Buggy's expression froze. His mouth hung open, but no sound came out.
That was not just the sound of a gem breaking.
It was the sound of his heart shattering.
And the most direct, brutal reminder of the absolute gap in power.
He had no doubt at all that crushing his skull would be even easier for that claw than crushing that sapphire.
Bullet relaxed his hand, letting the gem dust drift away.
His dragon claw faded back to human form. He gave his fingers a casual flick, as if he had only brushed off a bit of dirt.
"See?"
Bullet looked at the ashen faced Buggy, his tone still utterly flat.
"These things are fragile."
"To protect them, you need strength."
"And you..."
His gaze swept up and down Buggy's trembling frame.
"Clearly do not have enough strength to protect this many 'fragile' things. Especially on this ship."
Buggy's whole body flinched. He understood the threat between the lines.
This guy did not care in the slightest about rules.
He was just robbing him in broad daylight.
And doing it with that infuriating attitude of I am doing this for your own good.
"W... what do you want?"
Buggy's voice was thick with tears. Not the fake kind. Real heartbreak, stacked on top of real fear.
"I am not interested in your whole collection."
Bullet's words made Buggy relax a tiny bit, only for the next sentence to choke him again.
"But I will need some starting funds in the future."
"For now, I will borrow a portion."
"Borrow?!"
Buggy squeaked, then quickly dropped his volume under Bullet's calm stare.
"Will you... will you give it back?"
"Yes."
Bullet nodded, to Buggy's surprise, without hesitation.
"Double."
Double?
Buggy's beady little eyes spun rapidly. His greedy nature wrestled with his terror.
It hurt like hell, but if he could really get it back at double...
That did not sound completely unacceptable.
At the very least, it was better than losing everything.
"R... really double?"
He asked cautiously.
"I keep my word."
Bullet replied.
"You can remember this."
"When I have my own ship and territory someday, you can come collect with proof."
"Or when I find better treasure next time, I will make it up to you."
The IOU was made of nothing but air, but it was painted beautifully.
Buggy half believed, half doubted. But right now, the reality of strength pressed heavier than suspicion.
Face twisted in misery, he stared at his beloved treasure pile, then finally ground his teeth.
"Th... then how much are you borrowing?"
Bullet was not greedy. He understood the value of the long game, and pushing too far might backfire.
He pointed at the glittering heap.
"One third."
"Gold coins and jewelry that is easy to use as currency. You can keep most of the gems."
It was still like cutting off a chunk of flesh, but hearing that he only had to part with a third and could keep most of the gemstones made Buggy feel... slightly less doomed.
Grumbling and dragging his feet, he began to sort the treasure.
Every coin he handed over looked like it physically hurt him.
Bullet, from who knew where, produced a sturdy cloth bag he had clearly prepared in advance.
He packed in the gold and jewelry "contributed" by Buggy, hefted the weight in his hand. Not light at all. More than enough as an initial fund.
"Thanks, Buggy."
Bullet tied the bag shut. There was finally a hint of warmth in his voice.
That warmth, in Buggy's ears, only sounded more terrifying.
"Remember, this is our little secret."
"If Mr. Rayleigh or the captain ask where this money came from..."
"I lent it to you of my own free will!"
Buggy blurted out before Bullet even finished, forcing a smile uglier than crying onto his face.
"I am supporting a partner's future business!"
He understood now. This guy did not just hit hard, he thought deep.
Not someone he could afford to cross.
Bullet nodded and walked away with the bag, leaving the dim cargo hold behind.
Only when the sound of his footsteps completely faded did Buggy collapse to the floor like a deflated balloon.
He stared at the treasure pile that was clearly thinner than before, eyes brimming with tears that would not quite fall.
Once the fear ebbed, it was replaced by a tidal wave of heartbreak and thick, simmering resentment.
"Damn Bullet... monster... robber... my precious treasure..."
He muttered curses under his breath, too scared to raise his voice.
The image of that dragon claw crushing the gem was carved deeply into his mind.
He had absolutely no doubt that if he tried anything or snitched, the next thing to be crushed might not be a gemstone.
In Buggy's personal danger rankings, Bullet instantly rose to stand alongside Rayleigh when he was teaching him a "lesson" and Shanks when he was messing with him... maybe even higher.
This was someone who could do the most vicious things in the calmest tone, and was so strong that Buggy could not even muster the idea of resisting.
He hated him.
He feared him.
And somewhere, deep down, he still clung to a pathetic little hope for that "double repayment."
Those tangled feelings would stay with Buggy for a long time.
Meanwhile, Bullet walked toward his cabin with his first pot of gold in hand, his steps steady.
The money problem was preliminarily solved.
The next goal was to keep getting stronger... and wait for the right moment to truly set sail.
The web of relationships between him and the various people on this ship continued weaving itself quietly through these daily frictions and negotiations.