"That's right. I also heard that after they're done with this island, they're heading straight for the Grand Line!"

"Haha… No fear of death… A little bit of strength and their egos inflate… Let's see if they're still laughing when they come crawling back!"

The pirates roared with laughter, mocking Kid without restraint. Many of them had faced their own defeats, especially before reaching the New World.

That vast ocean, teeming with powerful figures, promised both boundless opportunity and extreme peril.

Yet, they kept their taunts relatively subdued. Kid, even now, was not someone they could easily overcome.

"That guy… He must be the newcomer who just arrived. No one knows his name."

At that moment, a figure descended into the auction house. A partial, horned skull helmet covered half his head, framing pale green eyes with distinct tear marks beneath them. His skin was as white as a corpse. He wore a high-collared, long-sleeved coat with a white front and black trim, white hakama pants secured by a wide black sash, an elegant yet unfamiliar katana tucked into the sash, and black socks with white shoes.

It was Ian, his appearance transformed by the Ulquiorra template.

"We don't know his name or his bounty, but he's definitely more dangerous than Kid." A pirate warned, his voice tinged with fear.

Even if Kid could easily crush those pirates, he couldn't match Ian's speed and efficiency. Moreover, despite possessing formidable power, Ian remained calm and collected, unlike Kid's volatile conceit.

His ruthlessness was far more terrifying than Kid's brutality. He was not to be trifled with.

Unbeknownst to them, Ian had come for their lives. Avoiding him was not an option.

After four days of gathering information and piecing together the residual memories of this body's previous owner, Ian had ascertained the current timeline in the One Piece world.

Two years remained before Luffy's journey would begin, while Ace had already set sail. The Kid Pirates currently consisted of only Kid and Killer, lingering in the South Blue, plotting their assault on the Grand Line.

Judging by their current conceit, their attempt would likely end in failure. They were far too reckless and impulsive.

Unlike in the original storyline, where they encountered Admiral Kizaru and wisely chose to retreat, their current conceit would likely be their undoing.

"Welcome, everyone, to our pirate's feast! Here, you can acquire information, women, slaves… even renowned swords and Devil Fruits. But first, you must offer something of greater value. There's no such thing as a free lunch!"

The auction house consisted of a circular seating area surrounding a central platform several dozen meters in diameter. However, these prime seats were reserved for pirate captains and their crews.

Ordinary pirates without crews were relegated to the upper balconies. Kid, ever the brazen one, had positioned himself directly behind a pirate captain.

With his feet propped up on the captain's chair, Kid's disrespect was blatant. The captain started to bristle, but a quick glance at the menacing Kid and Killer quickly quelled his anger.

He swallowed his rage, vowing to seek retribution later. After all, in this world, strength reigned supreme.

Ian remained on the upper balcony, observing the proceedings from a distance. His reserved demeanor, however, should not be mistaken for timidity.

"Now, for our first auction item! What could it be? A few slaves…" A gray-haired, bespectacled man announced with a flourish.

He wasted no time on pleasantries, understanding his audience. These savage pirates weren't interested in sentimental appeals.

A cage containing several individuals was brought onto the platform. There were muscular men and attractive women, all shackled and trembling, their eyes hollow with despair.

Their future was bleak, a grim prospect of endless suffering and torment.

"Pirates…" Ian's hand tightened around the hilt of his katana.

While he relied on absorbing souls to enhance his power, those souls were remnants of energy, devoid of their former memories and personalities.

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He did not relish killing. However, the pirates surrounding him exhibited nothing but greed and lust. They were not noble adventurers like Luffy and his crew; they were nothing more than beasts.

"Very well… There's no need for restraint. I can unleash my power without reservation." Ian declared.

Laws were meant for those with a conscience. For heartless beasts, only death awaited.

"Next up, we have a Zoan-type Devil Fruit! As for its specific ability, you'll have to rely on luck and a bit of guesswork!"

A plate bearing a fruit-shaped object, black with swirling patterns, was presented to the crowd.

Devil Fruits were categorized into three types: Zoan, Paramecia, and Logia. Their appearance often provided hints to their nature. Zoan and Paramecia fruits were typically round or oval, with additional features hinting at their powers.

Paramecia fruits resembled ordinary fruits with distinct colors and patterns.

However, determining their exact powers was a gamble. They could be powerful Ancient Zoan or Mythical Zoan types, or relatively weaker common types.

