One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 98 The Auction Begins

Yu is very clear about what she can and cannot do.

Don Quixote is not just a surname; it's a name for a pirate crew—a complete and powerful pirate crew.

“I will leave this kingdom tomorrow, or rather, after tonight. If he stays here, I’m pretty sure I’ll come back. If you still trust me then and believe you have the ability to fight back, I won’t refuse to cooperate,” Yu revealed everything.

She's not a saint, but she's definitely not someone who'll stand idly by. Rosinante's brother is kind, but not foolishly so, as is Yu.

She was willing to do whatever she could, especially since she had learned from Cyrus that the change of power in this country was due to Doflamingo's forceful seizure.

Many people who were turned into toys have been forgotten, likely to conceal the truth.

“I understand, thank you for bringing me to my senses.” Cyrus jumped off the chair and bowed deeply to Yu.

Yu reached out to help him up, she couldn't accept such a great hero's bow. "I will explain what you told me to the Navy. They will probably send someone over secretly, but just in case, you should not cooperate with them for now."

"Thank you, but why? Is the Navy not trustworthy?"

"Not entirely. The Navy might have people associated with Doflamingo, though I'm not sure what their exact position is. Besides, Doflamingo is currently a Shichibukai."

Two years ago, my brother must have found out that Doflamingo was planning to attack Dressrosa. However, given my brother's personality, it's impossible that he wouldn't have told my grandfather or the other Marines.

There was a navy presence on Minnion Island at the time, and even if the brother couldn't tell him, Law would go and deliver the message.

But the fact is that Dressrosa has changed hands, so the only explanation is that the message wasn't delivered.

The only thing Yu could think of was that there was a mole within the Navy! The former Red Heart officer who was sent on a secret mission—Vergo.

However, Yu had never met him before, only knowing his name and his previous identity in the Don Quixote family.

She needs to find a way to see her grandfather and talk to him about this in person.

"I understand."

The next day, in the afternoon, Cyrus appeared at the entrance of the arena with Yu.

Yu is still the same old bear.

Cyrus escorted Yu to her and said his final goodbye.

Cyrus doesn't need to be involved in the arena matters; it would expose him prematurely.

While Yu was waiting for Baron Tamago and Beckmouth, he brushed past Tezzolo.

The two didn't make any move, as if they didn't know each other at all.

"Wow, you're here so early!" Beckmus knew Yu was terrible with directions. "You didn't get lost?"

Inside the hood, Yu rolled her eyes and said in a low voice, "I have no sense of direction, but I can still ask for directions." She didn't forget to pat him as she spoke.

Baron Eggman was unsurprised; these two had never been well-behaved. "Enter."

As a reminder, both of them shut up.

Upon entering the arena, Yu didn't say a word.

She needs to remain silent so that she can clear her name later.

The gladiatorial combat was still ongoing in the arena, with only three people remaining. Two of them lay on the ground, seemingly dead.

The pools surrounding the arena were teeming with ferocious fighting fish. When the remaining three fought, they kicked the two already dead men into the pool, leaving no trace of their bodies.

Yu felt it was excessive, but everyone else on the field was incredibly excited.

The duel ended, and the remaining winner received his prize money, but he was also badly injured and wouldn't live long without timely treatment.

The large screen in the arena was no longer black; Doflamingo's face appeared, announcing the start of the auction. However, he only made a brief appearance to announce the start; the rest was left to Diamante.

Item after item was brought out, and bids poured in. The atmosphere gradually heated up, but everyone was most looking forward to the final item—the golden fruit.

"Next up is the part everyone's been waiting for, today's grand finale, the Golden Fruit!" Diamanti's eyes met those of someone in the audience as he announced that the fruit should be brought out.

The lights shone on the fruit, drawing everyone's attention to it.

Judging by the time, it was already dark, but the lights in the venue made the daylight seem longer. This allowed Yu to catch this inconspicuous movement, his gaze locking onto the person who was making eye contact with Diamanti.

