As the two brothers performed their sacrifice, the village chief—within the sacrificial space—felt the ripple instantly. He activated his Devil Fruit powers, tracing the disturbance.
As the master of this domain, he quickly understood the cause. Someone was offering a life to him. And not just any life—a sacrifice that perfectly met the conditions. A major offering. One even he could not refuse.
At the same time, he conjured the outside world into view within the space. Though it was good news for him, he needed to see what was happening.
And then he saw them—Buggy and his crew, along with the villager who was to be the offering.
"So eager to die? Very well, I'll oblige you."
The old man, seasoned with decades of life, immediately guessed what was happening. These villagers had likely been coerced by Buggy into performing the ritual, all so Buggy could track him down.
Of course, as the Sacrifice Fruit's user, he could interfere with the ritual. But he dismissed the idea.
"If Buggy wants to come find me, let him."
The offering proceeded smoothly. When the sacrificial brother vanished completely, the rift above the villagers tore open. A cascade of treasures—gold, silver, and valuables—spilled forth.
At that exact moment, Buggy activated his Chop-Chop Fruit. His body fragmented into countless pieces and surged toward the rift, slipping into the sacrificial space before it could close.
Outside, Daddy Masterson, Lafitte, and the other crew members looked on, their faces heavy with worry as Buggy disappeared into the cavern.
Before entering, Buggy had left instructions. He had assured them he would return alive. He'd also shared his theory:
If the Sacrifice Fruit's user died, then the space itself would collapse, spitting him back out.
And even if that wasn't the case, it was still only a Devil Fruit's ability. No matter how strange it seemed, it couldn't be limitless. Destroying it from within should be possible. It wasn't as dangerous as it appeared.
That was why he went alone. Bringing his crew inside would only slow him down and risk casualties. If things went badly, he could still retreat safely. With others in tow, that would be impossible.
Though his crew was deeply uneasy—this was, after all, a bizarre and unknown fruit power—they ultimately accepted his decision. They trusted him to come back.
Inside the sacrificial space, Buggy's gaze landed on a stranger.
A tall figure, over two meters, with a square face, stern expression, and a mane of gray-white hair. He looked no older than his mid-thirties.
"Brat," the man said coldly, "we don't share any deep hatred. I've already withdrawn, and yet you dare pursue me even here. It seems today… You won't be leaving."
It was the village chief.
His previous frail, elderly form had been nothing but an illusion created by the Sacrifice Fruit. In truth, his real age was past eighty. The fruit's power, fueled by endless offerings, had preserved his body and allowed him to assume whatever appearance he desired.
"You're… the village chief?"
Buggy stared, barely able to believe his eyes.
The man smirked.
"Hahaha! Surprised? This is the miracle of the fruit. As long as offerings are made, as long as I have the energy, I can preserve this form. I can take on any visage I want.
And this space… It's all under my control. You ignorant brat, daring to step in here—today is your death sentence!"
His expression radiated arrogance, as if he were a child proudly showing off a prized toy. He flaunted his fruit's abilities and, in doing so, declared Buggy's doom.
Buggy, though startled at first, quickly schooled his expression. His wariness toward the Sacrifice Fruit deepened.
"Boy, I'll give you one last chance," the chief said, mistaking Buggy's silence for fear. "Swear loyalty to me, and I'll forgive you. With your strength at my side, once I gather more offerings, the future will be mine for the taking."
Buggy almost laughed. An old fossil already half-buried in the grave, daring to dream of recruiting him, a future Emperor of the Seas?
Ridiculous.
"Enough talk. Make your move."
The chief's expression darkened instantly. His killing intent surged like a storm.
Without another word, the space shuddered. Dozens of streams of shimmering energy—each born of human emotions—peeled free from the void: greed, anger, obsession, hatred, love, malice, desire… every feeling imaginable, distilled from countless sacrifices.
This was the raw essence of the Sacrifice Fruit, the foundation of this pocket world.
The energies weren't solid—they were translucent, intangible. Yet as they rushed toward Buggy, his instincts screamed with danger.
Buggy slashed out with Flame Sun Slash, unleashing a sword aura. But the attack passed straight through the streams of energy, carving only space. Not even a ripple.
"Tch." Buggy couldn't help but curse. "So this is the Sacrifice Fruit's power… even my swordsman-level techniques can't touch it."
He prepared to use Soru to dodge—when a surge inside him stirred.
His Conqueror's Haki.
It pulsed violently, as if responding to the incoming assault.
Trusting his instincts, Buggy unleashed it in a wave, letting his will crash against the converging energies.
The moment they met, the intangible streams of emotion suddenly turned solid, colliding with his Haki in an earth-shaking explosion.
The invisible battle had begun.