One Piece: The system is only activated after leaving the Navy.

Chapter 127 Mermaids and Fishmen

Just then, the next "item" to be auctioned was slowly brought onto the stage: a pirate bound hand and foot.

However, before the host could finish introducing his background, the pirate suddenly looked grief-stricken and indignant, clearly unable to bear this humiliation. He bit his tongue hard, and blood gushed from his mouth. He then collapsed onto the auction stage, his life hanging in the balance.

The audience, who had been excited, were immediately disappointed by the bloody and horrifying scene and began to whisper among themselves.

Seeing this, the organizers, who were observing everything from behind the scenes, also turned grim. They knew that if this situation continued, it would probably affect the atmosphere and profits of the entire auction.

After an emergency discussion, it was decided to bring out the next "treasure" ahead of schedule to reignite the audience's enthusiasm.

Then came the heavy sound of wheels rolling, and a huge water tank covered with a cloth was pushed to the center of the stage by the staff.

The people in the audience started talking amongst themselves as the staff lifted the cloth.

The crowd below the stage became excited, cheering and applauding.

"That's amazing!"

"It's a mermaid! A mermaid."

"Yes, it's been so long since we've seen any mermaids being auctioned."

Through the clear, transparent water, you can clearly see a beautiful and captivating mermaid trapped inside—Kemi.

At that moment, her eyes widened in panic as she helplessly gazed at the dense crowd below the stage, seemingly desperately searching for something.

When Kemi's gaze swept over a certain corner, a look of relief finally appeared on her face.

She saw familiar figures—Hachi, Nami, and others were standing there.

In an instant, Kemi's fear lessened slightly, because she knew that these friends had come specifically to rescue her.

On the other side, Nami tightly gripped the number plate that represented her eligibility to bid, her eyes firm and full of determination.

She turned to her companions and whispered.

"Don't worry, everyone, we've prepared a full 2 million Berries! This time, we must strike first and rescue Camie no matter what!"

The atmosphere was instantly ignited when the host announced the starting bid of 1000 million Berries in a booming voice.

Each bid increase had to be no less than a staggering 100 million, a rule that made the wealthy people present's hearts race and eager to try their luck.

The wealthy people in the audience immediately stirred, and the sound of bidding echoed throughout the auction hall.

Prices soared, and the numbers kept getting refreshed.

However, when Charlia, from the Celestial Dragon family, shouted out the shocking 3 million, the noisy scene suddenly fell into dead silence.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, the intense competitive atmosphere seemingly suppressed by an invisible pressure.

These wealthy and powerful people knew that compared to the Celestial Dragons' wealth and power, they had absolutely no chance of winning.

So, they reluctantly put down the bidding paddles they were about to raise and silently withdrew from the auction.

Nami, standing to the side, watched helplessly as the Celestial Dragons bid, her heart filled with resentment and disappointment.

She gripped the number plate tightly, but as the silence from the crowd continued to spread, her hand gradually lost its strength, and the number plate, like a kite with a broken string, slowly slipped from her fingers.

At this moment, Saint Rozwald, the father standing beside Charlotte Palace, curiously asked his daughter why she was so obsessed with this item, even willing to pay such an exorbitant price.

Charlia smiled slightly and answered gently.

“Dear Father, look how cute this thing is! I’ve been wanting to keep a special ‘fish’ in my room lately.”

Her tone was relaxed and casual, as if the 3 million was just a trivial amount of pocket money.

Seeing this, the host shouted as the wooden gavel he was about to bring down.

"make a deal!"

Just then, a loud bang was heard, and the auction house's tightly closed doors were forcibly broken open.

To everyone's astonishment, the Flying Fish Knight rode his flying fish into the auction house. The flying fish and its rider were knocked unconscious, while Zoro was criticizing Luffy.

Luffy spotted Camie standing on the auction stage at a glance, and his face immediately lit up with ecstatic joy. Without saying a word, he took off running towards the stage, shouting loudly.

"I'm here to save you, Kemi!"

Seeing that things were not going well, Hachi quickly reached out to stop Luffy and anxiously advised him.

"Luffy, don't be impulsive! Camie is still wearing a collar around her neck. It would be dangerous if it broke accidentally. We need to think this through carefully!"

However, Luffy was already extremely anxious at this moment, so how could he listen to Hachi's advice?

When Hachi realized that he couldn't stop Luffy with his bare hands, he panicked and stopped hiding his identity, instantly revealing his true form—six thick, powerful arms stretched out and tightly embraced Luffy's body.

But Luffy was extremely strong, and with a sudden, forceful swing, he easily flung Hachi aside.

The onlookers were stunned when they saw Hachi suddenly transform into a fish-man. Then, their faces showed disgust and fear as they pointed at Hachi and began to curse him with discrimination.

"Ah, why are mermaids here?"

"How disgusting! Get away from me!"

"Get back into the sea, monster!"

"Stay away from him, be careful he might have a virus."

Some people even picked up trash from the ground and threw it at Xiao Ba, as if he were some heinous monster.

In an instant, the entire auction house descended into extreme chaos, with shouts and the sounds of items clashing echoing everywhere.

Just then, the Straw Hat crew witnessed a shocking scene.

Sanji stared wide-eyed at the unusual situation, his face full of confusion, and couldn't help but ask.

Why did it turn out like this?

Nami, standing to the side, frowned and explained with a serious expression.

"On this island, mermaids and fish-men have always suffered severe discrimination and injustice."

However, Luffy seemed completely absorbed in his own world, oblivious to everything happening behind him.

Luffy was surrounded by guards who rushed towards him, trying to stop his advance.

But Luffy didn't even turn his head; he simply flicked his hand and easily tossed the guards aside.

Immediately afterwards, he sprinted towards Kemi on the stage.