The three of them passed the boring time on the ship, fooling around as they sailed.
Soon Luffy looked up and said, "Hey, look — it seems there are three shipwrecked people over there. Let's go save them."
Zoro agreed, but Sandy did not. From their clownlike outfits Sandy could tell they were crew members of the Buggy Pirates.
Letting them aboard was exactly what he wanted — none of the people on this ship knew the way to the next island, Orange Town.
No sooner had the three clowns boarded and said "thank you" than they each drew a sword.
"Hehe — I order you to hand this ship over to us. The Buggy Pirates have taken it!" one sneered.
The three were ridiculous in their bravado — one moment plunderers, the next begging for mercy.
Sandy gave a dry look. "Can you three stop with those disgusting faces? If I remember correctly, you were the ones who started plundering. Now you act like we're the bullies.
"And you said you're from the Buggy Pirates? Then Buggy should be nearby. Take us to him."
Luffy blinked. "You know Buggy?"
Sandy shrugged. "I heard that guy loves treasure, goes ashore to plunder civilians' wealth, and wrecks buildings. Don't you think Buggy deserves a beating?"
Zoro nodded. "What a tasteless pirate — bullying civilians and causing trouble. Time to teach him a lesson."
Luffy cheered, "Head that way — I'm gonna punch Buggy flying!"
The three Buggy crew members on the deck were thrilled. They couldn't wait to see how Buggy would punish them for losing the ship.
Sandy frowned and lectured, "Luffy, Zoro — we can't beat Buggy just for that reason."
"Why not?" Luffy and Zoro replied in unison.
Sandy explained, "What are we? Pirates. Think about it: we arrive in a town only to find buildings destroyed and no water. As pirates who've traveled far, if there's no water to drink, how can we be happy?
"So — as free, unrestrained pirates, how can we tolerate this? I'm unhappy. As pirates, if we're unhappy and want to beat Buggy, do we really need a reason?"
"Sugoi!" Luffy punched his palm, a bright idea lighting up his face.
Zoro's eyes gleamed. Being a pirate suddenly sounded very appealing.
But Zoro quickly regretted it as Sandy and Luffy clapped each other on the shoulder and chanted, "Free and unrestrained! Free and unrestrained!"
Zoro steadied himself and roared, "You two bastards, that's enough! If you keep rocking like that the ship will capsize!"
Because Sandy had a Space Backpack, they didn't lack food, and Luffy didn't bounce into a giant bird's mouth like in the original tale — that plot point was conveniently avoided.
Soon Orange Town came into view.
After they landed, Sandy scowled. "Look at this place — it's desolated. You can't find a single person. It makes me angry. Let's go find Buggy and settle the score. He'll have to compensate for our ruined mood."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "How much compensation are you asking for?"
Sandy shrugged. "We're pirates — taking his Belly is fair. If we don't rob his Belly, that'd be sad. Understand?"
Zoro scoffed, "You're a devil."
Luffy laughed. "Let's go rob their Belly!"
As they walked, sounds of pursuit came from nearby.
"Little thief cat! Stop right there — give back our nautical chart!"
"If Captain Buggy finds his chart is gone, he'll chop us to pieces!"
"That stinky woman dared to steal Captain Buggy's things. We must teach her a lesson!"
Luffy and the others stopped. The woman being chased was Nami.
Seeing Nami running, Sandy waved and called, "Hi, big-chested girl — no, Nami. You look like you're in trouble, so — goodbye!"
The casual cruelty left everyone stunned. Where was the hero saving the beauty?
Luffy spun his head. "Hey Sandy — isn't she the navigator we're supposed to find? Shouldn't we help her?"
Zoro interjected, "They're almost here. What do you say we do?"
Sandy smirked, "What to do? Weren't we meant to beat Buggy?"
Before Nami could ask for help, Luffy leapt in and flattened the pursuers with a flurry of punches and kicks.
Nami stared, wide-eyed. "Sugoi!"
A spark lit in Nami's eyes. She stepped forward and offered, "Hey — can we make a deal? I'll be your navigator until you find a new one, temporarily. But in return, you help me steal Buggy's treasure. Good deal?"
Luffy frowned. "I'm not interested in treasure stuff. You should find someone else."
Sandy shrugged. "We're pirates, not sneaky thieves. But since we're going to find Buggy anyway — do you know where he is?"
Nami's eyes glittered. "I know where he is. Follow me. It's not too late to go now. By the way, Buggy's bounty is 15 million Belly. Before we go, we should make a strategy…"
Luffy cut her off. "Stop babbling — I'm gonna punch him flying."
Zoro: "Cut him down."
Sandy: "Screw him up."
"Yosh!" they shouted in unison.
Nami slapped her forehead. "I'm telling you but never mind. Just be careful."
Sandy turned to Nami. "Worried about what? What is there to worry about? We're strong — Luffy can eat a cow, Zoro can drink several barrels of sake. As for me, I wake up every day by admiring how handsome I am!"
The three men trailing Sandy nearly tripped at his arrogance.