With Blackbeard Pirates gone, Cross Guild's strength skyrocketed. With Kuzan and Moria joining in, they instantly gained two more powerhouses. It was a straight-up super jackpot.
"Rest a while longer. Once this war is over, we need to set out for Egghead Island," Roy said.
"No problem, big bro, I've already been resting plenty," Atmos replied.
"Hey, Big Bro! Look! There's someone on that warship!" Makugai suddenly shouted at Roy.
"Who is it?" Roy turned to look at the projection.
Back on Karai Bari Island, the war between the Navy and Cross Guild had reached a stalemate. Both sides were fueled by rage, fighting to the death.
Yet, despite the chaos, Buggy remained seated high on his throne, unmoved, overlooking the entire battlefield.
"As long as Captain Buggy is here, we cannot lose."
"Captain Buggy, execute Ryokugyu!"
"Yes, execute him! Kill an Admiral in front of the whole world!"
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
The underlings shouted for morale. Killing a hostage like Ryokugyu or Koby would crush the Marines' morale while boosting their own.
Hearing his crew's demands, Buggy gritted his teeth, staring dead ahead while inwardly wailing:
'You bastards, stop pushing me to act!'
'I don't want to kill anyone! If I kill them, there's no turning back!'
'How can we keep fighting? The Navy's power is terrifying!'
'If I kill them, the Marines will hunt me to the ends of the sea. Sure, they're already after me, but still...'
Buggy's heart cried out in despair, feeling utterly hopeless about his future. He felt as if he were already dead.
"Captain Buggy!!!"
The men below kept urging him. Suddenly, Buggy shook his head, still staring forward.
"Shut up, you idiots!" he suddenly snapped, scolding them. Then he ignored them and continued staring ahead.
On a warship directly ahead, a figure was hiding.
"…Looks like I've been noticed. That explains why he kept staring here."
The person on the warship sighed and finally stepped out.
Clad in a Marine coat, wearing brightly colored beach shorts and flip-flops, with hands in his pockets, he walked out step by step from the warship.
"Huh?!"
Buggy's random outburst confused Cross Guild. They didn't understand why he'd curse his own men. Even Crocodile frowned, turning to glare at Buggy, 'This fool was damaging morale.'
Buggy also realized he'd said the wrong thing. Under Crocodile's glare, he panicked and jumped to his feet.
Seeing Buggy stand, the guild members assumed he was about to act and grew excited.
But from Buggy's line of sight, they too noticed the figure standing on the battleship, staring at him across the battlefield.
"There's someone on that ship…"
"Who is it?"
"Wait, isn't that…?"
"No way…"
"Former Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Sengoku the Buddha!"
"Sengoku is here too!"
"Sengoku-san!"
The Marines were reinvigorated, Sengoku's presence shocked them, they hadn't expected him.
But the reaction among the Cross Guild was even more insane. It was like they'd been injected with steroids; their morale exploded.
"I knew it! Captain Buggy hasn't moved because there was a reason."
"He already noticed Sengoku was there, that's why he's been staring him down all along!"
"Unbelievable, Captain Buggy, so you've been fighting a battle of wills this whole time."
"I knew Captain Buggy was amazing!"
Buggy's men cried with emotion. To them, he shone brighter than Sengoku's Buddha-glow.
"So that's it… He sensed Sengoku, so he didn't strike," Absalom said, appearing from invisibility.
"Eh?! For real? Doesn't look like it at all," Perona muttered.
"He was once Roger's crewmate and a sworn brother to Red-Hair. He can't be ordinary," Absalom said seriously.
Mr. 1 watched silently. He knew Buggy's true level, but this clown always stumbled into these coincidences that made him look like a genius; it was baffling.
Even Cabaji, Mohji, and Richie the lion didn't believe it, but the world sure seemed to.
"So he really noticed Sengoku…" Garp muttered to Kuzan, who stood nearby.
Kuzan's curly hair looked even messier, like his tangled thoughts. Of course, he knew Buggy was a fraud, yet here he was, rallying the entire Cross Guild's fighting spirit.
"Incredible. He must have sensed Sengoku's presence with Haki… That's why he's been staring him down all along." Moria rubbed his chin, looking at Buggy's back, suddenly finding him reliable.
Mihawk was still dueling Fujitora, unable to worry about it, but Sengoku's sudden appearance unsettled him. Buggy was weak; if Sengoku actually struck, Buggy would die instantly. That would put Cross Guild at risk of collapse.
Now, across the battlefield, Sengoku stood hands-in-pockets, exuding Haki, staring straight at Buggy.
Buggy, snot dripping, stared back.
From afar, it looked like a solemn standoff. Den Den Mushi captured the scene, the two men's faces shown side by side.
Buggy smiling, Sengoku dead serious.
The images spread across the world.
On Pirate Island Hive, pirates watching the transmission were stunned:
"Buggy's aura is incredible."
"He's not losing ground even against Sengoku… Cross Guild is terrifying."
"With four super executives and Buggy the Star Clown, maybe the Marines really won't gain anything here."
Roy, watching, couldn't help but sigh.
Buggy's luck was beyond saving; it was simply divine.
Just after scolding his subordinates, Sengoku walked out. It was as if heaven itself was aiding him.
Cross Guild's morale skyrocketed. In an instant, they counterattacked and pushed the Marines back.
"I'm seriously starting to suspect this guy might become the Pirate King," Roy muttered in awe.
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu