"R-Really... it's really you, Orin!!!"
Buggy was crying so hard it was almost deafening. His overwhelming enthusiasm left Orin a little helpless, so all he could do was pat his old friend on the shoulder in comfort.
"It's me, Buggy. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
"Of course it has! But... but it's been almost ten years since we last met!!!"
If Orin hadn't sent a message before leaving, after all this time without news, most people probably would've assumed he was dead.
Some who didn't know him well had already slowly forgotten the man who was once called "King."
Only Buggy—
He never doubted. He always believed that Orin hadn't died and that one day, he would return to the seas once more.
After all, this was Orin!!!
The one man even Buggy the Great could recognize and admire!!!
He just hadn't expected that the wait would last nearly ten years. They were already in their thirties—almost forty—not young anymore.
"Stop crying already. See? I'm back now~"
Orin wrapped an arm around Buggy's shoulders and burst into hearty laughter.
"Come on! Let's have a feast, Buggy!!!"
Gradually, Buggy managed to calm the flood of emotions from their reunion. A wide grin spread across his face again.
"Right, right! A feast! I've been preparing for this day all along!!!"
Suddenly, still in Orin's grasp, Buggy's face lit up with excitement. He immediately split apart into pieces, flying out of Orin's hold.
Clenching his fists, he shouted toward his crew:
"Boys! Bring out the newest batch of our [Perfect Orange Juice]! Hurry up!!!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!!!"
Orin watched the scene in surprise, then chuckled and gave Buggy a friendly pat.
"So you've been ready all along, huh? Well... thanks, really~"
"What was that?!!!"
Buggy, upon hearing that, looked rather displeased. His floating head drifted up beside Orin, his mouth wide open in mock outrage.
"After everything between us, you still need to say 'thanks'? What's that supposed to mean, Orin?!!!"
Buggy was always like this—around Orin and Shanks, he never cared about titles or reputation.
They were childhood friends, after all.
"Sorry, sorry~"
Orin didn't mind at all. He just laughed and sat down cross-legged, looking forward to the surprise Buggy had prepared.
Soon enough, Buggy's circus crew came huffing and puffing, carrying several large wooden barrels.
Buggy flew forward, circling the barrels dramatically, spreading his arms wide in a grand flourish like a star stepping on stage.
"Now then... watch closely, Orin!!!"
Buggy spoke with solemn determination, as if declaring something of great importance. His face was serious and dignified.
Orin cooperatively clapped his hands.
"I've tracked down every place in the world that grows the best oranges. I bought all kinds of seeds from merchant ships, and finally—finally I've cultivated the perfect orange in the East Blue!!!"
His gloved, disembodied hands flew into action—one holding a glass, the other twisting open the barrel valve.
A stream of fine, crystal-clear orange juice began to flow, with no pulp or impurities in sight. Just looking at it made one's eyes brighten.
"Looks delicious~"
Orin accepted the glass Buggy handed him. It was filled to the brim, the surface faintly reflecting Orin's smile and Buggy's expectant face.
Gulp gulp gulp...
Buggy watched closely, anticipation written all over his face.
"Well?"
"How is it?!!!"
Buggy tried to keep a confident smile, baring his pearly white teeth with an air of mystery—but inside, he was nervous.
What if Orin had tasted something better before?
Orin drained the glass in one go, then went silent for a moment. That only made Buggy more anxious.
"Hey, hey, hey... what's that look? Don't tell me... you don't like it?!!!"
Cold sweat began to trickle down Buggy's face, but Orin simply shook his head in silence, holding out the glass again.
"Give me another, please."
"Huh???"
"Another one. This orange juice..."
"...is the best I've ever had!!!"
Orin's expression was utterly serious—and he meant it!
This wasn't just good—it was out of this world!
Strong people like Orin were always extremely sensitive to changes in their surroundings, their senses fine-tuned to the extreme.
The moment he tasted that orange juice, every cell in his body was shaken.
It truly was the most perfect, most delicious orange juice he'd ever had in his life.
The sweetness, the smooth texture... everything was flawless.
Even during his most extravagant "emperor days," he had never experienced anything this exquisite.
It wasn't that it couldn't be done—it's just that no one had ever been obsessive enough to perfect it to such an extent.
To reach this level, every step—orange selection, cultivation, fruit picking, processing, preservation—had to be executed with absolute perfection.
Only then could even someone with top-tier Observation Haki and sensitivity like Orin be moved to say—this was the perfect orange juice of the world.
"Really?!!!"
Buggy's grin stretched almost to his ears. Hearing Orin say that made his whole body feel light, his face flushed red from excitement and joy.
...
"Then let's drink till we drop today!!!"
"YEAH!!!!"
Drinking the world's best orange juice alongside his best friend—Orin and Buggy threw a lively, cheerful feast.
Among the crewmates, many recognized Orin. Their faces flushed red with excitement as they whispered to each other:
"Hey, hey!!! Are you serious?! Captain Buggy's actually brothers with that Black Gun?! He's a pirate scarier than even the Yonko!!!"
"Of course! He's Captain Buggy, after all!!!"
"The future Pirate King—it's gotta be Captain Buggy!!!"
Buggy, now thoroughly drunk, kept chugging from the bottle. His body split apart into pieces again, puffing up to appear even taller in front of Orin.
"The future Pirate King? Of course! It's gonna be me!!!"
Orin couldn't help but laugh.
"Really, Buggy? I'll hold you to that~"
Buggy hiccupped and patted his chest with pride, refusing to back down even while drunk.
"You just watch, Orin! I'll become the Pirate King in style! That bastard Shanks—why should he..."
Before he could finish, Buggy passed out cold.
With a gentle glance, Orin used his power to gather Buggy's scattered body parts and piece them back together neatly.
The sea breeze blew softly, and moonlight spilled over Orin and the sleeping Buggy.
Looking at his old friend's sleeping face, Orin took a sip of orange juice. Maybe it really was just that good, because a warm smile touched his lips.
"Buggy... I've always believed in you."