Previously, we wrote about Mohji riding Richie to claim Zoro's head. This was because the three pirates whom Zoro and Luffy had released ran back to the tavern and reported to Buggy... "You're saying the Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro, and a kid wearing a straw hat have come to town?"
"That's right, Captain! And they are incredibly strong. All these injuries we have are from them, Captain Buggy!"
Buggy, who was enjoying a feast, immediately soured upon hearing this news.
Bai Yun, however, felt differently. He had finally waited for the two of them to come ashore, meaning he could leave after finishing his free meal.
"What about the treasure, then?"
Buggy shot them a deadly glare, making the three men tremble in fear.
"C-Captain Buggy, we were tricked by a woman. She even made us fall into the sea! If we hadn't hitched a ride on Roronoa Zoro's boat, we would have died out there."
The three men dared not speak falsely and answered truthfully.
"Is it her!"
Buggy held up a portrait of Nami and asked the three men.
The three men quickly nodded, "That's her! That's her!"
Buggy turned to look at Bai Yun, who was eating steak. Bai Yun raised his hand and shook his head, indicating he knew nothing about the treasure.
Buggy turned back, veins throbbing on his forehead.
"It's that damn wench again!"
"Who am I!"
Buggy shouted, and his subordinates snapped to attention, shouting as if triggered by a mechanism.
"A pirate! Lord Buggy the Clown!"
"That's right! Hee ha ha ha!"
"I am Buggy the Clown! How can I tolerate this thieving hag running wild on my territory!"
"And! Roronoa Zoro the Pirate Hunter! If I kill him, my reputation will soar again!"
"Then let's put on a beast show!"
Buggy spread his arms and yelled.
"Are you calling for me, Captain Buggy?"
"I will go now and take Roronoa Zoro's head and retrieve our treasure! May I?"
Mohji rode over on Richie, wearing a cool, serious expression that made him look like some kind of big shot.
Bai Yun knew, however, that he was just going out to be defeated. It was good, though; he could lead Luffy and the others back here, saving Bai Yun the trouble of moving.
Hmm, dealing with these guys first wouldn't be a bad idea either... Shifting the scene back to Luffy and the others, it was because of the situation above that Mohji came charging in on Richie.
Just as Bai Yun had thought, Mohji and Richie were merely there to be defeated.
"Taking my head? Heh heh."
Zoro chuckled twice. It seemed his reputation wasn't high enough yet, as he kept being underestimated.
"Treasure! What treasure? I don't know!"
"Did that scoundrel Bai Yun tell you this, too?"
Nami quickly denied it. What they called 'their' treasure was hers once she got her hands on it, so there was no 'their' treasure here.
"Bai Yun?" (x2)
Upon hearing the name, Luffy and Zoro immediately shouted in unison.
"Just as I thought, you two are Bai Yun's crewmates!"
Nami replied. Wait, how did I manage to offend all three of these people?!
"What do you mean?"
"You guys know that fellow Bai Yun too?!"
Mohji asked in confusion. How did Bai Yun know everyone?
Luffy and Zoro immediately looked at him again. "What do you mean? You know Bai Yun too?"
"Of course. He's the newest member of the Buggy Pirates."
Mohji replied.
"WHAT!!!!"
Hearing this, Luffy's jaw dropped, looking utterly disbelieving that Bai Yun would betray him.
"Even though I can't stand that guy, he shouldn't be that kind of person,"
Zoro said.
Luffy nodded. How long had Zoro known Bai Yun? He had grown up with Bai Yun; he should trust him!
"Right! Bai Yun isn't like that!"
"Let's go check things out!"
Mohji was furious at being ignored, and Chouchou (Shushu), whose shop had been ruined by him, was equally angry.
"Bastards! Are you ignoring the great me? Richie!"
"Woof!!!"
Richie and Chouchou, despite their enormous size difference, charged together.
It was a confrontation whose outcome was obvious, but Chouchou had Luffy and Zoro backing him up.
"Bang!!"
In an instant.
Luffy used his fist, and Zoro used his swords.
Luffy stretched his arm, punching Mohji square in the face and sending him flying.
Zoro crossed his two swords and struck the abdomen of the charging lion, Richie.
As mentioned, these two guys were just delivering themselves to defeat.
Nami was stunned once again. Thinking about Bai Yun's suggestion to become their navigator and sail out to make money, it didn't seem like a bad idea.
As long as she considered it a partnership and not actually joining them as a pirate, it was fine.
"Woman, you know where their headquarters is, right? Take me there... It's a hassle!"
The Mayor, whom Luffy had pinned down to help him dodge Richie's claws, struggled to raise his head, two clear streams of blood hanging beneath his nose.
"I... know!"
...Led by Nami and the Mayor, the four arrived at the tavern where Buggy was stationed.
They saw Bai Yun leaning against the edge of the roof, holding a cocktail glass, watching the four below with a look of leisure.
"Bai Yun!"
Bai Yun slightly nodded, "You guys are a little late!"
...
A/N: The journey continues! If you're eager to read far ahead and support this story, consider joining the Eternal Phoenix community. You can find me on Patreon by searching for "Eternal_Phoenix".
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