Chapter 2: Invitation!
Watching Shanks' retreating figure, Buggy took a deep breath, then opened the compass lid and looked at its needle.
Unlike before when it spun continuously, the compass, after turning slightly a couple of times, stopped, pointing in one direction.
Seeing the direction pointed towards Loguetown, Buggy didn't hesitate at all and directly followed the compass's guidance towards Loguetown.
Over an hour later, on a beach on the other side of Loguetown, Buggy saw a figure standing perfectly straight.
"Who is it?" Without turning around, a firm voice spoke first.
"My name is Buggy. Are you interested in becoming a pirate? I want to invite you to join my pirate crew," Buggy asked, looking at the figure's back and mustering his courage.
"Why invite me? I've never seen you before; we shouldn't know each other, right?" Receiving an unexpected answer, the figure turned around, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Buggy.
"Perhaps you didn't notice, but I saw you, just yesterday. I think your eyes are very special, possessing the gaze of a strong person. Inviting a future strong person to be a companion, isn't that what an ambitious captain should do?" Buggy retorted to the man.
"It is, but why should I accept your invitation? And what are your ambitions? Are you also eager to claim ONE PIECE?" the man continued to ask.
"I have no reason to make you agree. I'm just extending an invitation; whether you accept is up to you. But I'm not going to seize ONE PIECE. Captain Roger's hobbies are different from mine; I'm not interested in those shiny things. ONE PIECE is a dream he left for those who yearn for freedom. Although it truly exists, it's not what I want. My ambition is also simple: I just want to lead my pirate crew across the world, making boring days colorful. Of course, if I can find some treasure along the way, that would be even better," Buggy shook his head and gave his answer.
"An era belonging to pirates has begun, and various opportunities will arise. I have my own ideas. Originally, I didn't plan to accept any invitations, but your answer is a bit interesting. If we can meet again in the future, and if you can prove with your strength that you are a qualified captain, I will consider it! My name is Dracule Mihawk." After speaking, Mihawk leaped onto a small boat by the sea and slowly set sail.
Without saying anything or continuing to watch, Buggy turned and left the beach.
The failure of the invitation didn't surprise Buggy, but there was also an unexpected development: a test? Although he didn't quite like it, if the subject was the future Shichibukai, it wasn't unworthy of effort. However, proving oneself to be a qualified captain was not easy; it probably required more than just personal strength.
But the more difficult things were, the more Buggy liked them, because this way Buggy felt his life was more meaningful.
Returning to Loguetown, Buggy used the last of his Beri to buy a sea chart of the East Blue from a shop. After studying it for a long time, Buggy headed towards the port of Loguetown.
The Distan Duchy is a medium-sized duchy in the East Blue. It is the only country in the East Blue that borders the Red Line. There was once a rumor in the East Blue that if one could cross the Red Line, they could reach the Kabas Kingdom in the North Blue from the Distan Duchy.
Of course, basically no madman would do such a meaningless thing.
Distan produces a special spice that is extremely precious. This spice is unique to the Distan Duchy and the primeval forest area where it meets the Red Line. In the East Blue, its price can reach one hundred thousand Beri per gram. As a special tribute favored by the Celestial Dragons, this edible spice, called "Celestial Fragrance," has its price speculated over a million Beri per gram in other seas. On the black markets of the other three major seas, it has even sold for close to ten million Beri per gram.
Crossing the Red Line with this luxury item could make one rich overnight. However, the legendary absolute mortality rate, with only one successful case, was daunting. If the Grand Line was the graveyard of pirates, then this section of the Red Line was definitely the tombstone of bandits. And as the mysteries of the Grand Line were unveiled and a distant but relatively easier trade route opened up, the crazy idea of crossing the Red Line had faded from people's minds.
Having set his future goal, Buggy formulated a rough plan. The first step was to invite the future great swordsman, who hadn't left Loguetown yet, to join him. Then, the two of them would travel the world together to find other companions. Unfortunately, this future great swordsman preferred the lifestyle of a ranger and didn't join for the time being, even proposing an agreement for their next meeting. Naturally, Buggy had to change his original plan.
The Distan Duchy became Buggy's first stop. Coming here, Buggy certainly planned to earn his first pot of gold with Celestial Fragrance, but he also aimed to use the special terrain to train himself.
Dominating the world couldn't be achieved by mere talk. Without sufficient strength, let alone dominating the world, even surviving might be a problem in this world where fists are the law.
As a thorough anime enthusiast, although Buggy wasn't an otaku, his memory of his beloved anime was profound. Buggy, familiar with the known plot of One Piece, was very clear on how to train according to his situation. In fact, on the way to Distan by sea, Buggy had already made a training plan for himself.
Entering the primeval forest rich in Celestial Fragrance, Buggy walked forward unhurriedly. Rushing quickly in an unfamiliar forest was a big mistake.
Not long after entering the primeval forest, Buggy encountered an adult leopard. Facing a leopard whose speed completely surpassed his by several times, it was fortunate that Buggy was now a Bara Bara no Mi user. Otherwise, Buggy would have likely fallen to the leopard's sharp claws in the first encounter.
As gunshots rang out continuously, after half an hour, relying on bullets and his rather shameless ability, Buggy finally exhausted the leopard's stamina and turned it into dinner.
Sitting by the fire, looking at the browning roast meat dripping oil on the spit, he cut off a piece and put it in his mouth. Chewing, Buggy looked up and sighed, "It's good to be alive."
It took a full two months, after experiencing dozens of battles of varying intensity, before Buggy finally passed through the primeval forest area and arrived at the foot of the uninhabited Red Line.
After finding a highland backed by the Red Line and setting up his tent, Buggy thoroughly cleaned his weapons. One pistol, its ammunition depleted after two months of consumption, could be thrown aside. One saber, its blade so dull it struggled even to chop bones, and only half of it remained, completely unsuitable even as a kitchen knife, could also be discarded. He still had four or five daggers, barely usable for slaughtering small animals.
Besides weapons, Buggy had prepared simple living supplies for half a year before entering, and much remained, with no significant losses along the way.
Having reached his destination, the next step was to devote himself wholeheartedly to training.
(End of this chapter)