Loguetown Marine Branch
For safety reasons, all Marines below a certain threshold had been evacuated from Loguetown—anyone who couldn't use Haki would be nothing but a liability in the coming battle. However, Captain Smoker had pointedly refused Admiral Sakaski's suggestion that his adjutant, Tashigi, be included in that evacuation.
"Still don't believe the Sky Screen's assessment of Buggy's power?" Sakaski asked, studying the White Hunter with calculating eyes.
"I've seen him in action," Smoker replied curtly, twin plumes of smoke curling from the cigars clenched between his teeth. "He's small-time East Blue trash, nothing more."
"Perhaps," Sakaski mused. Then, seemingly changing the subject: "Tell me, Smoker—would you be interested in serving as on my ship?"
The offer hung in the air between them like a loaded weapon. Both men were Logia users, both believed in a harsh form of justice that left little room for mercy. It would be a natural partnership—and Sakaski had his own long-term plans brewing.
The future of the Marines belongs to those willing to make the hard choices, Akainu thought. Promoting officers like Smoker strengthens the hawks' influence. We need to balance against Kuzan and Borsalino's softer approaches.
"I appreciate the offer," Smoker said after a long moment, "but I have my own path to follow. After we deal with Buggy here, I'm going after the Straw Hat Pirates. That boy cannot be allowed to grow stronger."
Sakaski nodded slowly. He understood the value of independent operators—Smoker's exile to the East Blue had been the result of his refusal to play politics, not any lack of ability.
"I respect that decision," the Admiral said. "But tell me—what's your understanding of headquarters' plans for Buggy? Are we transporting him to Impel Down?"
"No." Sakaski's response was flat and final. "This is where his story ends."
The Admiral had read the intelligence reports about Buggy's supposed plan to meet Douglas Bullet in the underwater prison. Whatever scheme the clown had brewing, it would die with him here in Loguetown. Some conspiracies could only be stopped by absolute force.
World Economic News Headquarters
The news of Admiral Akainu's deployment spread like wildfire through the information networks. Morgans, the The Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Albatross user who served as president of the World Economic News, received the call from his Loguetown correspondent with barely contained excitement.
"An Admiral personally handling a 15-million-berry pirate?" Morgans' feathers ruffled with anticipation. "This is either massive overkill or the Marine knows something we don't. Either way, it's front-page material!"
The "Big News" Morgans had built his empire on being first to every major story in the pirate world. But this time, he wanted more than just newspaper coverage.
"Sir," one of his subordinates ventured nervously, "if we broadcast this live, the World Government will come after us again. They're still angry about our coverage of—"
"Let them come!" Morgans spread his wings dramatically. "I'm not afraid of ruffling a few feathers in the name of journalism! Get our people in the East Blue ready for a full live broadcast. I want every angle covered!"
His staff exchanged glances but began preparations without further complaint. Working for Morgans meant accepting a certain level of occupational hazard—the man would risk war for a good story.
"This could verify everything the Sky Screen predicted about Buggy," Morgans mused aloud. "If he's really as dangerous as those broadcasts suggested, we're about to witness history. If not..." He grinned with predatory anticipation. "Well, watching an Admiral obliterate a small-time clown will make excellent television either way."
Onigashima - Beast Pirates Territory
Kaido of the Beasts sat cross-legged before a massive screen, his club resting across his knees like a sleeping dragon. Beside him, his daugher Yamato watched with barely concealed interest—it was rare that the old man allowed her to witness events beyond their isolated stronghold.
"Pay attention, brat," Kaido rumbled, his voice carrying the weight of mountains. "You're about to see what real power looks like. An Admiral doesn't move unless the threat is genuine."
"Or maybe the Marine's just gotten paranoid," Yamato shot back. "Sending Akainu after some East Blue nobody seems like overkill to me."
Kaido's laugh boomed across the chamber. "Wororororo! That's exactly why you're still chained to this island! You don't understand how the world works yet. If Buggy the Clown is half as dangerous as that Sky Screen claimed, this fight will teach you more about combat than a year of training."
