"He went to Marine Headquarters right after fighting us?" Jack said, veins bulging on his forehead as he stared at the figure appearing at Marine Headquarters. "Is that bastard showing off his power?"
"Indeed, he's quite arrogant," Queen said with a grave expression. "But... I'm more curious about how they reached Marine Headquarters so quickly."
For pirates from the New World to reach Marine Headquarters, they first need to coat their ships to travel to Fish-Man Island, then use Fish-Man Island as a stepping stone to reach Paradise before finally arriving at their destination.
But the problem is... coating takes time!
This time absolutely cannot be shortened, otherwise the coating might get damaged and everyone on the ship would die!
So how did the Red Hair Pirates reach Marine Headquarters so quickly? Queen wondered inwardly.
Could they have used the World Government's special passage at Mary Geoise?
But Queen immediately dismissed this thought as soon as it appeared. After all... the World Government would never allow a Four Emperor to approach Mary Geoise!
Then Red-Haired Shanks must have used some special method, Queen thought to himself.
Like encountering some special Devil Fruit Ability User, or their pirate ship being equipped with something that allows passage through the Calm Belt.
Yes, those are the only two possibilities.
"Perhaps they encountered some special Devil Fruit Ability User," King said.
The seas are vast - it's possible to encounter any kind of Devil Fruit Ability User, isn't it?
"Yes, that makes sense," Queen nodded.
Then Queen turned his gaze to Shanks, intending to see what this guy would do next.
"Huh?"
"That's..."
After staring at Shanks for a while, Buggy showed a surprised expression and said, "Shanks?"
"Shanks?"
Hearing Buggy's words, Mr. 3 instinctively looked toward Shanks, then exclaimed in shock, "That guy is the legendary Four Emperor, Red-Haired Shanks?"
This was his first time seeing the real person.
"Legendary?"
Buggy was stunned for a moment, then showed a disgusted expression and said, "Him?"
"He deserves to be called legendary?"
Even if he became a Four Emperor, no, even if this guy became the King of the World, Buggy would still look down on this bastard!
Mr. 3:
Wait, isn't your reaction a bit inappropriate?
Ignoring Mr. 3's reaction, Buggy stared intently at Shanks and said, "Hmph, I never expected this bastard to dare show his face before me."
As if remembering something, Buggy showed a gritted-teeth expression, then quickly flew toward Shanks.
This scene completely stunned the subordinates watching from behind.
"What is Captain Buggy going to do?"
"I... I don't know..."
Mr. 3 sighed upon hearing this and said, "Your Captain Buggy has gone to catch up with Shanks."
"Eh?!"
"Is that really the case?!"
"As expected of Captain Buggy!"
"Whoa!"
Watching Buggy's retreating figure, his underlings' eyes began to shine.
This scene made Mr. 3 shake his head repeatedly.
"Hm?"
Just as Shanks was about to say something more, he paused and turned his attention to Buggy who was rapidly approaching.
"Yo, if it isn't Buggy!" Shanks smiled and said, "It's been a long time."
"Ah, it really has been..."
Buggy instinctively started to respond but then cut himself off, opening his shark-like mouth to roar, "Bastard, who wants to see you!"
"Have you forgotten that I have a grudge against you?!"
"Shanks!!"
As he spoke, Buggy reached out with both hands to grab Shanks by the collar, shoving his nose right into Shanks' face!
"Grudge?" Shanks tilted his head thoughtfully and said, "What are you talking about, Buggy?"
Buggy: "..."
"Bastard, don't tell me you don't know!" Buggy said angrily. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have lost that treasure map, and I wouldn't have become this damned Devil Fruit Ability User!"
"It's all because of you..."
"It's all your fault, you bastard!!"
By the end, Buggy was so furious that tears were streaming from his eyes.
"I must have been cursed for eight lifetimes to have been on the same ship as you," Buggy shouted loudly.
"Is that so?"
Buggy: ???
