Zoro backed up unsteadily, hastily retreating and finding a place where he could be inconspicuous. It wouldn't do for him to try and follow the crew without getting his bearings first. He joined a group of other guards that he found in the main rooms of the casino that were patrolling; he assumed that it was a training course, because most of the other guards looked just as clueless as he did. A large man with a club was leading them and spoke agonizingly slow, which might have explained their confusion.
"Heeere iiis theee…" the man began, but was cut short when a short woman who looked horrifically similar to a mole slapped him across the head.
"Shut up! You're too slow! Okay! This is the main casino room," she said in a quick and high-pitched voice as she led them through the building. "This next room is confi-confidential!" They walked down a long hall with a door at the end, which she unlocked. Zoro began walking in the opposite direction, only to be grabbed by another guard.
"You're walking the wrong way, rookie," the guard growled. His face was painted with…sevens? Odd.
"Er, thanks," Zoro said gruffly.
The room that they were in was surprisingly large for its location under the casino. Stands were built in a circular fashion around a large, round stage. These seats were luxuriously fitted with plush cushions and servants walking back and forth carrying pitchers of wine and plates of hors d'oeuvres. Zoro could see that there were several pathways that led from the outsides of the underground stadium onto the stage, and recognized the tell-tale scrapes on the ground made by seastone cages being dragged.
"This is the bidding room," the mole-woman said. "Take your stations, men."
As the other guards marched off to stand at regular intervals around the room, Zoro tugged his collar apprehensively and looked around for a place to stand. A blond man wearing a bright pink boa over his partially-buttoned red and white shirt gestured to him. Tinted glasses covered the man's eyes in another vivid shade of purple.
"Uh, yes, sir?" Zoro said, quickly walking over to the man.
"You're supposed to stand here," the man said with a cackle, gesturing to the positions of the other guards. Zoro could see that if he stood there, he would complete the pattern of men standing around the room. "You're new here, huh?"
"Y-yeah," Zoro replied, trying to act like the other guards.
"Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself, then?" the man asked genially. His teeth were a stark white against his skin, and the way that his legs were splayed out in front of him to spill into the seats in front of him suggested that this man was used to power and comfort.
"Sir?" Zoro asked in bewilderment. He had never heard of people talking to bodyguards like this before.
"For example…" the man began nonchalantly as he waved a finger lazily in the air, "…why aren't you in those cages with the rest of your crew? Roronoa Zoro."
Zoro's hands were reflexively to the three swords hidden under the robes of his guard uniform, tensing immediately. He couldn't afford to be exposed right now, in the lair of the enemy.
"Who are you?" Zoro hissed.
"Tsk, I believe I was the one to ask you a question first. But, I will introduce myself," the man said. "My name is Donquixote Doflamingo. But you may call me Donquixote-san"
Zoro shivered, restraining himself from jumping back and creating a scene. "Donquixote Doflamingo? The one collaborating with Crocodile?" he said in quiet disbelief.
"Ah, I see that you have heard my name. Very well. Watch quietly, the show is about to begin." Donquixote sat back comfortably as an announcer's voice began to boom from the center of the stage.
"Welcome, dear patrons, to this month's auctioning session! Our first item for this evening is a sixteen year old girl. She was found in Greece, and is most certainly of virgin status," the announcer said as a seastone cage was dragged down one of the paths to the stage by a group of slaves painted in odd colors. "Bring her here, boys, so we can all see!" The cage was opened and a girl was put on display in the middle of the stage, trembling as she tried to cover her body. Her clothes had been torn to leave only a shadow of dignity and cover for her buxom young body. "The bidding will begin at 600,000 beri!"
Thus, the bidding began.
Zoro watched in horror and fury as the girl was sold to an old man who leered at her licentiously as she was taken off the stage and put back into her cage, and others were brought out to take her place.
"What is the meaning of this, Donquixote?" he growled, hands fisted and trembling. "Why the hell are you showing me this?"
Donquixote chuckled, not saying a word, as several more transactions were completed. "That's the last regular human on our list. The next part should interest you," he said
The announcer's voice brimmed with excitement as several cages were dragged out in a line. "Here's a rare treat, ladies and gentlemen! What we have here is the Mugiwara Pirate Crew! The group itself has not been around for very long, but half of its members are…oh my…they have the abilities of the devil!" Whispers rippled through the crowd as the excitement in the room rose. "And that isn't the best of it, folks! The internationally wanted criminal, Roronoa Zoro, is also up for grabs! Daz Bones is absent today, so I'm sure that many of you are eager to grab this healthy specimen for your own battle games!" Zoro blinked in shock as he saw himself walking out of one of the cages, although he could tell even from this distance that the swords that the other Zoro was carrying were of inferior quality.