Behind them, the Beast Pirates' All-Stars and Tobiroppō watched with varying degrees of interest. All of them understood that their captain's mood for the next week would depend heavily on how entertaining this battle proved to be.
Whole Cake Island - Big Mom Pirates Territory
Charlotte Linlin demolished another tower of cake while her children gathered around the broadcast screen. Frosting decorated her chin as she considered the implications of the Marine's response.
"Mama," Katakuri observed quietly, "if Buggy is truly as powerful as suggested, perhaps we should consider extending an invitation to join our family."
"Mamahahaha!" Big Mom's laughter shook the entire palace. "Thirty-nine years old and unmarried! He'd make an excellent husband for one of my daughters. But first, let's see if he can survive an Admiral!"
Katakuri's future sight flickered briefly—not to observe this distant battle, but to assess potential threats closer to home. The revelation of advanced Devil Fruit techniques on the Sky Screen had changed the power balance of the New World. Everyone was scrambling to adapt.
Somewhere in the New World - Red Hair and Whitebeard Pirates
The meeting between two Emperors had been tense initially—Edward Newgate and Red-Haired Shanks rarely saw eye to eye on matters of principle. But mention of Buggy the Clown had shifted the entire atmosphere of their summit.
"Gurarara! I still remember that red-nosed brat trying to stain my white beard crimson," Whitebeard chuckled, his massive frame shaking with mirth. "The sheer audacity of it! Where does a cabin boy find that kind of courage?"
Shanks' expression grew nostalgic as he swirled the sake in his cup. "Buggy always had more guts than sense. After Captain Roger's execution, we went our separate ways in the rain... I tried to find him when I returned to the East Blue years later, but he was deliberately avoiding me."
"Smart of him," Marco commented, adjusting the broadcast screen they'd set up on deck. "You've got a reputation for dragging people into trouble they're not ready for."
"This should be interesting," Whitebeard mused, his eyes fixed on the distant image of Loguetown. "If that clown has truly awakened the same potential we saw in Roger's crew, Sakaski might be in for a surprise."
Shanks said nothing, but his grip tightened on his sake cup. Buggy... what have you gotten yourself into this time?
Marine Headquarters - Marineford
Fleet Admiral Sengoku paced behind his desk like a caged animal, his Buddha-like patience strained to its breaking point. Staff officers hurried about the room, fielding reports and barking orders into Den Den Mushi.
"Have you located Morgans yet?" Sengoku demanded. "That feathered menace is broadcasting our operations to every pirate in the world!"
"We've identified several possible locations," Vice Admiral Tsuru reported calmly, "but he's proven remarkably elusive. The World Government's intelligence division is prioritizing other targets."
"Bwahahaha!" Vice Admiral Garp's laughter echoed from the corner where he was systematically depleting Sengoku's personal stash of rice crackers. "You're getting worked up over nothing, Sengoku. Let the bird broadcast—it'll just make Sakaski's victory look that much more impressive!"
"The issue isn't victory," Tsuru interjected, her strategic mind cutting to the heart of the matter. "It's what comes after. The Sky Screen mentioned Buggy wanting to meet Douglas Bullet in Impel Down. We cannot allow that connection to form."
Sengoku nodded grimly. "Which is why Sakaski has orders to end this permanently. No capture, no interrogation—just elimination."
"Smart move," Garp agreed, finally looking serious. "I've seen what happens when former Roger Pirates get together. Even the ones who seem harmless can cause worldwide chaos when they put their minds to it."
The room fell silent as everyone contemplated the implications. Buggy the Clown might seem like small fry compared to the other threats they faced, but his connection to the Pirate King's crew made him a wild card they couldn't afford to ignore.
"The balance of the Four Emperors is already precarious," Tsuru continued. "If Buggy somehow ascends to that level of power..."
"He won't," Sengoku said with finality. "Sakaski will see to that."
But even as he spoke, the Fleet Admiral couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something crucial—some piece of the puzzle that would only become clear when it was too late to change course.
On screens across the world, the stage was set for a confrontation that would either prove the Sky Screen's predictions false... or herald the rise of a new power that could reshape the very foundations of the pirate world.