Chapter Thirty-One: Captain Buffon

Buffon calmed himself, then quickly returned to the laboratory, finding that Saulo had already opened his eyes.

To prevent any overreaction upon awakening, Buffon had bound him to the operating table with the threads of the Stitch-Stitch Fruit.

“Saulo, calm down first. I’ll untie you now!” Buffon tried to soothe the giant.

If Saulo went berserk, Buffon could hold his own, but the cost might be the destruction of his new ship.

Hearing someone’s voice, Saulo turned his massive head toward Buffon.

“Who are you?” Saulo asked in confusion.

Buffon was unsure how to begin explaining. After a moment's thought, he said, “Nico Robin is still alive.”

At these words, the dullness in Saulo’s eyes faded, replaced by a glimmer of hope.

Buffon removed the threads binding him, led him to the deck, and began recounting the events of the intervening years, drawing upon his wealth of knowledge.

The conversation lasted over two hours—by far the most Buffon had spoken with anyone since arriving in this world.

Saulo listened quietly, never interrupting, sometimes frowning and shaking his head, at other moments smiling and nodding.

Only after Buffon finished did Saulo finally speak, his voice slow and gentle: “So I’ve been asleep for so many years. Thank you, Mr. Buffon.”

Buffon nodded, saying nothing more as if waiting for Saulo’s decision. Just then, a News Bird flew overhead.

Buffon flicked a hundred-berry coin toward the bird, prompting it to drop a newspaper.

He opened it, reading the headline: “Transport ship attacked and sunk near Impel Down. Former Navy scientist Caesar Courant presumed dead!”

At this, Buffon exclaimed in surprise. He’d only been gone a few days, and that fellow had already escaped?

The Navy’s prideful nature hadn’t changed; they claimed the scientist was dead!

Had he not possessed the knowledge of an Emperor, he might have believed it, like any ordinary citizen.

“It looks like he’s planning to return to Punk Hazard,” Buffon thought, handing the newspaper to Saulo.

After reading, Saulo asked, “Who is this scientist? Is he important to the Navy?”

It was clear that Saulo held genuine respect for scholars and scientists, but Caesar was destined to disappoint him.

Buffon wasn’t sure if Saulo knew about the Navy’s experiments, so he tested, “Do you know the Navy is researching giant gene studies?”

At this, Saulo’s calm face twisted into anger.

“I know about it, and I strongly opposed it!”

Confirmed as a kindred spirit, Buffon could now speak freely. He told Saulo everything he could, knowing that if Saulo doubted him, the corpses of giants brought from Punk Hazard would prove the truth.

Saulo did not question him. After listening, he pondered before asking sincerely, “Mr. Buffon, can you tell me who you are?”

Buffon realized he hadn’t introduced himself. He organized his thoughts and revealed his identity.

When Saulo heard Buffon had once created zombie armies under Moria’s command, his mood shifted. After Buffon finished, Saulo spoke:

“I will always remember your kindness in saving me, Mr. Buffon, but I cannot ally myself with someone who disrespects the bodies of the dead. Please drop me off at a suitable place. Someday, I’ll find a way to repay your favor.”

Truthfully, Buffon wished to recruit Saulo. Leaving aside his giant strength, it felt strange in the world of pirates not to have someone with a ‘D’ in their name by his side.

So Buffon persisted, “Where do you plan to go? Back to the Navy? As a civilian, if the Navy finds you, you’ll still be doomed. That leaves only the path of a pirate. If you must be a pirate, why not join me...”

He paused, remembering the world’s law: everyone worships the strong; words are powerless before strength.

He changed tack, speaking earnestly: “Let’s find a nearby island. If you defeat me, I’ll let you go to pursue your justice. If you can’t, stay and help me protect my neutrality.”

This touched Saulo’s heart, echoing the words Aokiji had spoken before freezing him: “Justice is defined by one’s perspective.”

But neutrality was different. If someone with true strength had been present during the Ohara Buster Call with a neutral stance, perhaps the tragedy could have been averted, or at least those on the refugee ship spared.

With that, Saulo made his decision: “Alright. If you defeat me, I’ll stay and guard your neutrality with you!”

Three days later, Buffon’s ship arrived at a nameless, desolate island. The two disembarked, found a broad clearing, and prepared for their duel.

Before they began, Saulo declared solemnly, “Mr. Buffon, I won’t hold back just because you saved me!”

Buffon nodded, said nothing, and beckoned him forward.

Saulo did not restrain himself, swinging his enormous fist at Buffon.

Buffon did not dodge. Facing a fist larger than himself, he extended a single palm.

When fist and palm met, the expected scene of Buffon being flattened did not occur. Instead, Saulo’s fist was halted by Buffon’s small hand, unable to advance even a fraction.

Buffon intoned, “Goalkeeper’s Secret Art: One-Handed Catch.”

Before Saulo could react, Buffon used Soru from the Six Powers, flashing behind Saulo, spinning in midair, and delivered a powerful Rankyaku to Saulo’s neck.

Buffon used only sixty percent of his strength, yet he brought the giant ex-Navy vice admiral crashing to the ground.

At that, Buffon withdrew.

He walked to Saulo’s head, tugged hard at his orange stubble. “Well, Saulo, have you decided?”

Saulo propped himself up with both hands, sat firmly on the ground, and replied seriously, “Alright! But I have one condition.”

Before Saulo could state it, Buffon interjected, “Never will I be an enemy of Nico Robin.” Then he turned and strode toward the ship.

Saulo was stunned. How could this human, barely a fifth his size, possess such strength? With just two moves from the Navy Six Powers, he’d been dispatched instantly.

Moreover, when Buffon caught his punch, he hadn’t seemed to use Iron Body or Haki to augment his defense.

But to Saulo, these were secondary. What mattered most was that this man could read his heart.

Still lost in thought, Saulo heard Buffon shouting from the ship, “Saulo, we’re setting sail! Are you coming or not?”

Saulo snapped out of it, grinning, and called back to the ship, “Hey ho! Captain Buffon, you go ahead—I’ll swim and catch up!”