Slaves long for freedom, but they are fundamentally different from the prisoners suffering in the depths of Impel Down.
If an Impel Down inmate were to seize an opportunity, they would rack their brains to find a way to escape.
Slaves, however, hesitate.
That is the essential difference between them and the prisoners of Impel Down.
Maude cast a brief glance at the silent slaves, saying nothing more as he stepped through the broken iron bars and made his way toward the transparent glass tank imprisoning the mermaid girl.
The slaves hesitated, watching Maude approach the tank.
"So... can we go look for the keys?"
The speaker was the same male slave from earlier.
His words reflected the thoughts of all the other slaves.
"Do as you wish. You don't need to ask me."
Standing before the transparent tank, Maude turned his head slightly to glance at the fearful slaves.
Even for something as simple as this, they tread carefully.
It was no wonder some people despised the very existence of slavery from the depths of their hearts.
"Thank you!"
To the slaves, Maude's words were a pardon, and they hurriedly got up, heading outside the cell to search the corpses for keys to unlock their shackles and collars.
Inside the tank, the mermaid girl—unable to hear sound—watched in surprise.
Then, she cautiously shifted her gaze to Maude standing in front of the tank, her expression full of fear.
She didn't know what Maude intended to do.
But her instincts told her that this man wouldn't hurt her.
Even so, she couldn't suppress the fear welling up inside her.
Maude lifted the heavy wooden board covering the top of the tank and broke the chains that restrained the mermaid girl.
"Can you get out on your own?"
"..."
The mermaid girl stared blankly at Maude.
"Do you not understand me?"
"I-I understand..."
She snapped out of her daze and lifted her face above the water's surface.
Still timidly watching Maude, she braced herself against the rim of the tank, pushing with her hands in an attempt to lift her upper body out of the water.
She then frantically clawed at the edge, trying to pull her lower half out of the tank.
But to her, the shackles on her body were too heavy—or perhaps for some other reason—causing her repeated attempts to end in failure.
Her frantic movements caused her hair, which had been covering her chest, to fall to one side, revealing an unintended glimpse of her bare skin.
Disco, being a seasoned auctioneer, had intentionally not given her any clothing to heighten the bidders' desires.
Had the auction proceeded as planned, it was easy to imagine the reaction of the male attendees.
Seeing her struggle and noticing how she wasn't using any force from her lower half, Maude narrowed his eyes.
Was she injured?
Maude reached out and lifted her out of the tank.
"Ah!"
The mermaid girl let out a startled cry but quickly covered her mouth, fearing she might displease Maude.
His actions weren't exactly gentle, but they weren't rough either. After pulling her from the tank, he placed her directly on the ground.
She struggled to balance, her body tilting backward as soon as her tail touched the floor.
Noticing this, Maude quickly steadied her by the waist, preventing her from falling.
"Your tail is injured?"
"Mm..."
She nodded, lowering her head, her face flushed red, and answered in a barely audible voice.
"You can't even stay upright?"
"I'm sorry..."
Her head drooped even lower.
Maude frowned slightly before taking off his black coat and tossing it to her.
"Put it on."
"..."
She caught the coat and looked at Maude's turned back, her expression complicated. Then, without a word, she put it on, covering her exposed skin.
"Thank you."
Now dressed, she looked at Maude with eyes full of gratitude.
Maude didn't turn around. Instead, his gaze rested on the slaves rummaging through the corpses for keys.
Calmly, he said, "This is Grove 1, the central part of the entire Sabaody Archipelago, and also the farthest point from the coast. However, there are gaps between the islands. You don't need to reach the shoreline—you can escape through those sea passages."
"I can't walk right now, but if I can get to the water... S-So, could you help me reach those sea passages...?"
The mermaid girl looked at Maude's back, her voice laced with trepidation.
Asking for Maude's help was her only chance to escape the archipelago.
And she had mustered the courage to seize that chance.
If he refused, even if she managed to remove the collar around her neck, there was no way she could flee from this dangerous place.
Maude turned slightly, meeting her hopeful gaze. The distance to the passage between Grove 1 and Grove 2 was only a few hundred meters—so he nodded.
