As the two sides drew closer, a towering, one-armed man stepped onto the deck of the opposing ship. It was none other than Gott.
Upon spotting Buggy and his crew, Gott's lips curled into a smile.
"Gentlemen," he called out, "what brings you after us? Do you intend to join forces and escape together?"
His voice was calm, but his mind was calculating. He was gravely wounded and couldn't afford unnecessary battles. If Buggy's purpose truly were to cooperate, then not only could conflict be avoided, but he would even gain a powerful ally to break through the Sea Kings' blockade.
Buggy didn't play along. His gaze hardened.
"The state of the villagers back on the island—that was your ability, wasn't it?"
Gott's smile faltered. The question made it clear: these people weren't here for an alliance.
His expression twisted. He gave a harsh laugh, voice filled with scorn.
"Yes, it was me. And so what? Ants like them… whether they live or die, what does it matter?"
Buggy's eyes narrowed.
"Snow Woman entrusted the villagers to us before she died. We failed her. We're here to demand an answer."
The mention of Snow Woman made Gott's blood boil. Rage flooded through him like a tidal wave. That woman's interference haunted him even after death. He had no doubt now—Buggy's crew wouldn't let him walk away.
"Hahaha!" Gott roared, his face contorted with fury. "Fine then! If it's an answer you want, here it is—you'll all leave your lives here today!"
"Kill them all!" he barked at his men.
He didn't strike himself—his injuries were too severe. He needed to conserve strength. Let his subordinates test the enemy first.
At his command, the horde of pirates surged toward the Glory.
Kuro and the others reacted instantly. Most of them used Soru to dart across the waves, landing on Gott's ships to keep the battle away from their own vessel.
Buggy, meanwhile, remained on deck, arms folded. He didn't unleash his Conqueror's Haki. To him, not every fight should be resolved that way. If his crew were to grow stronger, they had to face blood and steel directly. Unless the enemy's power was utterly overwhelming, he preferred not to interfere.
The battle raged across the creaking decks. Gott's underlings varied widely in strength—some capable fighters, others barely worth notice. But as a whole, they were no match for Buggy's lieutenants. One by one, they fell.
Watching his forces crumble, Gott's face hardened.
"Stop holding back!" he bellowed. "Kill them all!"
The moment the words left his lips, his men's demeanor changed drastically. Those who had been wavering, even retreating, suddenly grew wild-eyed, frenzied. Memories warped by Gott's Memory Fruit ignited at his command, twisting loyalty into suicidal devotion.
With fanatical cries, they hurled themselves at Buggy's crew, swinging blades without a thought for their own lives.
Buggy's expression sharpened. So that's it… He planted commands into their memories. Just a word, and they'll fight to the death for him.
The fight grew bloodier. Though Buggy's officers were stronger, the sheer ferocity of the enemy made things dangerous, especially for the weaker members of the crew. Against such madness, hesitation could mean death.
But with killers like Shiryu in their ranks, the tide was inevitable. Ruthless blades carved through the frenzy, leaving bodies to collapse in waves.
As the number of enemies dwindled, Gott's expression grew grave. His body trembled—he knew. At this rate, he would lose. In his current broken state, facing a swordsman like Buggy was suicide.
His eyes flicked toward Jessica, who was fending off attackers on the deck nearby. A plan took root in his mind—one final gamble.
In the blink of an eye, his figure vanished.
Buggy, ever watchful with Observation Haki, caught the movement instantly. He sensed Gott's intent and moved just as fast.
The one-armed man reappeared beside Jessica, reaching for her with a twisted grin—only to freeze. A shadow had stepped between them. Buggy.
Before Gott could react, Buggy swung his blade, Flame Sun (炎阳), releasing a searing arc of sword energy.
The massive slash tore through the air, bearing down on Gott.
Sweat beaded across his forehead. A… a swordsman of this level?! He tried to brace himself with Armament Haki, but it was too late.
The strike slammed into him, blasting his body backward. He crashed through the cabin of one ship and smashed into another, scattering debris.
Buggy didn't hesitate. He blurred forward with Soru, pursuing his prey.
On the wrecked deck, Gott staggered to his feet, coughing blood. He had survived only by hardening his body with Armament Haki, but his condition was dire. His wounds reopened, blood pouring freely.
Buggy appeared before him, blade in hand—but didn't attack immediately. He watched.
Under that unflinching gaze, Gott straightened, despair in his eyes. He knew the truth: in this state, against a swordsman at full strength, he stood no chance.
"Why?" he rasped, voice shaking with fury. "Why must you all oppose me? Don't you want freedom? Don't you want to escape? Those ants… what are they to us? Why protect them? Why fight me for their sake?"
Madness burned in his voice. He had been so close—so close to success. One final step, and he would have broken free of this prison, left his enemies behind. But now? A single swordsman stood in the way. His victory, his life, his dream—crumbling.
Buggy's eyes were cold. His voice, calm as steel.
"The killer shall be killed. The unjust will always meet their end."
The words struck Gott like a hammer. For a moment, clarity pierced the madness. His expression shifted, first to shock, then to grim resolve.
In his eyes burned not desperation, but finality.