Chapter 175 Give Me a Face
As the bidding continued, Sig narrowed his eyes.
The Calm-Calm Fruit—Sig truly wanted it.
The treasure map for Another Piece was the final item of the auction, and Sig had set its reserve price at 200 million berries.
As long as it didn't go unsold, Sig would have a budget of 200 million berries to spend on the Calm-Calm Fruit.
As he pondered, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning!
"Wait, now might be the perfect opportunity to execute the grand plan!"
The moment this idea struck, Sig's heartbeat quickened slightly.
Just as he was about to call out his bid, a familiar voice came from the neighboring booth.
"200 million berries."
Sig's eyes widened slightly.
It was the Shipping King, Umit, again! Was he really planning to buy back his own Devil Fruit at a high price?
There was no time to hesitate!
Without delving deeper, Sig immediately called out his bid:
"200 million... and 10,000 berries!"
After calling out the price, Sig didn't stop there.
He took a deep breath and, following his plan, began his performance.
Sig stood up from the VIP seat, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding VIPs.
Thump thump thump...
The thought of what he was about to say made Sig's heart race slightly.
The faint sound of the Emperor's Engine began to echo once more.
"He's standing up? What's he planning to do now?"
The auctioneer on stage subconsciously swallowed, and everyone's attention turned to Sig.
This was the man who had dared to confront a Celestial Dragon in front of everyone. What was he planning to do now?
But Sig's expression remained cold as his low voice rang out:
"Everyone, please give me face."
"I want this Calm-Calm Fruit."
His deep voice echoed throughout the hall, causing everyone's expressions to shift strangely.
"Face? Did Sig just say that after placing his bid?"
"Is he declaring that he's determined to get the Calm-Calm Fruit and doesn't want anyone else to continue bidding?"
"Is he being a sore loser?"
"In a fair auction like this, asking others to give him face and stop bidding? That's against the rules, isn't it?"
"Not just against the rules—it's downright domineering..."
Some whispered among themselves.
The auction hall was filled with murmurs.
But whether it was the VIPs or the auction house staff, no one stepped forward.
Sig's earlier intimidation of the Celestial Dragon was still fresh in everyone's minds.
Not to mention, the faint sound of the Emperor's Engine still echoed through the auction hall.
"Against the rules? He's the true master of the Pleasure District and one of the backers of this auction house!"
"He is the rules! This is him asserting his authority! Did you see what happened to the Celestial Dragon earlier..."
"This aura... Is Sig preparing to make a move?"
Sig's words also led some to think of something else.
It was a hot topic in the Grand Line a week ago.
The exception at the top of the Top Ten Devil Fruits Ranking!
The most special and mysterious Face-Face Fruit!
"Could Sig actually be the user of the Face-Face Fruit?"
Someone whispered.
Instantly, the murmurs in the hall grew quieter.
The Face-Face Fruit?
Most of the people attending the auction had learned about this from the third issue of the Tieba Tabloid.
And they had also heard about the Face-Face Fruit from the second issue.
"No... You're overthinking it. How could there really be a Face-Face Fruit ability..."
"Speaking of which, I heard that if you don't give the user face, you'll suffer misfortune?"
The crowd was skeptical but still discussing it.
Hearing these discussions, Umit's heart was in turmoil!
The Shipping King, Umit, knew far more than the average person.
For example, the Tieba Tabloid, which had suddenly appeared a week ago, was Sig's creation!
"Is Sig doing this on purpose? Is he planning to publicly demonstrate the power of the Face-Face Fruit?"
"If someone doesn't give him face, will they really suffer misfortune, or even death?"
Umit was half-convinced, a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead.
His gaze swept across the hall, observing the reactions of others.
At this moment.
The faint sound of the Emperor's Engine filled the auction hall. Many people's expressions shifted, and some even wore their dissatisfaction openly.
But still, no one stepped forward.
"Let's just give Sig face."
Someone whispered.
"After all, my target is the Another Piece treasure map, not some Devil Fruit."
"Let's save our money for the treasure map auction. It's just a useless Calm-Calm Fruit anyway."
"Right."
In their eyes, this island was Sig's stronghold, and he still carried the momentum from intimidating the Celestial Dragon. It was worth considering.
In the end.
The Calm-Calm Fruit was successfully auctioned off to Sig for 200 million and 10,000 berries.
"Is Sig really the user of the Face-Face Fruit? Could it be that everyone in the hall was influenced by his Devil Fruit ability, which is why no one stepped forward to oppose him?"
"Was I influenced too?"
This scene deepened the suspicions in everyone's minds.
However, Sig breathed a sigh of relief.
He had heard the surrounding discussions.
"Now, some people probably suspect that I'm the user of the Face-Face Fruit."
The "Pretend to be the Face-Face Fruit User" plan had taken its first step.
His plan had two stages.
Publish a newspaper to make the lie about the Face-Face Fruit深入人心 (deeply rooted in people's minds).
Pretend to be the Face-Face Fruit user, making others believe it's true.
When Sig published the second issue of the newspaper, he had already considered this plan.
He deliberately created the Top Ten Devil Fruits Ranking, exposing detailed information about 10 Devil Fruits and their users, all to increase the credibility of the ranking and the Face-Face Fruit!
This was Sig's second grand deception.
To deceive the entire world into believing he was the user of the Face-Face Fruit.
Combined with Usopp's "Lies Become Reality" ability, Sig could potentially gain the power of the Face-Face Fruit!
By then, Sig could continue his grand plan—
"Once I have the power of the Face-Face Fruit, I'll make the Marines give me face and revoke my bounty! Then I can live a peaceful life!"
Sig felt a surge of excitement.
At this moment, the auction finally reached its final stage.
"The last item of this auction! The treasure map for Another Piece!"
On stage, the auctioneer smiled as he looked at the treasure map held up by the lady.
"I don't need to waste words introducing this, do I?"
"Starting bid, 200 million berries! Let the bidding begin!"