Alright, it's done! Buggy and Shanks, suit up as guards and lead us forward—Barrett and I," Fang Yi instructed as soon as their distraction stirred chaos. With Buggy's unusual ability, the quartet quietly slipped into Mary Geoise.
"Buggy, this mission is crucial—perhaps the only chance to save our captain's life. I promise you this: even if we don't get the Celestial Dragon treasure, I'll help you find other treasure. And if that fails, I'll take you to Sky Island—you know how much gold's up there," Fang Yi said seriously while helping Buggy don armor.
Buggy grumbled, but complied: "You lied to me about the Celestial Dragon's treasure again... I swear I'll never trust you someday!" Yet his tone hinted he'd follow through this time anyway. Despite his gruff exterior, Buggy cared about the crew immensely.
Within minutes, Buggy and Shanks had donned armor and assumed guard personas. As they prepared to move deeper into the city, a squad of real guards approached.
"What's happening at the front gate?" the captain demanded as he confronted Shanks and Buggy.
Referencing prearranged backstory, Shanks calmly replied, "Some disturbance—unrelated to us. Lord Rosward sent me to escort two slaves immediately. I must go."
"Lord Rosward's slaves? In that case, carry on," the guard leader nodded and left them behind.
Barrett sighed softly: "The security here is brutal. We barely triggered commotion outside, and reinforcements came in no time."
But Fang Yi grinned: "They didn't search us or question us at all! We're in."
"Stay sharp," Shanks warned. "We don't even know where 'Lord Rosward' is hidden."
They advanced boldly along a narrow alley. Fang Yi had instructed them that the main promenade was reserved for Celestial Dragons and honored guests—only side paths could be used.
Along the way, Barrett finally spoke up: "Why go to such lengths?"
Fang Yi paused, then smiled: "You ask why we'd do so much for Captain Roger? He's… our captain."
Barrett looked unconvinced, so Fang Yi prodded: "You accepted my invitation and came here anyway—why?"
Barrett turned his head and softly replied: "If he dies… I'll never have a chance to surpass him."
"He's so stubborn," Fang Yi mused. "But I get it—being around him changes you. Being near people like Roger makes you willing to lay your life down willingly."
Shanks nearly applauded inside his armor. Fang Yi continued: "He saved my life, and these crewmates are my family. Maybe you don't get it, but… I just want to live in this world, not run from it."
Barrett paused, then chimed in: "And… come to think of it, I want to belong."
Suddenly, they froze—someone loomed ahead.
"Buggy—kneel fast! A Celestial Dragon!" Shanks snapped low.
A young Celestial Dragon boy in a square helmet stood before them. Buggy instantly dropped to one knee; Barrett hesitated.
"Stand at attention—these men aren't trained slaves yet," Shanks whispered.
The boy looked down: "You dare to stay upright in front of me, the illustrious Commeracco!?" he demanded. His guards grabbed the two.
"Apologies, Commeracco! These men were sent by Lord Rosward, untrained slaves. They just arrived," Shanks replied, suppressing fear.
Even the boy rolled his eyes: "You needn't name Lord Rosward. Even if I snatched them from him, he wouldn't care. Only he'd tolerate such riffraff."
He turned to Buggy and Shanks: "You seem tolerable—escort them onward."
Buggy froze, and Shanks looked to Fang Yi for confirmation. He nodded, and they complied.
"Let's go to the slave arena today! I'm in a good mood!" Commeracco laughed, leading his entourage and escorts away.
Once his guards moved them indoors, Shanks leaned close: "Now what?"
"They separated us—for safety. Our handcuffs are self-made—easy to open—but once locked behind bars, escape becomes much harder."
Fang Yi nodded, signaling to Barrett: "Adapt to the situation."
Barrett agreed subtly.
Approaching a building, a guard addressed them: "Stay here till someone comes for you."
As the guard turned away, Fang Yi and Barrett moved quickly, incapacitating both guards.
"Move fast—this is the slave quarters. We might find our target soon!"
"But if we kill them here… won't Commeracco notice?"
Fang Yi laughed quietly: "Notice? They're just slave traffic to him. Guards, slaves—they barely register to the Celestial Dragons. He won't care."
He paused, concern flickering across his face: "I just hope things go smoothly for Buggy and Shanks."
Barrett ducked his head, but nodded in agreement.
"Our priority is the Surgery Fruit user. You pose as a guard. I'll stay hidden as a slave," Fang Yi concluded resolutely.
Barrett matched his resolve: Understood.