"Crack…" As predicted, a skeptical pirate captain, driven by avarice, spent his entire fortune of over 100 million berries to purchase the Devil Fruit.

After all, a single raid could easily replenish their coffers.

His clothes ripped as his hands transformed into claws and his skin became covered in green scales. His body grew larger and more muscular, a long, spiked tail erupting from his backside. He had become a lizard, having consumed the Lizard-Lizard Fruit, a Zoan type.

Roar! While not an Ancient Zoan or Mythical Zoan, it was still a formidable power. He opened his fanged maw and roared at the surrounding pirates.

"Shut up, you're annoying!" Kid barked, activating his Magnet-Magnet Fruit, sending several swords and other metal objects hurtling towards the lizardman.

Clang! The projectiles bounced off his hardened scales, creating a shower of sparks.

"Haha! It seems I've gained more than just strength! My speed and defense have increased as well!" The pirate captain taunted Kid, reveling in his newfound power.

"Then die!"

He charged towards Kid, leaping over the crowd with surprising speed.

"Idiot." Kid sneered, summoning a massive chunk of metal from the ceiling. It crashed down on the airborne lizardman, who was unable to dodge, crushing him and several unfortunate bystanders beneath its weight.

"Captain!" His crewmates cried out, rushing to clear the debris and extract their unconscious leader. They had spent their entire fortune on the Devil Fruit; losing their captain would be a disaster.

"Kid…" They glared at Kid, but his defiant, conceited expression silenced them.

In this world, strength spoke louder than words.

"Zoan-type users are truly resilient…" Ian was also surprised by the captain's durability. He had been knocked unconscious.

Logia users were intangible, Paramecia users could manipulate their environment, and Zoan users possessed incredible physical strength and regenerative abilities. The rumors were true.

Time passed, and the auction continued. Devil Fruits were rare commodities, akin to opening loot boxes in a game, their value determined by chance.

Several weapons were sold, but none were Meito. Even a sword crafted by one of the famed "Fifty Craftsmen" was only worth a million berries, while a true Meito could fetch tens or even hundreds of millions.

They were even rarer than Devil Fruits, as they required skilled blacksmiths and compatible swordsmen, limiting their potential.

Devil Fruits, on the other hand, offered a chance to acquire game-breaking abilities usable by anyone.

"Our next item is a map and a Vivre Card. While not as practical as a Devil Fruit or a famed sword, its value is far greater… because it belongs to one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"

"Gecko Moria's Vivre Card and a map to Thriller Bark! Obtained from one of his subordinates!"

"..." A hush fell over the auction house.

This was the edge of the South Blue, bordering the first half of the Grand Line. They were not oblivious to the dangers beyond. Many had challenged the Grand Line and failed.

Gecko Moria was the formidable pirate who had challenged Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, in the New World. Though defeated, he had escaped with his life.

That was over a decade ago, and both Moria and Kaido had grown stronger since then.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea were powerful pirates chosen by the World Government to maintain the balance of power against the Four Emperors. They were granted the right to plunder with impunity.

The pirates in this auction house had failed to conquer even the Grand Line. Challenging Gecko Moria would be suicide. Besides his own power, Thriller Bark, his island-sized ship, housed hundreds, if not thousands, of zombie soldiers.

The Florian Triangle, where Thriller Bark resided, claimed over one hundred ships each year. With a Vivre Card and map leading directly to Moria, purchasing this was akin to a death wish.

"Are you kidding me? Who would bring something like this to an auction in the South Blue? Maybe someone in the Grand Line would be interested…"

"Haha…" The auction house erupted in laughter. Even if they could afford it, what use would it be in the South Blue?

"A Warlord of the Sea? Interesting. We're heading to the Grand Line, so we're bound to encounter them eventually. This might come in handy."

Time passed, and no one bid. It wasn't about the money; it was about the implications.

Even if they bought it, they would have to seek out Moria, or he would come for them. A Vivre Card emitted a signal, leading the Warlord directly to their doorstep. Were they eager to have their heads collected?

The impulsive Kid, itching for a fight, was about to raise his hand.

"Kid…" Killer, his more cautious companion, couldn't stop his conceited captain.

"I'll take it…" A voice suddenly rang out. Heads turned to identify the fool rushing towards certain death.

It was Ian, descending from the balcony, his pale figure clad in white, the horned skull helmet casting an eerie shadow over his features.

"Interesting. It's that guy." Kid, about to unleash his fury, paused, intrigued. He wanted to see what this newcomer was planning.