Garp had clearly heard about Ash capturing Ace three times, and he personally called to express his gratitude.
As for breaking Ace's legs or embedding Seastone into his body, Garp did not bring it up at all.
Given Ash's usual approach toward pirates, the fact that Ace was still alive already showed considerable restraint.
Unfortunately, Garp was never the serious type. After exchanging a few formal words, he quickly changed the subject and asked Ash about a restaurant at Nanohana Port in the Alabasta Kingdom, one he had visited three times.
Ash had no interest in idle chatter, but when food came up, his attention sharpened immediately.
The old man and the young man soon fell into an animated discussion about dishes from different seas, their conversation filled with laughter.
They talked for quite a while until Sengoku's furious roar erupted from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
"Damn it, Garp! If you want to make a call, go back to your own office! Don't you have your own room?!"
"Wahahahaha, Sengoku got hungry listening to us list dishes!"
"Damn you, Garp! Buddha Shockwave!"
Beep, beep, beep...
Ash stared at the silent Den Den Mushi without a word.
Time passed quickly until June 10th, the day of the monthly auction.
Ash arrived early and met Vice Admiral Tsuru outside the auction house.
When she saw him, Tsuru handed over a small box along with the latest compiled bounty list.
Ash stored the bounty list in his ring, then opened the box. Inside was a small, specially designed Den Den Mushi.
"The one I used before was destroyed during that incident," Tsuru said with a hint of resignation. "I had this one prepared for you."
"They really went that far, huh," Ash said with a faint smile.
"Tore the place apart," Tsuru replied, recalling Sengoku's office, which was still under repair. She shook her head with a small smile. "That would be accurate."
Soon after, the auction began without issue.
This time, the Celestial Dragons' guards, World Government officials, and CP agents were unusually restrained. They avoided provoking any trouble and even chose seats far from Ash and Tsuru.
The events from four years ago were still fresh in their minds. If conflict broke out again, the Celestial Dragons might only suffer a beating, but they themselves would not survive.
There were plenty of easier targets to bully. Provoking someone like Ash was simply not worth the risk.
Without deliberate instigation, the Celestial Dragons were merely arrogant, nothing more.
The auction moved quickly, and soon it reached the rare items segment.
Ash ignored several lots. A Skillful Grade sword appeared, but it was a naginata.
Unlike Whitebeard's Murakumogiri, which had a massive and imposing blade, this weapon was slender and refined, closer to a traditional naginata. It did not suit Ash's preference.
If he were collecting polearms, he preferred something heavier in style.
To him, naginatas felt too thin and overly delicate.
Murakumogiri was an exception. It was one of the Twelve Supreme Grade swords, making it valuable regardless of form.
After several rounds of bidding, the naginata was purchased by a heavily cloaked individual.
Seeing that Ash did not bid this time, Disco glanced at the black blade Shusui at Ash's waist, then at the naginata on stage, silently noting the difference.
He planned to test his theory in future auctions.
When it came to reading people and catering to them, Disco was confident in his abilities.
Soon, the Devil Fruit was brought onto the stage.
The reveal came quickly.
This time, it was a Paramecia-type Impact-Impact Fruit.
Another fruit that had never appeared in known records.
Ash showed a faint smile, though a hint of curiosity crossed his mind.
The Impact-Impact Fruit seemed somewhat similar to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, as if it were a lesser variant.
Had the Donquixote Family somehow gathered related fruits?
Interesting.
The starting price was 100 million Berries. Ash casually raised it by 50 million.
The Celestial Dragons present belonged to the Shepherd Family. It was unclear whether they had received instructions from Saint Shepherd Ju Peter beforehand.
They still displayed their usual arrogance, glaring at Ash when he made the first bid, but they refrained from causing trouble and simply continued bidding.
Since they were following the rules, Ash saw no reason to escalate matters.
Berries were nothing to him.
Beside him, Tsuru quietly relaxed. As long as no conflict broke out, that was enough.
The rest of the audience watched in silence as Ash and the Celestial Dragons pushed the price higher. No one dared to interfere.
In the end, Ash secured the Impact-Impact Fruit for 950 million Berries.
The entire hall was stunned.
Nearly one billion Berries for a Paramecia fruit.
Was it really necessary?
People had always known Ash's strength was monstrous, but now his wealth was just as overwhelming.
Many pirates present felt a chill run through them.
If Ash could spend like this, it meant the Dawn Hunter Pirates had accumulated immense bounties.
How many pirate crews had they wiped out to reach this level?
Was being a pirate hunter really that profitable?
Some even began to question their career choices.
Unique Task: Fruit Collection Quantity [45 / 500]
Having failed to secure the fruit, the Celestial Dragons left in frustration.
Only then did the crowd realize they had actually withdrawn without retaliation.
The fear directed toward Ash deepened.
"950 million... that's quite the number," Tsuru said, then added, "This fruit has appeared before. Its performance has always been average. It's not worth that price."
She glanced at him. "Do you have another reason for buying it?"
Ash chuckled. "The same reason I collect swords. For collection."
"As for 950 million Berries, it's nothing. A sweep through Paradise covers it easily. And there are plenty of high-bounty pirates in the New World waiting."
Tsuru rolled her eyes.
A single sweep through Paradise was indeed enough, but she knew very well he did not always bother collecting those bounties.
The remaining auction items held no appeal for Ash.
Once the Devil Fruit was secured, his objective was complete.
The auction concluded without incident, and Tsuru was satisfied with the outcome.
After parting ways with her, Ash teleported back to the bubble floating high above the Ferris wheel in Sabaody Park.
Stretching into a comfortable position, he took out the newly compiled bounty list.
"Let's see if there's anything interesting this time."
===
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