Father, look! I didn't expect Buggy the Clown and his crew to really make it out alive. Let's hurry and capture them—if we take their Jolly Roger, we'll gain everything!
Not far from where Buggy's crew had just emerged from the Devil's Triangle, in a concealed corner of the sea, a red-sailed ship lay hidden. On deck, a boy of about ten excitedly addressed a middle-aged man built like a round boulder.
The man—Accino—didn't answer immediately. His eyes were fixed on Enel hovering in the sky, filled with unease. He had been observing that young man for a while now, and the power he'd witnessed sent chills down his spine. The bolts of divine lightning could only mean one thing—this was the Logia-type Goro Goro no Mi, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Against such an enemy, he wasn't confident. He didn't dare act rashly.
"Campacino," Accino finally muttered, "those people are not to be underestimated. That youth—I'm convinced he's a Logia user. Lightning itself… We cannot handle that. Better we retreat quietly."
"But father," the boy argued stubbornly, "he doesn't look that much older than me! Even if he ate a Devil Fruit, there's no way he's stronger than you. We can't just let this go! That pirate crew carries a bounty of one hundred million—if we capture them, it will be a huge gain for us!"
Campacino's youthful voice was filled with blind confidence.
Their other son, Brindo, quickly chimed in as well. "That's right, father! With your strength, those people wouldn't stand a chance."
Accino sighed inwardly. His sons were too naive, too blind with pride. He had already sized things up: the lightning user wasn't even the captain. That man served Buggy—and if Buggy could command someone with such monstrous power, then Buggy himself was undoubtedly even stronger. On top of that, their ship carried other formidable fighters. This wasn't prey—it was a disaster waiting to happen.
Aloud, he said with forced authority, "The enemy's strength is not to be taken lightly. Even if we won, it would be a pyrrhic victory, not worth the risk. This time, we'll let them go."
His words were laced with excuses, saving face while cloaking his fear.
Campacino clicked his tongue but relented. "Fine, father. Let's call it their lucky day."
Meanwhile, Buggy and his crew had successfully regrouped with Enel after leaving the Devil's Triangle. They introduced their newest member, Brook, though they didn't go into detail about his connection with Laboon—Enel, after all, he wouldn't know the whale anyway.
Enel, meeting Brook for the first time, showed no real reaction. In his mind, he was a god; even a walking skeleton didn't shake him. They exchanged brief introductions before Buggy's sharp senses prickled. He frowned.
"Enel. Do you sense anyone else nearby? Feels like someone's been watching us."
Buggy didn't bother using his own Observation Haki. He trusted Enel's—his was sharper, broader, even beyond Buggy's own.
Enel smirked faintly. "Captain, you're right. A few little rats have been spying on us from that direction. I was just about to tell you." He lifted a finger, pointing directly toward Accino's hidden ship.
Across the waters, Accino's face drained of color. He had been watching too intently, and now his cover was blown. He saw the gesture, and terror spiked in his chest.
"Hurry! Campacino, turn the ship around! We need to get out of here immediately!"
Campacino blinked. "Father? Why the panic?"
"They've already discovered us! We must retreat before it's too late!"
"So what if they know?" the boy sneered, puffing out his chest. "If they dare approach, we'll just capture them and turn them in for bounties!"
"Idiot! Enough foolishness!" Accino snapped, his voice sharp with real fear. "I can't defeat them. If we fight, we'll be wiped out!"
The words silenced both sons. For the first time, Campacino realized his father's earlier confidence had been nothing more than bluster.
"But… but father, didn't you just say—"
"Quiet!" Accino cut him off, eyes widening. Buggy's ship was already turning their way. Worse—his stomach dropped as he saw a bolt of lightning break free from the sky. Enel himself was streaking toward them at blinding speed.
"It's too late to flee. Hide yourselves!"
Campacino and Brindo finally understood why their father was so unsettled. This was no ordinary opponent—the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user was coming straight for them.
With a deafening boom, lightning struck their deck. Enel materialized from the crackling arc, landing casually before the three of them. His golden staff gleamed as his gaze swept over the terrified family.
"Why were you spying on us?" His voice was calm, yet every word carried the weight of judgment. Speak your intentions. If you lie… You die."
The arrogance of a god dripped from every syllable. To him, strangers had no right to watch his crew.
"Y-you bastard! How dare you talk like that!" Brindo shouted, trying to mask his fear. "My father is powerful—far stronger than you'll ever be!"
Accino's heart sank as his son's defiant words cut through the air. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He knew Brindo's reckless bravado might just get them all killed.