Chapter 260: The Clown and the Crocodile's Alliance
Crocodile, clad in his signature cloak and puffing on a cigar, cast a sidelong glance at Buggy, who, like Doflamingo, had been stripped of his Celestial Dragon status.
The reason?
After returning to Mary Geoise, Buggy had colluded with his own pirate crew to steal gold and treasures from the Celestial Dragons' secret vault.
Even more shockingly, he had unknowingly sold an item of vital importance to the World Government—something tied to the secrets of 800 years ago—to the Reincarnation Game.
Once discovered, Buggy fled with his crew,
eventually pursued by the God Knights and officially stripped of his Celestial Dragon status.
After wandering across several regions,
he ended up on this island, where he was soon found by Crocodile—who had been paying close attention to the shifting tides of the world.
"What's it to you, Crocodile? You want to pick a fight with me too?"
Buggy, wrapped in a red bedsheet, spread his limbs dramatically, looking like a towering giant.
He grinned wickedly at Crocodile.
Ever since trading the stolen Celestial treasure for a mountain of reward points,
Buggy had ascended to the top ranks of first-tier players.
To him, Crocodile was hardly worth fearing.
"You looking to die?"
Standing nearby, the ever-loyal Mr. 1 (Daz Bones) narrowed his eyes, visibly irritated by Buggy's tone.
His arms turned into blades, tinged with a faint red flame—
a power from a martial arts world:
[Burning Wood Blade Style] from the Shaolin Temple.
Though only green-tier, he had already upgraded it to Lv.19.
Even an enemy cloaked in Armament Haki could be slashed apart.
"Mochi, teach this clown some manners."
From the second level of the circus tent, Vice Captain Mochi whistled softly.
At his feet, the lion Richie—normally curled up lazily—suddenly sprang into the center of the tent.
Purple flames erupted.
Within seconds, Richie transformed into a lion wreathed in violet fire.
Behind him grew narrow, translucent wings—
like they were carved from amethyst.
"Understood, Captain Buggy!"
Mochi sneered and said,
"I spent 50,000 reward points to buy a [Companion Amethyst Core] from the Dou Qi Continent,
a rare item carried by the Amethyst-Winged Lion King.
Richie ate it."
"Now Richie has faint violet-flame power.
Your dumb Blade Blade Fruit doesn't stand a chance—he'll melt you like butter!"
Despite being hunted by the God Clan,
the Buggy Pirates were still filthy rich.
They were no longer pushovers.
Even among the top pirate crews, they now deserved to be called with respect:
"Lord Buggy."
"Stand down, Bones. Put your blades away.
We're not here to fight," Crocodile finally said,
his eyes scanning the violet-flame lion and then resting on Buggy.
Then he laughed.
The wealthier the Buggy Pirates, the better—
just further proof that his judgment was right.
"Speak, Crocodile. What do you want?"
Buggy smirked, waving Richie back as he took a seat.
"Mr. Buggy."
Crocodile didn't waste time.
"During the hunt for the Soul Reaper Lord's final life,
your crew was probably on the run and didn't get a family token—
not even a fragment, right?"
During that chaos, the Soul Reaper was at full power.
Only the top-tier players had a shot at getting close to the palace.
Most others had no chance.
Crocodile had snatched one of the few family tokens
and made a mental note of which big-name crews hadn't participated.
Buggy's was the perfect candidate.
Before Buggy could reply, Crocodile went straight to the point:
"To be honest, I have a complete family token.
I can start a family.
But I don't have the assets. So I'd like to work with you."
Back in the day, money wasn't a problem.
He'd been hailed as a hero in Alabasta.
He held a Shichibukai license that let him plunder legally.
His Baroque Works agency generated a constant income.
He'd never worried about money.
But now?
Vivi had banished him.
Baroque Works had been dismantled.
Only a few loyal followers remained.
Even his Suna Suna no Mi was outclassed.
Alabasta's family badge gave its members the power to control quicksand—
and their collective strength had already surpassed his Devil Fruit.
He should've liquidated his assets sooner…
"You have a family token?"
Buggy's eyes went wide.
Crocodile had guessed right—
the Buggy Pirates missed out due to being hunted and had never gotten a token.
They had plenty of cash,
but no token.
"Of course."
Crocodile opened his palm,
a faint white light glowing.
A palm-sized family token hovered in the air, slowly spinning.
It captured Buggy's full attention.
After a moment, Buggy laughed:
"How do you want to partner up?"
Crocodile grinned back.
"A joint alliance between the Buggy Pirates and Baroque Works.
We start a family together."
"Who's the leader?"
Buggy asked the key question.
In the Reincarnation Game's family system,
the clan leader held immense power—
Badge management, upgrades, reward point spending, skill research—
all required the leader's decision.
"You."
Crocodile didn't hesitate.
"I'm the one coming to you,
which puts me in the weaker position.
The weak don't get to choose."
"Once we establish the family,
my first request is to declare enmity with the Alabasta Family—
and go to war when the time is right."
"Also, I'll need 150,000 reward points."
At this point,
a rare flash of rage crossed Crocodile's usually calm face.
Years of planning had been ruined by Vivi.
He would not let it go.
He'd take back what was his.
"Give us a minute."
Buggy leaned over the second-floor railing,
red bedsheet fluttering like a curtain.
Alvida, Mochi, Cabaji, and the others huddled behind him,
whispering with butts in the air.
Their conclusion?
They couldn't think of any reason to refuse.
And even if Crocodile was a snake,
he couldn't break the game's rules.
As long as Buggy was the clan leader,
there was no threat.
"Alright. I accept your offer."
The bedsheet dropped.
Buggy stood tall with the aura of a great pirate,
and nodded slightly.
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