Chapter 15: East Blue Trade Route and a Familiar Foe's Return
[SYSTEM MISSION: NAVIGATE DANGEROUS TRADE ROUTE. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC BOUNTY HUNTER KNOWLEDGE / WEAPON FAMILIARITY (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: REINFORCE EAST BLUE NOTORIETY.]
"A trade route. And a familiar face. This has 'Buggy' written all over it. He's the gift that keeps on giving, especially when it comes to low-level, predictable deaths. I could aim for something from his officers, or even Buggy himself if he's sufficiently enraged. 'Basic Bounty Hunter Knowledge' would be useful for avoiding future headaches, or 'Weapon Familiarity' for widening my combat options. This is a good opportunity for a quick, efficient skill acquisition before we head to Nami's home island. Time for a little reunion, and for me to be an even bigger pain in Buggy's multi-part behind."
The East Blue was surprisingly vast, a sprawling tapestry of islands, trade routes, and occasional, bewildering encounters. After the unsettling experience on the ghost ship, the crew was eager for calmer waters. Sanji served up a particularly comforting stew, and even Zoro seemed content to just nap in the sun. Nami was once again charting a course, albeit a less mysterious one, aiming for a bustling trade route that promised safe passage and possibly some fresh supplies.
"According to this," Nami announced, tapping her chart, "this route is heavily trafficked by merchant ships, but also by smaller pirate crews and bounty hunters. It's relatively safe, but we should stay alert."
Luffy, predictably, was more interested in the idea of fresh food from passing merchant ships. "Meat! Maybe they have meat!"
My compass, which had settled back into its usual faint hum, suddenly gave a more distinct pulse. It wasn't the strong pull towards a major arc, but a specific, localized vibration, indicating a direct 'opportunity' on this route. A system prompt, familiar and clear, popped into my mental dashboard.
[SYSTEM MISSION: NAVIGATE DANGEROUS TRADE ROUTE. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC BOUNTY HUNTER KNOWLEDGE / WEAPON FAMILIARITY (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: REINFORCE EAST BLUE NOTORIETY.]
"Oh, this is interesting. 'Dangerous trade route.' And a 'familiar foe.' My instincts are screaming 'Buggy the Clown.' He's got to be out here, looking for revenge. And a new death from his crew could give me something like 'Weapon Familiarity' – useful for picking up any weapon and knowing how to use it instinctively. Or 'Bounty Hunter Knowledge' for future reference. Either way, this is a planned, minor death to round out my skillset. Time for a delightful little re-enactment of our first encounter."
"Nami-swan, alert is good," I said, stretching contentedly on the deck. "But sometimes, a little… controlled engagement can be even better. Especially if it involves familiar faces. I have a feeling we're about to run into some old acquaintances."
No sooner had I spoken than a cannonball whizzed past the Merry's bow, followed by a familiar, high-pitched shriek echoing across the waves. "Straw Hat! You infernal, treasure-stealing, rubber-faced menace! And you, you immortal demon! Prepare to face the wrath of Captain Buggy!"
There he was, perched on the bow of his ship, looking absolutely furious. Buggy the Clown, his nose redder than ever, flanked by Mohji the Beast Tamer and Cabaji the Acrobat. They had clearly been waiting for us.
"Buggy!" Luffy cheered, completely missing the anger in the clown's voice. "Meat! Do you have meat?!"
"Meat?! You stole all my treasure, you idiot!" Buggy shrieked, shaking his fist. "And you! You mocked me! You came back from my Chop-Chop Grand Festival! You're going to pay for that, Adam D. Vane!"
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: KILLER DETECTED. BUGGY'S PIRATE CREW (MOHJI / CABAJI). RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC BOUNTY HUNTER KNOWLEDGE / WEAPON FAMILIARITY (MINOR).]
"Alright, the system's pointing towards Mohji or Cabaji. A specific weapon skill, or knowledge of the bounty hunter game. This is perfect. I'm going for Cabaji. Acrobatics and swordsmanship. Could yield something interesting. Time to make him truly, deeply angry."
