Chapter 101: The Price the Celestial Dragons Must Pay

Although the sandstorm was still growing, Buffon's shadow water was absorbing it, gradually reducing its scale.

Just as Crocodile was about to strike Buffon with his golden hook, attempting to interrupt him, he realized that his body was also being drawn in by Buffon's shadow beneath his feet.

This scene lasted less than three minutes. The instant the sandstorm vanished, Buffon reappeared right before Crocodile.

“What exactly are you...” Crocodile began, but before he could finish, Buffon produced a pair of Seastone handcuffs from somewhere and immediately shackled Crocodile.

This sudden turn left Crocodile dumbfounded. “What’s this?”

Without hesitation, Buffon delivered a chop to knock him unconscious.

Meanwhile, Vivi, who had been anxious moments before, now wore a relieved expression.

Koska, who had just arrived, witnessed this and was utterly stunned.

“Captain Buffon, thank you for saving me. But you killed a Celestial Dragon. From now on...” Upon hearing this, everyone present—except Buffon—wore grim expressions.

They all knew that offending a Celestial Dragon was a death sentence, and Buffon had even killed one.

At that moment, Vivi couldn’t help but speak: “Captain Buffon, do you think it might be possible to exchange that historical text with the Celestial Dragons for your survival? The nation’s crisis has mostly passed, and Robin is still missing. As for that historical text...”

Before she could finish, Cobra interrupted, “Vivi, the true crisis of this nation isn’t just about the historical text.”

He then took Vivi’s hand, apologized to the group, and turned toward the ruins of the Mausoleum.

Funkrey watched Crocodile, unconscious on the ground, with a complex expression. He asked Buffon, “Buffon Boy, can you spare him?”

Buffon shook his head calmly. “After causing such a commotion, perhaps only Impel Down is the safest place for him now.”

Buffon’s words were true. Even if Crocodile were released, there was no way he'd remain in Alabasta. He had failed the World Government’s mission and firmly bore the mark of the Baroque Works’ traitor.

So, he was destined to be a scapegoat.

Without allies, even if he took the loyal Mr. 1 to sea, without the advantage of the desert as his home turf, how effective could Crocodile’s Devil Fruit powers be?

Under the supreme rule of the Celestial Dragons and facing high bounties and Navy pursuit, it was better to be locked away in Impel Down.

As for recruiting Crocodile under his banner, Buffon didn’t hold any hope—at least not now.

Pirates of Crocodile’s caliber rarely joined other crews without extraordinary circumstances, nor would they submit to other pirates.

Seeing Funkrey’s reluctant look, Buffon said bluntly, “This might be the only way to preserve the last shred of his dignity.”

Hearing this, Funkrey fell silent.

Soon, Lily, Baggio, and the rest of the Straw Hat crew arrived. Seeing Reiju unharmed, those unaware of the situation credited Buffon with the feat.

Baggio looked down at the unconscious bodies and asked seriously, “What now?”

“Fight the World Government to the end!” Buffon replied calmly.

What seemed like an insurmountable challenge was, to him, just another step.

Buffon harbored no reservations about Baggio, but Lily and Reiju were different. They were not as deeply connected to him and had no reason to oppose the Celestial Dragons alongside him.

“Lily, Reiju, if either of you want to leave, follow Luffy and the others,” Buffon said evenly, his tone devoid of emotion.

Before Reiju could respond, Lily interrupted, “I’m not leaving. My father and I are pirates; wherever we go, the Navy hunts us. If you’re caught by the Navy, I can turn small and hide on you, then rescue you.”

Reiju smiled and nodded, “My battle armor hasn’t even been delivered yet. If I go back now, I’ll probably be sent right back by my father.”

Reiju had a more personal reason unspoken—she, too, was a victim of her father’s ruthless rule within the privileged class. Having suffered greatly over the years, she was now willing to resist and follow Buffon.

Moreover, Buffon might help her break free from her father’s control once and for all.

“Good. Take the unconscious ones with you. Go to the Sandora Canal, meet up with Saul and the others, then head south to wait near Iruma Port,” Buffon instructed.

Baggio added, “What about the Celestial Dragon’s corpse?”

“Take it with you. That thing might come in handy at a critical moment,” Buffon said seriously.

“What about Princess Vivi?” Reiju asked appropriately.

“I’m taking her with me,” Buffon replied.

Lily then tentatively asked, “And those giant tribe members under the Celestial Dragon’s command?”

“Take them along, too!”

After saying this, Buffon shackled the four top agents together with Crocodile and urged the three to leave quickly.

Then he turned to Luffy. “You all should leave soon. After causing such a ruckus, the Navy will definitely seal off every port in Alabasta.”