"What the hell is that?" he snapped at Donquixote.
"A Devil Fruit user," Donquixote said with a grin. "He goes by the name of Bon Kurei." (A/N: I forgot to have Bon Kurei touch Zoro. That sounds so wrong. But let's just gloss over this for a moment, shall we?) Zoro watched in horrified fascination as Bon Kurei ripped off his shirt and flexed his muscles, showing off.
Damn, I look good.
Donquixote interrupted Zoro's train of thought as he said, "This brings us to a little business that we have to take care of. You want to save your crew, yes? Otherwise, you wouldn't be here," he said smoothly. "Listen. Do not interrupt, for I will not repeat myself or this offer. You are not only a wanted criminal worldwide, but you have also killed one of my best assassins—Daz Bones."
"Roronoa Zoro" was sold for thirty million beri.
Zoro waited impatiently for the man to continue, but Donquixote seemed to be stalling. Zoro realized that he was waiting for the rest of the crew to be sold. Brooke was sold for sixty thousand beri, and Franky was sold for three million beri. Nami and Robin were each sold for eight and fifty million, respectively—Robin's price had been inflated by her Devil Fruit ability, which she had been forced to exhibit when the slavers had threatened her with a sword. Usopp was sold for a meager fifty thousand; his skills as a blacksmith were valuable, but his body was not as strong as the bidders would have liked. Chopper was sold for a whopping forty million beri to an Englishman looking for an addition to his exotic zoo. Zoro felt the blood trickling down his hands as his fists were gripped even more tightly when he saw Luffy being dragged out of the seastone cage, limp with exhaustion.
"Here is another interesting specimen! Monkey D. Luffy is not only the captain of this crew, but also in possession of a Devil Fruit ability!" Several slaves began to pull at Luffy's body, stretching and contorting it before letting go and allowing it to snap back to his original shape. A round of applause rang throughout the stadium.
"Tell me what the hell you're playing at, Donquixote," Zoro whispered hoarsely, fighting to keep his voice calm.
Donquixote smiled. "I will allow your crew to go free, no strings attached. Even your princess—who hasn't been brought out yet, because she's a special item—will be allowed to leave with them. We will not injure them, or prevent them from escaping, or even from restocking. I will even have the World Government remove your bounty, thus allowing your crew to sail without any connection to your crimes and subsequent danger from the Marines However, in return…" Zoro waited with bated breath for the catch.
"In return, you will work for me."
"What kind of a deal is that?" Zoro blurted out. "Why would you do that?"
Donquixote watched Luffy's price being driven up in boredom. "I'm ready to bail out of this business, Roronoa. Slavery is an ancient tradition, but with these times changing…it helps to have a loyal man under you who is strong enough to break through seastone. Only the strong will inherit the New World. Yes, Roronoa, I saw the evidence. You managed to break through that which was considered indestructible. I have never let my guard down yet, but you will be there to take care of anyone that needs taking care of."
"There must be a catch."
"A catch? Of course. When I say that you will work for me, I do not want a slave. You will pledge your allegiance to me, as your master, but I will not shackle you. You will give your solemn word, upon everything you hold dear, that you will do as I say."
"How is that any different from slavery? And how do you know that I'm so honorable?"
Donquixote shrugged. "This is different because your crew will sail away, and you will not need shackles. I know that you are honorable, because you returned for your crew when all the odds were against you. Take it or leave it, Roronoa."
Zoro breathed in heavily, feeling a sense of déjà-vu. It seemed like just yesterday that he had been willing to cut off his ties to the crew and give up his life so that they could go free.
"How do I know that you will honor your own words?"
Donquixote shrugged. "You haven't really got any other choice, have you? The men who have bought your crew hail from countries all over the world. Once they sail back home, it will be impossible for you to free your crew."
Zoro looked at Luffy, whose eyes were downcast and shoulders were slumped.
Last time, Zoro had been too late. He had seen the danger, smelled it, been close enough to touch it.
Now, he was more wary. He could still see the threat, but was being offered a lifeline.
What was one life compared to eight? He was only one swordsman.
