Chapter 43: Undercurrents.

Seeing her look of dissatisfaction and indignation, Umit guessed that she must have had a grudge with Hawkeye.

Cheng Xi continued to ask, "Who else?"

"There is also Lord Cracker, one of the three generals and a senior cadre of the BIG MOM Pirates."

After saying the name Cracker, seeing that Cheng Xi had a thoughtful look on her face, Umit asked her tentatively, "Do you know him?"

Cheng Xi: "I guess so."

Umit was about to sigh in his heart that Cheng Xi had a wide network of contacts, but he didn't expect her to add, "He has issued a kill order against me."

He asked hesitantly, "Then, then, then, have you ever had anything to do with Ten Yasha?"

"Who is Ten Yasha?"

"Don Quixote Doflamingo."

Cheng Xi said lightly, "I caught him before."

Cheng Xi subconsciously stroked Shi Qing on the back with his hand, half to comfort her and half to declare his sovereignty. He didn't expect that these people pretended to be flawless on the surface, but in fact they all coveted his sword in private. Otherwise, could it be that they came for the Makeup Fruit?

There is a high probability that she will meet them when she goes in. She is not afraid of the wanted order, but it will be a little awkward to meet them

. However, if she does not go in, she really needs the two scorpions and centipede. What should she do? Cheng Xi was tangled up, but Umit was frightened by her and his expression changed drastically. He almost stumbled and fell to the ground.

My God, Manager Cheng Xi looks so young, how did he offend so many big shots?

He planned to leave Cheng Xi quietly. He had just become the King of Shipping and his foundation was not stable. He could not afford to offend any of the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He must not let those big shots get rid of him when the time comes.

The two of them had their own thoughts in their minds. Suddenly, they felt a strong pressure coming towards them. The people in the corridor turned their eyes to the place where the pressure was radiating. The leader was wearing a long black cape and a western sword on his waist. He only buttoned two buttons on his white shirt, revealing his perfectly lined chest muscles. Although he was dressed casually, his aura was not to be underestimated.

He was the Red-haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors. Many weak people could not resist his aura of a king. Their calves became weak and they began to sweat profusely. It seemed

that they would fall to the ground in the next second. Behind him followed the cadres of the Red-haired Pirates, Beckman, Lagi Lu, etc. They also had a strong aura and revealed an inviolable posture. Each of them looked unfathomable. The onlookers sighed in their hearts that they were indeed worthy of being called the most balanced Iron Wall Pirates.

Hongo noticed Cheng Xi in the corner and reminded him: "Boss, isn't that Cheng Xi? She's here too."

Hearing the name Cheng Xi, Shanks became excited and looked in the direction of Hongo's sight, and happened to look at her.

Cheng Xi wore a white dress today, and a pearl waist chain outlined her slender waist. Half of her black hair was tied up, and the other half was loose. She took a few strands of hair from behind her ears on both sides and braided them into small braids, which were scattered in the long black hair that poured down on her chest. The jade necklace with a warm texture outlined her clavicle, and her eyes were clear and bright like stars

. In a trance, through the endless river of time, Shanks seemed to return to the scene when he first met her. At that time, she was also wearing a white dress like this, beautiful and beautiful.

Seeing Shanks focusing his eyes on Cheng Xi, Umit thought to himself, this ancestor would not have even provoked the Four Emperors, right?

However, to his surprise, Shanks was not angry, but waved to her excitedly, and even the frightening pressure just now was much weaker: "Long time no see, Cheng Xi!"

Just halfway through this sentence, Shanks suddenly realized that the annoying admiral Aokiji was also here, so he lowered his voice.

Cheng Xi replied: "Long time no see, Shanks."

Then he greeted the other members of the Red Hair Pirates: "Everyone looks a lot stronger."

This is the greeting method she and Sauro learned. No matter whether it is the pirates or the navy camp, as long as they are praised for being stronger after meeting again, the other party will definitely be very happy.

Sure enough, Jesus Bu and the others smiled and looked happy after hearing Cheng Xi's praise. Among them, Jesus Bu was the least praised, and his body almost turned into the shape of a wave. Beckman was still calm, without any exaggerated expression, just nodded slightly and smiled at her.

Shanks couldn't wait to walk to Cheng Xi's side, pushing her step by step to the wall, trying to cover her and not let others have the slightest chance to discover her.