Sure enough, that person kept making offers.

When someone makes a bid, he quotes it up, always one price higher than the other person.

It really was a fair auction with no behind-the-scenes manipulation. Doflamingo genuinely didn't want to auction off the fruit.

It's okay, Yu will take care of it.

"500 million Berries at once!"

"500 million Berries twice!"

"Five hundred million Berries..."

Before he could finish speaking, an explosion suddenly erupted inside the arena. The entire arena began to shake, and Diamante tried to calm the pirates or other buyers present.

Someone suddenly blurted out, "The man who bought the fruit is from the Don Quixote family! He's deceiving us!"

The scene was in complete chaos and things spiraled out of control.

People in the stands were preparing to rush forward and snatch the fruit, but Diamanti called for soldiers to stop them and ordered his men to find the source of the explosion.

But the explosions weren't isolated; they came one after another from all directions, even affecting the scene at hand. Smoke obscured their vision, and Diamanti realized she needed to protect the Devil Fruit.

"Keep an eye on the Devil Fruit!"

But the one guarding the fruit was already lying unconscious on the ground. Diamanti could only catch a glimpse of a figure using his Observation Haki and directed his men to give chase.

Baron Eggman remained a gentleman, sipping his tea as if the farce unfolding around him had nothing to do with him. Beckmouth also remained seated, along with their Taco Bear companions.

"He has absolutely no class, Bon."

“That’s right!” Beckmus agreed.

Throughout the entire process, You didn't say a word, only nodding to the side.

At the arena's coastal entrance, Tesoro hid to one side, waiting for Yu to appear. However, the bear didn't appear; instead, a blonde girl was seen, carrying the Gold-Gold Fruit in her hands.

Tesoro guessed that it must be him, which is why he appeared in front of her.

I thought you wouldn't show up anymore.

Yu scoffed dismissively, "Keeping one's word is my principle."

The sound of pursuers could be heard behind them, leaving no time for the two to catch up.

“Let’s go, run towards the coast. Once we’re at the beach, this is my home turf.”

The night was dark and windy, but because of the riots, all the lights in the country were turned on, making it difficult for the two to hide, but also increasing their visibility.

Yu tossed the Gold-Gold Fruit to Tesoro and, while running, used his ability to conjure something in his hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Can't you tell? Make an exact replica." The shape and pattern will match, but the color will be a bit off. But who will be able to tell in the pitch-black seaside later?

"What's it for?"

"To mislead them." Yu was almost done. "As for the real thing, do you want to eat it?"

Yu didn't know that Tesoro hated money more than anything, especially those who could do whatever they wanted because they had it. He was very unwilling to eat the Gold Fruit. "You don't want it anymore?"

You smiled and explained, "I thought it was the 'Quiet Fruit' for my brother, but I misheard." This meant, "No, I don't want it anymore."

Tesoro understood the unspoken message in Yu's words: her brother was dead. Otherwise, a Devil Fruit with the same power wouldn't have appeared in the world.

Tesoro hesitated as he looked at the Devil Fruit in his hand.

In the end, he swallowed it whole.

Since he had worked so hard to obtain it, he had to eat it no matter how much he disliked it, for the sake of his future plans. He wanted to become the master of money and make those who lived off money submit to him.

Yu thought she had found a good business partner. "You jump into the sea later, and I assure you I'll be fine. Don't show up until I tell you to come out."

"it is good."

The two ran to the shore, and Tesoro jumped into the sea without hesitation. Even though he had become a landlubber after swallowing the Devil Fruit, he trusted his partner.

Yu didn't disappoint him; the seawater automatically made room for him, enveloping him in a bubble. Tesoro was amazed by Yu's incredible abilities.

The bubble was some distance from the horizon; he couldn't see it but could hear sounds from the shore.

The sound of soldiers' footsteps grew louder, and Diamanti emerged from behind them. A flicker of surprise crossed her face when she saw the blonde girl before her.

Could it be Yu?