Chapter 6
Buggy recalled his lower body. "You idiots! Stop standing around—go take out that straw-hat brat's friends!"
At their captain's outburst, the crew snapped into action. Even those who'd been nicked by friendly fire bandaged up quickly and charged Sol and Nami with weapons raised. Meanwhile, Cabaji rode up on his unicycle to challenge Zoro.
Buggy smirked at Luffy. "Once my men finish off your little friends, skinny monkey, you're next."
Luffy pulled his straw hat low, stretching his arm back like a bowstring. "Sol and the others are plenty strong—so I can focus on sending you flying!"
"Gum-Gum Pistol!"
While Buggy was still trash-talking, the punch slammed into his face at blinding speed. His red nose caved in, eyes bulging comically.
Buggy spun like a top—two and a half rotations—before face-planting into the ground, legs twitching in the air.
As Luffy started toward the others, he'd barely taken a step when—
"Chop-Chop Cannon!"
Buggy's scattered left leg rocketed forward like a missile, slamming into Luffy's back. The impact sent him crashing through three buildings before he stopped in a cloud of dust and rubble.
"Chop-Chop Quick Escape!"
Buggy's parts snapped back together like magnets. In seconds he stood whole in the street, dusting off his cape and grinning toward the wreckage. "Hah! Think you could finish me that easily? I'm Captain Buggy!"
The rubble exploded outward. Luffy flipped out, straw hat dusted with splinters, grinning wider than ever. "So that's it! Your body can split apart! Now we're talking!"
From afar, Sol whistled. "Hey, Luffy—need a hand?"
"Nope!" Luffy dropped into stance, arms cocked back. "Gum-Gum Gatling!"
Buggy's face paled. "Wait—what are you—?!"
"Gum-Gum Mad Pistol!"
Luffy's arms blurred into countless afterimages, a storm of fists blanketing Buggy. Buggy frantically split apart with Quick Escape—but that only made him an easier target.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
His body parts scattered like pinballs. His swollen head screamed mid-air: "This isn't how it's supposed to go!"
"Not done yet!" Luffy's rubber leg stretched into a wide sweep.
At the last second, Buggy's detached right hand gripped a dagger and stabbed toward the back of Luffy's head.
"Got him!"
Luffy tilted his head instinctively—
The blade sliced across the straw hat, leaving a glaring tear.
Fury ignited. "You bastard—that hat is the most precious treasure Shanks ever gave me!!!"
With that roar, Luffy's fist rocketed forward faster than ever.
"Gum-Gum Rocket!"
"Sha… Shanks?!"
The name froze Buggy solid, even in pieces. Before he could react—
BOOM!!
The enraged punch buried into his gut. Buggy's face twisted into a ridiculous shape, spit flying. His body launched skyward like a catapult shot, shrinking to a dot against the clouds.
"You braaaaaat—!!" His wail echoed from above. "I knew that damn hat looked familiar— just you wait, straw-hat kid!!"
Meanwhile, Zoro faced Cabaji—a unicycle-riding swordsman who specialized in acrobatic tricks.
Their duel began with Cabaji tossing smoke bombs around Zoro. "Acrobatic Art: Curtain of Smoke!"
Thick white fog engulfed the area. Cabaji pedaled at high speed through the haze, blade flashing coldly. "Behold the splendor of circus swordsmanship!"
Zoro coughed, clutching his bleeding wound, and drew all three swords into a defensive stance. "Cheap tricks..."
"Acrobatic Art: Steamy Murder Case!"
Cabaji's shadow darted through the mist, samurai sword aimed at Zoro's throat!
Clang!
Zoro blocked with Wado Ichimonji—just as Cabaji kicked off the ground, driving a spiked shoe into Zoro's open wound.
"Gah—!"
Pain dropped Zoro to one knee, blood dripping from gritted teeth. Cabaji retreated gracefully on his wheel. "What's wrong, pirate hunter? Can't handle a little showmanship?"
Zoro chuckled low, bloodied bandana fluttering. "...Interesting." He rose slowly, muscles taut. "Let me show you real swordplay."
"Three-Sword Style: Dragon Twister!"
A ferocious slash whirlwind dispersed the smoke instantly. Cabaji's unicycle wobbled violently in the gust. "What?!"
Cabaji backflipped and breathed a torrent of flame. "Acrobatic Art: Fire-Breathing!"
The blaze roared toward Zoro. He sidestepped smoothly, heat singeing his hair, blades gleaming coldly. "You're no swordsman... just a circus clown."
The uncontrolled flames hurtled toward Nami, who was watching from the sidelines.
Sol appeared in a flash, seizing the fire with one hand and absorbing it entirely. Dragon flames erupted around his arms, coiling like living serpents. "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"
BOOM!
The flames reshaped into massive dragon wings that swept outward, blasting away the charging Buggy crew grunts. The shockwave toppled nearby stalls and rocked Cabaji's unicycle.
Nami, still crouched with arms over her head, stared wide-eyed at Sol's back. "W-What kind of monsters are these guys...?"
Zoro seized the opening, blades crossing in deadly arcs. "No more interruptions. Let's settle this like swordsmen."
Cabaji blocked desperately, wheel skidding on debris. "You barbarians have no appreciation for art!"
He pedaled furiously, sparks flying as the wheel climbed a wall, then launched into a spiraling dive—man and unicycle becoming a whirling blade. "Wheel Death Dive!"
His shadow plummeted toward Zoro's head.
Zoro stood motionless, slowly drawing his swords.
"Three-Sword Style: Demon Slash."
In an instant, cold steel flashed.
Clang!
The two passed each other. Three crimson arcs burst in the air.
Zoro sheathed his blades with a crisp ring.
Cabaji's unicycle shattered. He crashed like a broken puppet.
"Im… possible..." Kneeling, his final sight was Zoro's turned back. "So this... is true swordsmanship?"