Seeing this scene, Umit's eyes lit up. Looking at their ambiguous way of getting along, it seems that Manager Cheng Xi and Red Hair not only have no hatred, but also have some feelings. He stretched his ears desperately, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation between the two of them, but was scared away by Beckman's threatening eyes and left immediately.

"Why are you here?"

"Why are you here?"

Two voices rang out at the same time, and even Jesus Bu and Lime Jones, who were watching the show nearby, were amazed at their synchronization.

Cheng Xi explained first: "I came here for an item."

Shanks: "Zhuangzhuang Fruit?"

"No, it's item number nine, scorpion and centipede, oh, by the way..." She looked at Shanks and asked, "Can you lend me your cloak?"

"Of course." After saying that, without asking why, she took off her black cloak. Shanks wanted to help tie it behind Cheng Xi, but she refused, and then took the cloak and put it on her head. She

curled herself up into a ball, covering herself tightly, like a black jar that had become a spirit.

Laki Lu was amused by her behavior and asked her, "Little Cheng Xi, is this... the latest fashion of the Grand Line?"

"Don't laugh!" Cheng Xi said seriously, "There are people I don't want to see, so this is the only way."

Shanks thought that the person she didn't want to see was Aokiji, and his expression instantly became happy, and the smile on his mouth was harder to press than the trigger of the rifle in Beckman's waistcoat.

She followed the Red Hair Pirates into the auction hall. Fortunately, in order to better display the auction items, the lights above the seating area were particularly dim. She deliberately sat in the corner, wrapped in a black cloak, and seemed particularly invisible among a group of big men who were at least two meters tall. 

Shi Qing behind him trembled slightly. Cheng Xi thought that Shi Qing was dissatisfied with the existence of its counterfeits here, so he simply moved both swords from his back to his chest, hugged them tightly, and tried to comfort them. 

She sat in the corner of the last row. Although she was not conspicuous, she could see everyone's movements. She knew many people here, such as Morgause, who could be seen wherever there was a big event, Kuzan, Yushura, and Mihawk, whom she hated the most and didn't want to see the most. 

It was really hard for the owner of the auction to bring them together. 

Even after so many years, Mihawk's appearance has changed, but she can recognize him at a glance by his dressing style. 

Mihawk sat on the chair, holding the black knife behind him, with his hands crossed on his knees. When he was in the Kingdom of Sizkaal, his arrogant sitting posture, as well as his gentleness and gentlemanliness in daily interactions, fascinated Cheng Xi. 

At that time, she thought Mihawk was the best and most charming man in the world. 

Later, they had a quarrel, and her confession ended in vain.

In fact, if you think about it carefully, there is no big hatred between them. To be fair, I shouldn't hate him. Just treat him as a stranger with no intersection.

But Cheng Xi can't do that. She never claims to be a magnanimous person. She is narrow-minded and has to hate Mihawk.

Also, why is Abel here! ?

Is he also coveting my sword?

The auction venue seems calm on the surface, but in fact, undercurrents are surging inside, and everyone has their own thoughts.

Doflamingo actually has only a few intersections with Cheng Xi, and they are all bad memories. The reason why he came here is not because he wants the Makeup Fruit, but to find out the true identity of the organizer behind this auction. Who is he? He dares to set up such a big bureau in his own territory and invite all the big figures in the sea. What is this person's purpose?

Next to Cracker sat a stunning beauty with black hair and black eyes. She was once the most famous dancer in a certain country. She was proficient in makeup and knew some swordsmanship. Cracker brought her here because he wanted to take a picture of the Makeup Fruit and let her eat it, and then make up to look like Cheng Xi. Life is long, so he might as well find a substitute to pass the time.

He used the fruit power to make a piece of salt and pepper biscuit and handed it to the beauty next to him. Seeing her chewing it in her mouth, he suddenly felt that it was boring and meaningless. Even if they had the same fruit power, no one would make him overly sweet maltitol biscuits, or Cheng Xi's special salt and pepper biscuits with only salt but no pepper.

The entity in the biscuit armor gently stroked the engagement ring on his hand.

Cheng Xi, your navy is really better at playing with other people's feelings than pirates.

Mihawk felt the black knife beside him tremble slightly. This sudden abnormality surprised Mihawk, who was always calm. He knew that Shi Qing auctioned tonight was a fake, because the real Shi Qing was buried with Cheng Xi on Mount Mis. Now this abnormal movement...

Could it be that Cheng Xi's grave had an accident? Thinking of this, a cold and dangerous murderous aura emanated from his body.

