Fukumitsu Island, East Blue
After days of meticulous preparation, Kaito had finally crafted a script so convincing it could pass for genuine prophecy. As a devoted One Piece fan, he'd always believed Buggy deserved better treatment from Oda. Comic relief characters often possessed hidden depths—just look at how Luffy's Nika fruit revelation had transformed the entire series' tone into something resembling Tom and Jerry. The shift from serious pirate adventure to rubber cartoon physics had been jarring, but it proved that even the most ridiculous characters could hide world-shaking secrets.
Kaito had spent countless hours analyzing Buggy's potential during his forum arguments. The man had served on the Pirate King's ship, possessed a Devil Fruit with theoretically limitless applications, and somehow always managed to survive impossible situations. Yet Oda had relegated him to comic relief status, wasting narrative potential that could have rivaled any Yonko.
The responsibility for narration fell squarely on his shoulders. Artoria would have her moment later, but her distinctly feminine voice couldn't appear on the Sky Screen without raising suspicions about her connection to these "revelations." Maintaining the illusion required careful coordination, and any slip could expose their entire operation.
["Are you certain about this script's direction?" ]
The system questioned, its digital tone unchanged.
["If these events unfold as written, Buggy the Clown will likely spend his remaining years imprisoned by Marine forces. Do you harbor such animosity toward this pirate?"]
"System, you misunderstand completely," Kaito replied, spreading his arms to embrace the salty sea breeze. The ocean stretched endlessly before them, carrying the dreams and ambitions of countless souls seeking freedom or glory. "It's precisely because I love this character that I'm investing such effort in this script. After today, Buggy the Clown's reputation will echo across every ocean. He'll finally receive the respect he's always deserved."
If any other system could hear his thoughts, they'd realize not a single word from this man could be trusted. His love for chaos and entertainment far outweighed any concern for individual consequences.
[Buggy's image has been displayed for one hour. Global anticipation has reached peak levels. Preparation phase complete. Your turn, Host. Show me the power of a true entertainer.]
"The whole world is watching," Kaito murmured, feeling the weight of every eye turned skyward. "Time to give them a show they'll never forget."
Tavern, Loguetown
The Buggy Pirates had sobered up remarkably quickly, their earlier drunken celebrations replaced by intense focus on their captain. Empty bottles and food scraps littered the tavern floor, evidence of their premature victory party. Now they clustered around Buggy with expressions mixing awe, opportunistic calculation, and desperate hope. None had expected their seemingly incompetent leader to be recognized as a future powerhouse capable of reshaping the ocean's balance.
The tavern itself had fallen silent except for their group. Other patrons whispered anxiously in corners, stealing glances at the man who'd apparently been living among them as a legendary figure in disguise. The bartender had stopped charging for drinks, either from fear or shrewd business sense.
"Captain, our crew's about to become legendary!" Mohji's flattery reached new heights as he gestured enthusiastically, his white fur vest stained with wine and food. "We'll recruit powerful subordinates from across the Grand Line! Every treasure vault your brilliant mind desires will open before us!"
The beast tamer's eyes gleamed with visions of wealth and power. For years, he'd followed Buggy despite the crew's modest accomplishments, but now vindication seemed within reach. No longer would they be dismissed as small-time East Blue nuisances.
Cabaji balanced on his unicycle even while sitting, his showman instincts never fully dormant. "Captain Buggy, your strategic brilliance was beyond our comprehension! Pretending to be weak while secretly mastering legendary techniques—pure genius!"
Alvida raised her wine glass toward Buggy with newfound respect, her post-Devil Fruit beauty radiating calculated charm. The transformation from obese terror to stunning woman had taught her the power of hidden potential. "Captain Buggy, I clearly underestimated your true nature. I publicly apologize for my earlier skepticism and formally request to remain in your service."
She'd joined initially for revenge against Luffy, but serving under a future Yonko offered far greater opportunities than petty vengeance. Power attracted power, and aligning with Buggy now could secure her position in the new world order.
Richie the lion lounged in the corner, too focused on his meal to fully grasp the situation's significance. His defeat at Orange Town had shattered his pride, reducing him to a glorified pet who lived for his next meal. The promises of future glory barely registered through his food-induced stupor.
Buggy's displayed image showed a relatively short figure—barely 192 centimeters tall, shorter than the statuesque Alvida and dwarfed by most serious pirates. In the pirate world where three-meter giants were common and physical presence often commanded respect, his modest stature had always been a source of private insecurity. Seeing himself featured alongside legendary figures felt surreal.
Below his image for every one to see is the bold text : [The Last Emperor]
"I AM THE GREATEST!" Buggy proclaimed, leaping onto the tavern table with arms spread wide. Empty glasses shattered under his boots as he struck a dramatic pose. His signature laugh echoed through the establishment as he pointed dramatically at the ceiling. "Let's celebrate outside! The future belongs to Buggy the Clown! Everyone will know my name!"
