"To be honest…" Roger let out a long sigh and gently took the flintlock from Ace's hand. "Looks like I have to use that."
Ace snatched it back at once, scowling. He declared that he would take it properly after defeating Roger.
A chill ran down Buggy's spine. That movement, that tone of voice.
"My God…"
A red glow gathered at Roger's fingertips.
"Evade!"
"This feeling…" Buggy's lips trembled. "There is no mistake… only Captain… Roger could…"
The slash came down, yet it struck an invisible barrier instead of flesh. It reached all the way to Buggy's face. A crisp, glasslike crack rang through the air. The strike that could have split a mountain apart shattered into countless golden sparks, scattering like fireflies.
Buggy panted. "Captain… has your strength fallen this much?"
"Hey, Buggy! You have gotten stronger!" Roger said. His terminal illness still weighed on his power.
Roger stepped forward. The empty air beneath his foot solidified into form. He reached out and pressed a hand on Buggy's pirate hat. "Sorry you had to see something this sad."
Buggy's Haki vanished at once. As his awareness returned, the shattered surroundings slowly restored themselves.
The five children stared in disbelief. Ace turned stiffly toward Sabo. "Just now… Uncle Buggy did all that…"
"The whole street cracked apart," Sabo said as he watched the ground knit itself back together. "It came from extreme anger, an instinct to protect us and keep us inside a safe zone."
Anne studied Buggy's trembling back, thoughtful. "He is strong."
"I really am Roger! Do you remember when Shanks stuffed frogs into your pants? The first time you ate that Devil Fruit, you got dizzy and fell asleep right on the lookout platform."
Buggy's face went white. He glanced at the five kids watching him. "Shut up! Those… those things are embarrassing! The kids are right here, have some mercy on me!"
"Hahahaha, really? Sorry about that."
Buggy's nose turned bright red as tears and snot poured out together. "Waaah! Captain!" All his body parts flew toward Roger and wrapped around him like an octopus. "I thought you were dead, you jerk!"
Roger burst into laughter and patted Buggy on the back. "Hahahaha! Do not do this. You are squeezing the air out of me!"
The five kids watched, their expressions slowly shifting from shock to open disgust.
"That is gross," Hisu muttered.
"The bond between men is truly baffling," Hiyori said, covering her mouth with forced elegance.
Just then, a gentle female voice came from the alley.
"You must be Buggy. You really are as energetic as Reid described."
Buggy turned as if struck by lightning and saw Rugi walking toward him with a smile.
"Then you must be Miss Rugi?" Buggy's voice shook with leftover sobs. "Hello, Miss Rugi…"
Rugi walked to Roger's side and sighed helplessly. "Roger, you scared the children again."
Roger scratched his head and laughed. "Hahahaha! I just wanted to give Buggy a surprise."
"So…" Buggy's brain floated slowly in front of Roger, nearly touching his face. "How are you still alive?"
Roger blinked. "Without a doubt, it is me."
"And then… all these years…"
"It is a long story. Ask Reid for the details. Honestly, I do not fully understand it myself, but the point is that I am alive." Roger slung an arm around Buggy's shoulder. "Come on. Let's grab a drink and talk. Golden City has good wine ready. I heard Longyan and the others are there too. Too bad Rayleigh wants to live in seclusion and will not come. We can visit him another day."
"But you two really are something," Rugi said, covering her face. "Your brother Reid misunderstood Anne, and when Roger came back, Ace and the others misunderstood him too. Now it is your turn, and you misunderstood Roger. Is it because you all came from the same ship? None of you like listening to explanations."
"What a headache."
The first time.
"What a headache."
The second time.
Rugi's voice suddenly turned dangerously sweet. She twirled a strand of golden hair near her temple, sunlight resting on her gentle smile.
Roger and Buggy both shivered. The five children instinctively took three steps back. They had learned this survival skill through countless painful lessons.
"Ru… Rugi…" Roger swallowed hard. "I can explain…"
"Explain what?" Rugi tilted her head, her smile growing brighter. "The part where you used divine evasion to scare the children? Or the touching reunion you and Buggy put on in the middle of the street? You could have explained things properly. Why did you have to fight at all?" As she spoke, her fingers kept winding the strand of hair tighter and tighter around her fingertip.
Buggy's nose dropped to the ground with a thud and split into countless tiny Buggys. They all dropped to their knees at once. "We are very, very sorry, Miss Rugi! I will fix the street right now!"
He was about to activate his power when he realized he could not restore it. He could not fix the houses, at least not now, because he had not memorized how they looked.
"Damn it, I cannot win even if I go all out! I was too arrogant!" Buggy stood up for half a second, then dropped back into a deep bow. "Please allow me to atone with my life!"
Buggy knew exactly how important this woman was to his brother Reid. If he beat Roger, Reid would probably cheer for him. But if he hurt Rugi, Reid would hang him up and beat him half to death.
Buggy respected Roger. He respected Reid. As for Roger's wife and Reid's sister, he respected her even more. Perhaps this was what people meant by loving someone means loving what they love.
The five children stared at the man who, just a minute ago, had been overflowing with terrifying power and was now kneeling on the ground begging for mercy. Their sense of reality shattered all over again.
Ace whispered to Roger, "Dad… is he really that 'Clown Emperor' Buggy from the rumors?"
Roger laughed until tears came out. "Hahahaha! Yes! Buggy has always been like this. Completely reliable at critical moments. That is normal."
"I never thought Buggy's reputation would spread overseas. You kids have all left your marks on the sea. Hahahahaha."
"Noted," Rugi said softly.
"Yes, ma'am!" Roger snapped to attention at once.
"Did you use Conqueror's Haki again just now?" Rugi asked with a gentle smile. "Reid said your body…"
Roger's smile froze. "Wait, Rugi! This is a misunderstanding! Buggy struck first…"
"Tonight's bitter melon feast," Rugi announced sweetly, "three servings each for you and Buggy."