“Doctor Buffon, are you staying behind to attract their attention?” Chopper asked, almost in tears.

Buffon replied earnestly, “I’m staying to treat the wounded from this war. So you must help me draw away the Navy led by Dazsuki.”

He paused, then said to Funkrey, “Funkrey, disguise yourself as me and follow Baggio’s group. But don’t get too close. See if you can lure that woman away. Don’t let those two groups interfere with my work.”

Buffon’s stature in everyone’s eyes grew ever greater. As Luffy nodded and prepared to leave, Funkrey suddenly asked, “How did you recognize I wasn’t the long-nosed one outside the city?”

Before Buffon could answer, Usopp unwrapped the bandage on his hand to reveal an X mark.

Funkrey realized, “You were on guard against me all along?”

Luffy grabbed Funkrey’s arm. “Don’t dwell on this. Let’s hurry and help Captain Buffon lead the Navy away.”

After the group vanished, gunshots echoed through the city along with Dazsuki’s shout: “It’s the Straw Hat crew! This time, don’t let them escape!”

Koska, who had been silently observing, now fully understood his prior ignorance.

His admiration for Buffon had surpassed that for the king he had never doubted.

Meanwhile, Cobra and Vivi had left the Mausoleum ruins.

Seeing only Buffon and Koska there, Vivi asked curiously, “Captain Buffon, where did the others go?”

Buffon calmly explained his plan.

Cobra listened and asked evenly, “Doctor Buffon, you have the historical text, right?”

Buffon replied seriously, “If it wasn’t destroyed by Crocodile, then it should be in the hands of the Straw Hat crew.”

Vivi and Cobra exchanged a glance, then said in unison, “Yes! It must be so!”

“Then Vivi, please take good care of Doctor Buffon in the future!” Cobra said, about to salute him.

Having killed a Celestial Dragon, Buffon was now a marked man, just like Vivi.

Thus...

Buffon quickly steadied him and said, “I still want to save the wounded here. As for that female Navy admiral...” He then shared the plan he had not previously disclosed with Cobra.

Cobra nodded and sincerely thanked him, “Doctor Buffon, if you ever wish to live in obscurity, Alabasta’s palace will always welcome you!”

With that, Cobra turned to call Koska and headed toward the plaza.

The king and the former rebel leader had finally cleared all misunderstandings between them.

Koska glanced back at Vivi, intending to say something, but held his tongue.

He knew protecting Vivi’s safety had become a task he could not complete, even at the cost of his life.

After they left, Buffon thought to himself, “With so much experience, I can’t just let it go, and I haven’t gotten my hands on the Gravity Fruit or the Flowing Cherry yet.”

Having killed a Celestial Dragon, though the World Government might not publicize it, secret assassinations would surely increase.

The more means of self-preservation he had now, the better.

Meanwhile, the battle between Issho and Yukima had moved from the plaza to the desert outside the city.

Clearly, the events at the Mausoleum hadn’t disturbed their fight.

Issho bore several wounds, and Yukima’s “cherry blossom petals” had noticeably diminished.

Now, she was wrapped solely in a layer of crimson Flowing Cherry, her breathtaking curves fully on display.

Had anyone at the plaza seen this, they would have understood why she had insulted Buffon earlier.

Though it was impossible to see if she was injured, her breathing betrayed the intensity of their battle. Despite her admiral strength, this fight was far from easy.

“Old blind man, with your skills, why don’t you become a pirate? Why not join the Navy?” Yukima ceased her attack and asked earnestly.

“The Navy’s way of doing things is something I cannot accept yet, so...” he began.

Yukima interrupted, “Do you mean the Navy or the World Government’s methods?”

“What’s the difference?” he replied.

Her expression grew serious. “The World Government’s position is centered on Celestial Dragon rule, but the Navy’s essence is to maintain peace on the seas.”

Her words struck Issho deeply.

“Then how do you explain someone with admiral strength like you guarding a Celestial Dragon and aiding their wickedness?” he pressed.

“Do you think I couldn’t have saved that Celestial Dragon from Buffon back then?” Yukima spoke with pride.

Issho fell into thought.

“After Roger’s public execution, piracy didn’t decline; it entered the so-called Great Pirate Era. But the arrogant Celestial Dragons ignored this and even appointed the Seven Warlords of the Sea to intimidate small-time pirates, an absurd decision.

Kamael Saint deserved the fate for their arrogance! The Navy has its own justice; they are not merely the Celestial Dragons’ lackeys as pirates claim.”

Issho was shaken by this.

“So you want the Celestial Dragons to reap what they sow and abolish the Seven Warlords? Then what about Buffon...”

Before Issho finished, Yukima cut in, “But that shameless Buffon...”

Her face darkened with fury once again.