Chapter 515: The Emperor and The Chariot
"Really? I hope you can maintain that arrogance when you face the King of Power!" The Hermit's voice echoed through the forest, sounding ethereal and distant.
After a moment, the voice faded, and there was no further movement. It was clear that the Hermit and Shinigami had retreated.
"That's incredible! Boss Buggy is truly the strongest!" one of the Buggy Pirates exclaimed.
"The Tarot Totem members who were clashing with the Red Hair Pirates backed off the moment they saw him, just like the Emperor and Chariot did before!" another added.
"Could it be that Boss Buggy's strength has reached demigod level?" a third speculated.
"Absolutely, it must be!" another cheered.
As the two Tarot Totem members, codenamed Hermit and Shinigami, withdrew in the face of Buggy, the Buggy Pirates erupted in excitement, their faces flushed with pride as if they were reveling in a triumphant moment. Their loud chatter sent a chill of cold sweat down Buggy's spine.
These fools wouldn't assume he was too powerful and bring trouble upon him, would they?
Buggy knew his own strength—or lack thereof—all too well. But now, caught in the moment, he couldn't afford to downplay himself, especially with Shanks nearby. He had to outshine Shanks, to appear grander and more formidable, to maintain his pride.
"The Emperor and the Chariot? Buggy, have you crossed paths with those Tarot Totem members before?" Shanks asked, picking up on the Buggy Pirates' conversation.
Within the Tarot Totem, each member bore a unique codename, and the Emperor and Chariot were among them. The fact that Buggy had encountered them and emerged unscathed intrigued Shanks. It seemed Buggy wasn't slacking off after all.
Shanks didn't dwell on Buggy's apparent weakness. Observation Haki could gauge an opponent's strength by sensing the "sound" of their body, but skilled individuals could manipulate this signal, leading to misjudgments.
As for magical perception, it was most attuned to magic power and, to a lesser extent, spiritual energy. When Shanks had sensed Buggy earlier, his magic power felt vague yet profound, suggesting hidden strength. Shanks assumed Buggy was concealing his true power.
"Hahahaha! I did run into them, but it was no big deal," Buggy said, placing his hands on his hips with an air of invincibility. "When they saw me, they fled. Sometimes, having too much fame is a burden."
On the surface, Buggy exuded confidence, but inwardly, he was thrilled recalling the earlier incident.
He had been near Crescent Lake when he witnessed the chaotic battle involving the massive Nine-Tails fox. Deciding to avoid crowded areas, he had veered toward a beach shrouded in pink mist.
What happened next was a blur.
Overwhelmed by the mist, Buggy had woken up to find a pink seahorse perched on his head, declaring itself his master through telepathy.
Two strange figures stood before him, later identified as the Tarot Totem's Emperor and Chariot. The Emperor had spoken at length, saying things Buggy couldn't comprehend, before they departed.
The entire ordeal was confusing, but Buggy couldn't admit his bewilderment. To maintain his enigmatic and all-knowing persona, he had to act as if he was in complete control.
"Hahahaha! Buggy, you haven't changed a bit!" Shanks said warmly, nostalgia evident in his voice.
Buggy's bravado reminded Shanks of their shared past, though he noted a touch of exaggeration in his old friend's demeanor.
"You jerk, Shanks! Don't think cozying up to me settles everything!" Buggy snapped, his voice booming. "If it weren't for you back then, I wouldn't have become a Devil Fruit user, and I wouldn't have lost that treasure map! I'll never forgive you!"
Shanks wiped the spittle from his face, chuckling at Buggy's outburst. "You're right, Buggy," he said. "I happen to have a treasure map here. Since you helped us out this time, I'll give it to you."
Buggy fell silent, his eyes wide at the offer.
While Shanks and Buggy conversed, conflict erupted elsewhere.
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In a lush green forest near a towering waterfall cascading from a high mountain, a golden light streaked through the air, diving straight into the waterfall. Moments later, another golden light followed, landing on a nearby reef as its occupant surveyed the surroundings.
"Hey, hey, hey! Hiding behind a waterfall? That's just shameless!" Kizaru said, his form coalescing from the golden light as he rubbed his chin with a troubled expression.
Whoosh!
As he pondered, two more figures swiftly approached—Marco, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' first division, and King, from the Beasts Pirates. Earlier, the Gold and Silver Monkey King had passed through the Beasts Pirates' territory, and with Kaido's approval, King had given chase. Others trailed behind, but none matched their speed.
"Hiding in the waterfall?" Jhin muttered. Without hesitation, he launched an attack toward the spot where the Gold and Silver Monkey King had entered.
"Fire Dragon Emperor!"
Rumble!
Roar!
A massive fire dragon, blazing fiercely and staining half the sky red, surged toward the waterfall.
Zrazzla!
The impact sent waves of water vapor billowing outward as rocks exploded. The waterfall was cleaved in two, revealing a shattered stone wall with a pre-existing hole inside.
"My home!" a voice cried out.
"Kizaru, you bring nothing but trouble!" it continued, trembling with rage. "Get out of here—immediately, immediately, immediately!"
A two-meter-long blue turtle emerged from the cave, leaning on a cane. Its furious gaze swept over the scorched, chaotic gravel at the cave's entrance and the group of intruders eyeing it eagerly. It directed its wrath at the Gold and Silver Monkey King behind it.
Hearing the turtle's outburst, Kizaru, standing on the rocks below the waterfall, hooked a finger against his cheek. Every time he heard the name "Kizaru" he couldn't shake the feeling that he was the one being scolded.
What an odd sensation!
"I know, I know! I'll bring you something tasty next time, Niguru," the Gold and Silver Monkey King replied before transforming into golden light and leaping away.
"So rude, utterly rude!" the turtle muttered, watching the Monkey King escape with glee. It paused, as if recalling something, and hurriedly retreated into the cave.
Inside, it found an empty white stone bed that had clearly once held a god-tier treasure.
"Kizaru!!!" the turtle screamed, its voice echoing with fury.
The outburst drew the attention of those outside. King, rather than chasing the Gold and Silver Monkey King, decided to investigate the turtle. If it guarded a treasure, especially a valuable one, he was prepared to stake everything on claiming it.
(End of this chapter)