"Bastard, that reaction again!" Buggy roared, opening his shark-like mouth once more. "You've been like this since we were kids!"
"This is what I hate most about you!"
"Alright, alright, stop making a scene, Buggy," Shanks said with a helpless expression. "I'm here to stop this war, I don't have time to fool around with you."
"Hah?"
Buggy froze for a moment before angrily retorting, "You think I'm being unreasonable?"
"You're the one who made me into a landlubber, you bastard!"
Seeing that Shanks still wore the same expression, veins bulged on Buggy's forehead as he roared, "Bastard, I'll fight you right here and now if you don't believe me!!"
"Ah?!"
"I don't care about any war!"
"You..."
Watching Buggy show no fear toward Shanks, the underlings behind them were stunned.
"He actually speaks to Red-Haired Shanks with that kind of attitude..."
"As expected of Captain Buggy!!"
"Captain Buggy, we'll follow you for life!"
Truly their Captain Buggy... he's practically a living legend!
"It seems what the Marines said is true," Mr. 3 remarked, watching Buggy yell at Shanks. "This guy really is Shanks' sworn brother..."
Otherwise, there's no way he would dare speak to one of the Four Emperors like that.
"Wait, is this Clown Buggy really that bold?" The reporters at Sabaody Archipelago were shocked witnessing the scene. "Why does he dare to shout at Red-Haired Shanks like that?"
"Didn't you hear what he said earlier? He was on the same ship as Red-Haired Shanks."
"Gasp... I remember Clown Buggy once said he was a crew member of the Pirate King, right?"
"So... he and Red-Haired Shanks both served on the Pirate King's ship?"
"No wonder this guy dares to curse at Red Hair like that..."
Now they understood why this Clown Buggy was so bold - it turned out both of them were former crew members of the Pirate King!
"Both were crew members of the Pirate King?" Capone Bege stared intently at Buggy's face with a grave expression. "No wonder he dares to speak to Red Hair with that attitude."
If that's the case... this guy called Clown Buggy must be someone not inferior to Red Hair in strength!
Thinking this, Capone Bege's gaze grew even more serious.
'Should I try assassinating this guy?' Capone Bege murmured to himself.
But after some consideration, he abandoned the idea - after all... he had no idea how powerful that guy really was.
"No wonder this guy dares to broadcast live during this war," Apoo gulped and said. "What a terrifying man."
Not only was he a crew member of the Pirate King, but also the brother of one of the Four Emperors - Red-Haired Shanks...
This was truly frightening!
'This guy might just become the next Emperor,' Apoo thought to himself.
"Clown Buggy, huh."
Hawkins, who had been watching Clown Buggy for a while, subconsciously took out his cards and began calculating.
Soon, he revealed a grave expression. "The survival rate is actually this low..."
It seemed Buggy was even stronger than he had imagined.
"What are you calculating now?" Apoo asked curiously.
"Just checking my survival rate when facing that man," Hawkins replied.
After speaking, he began packing up his cards.
"Survival rate when facing him?" Apoo thought for a moment before saying, "Do you think... there's a possibility you might not even get to meet him face to face?"
At these words, Hawkins' card-packing movements suddenly paused.
Not meet face to face?
Could that guy really become one of the Four Emperors?
Thinking this, Hawkins fell into deep contemplation.
"Kishishishi, it seems these seas are about to get lively," Moria laughed heartily.
"Captain, why do you say that?" Absalom asked curiously.
"Because of this guy called Clown Buggy," Moria pointed at Buggy, who was still cursing at Shanks. "This guy might just become the next Emperor."
"A new Emperor?"
Absalom stared at Buggy for a while before falling into thought.
After a moment, he murmured, "That's not impossible."
Not only was he a crew member of the Pirate King, but also Red-Haired Shanks' brother!
Someone like that... must be incredibly powerful!
Thinking this, Absalom's expression turned grave.
"Captain, you've got competition," Absalom said.
