Chapter 40 : Domino!

"Yes, the situation on the fourth underground floor is basically under control. There's no need for you to rush up! You have other things to do!"

"That's right!"

"Yes! Don't worry!"

"Because many of the prisoners who escaped this time were those who were said to be Demoned Away, Warden Magellan thinks they didn't disappear but hid in a corner of the fifth or sixth underground floor!"

"Since you're all wearing protective suits right now, Warden Magellan needs you to conduct a comprehensive search of the fifth and sixth underground floors until you find their hiding place!"

"Right!"

...

Buggy stood at the door of Magellan's office, watching Domino, who was talking to Den Den Mushi, without any intention of interrupting her.

Although Domino also noticed Buggy, she didn't show any panic. She remained calm and assigned the nonexistent task to Sadi on the fifth underground floor.

After Domino hung up the phone, Buggy smiled and said, "Are you doing this to preserve the last manpower for Impel Down?"

Domino, expressionless, replied, "The situation is over. There's no need for Sadi and her 500 men to make unnecessary sacrifices."

"Interesting," Buggy looked at Domino with some amusement, "But now that I know this force still exists, aren't you afraid I'll turn around and kill them?"

Domino pushed her glasses up and said, "Your goal is to escape from prison. Even if you know about Sadi and the others, you won't waste too much time on them."

Buggy laughed at this and said, "Are you so confident that we can escape?"

Domino sighed and said, "Even though Warden Magellan has made arrangements, I feel a man like you wouldn't fail to think of that. You should have already found a way to leave here!"

"Not bad," Buggy said, looking at Domino with admiration. "It's a real waste of talent for someone like you to be stuck here in this small Impel Down. Why don't you come with me?"

"Absolutely not!" Domino replied, frowning and shaking her head. "Even though we lost this time, you're the prisoner and I'm the guard. I'll never give in to you!"

Buggy laughed. "Hahaha, don't be so quick to refuse. Everyone has a price. The reason we can't reach an agreement is that the price isn't right yet!"

"Why don't you hear the 'price' I'm offering first?" he continued.

Domino shook her head firmly. "No matter what you offer, it's impossible!"

Buggy's tone turned calm. "What if the price I'm offering is the lives of Sadi and the five hundred jailers?"

Domino was stunned, her expression changing abruptly.

Buggy smiled and said, "If it were just those jailers, I wouldn't bother. But for you, Domino, it's worth the effort!"

"Domino, you wouldn't want Sadi and the others to die because of you, would you?" Buggy pressed.

Domino gritted her teeth. "Buggy the Clown! What exactly do you want?"

Buggy spread his hands with a grin. "Isn't it clear? I'm doing this for you!"

Domino glared at Buggy, her eyes filled with a burning hatred.

Buggy stopped pressing Domino, instead waiting patiently for her response.

Domino was battling fiercely between her conscience and her desires. She had steeled herself to sacrifice her life, but she hadn't anticipated Buggy's sudden shift in tactics!

After a long silence, Domino finally made up her mind and said through gritted teeth, "I can agree, but your offer isn't enough! You'll need to give more!"

Buggy, intrigued, asked, "What do you want?"

Domino pointed to the battlefield outside and said, "Those jailers have lost their fighting spirit. They no longer pose a threat to you! Release them along with Sadi and the others!"

Without hesitation, Buggy responded firmly, "Impossible!"

Domino was taken aback. She hadn't expected Buggy to be so resolute!

Before Domino could respond, Buggy continued, "A fighting spirit can be rekindled if lost, but I can't afford to leave myself with an uncontrollable threat!"

While Sadi and the five hundred jailers on the fifth underground floor were troublesome, they were still manageable. And as Domino pointed out, Buggy didn't want to waste time dealing with them!

Exchanging them for Domino now would be a win for Buggy.

However, the situation was different for the jailers fighting on the fourth underground floor!

Not only were they numerous, but if Sadi could regroup them after their release, they would definitely threaten his plans!

So Buggy had no intention of agreeing to Domino's request.

Domino could hear the resolve in Buggy's tone and realized he wouldn't change his mind for her. She could only compromise and said, "You must not attack Sadi and the others!"

Buggy flashed a grin and said, "Good choice! Sometimes death is the easy way out, but living with humiliation is far tougher!"

"Domino, my admiration for you just keeps growing!"

Domino stayed silent, offering no reply. She had also considered the situation and decided to deal with Buggy first. 

After Buggy and his crew left Impel Down and Sadi and the others were safe, she would face Buggy in a fight to the death. 

She was determined to avenge Magellan, Hannyabal, and the Impel Down guards. Even if revenge proved impossible, she was willing to sacrifice her life to ensure Buggy did not succeed.

Buggy, oblivious to Domino's thoughts, took a seat in Magellan's office chair. "Domino, how did you manage to contact the Marine Headquarters outside Impel Down?"

"Using Den Den Mushi," Domino's eyes narrowed slightly as she responded. "If you're hoping to use those warships to escape, forget it. They won't approach Impel Down without Warden Magellan's orders—and he's dead."

Buggy chuckled and said, "Don't worry about my plans. You do have Den Den Mushi numbers to contact the Marine Headquarters, don't you?"

Domino hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. "Yes, I always carry them."

"Perfect, then you'll just need to stay with me from now on!" After a brief pause, Buggy added, "By the way, the Marine Headquarters should be broadcasting live right now. Do you know what stage they're at?"

Domino replied coldly, "Do you think we have the luxury to watch the Navy Headquarters' live broadcast today?"

Buggy shrugged and said, "Well, you must have the equipment to watch it, right?"

"Yes," Domino said, frowning. "You haven't escaped yet, and you're still interested in the live broadcast?"

Buggy smiled. "I'm not interested in watching it now. I just want something to pass the time on our way out!"

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