His mind raced with possibilities rather than complex strategies. The implications were staggering—if even half of what the Sky Screen claimed was true, his entire life had been building toward something extraordinary. If the Marines became too aggressive, he'd simply escape using skills he'd apparently mastered without realizing it. Sometimes the best strategy was knowing when to run, but maybe running was no longer necessary.
The crew erupted in renewed cheers, their voices carrying through the tavern's windows and into Loguetown's streets. Passersby gathered outside, drawn by the commotion and the knowledge that a "future emperor" was celebrating within.
Marine Base, Loguetown
Meanwhile, at the Loguetown Marine base, Captain Smoker received detailed reports from his surveillance teams. Every move of Buggy's crew had been documented since the Sky Screen announcement, their celebration under constant observation.
"Captain, the entire Buggy Pirates crew is indeed celebrating in the 'Seagull's Rest' tavern," reported a Seaman, his voice carrying barely contained excitement. "Their raucous laughter can be heard from three blocks away, and civilians are gathering outside to catch glimpses of the 'future emperor.'"
Smoker crushed his latest cigar between clenched teeth, studying intelligence reports spread across his desk. Photos of Buggy's crew, witness statements from previous encounters, bounty posters—everything painted a picture of small-time pirates who preyed on defenseless civilians. The disconnect between that reality and the Sky Screen's claims was staggering.
"Fascinating," Smoker muttered, smoke curling ominously around his weathered features. "Either that projection is completely wrong, or we've been grossly underestimating our local pirate population." His eyes gleamed with predatory anticipation as he stood from his desk. "The moment this Sky Screen broadcast concludes, we'll capture Buggy the Clown immediately. I'm very curious about this 'future powerhouse's' actual capabilities."
The opportunity was too perfect to ignore. If Buggy truly possessed hidden strength, capturing him would be a significant victory. If the Sky Screen was wrong, he'd simply eliminate another East Blue nuisance with minimal effort.
"Captain Smoker, there's a voice—a man's voice!" Seaman First Class Tashigi burst through the office doors, her usual composure forgotten in excitement. "The Sky Screen's display is changing!"
Smoker followed her outside, joining the growing crowd of Marines and civilians staring skyward. The static image of Buggy had transformed into a dynamic scene showing the entire Roger Pirates crew during their legendary voyage. Among the assembled legendary figures—Roger, Rayleigh, Scopper Gaban, and others—two young apprentices stood out. One red-haired, one red-nosed, both barely teenagers working diligently aboard the ship.
As the masculine narration began, every eye in the world fixed upon the Sky Screen. The voice carried authority and knowledge that seemed to transcend normal understanding, speaking with the confidence of absolute truth.
"Buggy—this name will resonate across the oceans in days to come. Everyone who encountered him previously dismissed him as mere comic relief, but all were deceived by masterful acting. Consider this carefully: would a former apprentice aboard the Pirate King's ship willingly remain in a backwater like East Blue without compelling reason? Shouldn't the Marines find this... suspicious?"
The question hung in the air like an accusation. Across Marine bases worldwide, officers suddenly felt foolish for overlooking such an obvious inconsistency. Of course someone with access to the Pirate King's knowledge wouldn't waste away in the weakest sea without purpose.
"The other apprentice was none other than Red-Haired Shanks, currently commanding the Grand Line as one of the Yonko. These childhood friends shared such profound bonds that Shanks abandoned his chance to reach Raftel when Buggy fell ill during the final voyage. Tragically, their diverging ideals transformed intimate companions into the most familiar of strangers."
The Sky Screen displayed images of young Buggy burning with fever while Shanks tended to him, their friendship evident in every gesture. The revelation that Shanks had sacrificed his chance to reach the final island for Buggy's sake recontextualized their entire relationship.
"To understand Buggy's true significance, we must first examine his current hidden strength—power developed over twenty years in complete secrecy, abilities that will soon shock the pirate world to its very foundations."
The display highlighted both young pirates within the Roger crew, their names appearing in bold text: Buggy and Shanks. While the latter's reputation had already spread across the Grand Line as one of the Four Emperors, the former remained unknown until this very moment. The parallel presentation suggested they were equals, despite appearances.
"Buggy's current alias is merely 'Clown,' a deliberate misdirection, but the Marines will soon designate him 'Senryodo'—The Thousand Beads Manipulation. He represents the final Yonko position, possessing Conqueror's Haki of a quality found in only one among several million souls. Born with the qualifications of a true king, he learned advanced Conqueror's techniques directly from Pirate King Gol D. Roger himself."
"His Observation Haki has reached the absolute pinnacle—allowing limited future sight during combat encounters. More remarkably, his Observation Haki carries unique properties inherited from his time on Roger's ship, granting inexplicable fortune that consistently transforms mortal peril into narrow salvation. This 'luck' is actually advanced precognition disguised as chance."