"Kishishishi, that makes it more interesting, doesn't it?" Moria laughed loudly.
Although his target had always been Kaido, if he were to clash with this Clown Buggy, he wouldn't back down either!
Seeing Moria's confident expression, Absalom was momentarily stunned before smiling. "You're right about that."
Their captain was also an extremely powerful existence, so... there was no need to fear the other party!
"Still, to help the captain, I need to keep getting stronger," Absalom murmured to himself.
With that thought, his previous resolve grew even firmer.
He would continue his training!
"What a nostalgic scene~"
Rayleigh's face softened with reminiscence as he watched Buggy arguing with Shanks on the screen.
These two had loved bickering since they were kids—who would have thought they'd still be at it after all these years.
"Time really flies... It's been so long already," Rayleigh reflected inwardly.
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Shakky smiled and said, "They really do have a great bond."
The fact that Buggy could talk to Shanks like that without getting beaten to a pulp... was proof enough of how close they were.
"Hahaha, indeed, their bond is truly strong," Rayleigh laughed heartily.
"Rayleigh, do you think... Buggy might be hiding his true abilities on purpose?" Shakky tapped her cigarette ash and asked.
"I wouldn't know~" Rayleigh shrugged. "After all, it's been decades since I last saw the kid."
He had no idea whether Buggy had genuinely grown weaker or was just holding back.
Shakky fell silent for a moment before asking, "How did he compare to Shanks when they were young?"
"Before he ate that Devil Fruit, he was only slightly weaker than Shanks," Rayleigh replied.
"Devil Fruit?"
"Yes, a Devil Fruit."
As if recalling something, Rayleigh's expression gradually grew complicated.
Ah...
...
"Damn it, Shanks! Are you even listening to me?" Buggy grabbed Shanks by the face and yelled, "I'm cursing you out—pay attention!"
"Alright, alright, no need to get so worked up."
Buggy: ???
What's with that tone, like he's pacifying a child, damn it!
But before Buggy could say anything more, Shanks turned and walked away, leaving no room for further argument.
"That damn bastard, how dare he—"
Buggy cut himself off mid-sentence, then stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Wait... this might actually be an opportunity."
Though Shanks was undeniably a pain in the neck, his presence alone carried weight.
Sticking with him... would guarantee a safe escape from this island!
The thought made Buggy break into a wide grin.
"Yahahaha!"
"I really am a genius!!"
Mr.3: ???
What's he scheming now?
Watching Buggy laugh hysterically, Mr.3 fell deep into thought.
"You must be the Blood-Eyed Ninja," Shanks said as he approached Meiser. "Luffy's comrade."
"Ah, yes, that's me," Meiser nodded. "Didn't expect to run into you here."
"How is Luffy doing?" Shanks asked.
His Observation Haki had picked up Luffy's presence, but the energy felt weak, making him worry if Luffy was seriously injured.
"Don't worry, he's just exhausted," Meiser reassured him. "He'll probably be fine after some rest."
"That's a relief," Shanks sighed in relief.
As long as Luffy was okay.
"Aren't you going to see Luffy?" Meiser said. "That kid has been talking about you for a long time."
"Meet him..."
Shanks glanced back at the pirate ship where Luffy was, his eyes clouded with nostalgia.
Unconsciously, ten years had already passed, Shanks murmured in his heart.
"Hm?"
Noticing Shanks seemed lost in memories, Meiser's eyes showed a trace of confusion.
Was he going or not?
Snapping out of his thoughts, Shanks noticed Meiser's gaze and smiled. "Although I'd really like to meet Luffy now... that would break our promise."
Their original agreement was: when Luffy became a pirate capable of standing on his own, Shanks would personally return that straw hat to him.
And now... clearly wasn't the right time.
"A promise..." Meiser nodded upon hearing this. "I understand."
It seemed they would have to wait until Luffy became a powerful pirate before this guy could meet him.
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