"Ah, Captain Clown-Nose!" I called out, waving cheerfully. "Still holding a grudge about the treasure? I told you, it's being put to good use! Building character! And giving me new powers! In fact, I'm rather fond of your Chop-Chop Fruit. It's quite versatile."
Buggy spluttered with rage. "You insufferable brat! Mohji! Cabaji! Get him! Tear him apart! Make him suffer! And if he dies, keep cutting him!"
Mohji unleashed Richie, his giant lion, who roared and bounded towards the Merry. Cabaji, ever the showman, performed an elaborate tightrope walk across a rope extended between the two ships, his sword glinting.
"Adam, be careful!" Nami yelled.
"Careful? Nami-swan, where's the fun in that?" I replied, a wide grin on my face. "Besides, I'm a professional at this point." I dodged Richie's clumsy pounce, then focused on Cabaji. "Hey, Cabaji! Still doing those pathetic tightrope tricks? I thought you were a sword-wielding acrobat, not a circus reject! Your moves are so slow, a snail could outmaneuver you!"
Cabaji, his face contorted with fury, sped up his tightrope walk, his sword flashing. "You dare mock my art?! I'll cut you into a thousand ribbons!"
"Perfect. The performance artist. He's going to be precise. This is exactly what I need for 'Weapon Familiarity.' I need to let him get a clean hit, a defining blow, using his unique style."
I waited, my Chop-Chop fruit ability ready to absorb the slashes, but my intent was not to fully evade. Cabaji lunged, his body twisting in a series of impossibly fast, circular attacks, his sword a blur. I let him get close, then deliberately turned, presenting my side. My Gum-Gum body stretched, absorbing the initial impact of his blade, but then, with a shocking, unexpected force, his sword pivoted, using the momentum of his spin, and the flat of the blade slammed into my temple with immense concussive power. It wasn't a cut, but a brutal, focused blunt force trauma, enhanced by his acrobatic momentum, designed to knock me senseless and then pulverize me. My vision exploded in a shower of stars, my brain rattling inside my skull. My rubber body sagged, my consciousness flickering and then, mercifully, winking out.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: DEATH RECORDED. KILLER: CABAJI. ABILITY ACQUIRED: WEAPON FAMILIARITY (MINOR). REVIVAL INITIATING. PLEASE WAIT.]
"Weapon Familiarity (Minor)! Excellent! This means I can pick up pretty much anything and know how to use it instinctively. From swords to staves, to, well, whatever. This is going to make future scavenging and improvisation much easier. And it really ticked off Cabaji. Win-win."
I gasped, my eyes snapping open. My head throbbed with a phantom ache, but my body was perfectly intact. Cabaji was mid-celebration, laughing maniacally over my supposedly lifeless form. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji were already engaging the rest of Buggy's crew.
"Did I miss anything?" I asked, sitting up and rubbing my head, a wide, triumphant grin on my face. "Cabaji, my compliments! That was a truly impressive bludgeon-to-the-temple! Very creative! You really put your whole body into it!"
Cabaji froze, his celebratory dance faltering. His eyes bulged, and he nearly fell off the rope. "You… you're alive?! And you're complimenting me?! You're insane!"
"It's called professional courtesy, my friend!" I chuckled, standing up and stretching. My hands felt different, as if they knew the weight and balance of any object, instinctively. I picked up a loose piece of rope, and my fingers immediately began tying a complex knot. I hadn't known how to do that before. This was going to be fun. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think Captain Clown-Nose is still angry about his treasure. And I need to remind him that I'm still here. And still incorrigible."
Buggy, seeing me alive again, let out a frustrated scream that probably scared the fish. "He's a demon! A curse! He just keeps coming back!"
The Straw Hats, meanwhile, were just shrugging. They were getting used to my routine.
The skirmish quickly turned into a rout for Buggy's crew. My re-appearance, combined with Luffy's sheer power, Zoro's overwhelming skill, and Sanji's devastating kicks, sent them fleeing in disarray once more. As the Merry sailed away, leaving a screaming, frustrated Buggy behind, I felt a deep satisfaction. My skills were growing, my reputation was solidifying, and the East Blue was proving to be an excellent training ground.