Sensing this murderous aura, Hancock became angry and immediately exuded her own domineering aura.

The parties involved in the two pressures were fine, but the strangers in the middle were pitiful, and many people were stunned immediately.

Garp has been feeling guilty about the mission he issued to Cheng Xi all these years, so he came here with Yushula and Will.

Although they were in the same navy camp, Kuzan was far away from them, and his adjutant Helt was sitting next to him. The girl had been hesitant about whether to tell Kuzan about the girl she met on the island of Furrens that day.

Every night when she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes, the shadow of the girl would appear in her mind.

Helt looked at Kuzan with a firm look in her eyes, and she was fully prepared in her heart, but she was deflated when Kuzan asked her if there was anything wrong.

"That... that." She bent her fingers to divert attention, her determined eyes began to evade, and she hesitated to test Kuzan: "Admiral Aokiji, if you see a girl who looks exactly like the late Vice Admiral Cheng Xi, what would you do?"

Kuzan's leisurely voice finally showed some impatience: "Didn't I tell you to read less useless books... Wait!"

Thinking of the strange behavior of Red Hair at that time and the same hobbies and tastes as the milk tea shop, Kuzan couldn't help asking: "Have you seen someone who looks exactly like her?" "

Well, on Furens Island." Helt nodded, and then told Kuzan about the experience of that day in detail. Of course, she omitted her own revolving lantern.

...

As for Abel, he just wanted to take back the relics of his old friend.

As for Cheng Xi, when she knew that Shanks came here to help her take the makeup fruit, her first reaction was surprise.

"Ah!? I said at the time that I had no idea of ​​getting the Zhuangzhuang Fruit back for the time being."

Shanks: "What if you want it in the future?"

Give the Zhuangzhuang Fruit to Cheng Xi. If you want to eat it in the future, you can eat it. If you don't want to eat it, put it aside. Anyway, the devil fruit will not rot, just treat it as a decoration.

Unlike Shanks's carelessness, Beckman asked her seriously: "Cheng Xi, are you sure, you really don't want the Zhuangzhuang Fruit?"

"I'm... not sure." The tone was no longer firm, and the eyes became flickering.

She hesitated.

As the user of the Zhuangzhuang Fruit, she could feel that she and it disliked each other. Cheng Xi disliked it for being green, weak attack power, and difficult to develop. The Zhuangzhuang Fruit disliked Cheng Xi for being poor. Neither of them looked down on each other.

But it may be that the emotions of dying people will become sensitive and sentimental. At the last moment of her life on Apala Island that day, Cheng Xi watched with her own eyes the fresh fruits scattered on the coast slowly covered with green patterns, and she actually felt reluctant to leave. 

So he said to the Zhuangzhuang fruit in the distance: "You are very good, it is a great fruit, and you can also develop many magical abilities. If there is a next life, I still want to be your ability user." 

By the way, he also said a few intimate words to his sword. 

At that time, she had never thought that she could be reborn. There really is a resurrection card. If she had known this, she would never easily promise any next life. 

Cheng Xi wrapped herself more tightly with Shanks' cloak. 

The goods at the auction were in a mess, and there were even things that looked like historical texts. Although the auctioneer under the lights swore that this was found by the seller from the O'Hara ruins, Cheng Xi knew in his heart that this was not the small seal script that he had adapted back then? 

It's my words, my sword, and my fruit. I might as well just change the name to Cheng Xi's surrounding auction. 

After bidding for the Desert Scorpion, Cheng Xi asked the steady vice-captain Beckman to go backstage to help him get it back. Although everyone on the field didn't understand why Red Hair bid for a scorpion, since it was not competing with him for that thing, it was also a big trouble. 

When Beckman handed the glass box with a handle to Cheng Xi, the auction was almost over. The second to last lot, the fake Shi Qing, was bought by a prince of a certain country who liked to collect weapons for three billion Baileys. 

At the moment when the lot was unveiled, Mihawk was convinced that the sword on the stage was a replica with the intuition of a swordsman and his understanding of Shi Qing. 

He ignored it, but why did the reaction of Black Blade Night get bigger and bigger? 

At the same time, Cheng Xi also found that something was wrong with Shi Qing. 

The finale of this auction, the Zhuangzhuang Fruit, was about to appear. Cheng Xi suddenly felt flustered, so he said goodbye to the Red Group and planned to leave the auction venue. 

Beckman asked her: "Are you really not going to take the Zhuangzhuang Fruit?" 

"For this kind of thing, just let it go." 

Just like at that time, she just wanted to eat some fruit in the tavern, and ate the Zhuangzhuang Fruit. If she and the Zhuangzhuang Fruit were really destined, then they would definitely meet again in the future. 

In order to avoid attracting attention, she asked Shanks and the others to wait until the auction was over before leaving. 

Taking the cloak that Cheng Xi returned to him, which was still warm, Shanks was a little depressed at the time of parting. However, when he heard Cheng Xi invite him to her shop to drink the wine she brewed and just opened in the wine cellar, his mood became better again. Others were also clamoring to taste Cheng Xi's craftsmanship. 

As soon as the Zhuangzhuang Fruit appeared, it attracted everyone's attention, so no one noticed the clamor in the corner. Cheng Xi took the opportunity to quietly get up from his seat and leave.

In the auction, Will asked Yusura: "Sister Shiratori, have you saved enough money to auction the fruit?"

Yusura shook her head, sighing in her heart that the child was really honest: "No, but we can rob."

"But you can't beat Admiral Aokiji. Besides him, there are Hancock, Hawkeye and others here. How can we beat them together?"

Yusura gestured to Will to look at Garp: "That doesn't matter. They will definitely go through a few battles first. When they are almost exhausted, we will be the last one to go."

"When the time comes, Vice Admiral Garp will be responsible for fighting, and we will be responsible for robbing."

When Cheng Xi walked to the door of the auction, the telephone bug rang suddenly. She pressed the answer button, and the energetic voice of the boy came from inside. It was Ace's voice.

He said that he had dealt with the betrayer and asked Cheng Xi if he had left the Sabaody Archipelago. Hearing the negative answer, a hint of excitement rose in his tone.

"Great, Cheng Xi, let's have a midnight snack together."

"Okay." She agreed without thinking.

After deciding the meeting place, Cheng Xi hung up the Den Den Mushi, but something unexpected happened on the stage. The moment the auctioneer opened the glass box and prepared to put the fruit on the special shelf, the Makeup Fruit in the box suddenly seemed to have its own consciousness, and it was suspended in the air and flew straight in one direction.

Feeling the sound of breaking through the air, Cheng Xi turned around subconsciously, but it was too late. The Makeup Fruit hit her forehead heavily in anger. Feeling the pain on her head, there was a faint voice accusing her in her ear.

"Cheng Xi, you scumbag, you big liar, you can only use sweet words to deceive the fruit."

Cheng Xi racked her brains to explain, feeling like she was caught lying, "No, you are too expensive, I am not worthy of you, you deserve someone better."

After all, the starting price of the Makeup Fruit alone is 500 million Baileys.

"I don't mind your poverty, and you don't mind my vegetable."

Over the past eight hundred years, the Zhuangzhuang Fruit has had many wealthy owners, but only Cheng Xi, compared with them, is poor and pure, but will say before his death that he is a useful fruit.

"In this case, we are really destined to be together." Soon she made the final choice in her heart, stretched out her hand to grab the Zhuangzhuang Fruit and took a bite.

Everyone was attracted by this sudden accident and looked over here. At a glance, they saw the old friend they had missed for a long time.

Because the vision was dim, the staff in the auction house turned on a beam of light at the place where the Zhuangzhuang Fruit stopped in order to better observe the situation, but it was convenient for everyone to observe the appearance of this old friend more carefully.

She stood in the light, carrying the same famous sword, still the same as before, with the same eyebrows and eyes, as hazy and light as spring snow, and as cold and detached as moonlight.

Is it the return of the old friend, or a hazy illusion? If it is an illusion, then it is too realistic, right?

Everyone dared not blink and held their breath, fearing that this beautiful yet fragile fantasy would immediately dissipate.

The moment the light hit Cheng Xi, her heart sank. She was doomed. She had eaten a devil fruit with a starting price of 500 million, and she was carrying the genuine Shi Qing. If she was caught, she would lose everything!

She decisively chose to run away at the fastest speed in her life. At that moment, Cheng Xi's speed even exceeded Borsalino.

The first one to react was Kuzan. Putting all the fragmented clues together, he realized that the girl he liked was back.

After Kuzan left, the others also reacted one after another and immediately ordered their men to block all ports around the Sabaody Archipelago, thinking to themselves that they must find her even if they had to turn the archipelago upside down.