Chapter 270: The Auction Ends, Tai Yi
The auction had ended, but everyone's hearts had yet to calm down.
The shock came wave after wave.
First, there was the massive quantity of Devil Fruits, then the cards that fetched sky-high prices, and the three precious paintings representing the Rocks Pirates.
Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng, rare Devil Fruits, legendary creatures, even a Millennium Dragon appeared.
The mechanical arm could even change the world.
The final Sword Tournament made people marvel at the Pluto Pirates' grand gesture.
This magnificent Battle Pyramid also caught the attention of many.
Countless individuals, including nobles, were somewhat impatient to go to the venue and watch the Sword Tournament battles.
Just when you felt a little sleepy, a great shock would come to wake you up.
If this World Expo was a festival for pirates, then the Sword Tournament was definitely a grand event for swordsmen.
Even if it was just for the title of "World's Strongest Swordsman".
Many Great Pirates had already decided to participate.
Who knew what kind of monsters and powerful swordsmen would emerge next?
Moreover, the rewards for the competition were too enticing!
There were many swordsmen at the venue who couldn't help but tightly grip the hilt of the sword at their waist.
They were definitely going to participate.
Even though they knew they couldn't compete against those monsters, for them, it was an extraordinary experience that could bring great gain, and perhaps even a breakthrough in swordsmanship's bottleneck.
At the same time, swordsmen around the world were also getting restless, both famous and unknown.
Many were for the title of World's Strongest Swordsman.
Some were for the prize money, others for the precious sword forging material, and some even wanted everything.
Even those who didn't know would know soon.
On an island in the North Blue, in a Sword Dojo, a child only six years old, with a pair of eyes as sharp as a hawk's, looked at the image on the screen, a flicker of longing in his eyes.
A figure quietly stood behind him.
"This is still too early for you, Mihawk. Wait for the next generation. The future is yours."
The man behind him smiled and stroked the child's head.
However, the child only asked, "Will you go, Teacher?"
"Oh dear! What a headache. Alright, I'll take you."
The middle-aged swordsman compromised, rubbing his head.
He had extremely high hopes for this child.
This was a born swordsman who would surely surpass him in the future.
Even though he came from a noble family, he still maintained a firm heart dedicated to the sword.
If he could see the most magnificent scenery on the Great Sea earlier, it would definitely be beneficial for his future.
"However, don't have too much expectation for me, your Teacher. Getting a high rank will be difficult. Those are all a bunch of monsters, and who knows who else will show up."
Although his Teacher's words were a bit unreliable, the young Mihawk didn't mind and had somewhat gotten used to it.
He was a Great Sword Master, the Kingdom's Strongest Swordsman, a Strongman comparable to a guardian deity.
Even the Kingdom had to use "please" when addressing him.
On a regular island in the Grand Line, a blacksmith took out a long iron box from the Deep Cavern.
"Teacher, do we really have to send it? This is a cursed blade! It will bring countless disasters."
The apprentice beside him was a little disbelieving.
"Precisely because of this, it must be sent to the most suitable person. Our ancestors forged it not to have it hidden underground, unknown."
"Supreme Grade Great Grade Swords have already appeared several times on the Great Sea. It's time for the Cursed Sword Muramasa to show its sharpness."
In the East Blue, near the Calm Belt, was the Great Xia Kingdom.
"The New King of the Tartarus Family is truly interesting. On the Great Sea, our Great Xia Kingdom cannot remain calm any longer."
"Feng, Yun, you are the most talented swordsmen of the Kingdom's young generation. This time, go and see the swordsmen of the Great Sea and seek an opportunity for further breakthrough."
"Also, Uncle Gai, you are the Kingdom's Strongest Swordsman. You will lead the team and contend for the title of World's Strongest Swordsman."
In the vast and magnificent ancient palace, the young Crown Prince stood before the throne, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze looking down, his crimson-gold pupils shining brightly, filled with endless authority.
His thick black hair, height exceeding three meters, strong body, and chiseled face revealed an extreme dominance.
Golden Roaming Dragons circled his body, and every step he took carried a terrifying pressure.
This was the next generation King of the Great Xia Kingdom.
He was also the most outstanding Crown Prince in the past few hundred years.
His name was — Tai Yi!
The Royal Family of the Great Xia Kingdom had a cruel competition system.
Every generation of princes were candidates for King.
Through fierce competition, eliminating the weak, the one who remained was the undisputed Strongest.
Furthermore, due to the Royal Family's bloodline, the Conqueror's Haki of every loser would disappear, becoming nourishment for the victor.
Because of this nearly perfect system, the Royal Family had its own selection method, and such competition would not affect the Kingdom's operation.
The ministers, and even other members of the Royal Family, served as supervisors to ensure fairness.
Such competition would erupt every few decades, often stirring up discussion among the people of the Great Xia Kingdom.
Sometimes it was called "Two Dragons Competing for the Pearl"!
Sometimes it was called "Five Dragons Contending for Hegemony"!
At most times, it was called "Nine Dragons Seizing the Heir"!
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Even though he hadn't become King yet, the Crown Prince's status was already similar to that of the King, and he had already begun to manage the entire Kingdom's authority.
After just one more year of adaptation, he would officially become King.
And they were actually very excited about this grand event, wanting to see just how strong the swordsmen on the Great Sea were.
"Cough cough!"
Two coughs came from beside them.
A thin Elder, wearing a blue Tang suit, with a face full of wrinkles and a smile, walked over slowly with his hands behind his back.
"Old Man Guo."
Seeing the Elder arrive, the two young swordsmen named "Feng" and "Yun", as well as the Kingdom's Strongest Swordsman, respectfully bowed.
This person was the Kingdom's stabilizing force, a Mythical Expert nearing one hundred and forty years old.
The Elder smiled and waved his hand, "Let this old man go along too. While I'm at it, I'll see what the Great Sea has become these days. Many things have happened over the years."
"It's just a pity I couldn't meet That Person."
The others naturally knew who Old Man Guo was referring to.
As someone who had once been the World's Strongest on the Great Sea, the only person who could concern him was Rocks D.
Xebec, who was already dead.
"We'll go then, but don't interfere with other matters that don't concern us."
Inside the palace on Sicily Island, Hades, Newgate, and Shiki gathered together once again to drink and enjoy the food.
The auction had been going on for so long that they were a bit hungry, and the entire Sicily Island began to liven up as the auction ended.
"That was truly a special day!" Newgate couldn't help but exclaim.
March 1st every year was the day the Rocks Pirates expanded their recruitment.
This day was indeed special for them, the Elders of the Rocks Pirates.
After all, the only day that could be considered a regular festival for the Rocks Pirates was this day.
"It was just a coincidence. I originally wanted to hold a competition for the World's Strongest, but I was afraid you'd tear down the Battle Pyramid I worked so hard to build, so I changed it to a Sword Tournament."
Hades smiled and raised a glass to Newgate.
"Gurahaha! Then you should be grateful, Hades, otherwise I definitely would have torn it down."
Newgate laughed heartily, showing his fist, then drained the wine glass in his hand.
(end of chapter)