There was only one Monkey D. Luffy. And he had just been "Sold! Fifty million beri!"
---
Luffy had watched his nakama being sold, one by one, with an increasing sense of dread and desperation. When Zoro had run off to look for the keys, he had felt a sense of hope soaring through his chest. Luffy had waited eagerly, and thought that the first person to return would be Zoro. Zoro's always been there for us, he thought hazily. What a reliable guy. Like with Lucci…
When a man wearing a pink feathered boa walked through the door instead, something cracked in Luffy's faith.
"Donquixote Doflamingo!" Vivi whispered upon seeing him.
"So this is the Mugiwara crew, eh? Roronoa has an interesting choice of comrades," Donquixote mused. "He even dispatched Daz Bones," he continued, nudging the fallen man with one toe. "Tonight will be an interesting auction." He walked out with that strange waddling gait of his, waving lazily over one shoulder. A young woman carrying a paintbrush pointed to the cages, and several heavily painted slaves began to drag the cages away.
Luffy stared at the ground as his body was stretched again, hearing jumbles of numbers being shouted out. He could only hope that Zoro had been sensible enough to escape, for it was too late for them.
"Sold!"
Luffy was pulled back into his cage. The doors slammed with a boom of resounding finality.
---
Back in the original holding room, the slaves were being prepared to go home with their new owners. Luffy watched with empty eyes as the other slaves were taken away, wondering what his fate was. The others in his crew were similarly occupied.
"Why so sad, Monkey D. Luffy?" Donquixote's voice pierced through the air as he ambled down the path to the cages where the Mugiwara crew was gathered. Behind him, a bodyguard strode behind him, sticking to the shadows.
"…the hell do you want, Donquixote?" Luffy growled, fury breaking through his apathetic depression.
Donquixote snapped his fingers. Another guard ran up and unlocked the cages, one by one. Luffy stepped out of the confines of the seastone and stood beside his nakama protectively. He balled up his fists, getting ready to fight, but felt some inexplicable force holding him still. Luffy's eyes flew up and he saw Donquixote cocking his head at them, both hands raised and fingers twitching.
"Is this another one of your sick games, Donquixote?" he demanded, breathing harshly as he fought against Donquixote's power.
"Now, now, settle down. I wouldn't want to have to have you locked up again. You're free, all of you. Even the princess," Donquixote said evenly.
"…what?" they all chorused.
"If you would, Roronoa?" Donquixote said, stepping aside. Zoro walked forth from the shadows, wearing the same uniform that he had stolen.
"Zoro!" Luffy exclaimed. "You're here!"
"Wait, Luffy," Sanji growled. "Something isn't right."
Zoro looked at their hopeful eyes wretchedly, but managed to conceal his emotions with a cold exterior.
"I've found a better master, Luffy," he said quietly. "You guys go off on your little adventures. I'm Donquixote-san's man now."
"Zoro…" Nami said softly, her eyes wide with disbelief. Chopper trembled as his eyes filled with tears, and the others simply stared in shock. Zoro could see Sanji's legs trembling in what must have been the urge to kick him. Zoro looked Luffy straight in the eye, hardening his resolve.
"Go, Luffy. I'm not a Mugiwara anymore."
"No." Luffy's response was simple and flat. "I won't accept this."
Zoro felt his spirit wavering slightly. He wanted to join them, fight with them side by side. It felt wrong, standing by Donquixote's side while he faced his nakama with this news. Donquixote stepped forward, a simpering leer on his face.
"I'm afraid you'll have to accept it. Obviously, you can see that I'm not forcing him to do anything, am I?" Donquixote said, looking at Zoro with a grin.
Zoro nodded stiffly in affirmation. "Yes, Donquixote-san. I'm doing this of my free will, Luffy. Now, go."
Luffy opened his mouth to argue further, but Donquixote twiddled his fingers. The pirate crew found themselves being forced, step by step, to leave. Luffy fought with all his might, but it was useless.
---
"Donquixote…san," Zoro said quietly. "What are your plans from here?"
"I suppose I'll have to get rid of Crocodile. He's the only loose thread that's going to be any trouble in the future, don't you think?"
---
"What are we going to do, Luffy?" Nami asked desperately. Donquixote's power had stopped working once they left the casino.
Luffy crossed his arms, glaring in the direction of the casino.
"Isn't it obvious? We've got to beat up Donquixote so Zoro will come back! You don't think that we'll be able to stop a rebellion without him, do you?"