These treasures would be bought at a significantly lower price—the Straw Hats' gold from Skypeia, centuries old, only sold for 300 million Berries, the resale value being 10% or 20% of the original.
Their gold was worth at least 1.5 billion Berries.
Alistair's 500 kilograms of gold and jewelry sold for 1 billion Berries—net profit excluding costs.
This stunned the Kuja Pirates.
Dalton's hair stood on end; she exuded a chilling aura.
"What's wrong with her?" Even the Boa Sisters and Ran emanated a cold, sharp killing intent, making Robin shiver. The merchants felt the air grow colder.
She approached Alistair during a break, whispering.
Alistair smiled, taking Hancock's hand, softening her killing intent.
"They sold their treasures too cheaply. Their business partners likely cheated them."
The Kuja Pirates wouldn't travel to Sabaody Archipelago to trade; they had fixed partners who seemed honest, but resale prices were always low. Items worth 100 or 200 million Berries might fetch only 30-50 million, even with Hancock's influence.
The Kuja Pirates knew they'd been cheated.
Even if they didn't care about money, being cheated angered them. Women, especially, could get angry without reason, even more so after being cheated for so long.
Except for Hancock, who was calmed by Alistair's touch, the other Kuja officers snorted. Those who handled their treasures would face consequences.
The ships were sold one by one.
Alistair's auction method was comfortable for the merchants—he categorized the ships.
From 15-meter to 80-meter ships, he provided standards, assessing their condition and honestly reporting them.
The merchants were grateful. They bought ships for trade; damage to the hull or masts was fatal.
These ships weren't worth much, but they bought Alistair's credibility.
This was why advanced economies had credit rating agencies; credibility was valuable.
The sea trade lacked such an agency.
This agency needed authority but couldn't be government-controlled. It needed independence, but under Alistair's control. It needed to be established now.
It shouldn't be too complex; simple ratings were sufficient.
Once established, it could be used for other purposes.
Such credit ratings were common, though unnoticed. Many believed Marine bounties reflected pirate strength—a form of credit rating.
World Government affiliated countries and the Marines were manifestations of the World Government's credit rating.
To oppose the World Government, Alistair couldn't use brute force, but he could gradually dismantle it!
As the auction raged, the Perfume Serpent fired a signal flare.
This wasn't out of fear, but a warning for Hancock, indicating someone's arrival.
Lafitte descended from the sky.
He adjusted his hat, smiling. "They've arrived, and the South Bird."
He held a large bird, bigger than his head. It was helpless, resigned to its fate.
"The chestnut-haired man?"
"Yes. He's a widower and the leader of the Shandora Union. You even anticipated this?" Lafitte looked at Alistair with respect.
Alistair was embarrassed; he'd forgotten the Shandora Union… They salvaged sunken ships. While pirates, they weren't harmful and had excellent salvage skills, recovering wreckage from ships carried to Skypeia by upward currents, selling them in Mock Town. Mock Town's prosperity was directly linked to the Shandora Union.
Mont Blanc Cricket, "the great liar" Norland's descendant, led the Shandora Union, believing his ancestor's story.
Their arrival was unexpected. Alistair only wanted Cricket for navigation, but the entire Shandora Union had arrived.
This was good; the Shandora Union could be excellent engineers.
Their radar detection capabilities impressed Alistair.
He knew radar was the future. With radar, certain things would become easier…
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
[email protected]/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters