Chapter 513: Buggy Appears, The Secret of the Tarot Totem Members
Rumble!
The ground shook with continuous roars, covered in shards of ice as shockwaves tore through the earth. Ice fragments scattered, glinting brightly under the light.
The elusive attacks from the Hermit's Stand and the Shinigami's Stand kept the Red Hair Pirates on the defensive, forcing them into a passive stance.
The Hermit's Stand possessed the ability to conceal its existence, a power of significant weight.
Even during intense combat, the Red Hair Pirates could only sense its presence through the blows it delivered. This ability also cloaked both the Hermit's and Shinigami's Stands, rendering the Red Hair Pirates' attempts to identify the Tarot Totem members futile and making the fight exceptionally challenging.
As for the Shinigami's Stand, its abilities were particularly dangerous, far beyond merely resembling a traditional grim reaper. It could traverse space, accessing subspace passages between the mortal world and the underworld, effectively granting it spatial manipulation.
This allowed it to vanish and reappear unpredictably. Beyond this, its most lethal trait was its core ability: death.
A single wound from the Shinigami's scythe triggered an instant-death attack, a power of immense potency. Even with Shanks' formidable strength, a single cut could cost him dearly. For the other crew members, aside from Beckman, it meant certain death with one strike.
At that moment, the Red Hair Pirates' Observation Haki and magical perception were on high alert, frantically warning them of danger.
The sharp scythe's attacks overwhelmed their Haki, leaving them unable to fully defend themselves. A single injury meant death, and the intense sense of crisis kept them on edge, unable to relax for even a moment.
Roar!
A massive soundwave erupted from the mouth of combatant Gabu, a newer member of the Red Hair Pirates who had joined within the past two years.
Unlike the fear-based magic commonly wielded by the crew, Gabu possessed the first wave of anger-based magic. Though distinct, it still fell under the broader category of magical power.
Rumble!
The atmosphere rippled forward in concentric waves. For a brief moment, a figure became visible in the crew's field of vision. Their attacks surged toward it, but the Shinigami's Stand emerged from a subspace channel, intercepting some of the blows.
"This can't go on like this," Hongo, the ship's doctor, said, observing the stalemate. "They're likely hiding nearby. Snake, work with me. Spread my poisonous energy as far as possible."
Hongo's ability allowed him to spread disease particles through the air, though under his control, the effect was limited to a fifty-meter radius. Beyond that, it would disperse uncontrollably. Uncertain if the Tarot Totem members were within range, he needed Snake's wind-based abilities to extend the reach.
"Got it. I know how to use the wind to amplify your ability." Snake replied.
Roux, overhearing their plan, chimed in, "Keep your hands steady! Don't poison my chicken legs!"
"You idiot, Roux! You're still eating at a time like this? Just swallow it already!" Hongo snapped, his frustration mounting. "I can't guarantee your chicken legs won't get contaminated. If you get poisoned, I don't have time to save you right now."
Seeing Roux casually biting into another drumstick, Hongo's forehead throbbed with irritation. They were cleaning up Roux's mess, yet he was eating without a care. Hongo silently resolved to make Roux pay later—perhaps with a grueling task that would last three days and nights.
"It's fine. I've got a Holy Light Potion with me. It's supposed to be great for detoxifying." Roux said nonchalantly.
Hongo's eyes narrowed at Roux's carefree words. If not for the pressing threat, he would have tackled Roux to the ground and made him eat dirt.
"You fool! How can you use something so expensive for that?!" Hongo shouted. "Do you know how hard I bargained with that black-market profiteer? It cost twelve million berries for one! And you're wasting it like it's nothing!"
"Twelve million? Wasn't it seven million last time? Why's it so expensive now?" Roux asked, surprised.
"Of course it's expensive mid-month! The World Government's been buying them up in bulk on the black market," Hongo explained.
"They're trying to squeeze out the Demon Pattern users in the wild. You wouldn't understand even if I told you. I can't believe I'm explaining this to a glutton like you!"
"What do you mean I wouldn't understand? You didn't even try explaining!" Roux retorted. "And these are muscles, not fat!"
Snake, watching the two bicker, was at a loss for words. Did they not see the gravity of the situation?
"Someone's coming," Shanks said suddenly, his focus unbroken.
The crew fell silent, and even the Tarot Totem members paused their attacks.
"Hahahaha! Shanks, you bastard, it's been a while!" a loud, exaggerated laugh echoed from the forest's edge.
A large group of pirates approached, among them four carrying a sedan made of white wax. Perched atop it was a red-nosed pirate, grinning broadly in a way that almost seemed tearful. A lazy pink seahorse rested on his oversized hat, adding to the grandiose spectacle.
"Buggy! It's Buggy!" Shanks exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy at the sight of the red-nosed pirate.
"That Buggy who was the boss's old crewmate!" one of the Red Hair Pirates said, eyeing Buggy with curiosity.
"Didn't expect him to show up and say hello." another added.
The Red Hair Pirates studied Buggy with interest. Their captain had spoken of him when Buggy's fame began to spread, sparking their curiosity about this figure from Shanks' past.
"Buggy, the Fool? That's him?" one of the crew muttered.
In a hidden corner of the forest, Hermit Velui observed Buggy with a solemn expression.
"Old man, why're you stopping me from going out there?" Zalik asked, confused.
After the intense fighting, Zalik had regained some control over his emotions, showing his rational side. Though prone to outbursts, he wasn't reckless enough to get himself killed.
"That red-nosed man is a member of the Tarot Totem." Velui said.
Zalik frowned, puzzled. "He feels weak. Is that guy really part of the Tarot Totem?"
Zalik's Shinigami Stand excelled at soul perception, and he sensed that the red-nosed pirate's spiritual presence was lacking.
Strong spiritual power was a hallmark of Tarot Totem members.
After awakening their Stands through substitute orbs, members could rapidly enhance their spiritual power using specific methods, achieving growth rates akin to cheating.
This was how Zalik had transformed from an ordinary young man into a diamond-level hunter in such a short time, this is the core secret of the Tarot Totem's strength.
(End of this chapter)