Damn it! At this point, I don't care about my pride—survival comes first!

If I want to live, I need to escape!

Buggy swiftly crossed his arms beneath his coat, and in the blink of an eye, drew eight small throwing knives between his fingers. In one fluid motion, he hurled them at Davy Jones and Alvida.

"Clown Knife Throw!"

Clang! Clang!

Alvida knocked the knives out of the air with her spiked club, her expression darkening as she glared at Buggy.

By then, Buggy had already dashed toward a nearby window.

He leapt — intending to land on the street below!

But because the window was narrow — and to cushion the impact — Buggy used his Devil Fruit powers to split his body into several parts, each tumbling out of the window separately.

Alvida's eyes widened in surprise, only then realizing what was happening.

The Chop-Chop Fruit!

Davy Jones, meanwhile, remained composed. He calmly swatted aside the flying knives with his crab claw, took a drag from his pipe, and then extended two long tentacles from beneath his cloak.

Swish—

Like striking serpents, the tentacles darted through the air, bypassing Buggy's disassembled limbs and wrapping precisely around his head.

"Wha—?!"

Buggy's face was instantly wrapped in a cold, slimy sensation. His vision spun — and the next moment, his head was dragged back inside the building!

His tricorn hat flew off as he was reeled in.

His head tumbled onto the floor and rolled a few times before coming to a halt — pinned under Davy Jones' boot. Looking up, Buggy found himself staring into the cold, steel-blue eyes of the monstrous pirate.

His body parts had landed safely on the street below — but in this awkward situation, they were useless.

Davy Jones calmly stowed away his pipe, grabbed Buggy's hair with a tentacle, and lifted the severed head into the air. He narrowed his eyes, examining it with a strange curiosity.

No blood… A perfect cut. Fascinating.

"So this is the power of a Devil Fruit," Davy Jones murmured. "Impressive."

Alvida came closer, intrigued. She examined the clown-faced pirate's severed head with wide eyes.

Buggy, face painted like a clown, met Davy Jones' gaze. He'd always been a coward — but now, he was trembling so much tears were beginning to form in his eyes.

"I heard the others call you Captain Buggy," Davy Jones said.

His mouth-tentacles squirmed forward, slithering over Buggy's cheeks — just inches from slipping into his ears, nostrils, and mouth.

Buggy froze in place, too terrified to move.

"Buggy… Are you afraid of death?" Davy Jones asked.

Buggy felt a chill rush down his spine. He didn't even need to think.

He nodded violently.

Davy Jones' tentacles receded like a tide.

"Then I'll give you a chance to live," he said coldly. "Tell me: what exactly is your Devil Fruit power? And who designed that cannonball you used earlier?"

"My Devil Fruit power is the Chop-Chop Fruit," Buggy stammered, his teeth chattering. "As for the cannonball… I—I made it."

That took Davy Jones by surprise. But he quickly nodded, regaining his composure.

"Can you produce them in bulk?"

"Y-Yes! Absolutely!" Buggy blurted, desperate to stay alive.

Davy Jones smiled slightly.

"Good. Then I offer you a verbal contract: craft 100 of those cannonballs for me, and I'll spare your life."

He'd made a verbal pact with Alvida too — though the terms had been different. His needs varied from person to person.

Of course, Buggy's Buggy Balls were only a temporary measure — meant to bolster the Terror Ghost's firepower in its early stages. With time, the ship's own cannons — enhanced by Davy Jones himself — would far surpass the destructive force of Buggy Balls.

Buggy had no real say in the matter.

He nodded pitifully.

"Y-Yes. I'll make you 100 Buggy Balls…"

"Excellent. I am Davy Jones. Our contract is now in effect."

Davy Jones?

Buggy's heart skipped a beat.

He'd heard that name before — a terrifying legend whispered among pirates and sailors alike. During his younger days sailing under powerful captains, Buggy had picked up all sorts of maritime lore… and this name was one he remembered.

But he didn't dare press the issue. He simply played dumb.

"Yes, Captain Davy Jones. About my crew…"

"Let them fend for themselves."

"A-Ah… Yes, sir."

Davy Jones wasn't interested in slaughtering Buggy's crew — he wasn't a Marine, after all. Unless they went out of their way to bother him, he didn't care. But neither would he allow them aboard the Terror Ghost.

His standards were far too high.

A crew must be chosen with care…

Then, Davy Jones turned to Alvida.

Alvida tensed up.

Had she done something wrong?

She instinctively tried to shrink herself — but with her large, bulky frame, that was impossible.

"Alvida," Davy Jones said calmly. "As I once told you — I am a man of fairness. You have fulfilled your contract. You are now… free."

Buggy's eyes lit up.

So this strange pirate captain really honors his contracts…

If I make those 100 Buggy Balls like he asked, maybe I'll really be free again…

Buggy had to admit — this was eerily similar to how Davy Jones was described in sailor legends.

He still had his doubts — but dared not speak them.

Alvida, meanwhile, was both surprised… and not.

After all, even Koby, who had once tried to manipulate Davy Jones, had been released after fulfilling his contract.

Captain Davy Jones was cruel and ruthless, yes — but he honored his contracts, regardless of who the other party was.

Alvida, now free… found herself hesitating.

Buggy would soon be taken to the Terror Ghost, setting sail once more.

That meant the rest of the Buggy Pirates would be left behind — leaderless.

She could take control of them.

But what would be the point?

Even if she led them and expanded her territory, growing stronger with every victory… at best, she'd only rise to the level of someone like Don Krieg.

And Krieg himself didn't dare challenge the Grand Line directly. He even avoided Loguetown, where Marine HQ's Captain Smoker was stationed.

Not to mention, the legendary Marine Vice Admiral Garp hailed from the East Blue.

If Alvida stayed here as a local pirate boss… it was only a matter of time before someone like Garp crushed her.

But Davy Jones?

He had single-handedly wiped out her crew, sunk Buggy's ship, defeated Mohji and Cabaji, and even destroyed three Marine battleships without taking a scratch.

A man like that didn't belong in the East Blue.

He was destined for the Grand Line.

If I follow him… I'll reach the Grand Line too.

Even pirates needed to plan for their future.

And Alvida had made her choice.

Without hesitation, she dropped her spiked club to the floor, knelt down, and bowed deeply.

"Great Captain Davy Jones — please grant me the honor of sailing at your side. I wish to become one of your crew!"

Buggy — reduced to just a head — looked absolutely bewildered.

What the hell? Is she stupid?

She just got released — and now she wants back in?!

If it were me, I'd have run the moment he let me go!

Of course, Buggy couldn't have guessed what Alvida was truly thinking.

Davy Jones tilted his head.

"Are you sure?" he asked, calmly. "You are free now, by the terms of our agreement. But if you step aboard my ship as a crewmember, you won't get another chance to leave. And if you betray me in the slightest—"

"I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth, and make you wish for death."

Alvida swallowed hard — but forced herself to remain composed.

"I understand, Captain Davy Jones. I've made up my mind. Please… let me follow you."

The room fell silent.

Alvida remained prostrated on the floor, not daring to look up.

Finally, Davy Jones laughed heartily.

Alvida looked up, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Good. Very good," he said, his tentacles writhing beneath his chin like a beard.

"Alvida, you've made the right decision."

"You've passed my final test."

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