The hidden CP agents guarding Rosward were formidable, but against Buggy's calculated strike, they didn't stand a chance. One by one, they were silently taken down before they could raise any alarm.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Buggy moved to the grandest suite in the hotel. From inside came the sound of a woman's beautiful singing, mingled with vulgar laughter.
Buggy didn't kick the door in. Instead, he rapped lightly on it and spoke in a low voice:
"Saint Rosward, I've been sent with important intelligence from the World Government. Do you have a moment?"
Inside, Rosward was basking in Stella's singing when the knock interrupted him. His smile vanished instantly. His brow furrowed in irritation—who dared disturb his entertainment at this hour?
He didn't care what "important information" the World Government thought it had. He was a Celestial Dragon; they did not command him. Unless it came from the Gorosei themselves, he had no reason to care.
Various cruel punishments for the interruption flitted through his mind, and he sneered. With a flick of his hand, he ordered Stella to open the door.
The girl's voice faltered as she stood, her steps hesitant, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for the handle. Slowly, carefully, she opened the door.
The first thing she saw was a masked man standing before her—Buggy. His concealed face startled her. She glanced around nervously, scanning the hallway, suspicion rising, but unable to voice it.
Buggy recognized her instantly. Leaning close, he whispered:
"I'm the captain of Tesoro. I came to get you out."
The mention of Tesoro's name froze Stella. Surprise flashed across her face, then hope—quickly replaced by fear. Her eyes darted toward the room behind her, panic welling up. After a moment's struggle, she whispered back:
"You must leave. The one inside is a Celestial Dragon. You can't save me—if you try, you'll be dragged down too. Please… tell Tesoro I'm sorry. Tell him… maybe we'll meet in the next life."
Buggy's eyes softened. He understood. She wasn't unwilling to be saved—she was terrified that her rescue would cost another man his life.
Looking at this kind-hearted girl, Buggy raised his voice, firm:
"Save your words for Tesoro himself. I'm taking you out of here tonight."
Stella's face went pale. She frantically shook her head, her voice rising in fear as she glanced toward the room.
"No! Please—go quickly!"
But it was too late. Buggy's voice had carried inside.
Rosward froze for a moment at the sound, then a cruel grin spread across his face. He stood and approached, cane in hand, snarling,
"So… which filthy insect dares sneak into my hotel, thinking to steal my newest toy?"
Buggy stepped into the room.
The Celestial Dragon glared at the intruder, his expression not one of fear but contempt.
"You vile worm. What gives you the courage to steal my property? What gives you the courage not to kneel before me?"
Lifting his cane, Rosward leveled it at Buggy, finger tightening on the trigger mechanism concealed within. He intended to kill this pest in a single shot.
Buggy's eyes narrowed. With a snort, he vanished in a blur, reappearing at the cane's tip. His hand clamped down, ripping it away. Under Rosward's horrified gaze, Buggy crushed the weapon, splintering it into useless scrap.
Rosward's confidence wavered. Panic flickered, but he forced his voice loud, trying to reassert control.
"Y-you dare lay hands on me? I'm a Celestial Dragon! An Admiral will come for you the instant you harm me. Leave now, and maybe I'll be merciful!"
His arrogance was both shield and weapon. He believed no one would dare strike him, and he raised his voice intentionally, hoping the CP agents outside would hear and rush to his aid.
Buggy regarded him with cold disdain. Then he drove his foot forward.
Boom!
Rosward's body smashed into the wall, collapsing unconscious. Buggy had held back—delivering punishment but not death.
In truth, Buggy wanted nothing more than to kill the pompous tyrant. But he restrained himself. Killing a Celestial Dragon would trigger irreversible consequences. The World Government and Navy would never stop hunting him. At his current strength, he couldn't afford that fight.
Behind him, Stella gasped, eyes wide. She stared at the crumpled figure of the Celestial Dragon, unable to comprehend what she'd just witnessed.
Her voice trembled as she finally spoke:
"You… how could you… He's a Celestial Dragon! We're finished. We're both finished!"
Buggy didn't blame her fear. To a slave, Celestial Dragons were untouchable gods, as unreachable as the sun. That someone would dare defy, let alone strike one—it shattered her reality.
He answered calmly, almost dismissively:
"Don't be afraid. It's nothing. I hit him, and he's still breathing—that's already more mercy than he deserves."
His casual tone stunned Stella further. She now realized—if not for the man's identity, Buggy would likely have killed him outright.
Her voice softened, choked with emotion.
"Sir… are you truly Tesoro's captain? Why… why didn't he ever tell me?"
Buggy nodded. "We met Tesoro today. The moment we learned you'd been taken, he joined our crew. I came here for him—for you."
He pushed all the credit toward Tesoro, deliberately avoiding any attempt to claim her gratitude for himself.
Tears welled in Stella's eyes. Her heart ached. Tesoro had joined Buggy's crew just to save her. Even knowing she was in the hands of a Celestial Dragon, he had not abandoned her.
Moved beyond words, Stella whispered through her tears,
Tesoro… you fool…