!
Kahn had deliberately ignored the sisters to get them to ask for help.
If he showed he was there for them, the sisters, scarred by traffickers, might remain wary despite their gratitude.
But by asking for help, they would trust him deeply.
As Kahn extended a helping hand, the three Boa sisters would be willing to serve him for life.
During this time, the three Boa sisters have realized the grim reality of human nature. They know that if they are auctioned off, they will become the lowest of slaves.
Faced with a choice between becoming slaves or working for someone, the decision for the three Boa sisters is clear.
This... is Kahn's plan.
"Oh?"
Kahn turned around and looked at the three Boa sisters in surprise: "Is someone still awake?"
With feigned interest, Kahn walked over to the cage holding the three Boa sisters and, pretending to be 'surprised', said, "You're so young and can withstand my Conqueror's Haki. Who are you?"
"My lord, we are from the 'Amazon Lily Kingdom' on Amazon Lily Island, and we are members of the Kuja Pirates," Hancock replied.
Hope for rescue was within reach. Despite the suffering from the traffickers, Hancock still had a pure heart. She didn't hide any details and pleaded pitifully, "Please save us. We will definitely repay you!"
"A member of the Kuja Pirates? Really?"
Kahn pretended to be sceptical, looking at the three Boa sisters, he said, "As far as I know, the crew of the Kuja Pirates are all strong Haki users, and each captain is the ruler of the 'Amazon Lily Kingdom', wielding powerful Conqueror's Haki."
"You've mastered Haki at such a young age?"
"And how did Haki users like you get caught by traffickers?"
Seeing that Kahn knew so much about Amazon Lily and the Kuja Pirates gave Hancock hope.
She quickly explained, "I am the only one of our three sisters who has mastered Haki. We are all intern crew members responsible for staying on board. Since it was our first time at sea, I was curious about the outside world and got tricked off the ship by human traffickers. Then, we were stunned, locked up, and sold here."
"I see."
Kahn pretended to be sceptical, then folded his hands and said conditionally, "I can save you, but there is a price. Are you willing?"
"Willing, willing..."
Hancock didn't ask what the price was. She nodded repeatedly, "As long as you save us, we will do whatever you want, my lord."
From these words, it was clear that the three Boa sisters had been abducted for some time.
During this period, they had likely been beaten and starved, stripping away the pride of Kuja warriors and the sharpness of their Haki.
Coupled with the bomb collars around their necks, they didn't even dare to think of resisting or escaping.
Now that hope for rescue was so close, they had to seize it, no matter the cost.
"Don't be so quick to agree."
Kahn first raised his hand to calm the excited Hancock, then stated his condition, "The reason I came here is that I heard some rumours and came to recruit someone for my crew."
"But now it seems that the rumours were false."
With a slight pause, Kahn pointed three fingers at Hancock, or rather, at the three Boa sisters, and said, "I can rescue you, but the price is that you have to work for me for thirty years."
"Because you are so young, you aren't useful to me right now. I will save you and spend a lot of money and time training you."
"So, you need to give me your best years and peak strength."
"After thirty years, I will give you back your freedom. If you still want to return to Amazon, Lily, I will take you back."
"Are you willing to pay this price?"
"..."
Hearing this, Hancock, who was ready to pay any price a moment ago, fell silent.
As for her two younger sisters, they were too scared by the traffickers to even look at strangers, let alone speak. They just clung tightly to their sister's arms.
Hancock's next words would determine their future fate.
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