It was from that moment onward that Jake considered Monet his only true companion in this world.
In the original story, Monet had died just before pressing the detonation button.
But here, because of that piece of bread, Jake was determined to change her fate no matter what.
A bird yearning for freedom shouldn't fly from one cage to another.
From beginning to end, she had lived only for Doflamingo.
But before that, Jake believed their first priority was escaping this cage.
Judging from the earlier conversations of their captors, two notorious pirates with bounties of 5 million berries each would come tonight to transport this batch of slaves.
That meant tonight was their best chance to escape.
Once at sea, even if they defeated their enemies, without navigation skills or strength, they'd essentially be waiting to die.
Therefore, they absolutely had to escape on land first, then find a way to the nearest island to board another ship and flee these waters!
The burly guard seemed to know this was his last day on duty.
His expression was much more relaxed than usual, even leaving his ever-present longsword on the table instead of keeping it at his waist.
He appeared to have been drinking—or rather, drinking heavily.
The cheap smell of beer soaked his collar and sleeves.
The burly man, his face slightly flushed with excitement, arrived in front of the prison cell.
His small, bloodshot eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for prey that could provide him a night of pleasure and relaxation.
Unfortunately, in this lowest-level cell, most of the slaves were severely malnourished, their faces pale and thin, their bodies emitting an unbearable stench of shit.
Even for a man like him, who wasn't particularly picky, it was hard to stomach.
But the Guard name Bell had drunk far too much today.
Those damned booze always left his body burning with heat.
So, after downing another mouthful of strong booze, he swung the cell door open!
As the pungent smell of alcohol filled the cell, the imprisoned slaves wore expressions of terror—especially the female slaves, who curled up and desperately tried to fade from the burly man's sight, praying not to be chosen.
Fortunately, the drunken Bell merely glanced at the women.
The revolting stench they emitted made his face twist with disgust.
Irritated, he scratched his head, his eyes searching restlessly.
The heat from the alcohol made him desperate to find someone who could bring him joy right now.
After a thorough search, Bell finally spotted Jake and Monet in an inconspicuous corner of the cell.
A gleam flashed in Bell's narrow, murky eyes.
Without hesitation, he strode forward, tossing aside any slaves who couldn't dodge fast enough.
In moments, he loomed over Jake and Monet, his overpowering alcohol-laden breath washing over them.
Up close, his menacing muscles looked even more intimidating and grotesque.
Monet's hands instinctively tightened.
Jake could feel the fabric of his clothes straining where she gripped them.
Watching this, Jake decided to take a risk.
He stepped forward, shielding most of Monet's body behind him, while preparing to say something to the man—anything to buy time until the loading completed.
Seeing Jake's actions, the man's face twisted into an eerie grin.
His rough, dark cheeks suddenly flushed red—whether from intoxication or something else, it was hard to say.
The next moment, he reached out, his massive hand lunging toward Jake.
Staring at the enormous arm, Jake's expression turned grave.
Monet shut her eyes in despair, too terrified to imagine the hellish fate that awaited them if they were caught.
Yet, the expected pain never came.
Monet opened her eyes in surprise, only to see Jake being lifted into the air by Bell hands.
At that moment, Jake, Monet and even the silent slaves watching were all frozen in shock.
Bell's face flushed deeper as he gazed at Jake, his lips stretching into a horrifying grin.
"You smell so good, little guy!"
"You're different from the others here. You smell so nice, and your skin is so smooth. I really like you, hehehehe~"
Bell hugged Jake tightly while letting out an unpleasant, strange laugh.
This unexpected turn of events caught everyone present off guard—even Jake himself never anticipated such a development.
The man's arms around him felt like steel bars, his muscles as hard as stone.
No matter how much Jake struggled, it was utterly futile!
"Stop struggling, pretty boy. Just get through tonight and I'll make sure you get a private room on that slave ship. You should know—if you're locked in the bottom deck, you'll likely die from all kinds of diseases before reaching the destination!"
"Honestly, if I didn't owe the boss some money, I'd buy you for myself. Then I could—"
Before Bell could finish his sentence, a trembling female voice interrupted him.
"Put Jake down! He's a valuable slave, isn't he? If the higher-ups find out you're acting on your own like this, you'll be punished!"
Hearing the voice, Bell turned his head and saw Monet standing before him, her body slightly trembling but her feet firmly planted.
Under normal circumstances, Bell might have hesitated at her words, but now, drunk and with his judgment clouded by alcohol, rage completely overtook him.
His muscles bulging, he swung his arm violently and roared.
"Get out of my sight, woman!"
If that strike landed, Monet would undoubtedly be reduced to a bloody pulp!
The terrifying gust of wind even blew Monet's glasses off, revealing her beautiful eyes now filled with terror.
But the next moment, the sound of flesh tearing echoed through the air, accompanied by the severing of a massive arm.