Lord Buggy, I should just go in and check for myself, Tesoro said anxiously.
But Buggy remained silent, his eyes closed, unmoving. Tesoro, panicking, tried to rush toward the slave market. Before he could take more than a step, Shiryu grabbed him firmly by the arm.
"Our captain is using Observation Haki to sense what's going on inside," Shiryu explained. "Wait a moment."
Tesoro froze, brows furrowed. He didn't quite understand. How could Buggy just stand there and somehow see what was happening inside? But when he looked at Shiryu's eyes, he saw no trace of a lie. He tried to break free, struggling against Shiryu's iron grip, but it was useless. Finally, he gave up, forced to stand there and wait, heart pounding with worry.
Buggy's expression darkened. He had already sensed what was happening inside—and it was bad.
Within the slave market, his Observation Haki detected several powerful presences. Among them was a figure he loathed—a bloated, dim-witted man with a glass bubble helmet on his head. A Celestial Dragon.
Buggy's gut clenched. Trouble.
If a Celestial Dragon were present, things would become infinitely more complicated. Even with his current strength, if he harmed a Celestial Dragon, the consequences would be catastrophic. An Admiral would be dispatched immediately, and even his crew might be annihilated.
And yet, he understood. Stella's presence in that market wasn't a coincidence. If a Celestial Dragon were here shopping for slaves, Stella could very well have caught their eye.
Beside him, Tesoro noticed Buggy's grim expression. His unease grew heavier. "Lord Buggy… what's happening inside?"
Buggy opened his eyes and spoke plainly:
"A Celestial Dragon is inside the market, choosing slaves. Stella may already be their target."
Tesoro's mind went blank. The words hit him like a lightning strike. He knew the reputation of the Celestial Dragons all too well. They were rich beyond measure and obsessed with collecting slaves. Once they fancied someone, money meant nothing—they would simply buy them outright.
If Stella had been noticed… she was as good as gone.
"No… no, what do we do?!" Tesoro muttered, panicked, his face pale.
Buggy's gaze sharpened. "Calm down. Even if a Celestial Dragon does buy Stella, I'll take her back for you."
Tesoro's head shot up, eyes wide. Hope flared for an instant, but was quickly drowned by despair. Did Buggy really understand what he was saying? These weren't ordinary nobles—they were the so-called descendants of gods. To defy them was to invite an Admiral's wrath. Not even Buggy could face that.
"Lord Buggy… thank you," Tesoro whispered bitterly. "But you don't understand. The Celestial Dragons are not people you can afford to offend. Please… don't get involved in this. I couldn't live with myself if you were dragged down because of me."
Buggy's expression remained firm. "Tesoro, I know exactly what the risks are. I know that hurting a Celestial Dragon summons an Admiral. But you're my friend. I won't sit by and do nothing. And I trust myself to escape—even from an Admiral."
Tesoro froze, stunned by the conviction in Buggy's words. His chest tightened, tears welling in his eyes. He never expected anyone—let alone a pirate captain of Buggy's stature—to risk so much for him. Slowly, his legs gave out, and he bent low in a deep bow, tears streaming down his face.
Buggy stepped forward and gently lifted him back up. "Don't burden yourself with guilt. I wouldn't say this if I didn't believe it. Even if it comes to that, this is not a death trap for us."
It wasn't just bravado. Buggy truly had confidence. Not only was his own strength formidable, but there was another presence on this island: Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King. Though Buggy had no intention of troubling his old acquaintance, if the worst came, he was certain Rayleigh could stall an Admiral long enough for him and his crew to escape.
Tesoro, hearing Buggy's words and seeing the certainty in his eyes, clenched his fists tightly. Then, through tears, he declared:
"Lord Buggy… I don't know how to repay such kindness. If you will have me, then after we rescue Stella, my life is yours. I will devote the rest of my years to repaying this debt."
Buggy shook his head. "I don't want your life, Tesoro. But you're right about one thing: after this, you'll likely be marked by the Marines. You won't survive here alone. If you're willing, I'll take you in as one of my crew. I want you to become a member of the Yanhuang Pirates."The words hung heavy in the air, the first true invitation. And Buggy knew—after this moment—Tesoro could not refuse.