This island, like Hive Island, was a pirate-infested island, though it wasn't as well-known in the pirate world as Hive Island.
The so-called auction held by the underground world's giants, of course, was not something that could be done in the open.
After all, many of the items being sold were stolen goods, and it was only natural to choose a place where the Navy wouldn't interfere.
Ian arrived on the day the auction was being held, after all, he had no interest in waiting around.
So, when the ship carrying their group arrived at the island, the harbor was already completely filled with various ships. Ian could only find a spot on the coast to dock.
"There sure are a lot of people here," Viola said, looking at the busy harbor in surprise. "Is the attraction of that Devil Fruit really that big?"
Ian replied lazily, "A good Devil Fruit is hard to come by."
Although the people around Ian had Devil Fruits ranging from ancient types to top-tier Paramecia and even Logia and Mythical Zoan, the truth was that Devil Fruits were incredibly rare.
Altogether, there were only a few thousand Devil Fruit users in the entire world.
The global population was still in the billions, making Devil Fruits a true rarity. Even the most basic Zoan-type Devil Fruits were quite scarce.
When Ian had been looking for a Devil Fruit for Drake back in the day, it had taken a lot of effort.
And a powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruit was even rarer, truly worthy of such a large crowd's attention.
"Hehehehe!" Solem laughed mischievously. "That fruit is mine! Anyone who dares to take it from me, I'll take them out! Right, Boss?"
As if to prove his point, Solem had already put on the heavy armor Ian had prepared for him, his whole body enveloped in the armor.
Ian smiled faintly. "Do as you like."
"Hehehehehe!" The giant laughed with joy.
"But before we land," Ian said, his smile growing, "let's do some disguising first."
Life Return, activate!
His handsome features changed, becoming more ordinary. Even if they met someone familiar, they wouldn't recognize him.
"Oh! I'll do it too!" Yamato said cheerfully.
Her appearance immediately changed, and at the same time, the pair of horns on her head stretched out like snakes, eventually connecting together, resembling a headband.
Ian expressed his approval of her creative idea.
Yamato laughed happily.
"Ian, is it really necessary to go this far?"
Viola asked, somewhat surprised. "Do we still need to hide our identities?"
Is there really anyone on this island that Ian needs to be wary of?
It's not that Viola was becoming arrogant, but she truly felt that there was no need for Ian to take action. If Yamato wanted to, she could easily freeze everyone on the island into popsicles.
"I think you just don't understand."
Ian chuckled lightly. "It's a routine."
Viola looked completely confused.
She couldn't understand what this guy was saying.
When the main character attends an auction, pretending to be weak and underestimating others is a traditional male protagonist trope that cannot be missed.
Ian swiftly placed a hat on Viola's head and took the lead.
Yamato grinned and quickly caught up, walking beside him.
Solem followed closely behind.
Viola sighed, lowered the brim of her hat, and could only step forward to follow them.
Enel, leisurely sitting on top of the ship's cabin, eating an apple, glanced at their departing figures, motionless.
If he wanted to catch up, one moment would be enough.
Even though Ian and Yamato had changed their appearance using the Life Return technique, their group still caused a huge stir when they appeared on the island.
After all, Solem, walking behind Ian, was simply too eye-catching.
His heavy armor made every step he took seem as if the coastline was trembling.
"It really is a giant!"
Giants are not commonly seen in this world.
In the center of the small town on the island, inside the venue where a sale event was about to take place.
Doflamingo frowned. "Do you know where they're from?"
"No," Trebol shook his head. "The people with the giant are all strangers."
"Keep an eye on them," Doflamingo said with a furrowed brow. "If they don't cause any trouble, then just ignore them."
Trebol nodded lightly.
Ian and Yamato walked through the streets of the island.
"It feels a lot like Hive Island."
Yamato whispered in Ian's ear.
It really did resemble it—everywhere there were pirate scoundrels, and even the shop owners looked like they were watching everyone closely.
Suddenly, a few people walked past them.
The leader was a man with green hair, adorned with numerous gold decorations.
Solem's gaze was naturally drawn to him.
The man seemed quite sharp, instinctively turning his head, and then saw Solem, who resembled a small mountain.
He slightly furrowed his brow.
Still wearing such heavy armor, a giant?
Ian smiled brightly at him. "Did my little brother offend you?"
The man glanced at Ian and coldly said, "If you know, then don't let him look around casually."
The man didn't say anything more, just silently turned and walked away.
This giant was actually just a little brother? This group didn't seem to be one to underestimate.
If they were also after the Gold-Gold Fruit, it could be troublesome.
He thought to himself.
Ian watched the man's retreating figure and casually glanced at the few people following him.
One was a tall, stunningly beautiful woman, another was a peculiar man with a large head, and the last was a muscular, brawny man.
It seemed they had already encountered potential new recruits.
Ian's smile grew even brighter.
"That guy is pretty strong," Yamato commented.
"Yeah, definitely," Ian nodded.
Although the Gold-Gold Fruit wasn't particularly powerful, Tesoro indeed had some tricks up his sleeve.
Not every Yonko Commander-level person could face off against Luffy in Gear Fourth.
If Katakuri hadn't used his Observation Haki to dodge, he would have been badly beaten by the Bouncing Man.
And Tesoro's Golden Giant once suppressed the Straw Hat Pirates.
However, his strength really didn't matter.
Ian just smiled as he watched them leave.
Suddenly, a commotion came from the street in the distance.
"Hey! No way! How did this guy show up here!"
"Even someone of his status was drawn here?"
"Is he interested in the Gold Gold Fruit too? But I remember, he only likes collecting ancient types, doesn't he?"
Amid the pirates' exclamations, they quickly made way as a man walked slowly from afar.
He was incredibly tall, almost five meters in height, wearing a strange hat with the front part hanging down, covering his upper face like a mask. His cheeks also had an armor-like extension.
His hands were covered in metal gloves, holding a scythe. The end of the scythe had a chain attached to it, dragging a massive iron ball covered in sharp spikes.
As it dragged along the ground, it left deep grooves, showing how sharp those spikes were.
Ian raised an eyebrow.
It seemed he had encountered an unexpected person.
The pirates around him gasped in shock.
"King of the Lizards, Hanafuda! One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! How could he be here?!"
Ian's lips curled into a smile.
Since this guy showed up, it meant that the auction really did have an ancient-type Devil Fruit, right?
Good. That means, the Ancient Zoan fruit for Kuina might just be within reach.
Even if the auction isn't a suitable place, Hanafuda should have something fitting.
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