Ever since Mohji had been granted that simple Runic array—and his strength had increased dramatically—Buggy could clearly sense the shift.
Mohji and Cabaji had completely thrown in their lot with Yuuki.
Before, the three of them could at least whisper plans among themselves.
Now?
Buggy was certain that if he so much as twitched suspiciously, those two would report him to Yuuki without hesitation.
"Damn it…"
Hands gripping the wheel, Buggy's expression darkened.
He had originally planned to find the right moment to escape. He was Buggy the Clown—how could he become someone else's errand boy? Even when Shanks had invited him in the past, he had refused.
His old ambition flared again—
Only to be doused by cold reality.
Still…
Buggy's eyes flickered.
From what he had observed, this new captain seemed interested in little besides reading. The treasure chests stored in the lowest hold of the ship? Yuuki hadn't even glanced at them.
If that was the case…
Buggy stroked his chin, a sly grin creeping across his face.
There were treasure sites he had never dared approach before. With Yuuki's strength, he could raid them freely—and reap the rewards.
"How much longer?" Yuuki's calm voice drifted from beneath the shade of the conjured tree.
Buggy stiffened.
He turned quickly, face breaking into an obedient grin. "We can already see the island. Less than an hour."
Yuuki nodded lightly.
They had been sailing for over two days. It was time to reach their first island.
If he remembered correctly, the Log Pose in Buggy's possession pointed to Cactus Island—one of Baroque Works' bases.
"One of the Seven Warlords of the sea… Crocodile."
Yuuki closed the newspaper he had just obtained from a News Coo and smiled faintly.
The mayor of Cactus Island, Igaram, secretly served as a mid-level agent of Baroque Works—yet his true identity was captain of the royal guard of the Alabasta Kingdom.
His mission was to uncover Baroque Works' secrets.
Yuuki had no interest in that.
What interested him was the Eternal Pose in Igaram's possession—one that pointed directly to Alabasta.
He had no desire to sail from island to island at random.
Taking the Eternal Pose and heading straight to Alabasta—that was his goal.
Since Smoker had slipped through his fingers in Loguetown, then Crocodile would suffice as a substitute.
Cactus Island.
From afar, the mountain peaks resembled massive cacti, shrouded in faint mist.
As Yuuki's ship approached, the island's inhabitants took notice.
"Three eyes? What pirate crew is that?"
"Never heard of them. They're not on any bounty posters either."
"Doesn't look famous."
"So, we prepared for nothing?"
"Eh. Even a fly has meat on it."
Low murmurs passed through the crowd.
There was no panic—only anticipation.
As the ship drew near the harbor—
Buggy, Mohji, and Cabaji tensed.
A large group had already gathered along the shore.
Then—
"Welcome to the Grand Line!"
"Welcome to our humble town!"
"This is the hospitable town of Whisky Peak!"
Cheers erupted from the docks.
Mohji and Cabaji blinked in confusion. Wasn't the Grand Line supposed to be deadly?
Since when did pirates receive a welcome parade?
Buggy, however, narrowed his eyes.
"Whisky Peak… I've heard that name somewhere…"
Moments later, the ship docked.
The three turned toward Yuuki, silently asking whether they should disembark.
"Such a crude scheme. Pirate hunters pretending to be hospitable."
Yuuki's tone was indifferent.
Pirate hunters?
"That's it!" Buggy exclaimed quietly. "This is the infamous nest of pirate hunters. They lure in overconfident pirates and eliminate them."
Mohji and Cabaji exchanged glances, then looked back at the smiling crowd.
They swallowed hard.
"Deal with them all," Yuuki said lazily, waving a hand. "Bring me the mayor."
What?!
Buggy's eyes widened.
There had to be over a hundred of them.
And they were only three.
Yuuki's gaze shifted toward them.
Buggy, Mohji, and Cabaji shuddered.
Without another word, they leapt off the ship.
Almost immediately—
"It's Buggy the Clown! Fifteen million Beli!"
Chaos erupted.
Gunfire cracked through the air.
Buggy's face turned pale as he darted between attackers. Without his Devil Fruit ability, those bullets were lethal.
Bang! Bang!
"You cowards! Fight me without guns!"
He ducked low, knocked down a hunter, and dragged the man up as a shield.
Cabaji was quickly forced into a defensive retreat.
Only Mohji, fused with Richie, charged headlong into the fray.
"This is what power feels like!"
His legs bulged with muscle, launching him three to four meters high with each leap. His claws shredded rifles and blades with ease.
The pirate hunters' attention shifted toward him.
With a burst of speed, Mohji landed beside Cabaji and swept a circle of enemies away in a single strike.
"Feels incredible!"
"Saved…" Cabaji exhaled, envy flashing in his eyes.
Mohji dashed forward again toward Buggy—
But only made it a few meters before a heavy shadow descended.
Boom!
A thick tree trunk slammed into the ground before him.
A muscular, dark-skinned woman stood blocking his path, wielding the massive trunk as a weapon.
The battle at Whisky Peak had only just begun.
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