Ever since Fang Yi had privately invited Shanks, the two had grown closer. The crew noticed—especially Buggy—and wondered what Fang Yi and Shanks were up to. Some guessed it was because Shanks had awakened Conqueror's Haki and was gaining strength, giving them more in common. But others disagreed: why wasn't Fang Yi as close with Barrett, who was also strong?
No one cared too deeply—except Buggy. As one of the trio of interns, he felt left out.
"Shanks, Fang Yi! What are you two hiding from me?" Buggy demanded, standing between them.
Fang Yi's face darkened: "What are you implying—like we're doing something behind your back? What exactly are you asking?"
Buggy corrected himself: "I'm just saying…you two are closer than before. Did you forget that the three of us were supposed to be together? Are you trying to exclude me?"
He complained like a wronged child.
"Buggy, that's not it, listen!" Shanks gestured to explain.
"I'm not listening!" Buggy cut him off just as Fang Yi lost his patience.
BOOM!BOOM!
He punched each of them lightly. "Stop it, you idiots!"
Then Fang Yi calmly explained: "Shanks and I have been training together. He's learning to control his new Conqueror's Haki, and I want to train under its pressure to adapt to opponents with it. You don't train, so we didn't invite you."
Once the two sheepishly nodded, Buggy pretended it was all a joke: "Ha, if it was just training, go on!"
Fang Yi rolled his eyes. "Since you insisted on showing up, you're joining too."
Buggy tried to escape, but Fang Yi dragged him into the session. By the end, Buggy lay exhausted on the deck.
"I swear… no more of your training!" he muttered.
"You train too little, Buggy. Even if you find treasure, you won't have the strength to carry it!" Fang Yi teased.
Buggy spat back: "You think I'm stupid? I can carry any treasure!"
But just then, the Oro Jackson shook.
"What now?" Fang Yi steadied himself, scanning the seas.
Shanks joined him. "No visible threat yet. Let's check the deck."
They emerged to see the crew gathered at the bow, puzzled.
"What's happening?" Fang Yi asked.
No one knew. Petem had gone below to inspect the hull.
Moments later, the ship shook again—harder this time.
"What's hitting us?" Fang Yi rushed to the rail with Shanks and Buggy. Even Roger and Rayleigh found nothing.
"They're strange tremors. Could something invisible be attacking?" Rayleigh employed Observation Haki but felt no threat.
Fang Yi wondered if his own Haki was weaker than true masters—he could sense life but not much else.
Buggy shuddered. "Maybe something weird is targeting us?"
Fang Yi huffed. "You jinx it every time. Probably just a seismic wave underwater. Nothing to worry about."
"Look sharp! Something's approaching!" Roger shouted from the bow.
Fang Yi didn't hesitate—he leapt up the lookout tower, bow drawn. Others readied weapons too.
A third tremor rocked the ship.
Buggy took flight—leaving his foot behind—to get an aerial view.
"See anything?" Fang Yi asked as Buggy flew overhead.
"No obvious threat," Buggy replied.
Then Buggy froze in mid-air. He pointed: "Something's coming from below!"
Roger unsheathed his blade. "It's here!" he whispered.
Fang Yi grabbed Buggy, clinging to him in midair, as the ship lurched violently.
"I'm gonna fall!" Buggy shouted, clinging to Fang Yi's legs as they swayed.
Below, the water darkened into a massive shadow. The ship rocked violently, and then the shadow began to shrink, heading away.
"Trying to leave after attacking?" Roger braced his sword aloft.
SWISH—CRACK!
His slash cut the sea, splitting the shadow below. But no blood, no cries—just calm.
As the water closed again, the shadow reformed, undamaged. The vessel's hull seemed intact.
Impossible.
Buggy and Fang Yi exchanged terrified looks.
Shanks and crew hurried over. Once explained, they were stunned.
It split in two and reassembled with the water? How…? the ship's chef murmured, touching his chin.