If he ever needed to go to Fish-Man Island in the future, this mermaid girl might serve as a useful connection.
How important she might be remained to be seen.
Seeing Maude agree, the mermaid girl let out a relieved smile.
The torment of her captivity, the bleak future that awaited her, had weighed so heavily upon her that she could barely breathe.
But now, at last, she could breathe again.
"Sir, we found the key. It should unlock the collar on the mermaid."
At that moment, a male slave returned to the cell, holding a key.
His own shackles and collar had been removed, yet instead of fleeing, he had taken the care to bring the key back.
Maude looked at him for a moment before silently taking the key.
The slave said nothing either. He simply knelt and bowed his head in gratitude.
Maude's expression shifted slightly. Looking past him, he saw the other freed slaves also bowing deeply in silent thanks.
He gazed at them.
"You are from non-affiliated nations. Even if you leave here, slaver crews on the island will be watching. Instead of wasting time on this, you should focus on escaping the lawless zone."
"This is the only way we can show our gratitude."
The male slave slowly rose, his face solemn.
Maude looked at him, then said evenly, "Take care of yourselves."
The slave bowed once more before turning to leave.
Just as Maude had said, as people from non-affiliated nations, they had to race against time to escape the lawless zone.
Only then could they truly embrace freedom.
The slaves departed one by one.
Seven or eight minutes later.
Lafitte returned after looting the spoils of war.
He carried a bulging sack over his shoulder, seemingly filled with stacks of cash.
Maude glanced at it and chuckled. "Looks like you did well."
"Hoho, much less than expected."
Lafitte seemed unsatisfied, recalling the massive treasure hoard they had taken from Arlong's territory. Compared to that, the human auction house's wealth felt lacking.
"A profit is a profit."
Maude wasn't particularly concerned as he lifted the mermaid girl into his arms, preparing to leave.
Lafitte cast a glance at the mermaid girl, his gaze pausing briefly on the black coat draped over her. However, he remained silent, refraining from questioning the reason behind it.
The group exited the human auction house through the back door and stepped outside.
In the time they had been delayed, the Marines stationed on the Sabaody Archipelago had already taken their positions.
While guiding the guests away from the scene of chaos, they simultaneously formed a perimeter around the auction house.
When Maude and Lafitte emerged from the building, the Marines gripping their standard-issue weapons were visibly startled.
"It's really Bacardi Maude…!"
The leading Marine officer's expression changed instantly.
When he first received the report, he had been somewhat skeptical.
"The Marines sure move fast."
Maude surveyed the surrounding Marines before activating his Observation Haki, expanding his perception to cover the entire auction house.
Through his haki's "scan," he could no longer sense any lingering presences inside.
It seemed the guests had successfully escaped.
Reassured, Maude gave the order: "Lafitte, bring this place down."
"As you wish."
Lafitte smiled slightly, set down the money-filled bag, and drew his cane sword.
The mere act of unsheathing his blade instantly agitated the surrounding Marines, causing them to reflexively aim their guns at Maude and Lafitte.
Fortunately, the commanding officer maintained his composure, refraining from issuing a reckless attack order. Instead, he frowned, closely observing the situation.
Without just cause, the Marines could not make a move against a Warlord of the Sea.
Under the watchful eyes of the gathered Marines, Lafitte swung his sword several times toward the auction house.
Streaks of sword light flashed.
A moment later, the human auction house was cleaved into multiple sections before collapsing with a thunderous crash, sending plumes of dust into the air.
The Marines, as well as the remaining bystanders who had yet to flee, were all visibly shaken as they stared at the ruins left in Lafitte's wake.
This place belonged to Doflamingo!
And such an act was no different from a direct slap to Doflamingo's face.
The leading Marine officer fixed his gaze on Maude, who was still holding the mermaid girl in his arms.
This man, who had only recently been appointed as a Warlord, was just as audacious and unrestrained as the rumors claimed…
Amid the crowd, a large and imposing figure arrived at the scene, his gaze also locking onto Maude.
However, his focus quickly shifted to the mermaid girl cradled in Maude's arms.
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