"His Armament Haki achieved advanced mastery years ago, capable of full-body coverage providing both overwhelming offense and impenetrable defense. However, his personal disdain for Kozuki Oden aboard Roger's ship led him to deliberately reject learning Ryuo—the ultimate Armament technique that could have made him virtually untouchable."
"As a user of the Bara Bara no Mi, Buggy achieved complete Devil Fruit Awakening and pioneered an unprecedented evolution he terms 'Devil Fruit Liberation.' In this transcendent state, he negates traditional Devil Fruit weaknesses including Seastone and seawater, rendering even experienced Haki users helpless against his spatial manipulation abilities."
The technical explanations were delivered with such authority that even skeptical Marines found themselves believing. Each ability was explained in detail, creating a comprehensive picture of a warrior who'd deliberately hidden his true capabilities for decades.
Global Reactions
Around the world, the reaction was immediate and intense. In Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku crushed his senbei box while Vice Admiral Garp's laughter died in his throat. The implications of a hidden Yonko-level threat in East Blue were staggering.
Revolutionary Army bases worldwide buzzed with activity as Dragon's subordinates analyzed this new variable. A secret powerhouse with connections to the Pirate King could either be a powerful ally or dangerous enemy.
Pirate crews across the Grand Line and New World held emergency meetings, debating whether to seek alliance with or prepare defenses against this emerging threat. The revelation had shifted the ocean's power balance overnight.
Back in Loguetown's tavern, the Buggy Pirates' celebration reached fever pitch. Every crew member was now convinced they'd backed the winning horse, their captain's seemingly incompetent leadership revealed as elaborate deception.
"Captain Buggy—no, Lord Buggy!" Mohji dropped to his knees, embracing his captain's legs with desperate enthusiasm. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he contemplated their bright future. "You've been hiding such incredible power from us! The greatest actor in pirate history!"
"Lord Buggy, please forgive my earlier disrespect!" Alvida approached with renewed reverence, wine glass held like a peace offering. Her beauty seemed to pale beside the radiance of serving under a true emperor. "Only a man of your caliber deserves my complete loyalty and devotion!"
Cabaji performed elaborate tricks on his unicycle, his showmanship reaching new heights. "Lord Buggy's strategic genius surpasses even the greatest military minds! Hiding among weaklings while mastering legendary techniques—the perfect disguise!"
The entire crew erupted in chaotic celebration, surrounding their captain with delirious joy. "Lord Buggy will become the final Yonko! We'll all live like kings under his protection! Joining the Buggy Pirates is the greatest honor imaginable!"
Other tavern patrons pressed closer, hoping to curry favor with the future emperor. The bartender frantically scribbled IOUs, too afraid to demand payment from such illustrious company.
At the center of this chaos, Buggy the Clown sat in stunned silence, his jaw hanging open in complete disbelief. His trademark grin had frozen into a rictus of shock as the Sky Screen's claims penetrated his consciousness. While some details mentioned were technically accurate—he had served on Roger's ship, he did possess a Devil Fruit—the power levels described were absolutely insane.
Three types of Haki mastery? Devil Fruit Awakening? Future sight? Advanced techniques learned from the Pirate King himself? What the hell was happening? He'd spent twenty-plus years living carefreely, bullying weaklings and avoiding real challenges. His greatest accomplishment was successfully running away from stronger opponents.
This is completely ridiculous, Buggy thought frantically, his internal panic contrasting sharply with his crew's worship. I can barely use basic Armament Haki, and my Devil Fruit range is pathetically limited! I've never awakened anything except maybe my appetite! Who came up with this fantasy?!
His memories of Roger's ship were genuine but hardly heroic. He'd been a coward then too, more interested in treasure maps than training. Shanks had always been the brave one, the natural leader. The idea that he'd rejected advanced techniques out of pride rather than incompetence was laughable.
Yet as his crew's worshipful gazes bore into him, a tiny voice in the back of his mind whispered: But what if...?
What if he'd been unconsciously holding back? What if years of deliberate mediocrity had actually been some kind of advanced training? The Sky Screen's voice carried such conviction, such detailed knowledge of his past, that doubt began creeping into his certainty.
No, that's impossible, he told himself firmly. I'm Buggy the Clown, third-rate pirate and professional coward. I know exactly how weak I am.
But the seed was planted, and as the celebration continued around him, Buggy found himself wondering if perhaps there was more to his story than even he realized.
The Sky Screen's presentation continued, promising more revelations about his "hidden power" and "secret techniques." Whatever was happening, his life would never be the same after today.
Outside the tavern, Captain Smoker prepared his forces for what might be the most significant arrest in East Blue's history—or the most embarrassing mistake of his career.