"Saul..."
Although he had already prepared himself mentally, Maud froze when he heard those words.
His heart felt as though it were about to burst from his chest. The violent pounding magnified the feeling of losing something beyond measure.
Scenes of Saul flashed rapidly through his mind.
Everything he had possessed up to now could be said to have been given to him by Saul.
Without Saul, he probably would have died from his severe injuries within a few days of transmigrating into this world.
He had long since regarded Saul and Sunny as his most important family in this world.
Jinbe looked at the silent, dazed Maud. He wanted to comfort him, but remembering that he was merely an outsider, he remained silent.
"Uncle Saul..."
Buggy stared blankly and stammered, "D-Did he die?"
When he first heard the name Saul from Maud, Buggy had immediately thought of the awful times Saul had constantly swindled him out of money. But more than that, he had felt nostalgic.
Before following Maud down to the Sixth Floor, Buggy had thought he would get to see the senior he had not seen in years. He had never imagined the result would be this.
Maud stood there without saying a word, as if he had merged with the darkness.
Jinbe glanced at Buggy and said solemnly, "Although Saul asked me to pass a message to Maud before he was taken away, it's still too early to draw any conclusions."
"That's right."
A ray of light suddenly lit up in Maud's eyes, which had merged with the darkness.
"Whether he's alive or dead... I'll find someone from Impel Down and ask them myself."
"..."
Jinbe watched Maud in silence.
From his perspective, he could tell that Maud still clung to a final sliver of hope,