Pirate: I, Buggy, am the Emperor, the Emperor of the Clown King!

"Get out of the way."

Upon hearing Nano's voice, the pirates blocking their way paused for a moment, then quickly parted to make way.

Nami took a step forward and stood at the very front.

Nojiko stood half a step behind Nami, her gaze fixed on the rat-like man.

Colonel Mouse stepped down the gangway, onto the wooden planks of the dock, took a few steps forward, and then stopped.

He looked at Nami, his face beaming with smiles.

That smile was obsequious and ingratiating, yet it carried a hint of barely concealed fear.

"Oh my, this must be Miss Nami?!" Colonel Mouse exclaimed, his voice high-pitched like a mouse's squeal.

Congratulations!

"Congratulations on escaping the oppression of that bastard dragon!"

"Rest assured, from now on, our navy will take care of this village to the highest standards!"

Colonel Mouse was flexible and adaptable, just as he had been when he obeyed the dragon's orders.

After all, judging from the current situation, it is clear that Nami betrayed Arlong and joined the Buggy Pirates, which led to the destruction of the Arlong Pirates.

Nami looked at him without saying a word.

Colonel Mouse's smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

He pointed to the warship behind him and said, "To show our sincerity, you see, I didn't even bring many people with me."

"These are the few; they are all my trusted confidants."

Colonel Rat truly felt he had staked his life on it.

Nami's gaze passed over him and landed on the warship.

There really weren't many people.

Apart from the few people carrying boxes, there was no one on the deck.

She turned her gaze away and looked at Colonel Mouse: "I knew you'd come."

Colonel Mouse's smile froze for a moment.

"Miss Nami, what you're saying..." He chuckled dryly twice. "I'm a naval captain, and protecting this area is my duty."

"When the dragon was around, I couldn't do anything. But now that the dragon is gone, of course I have to..." Now that the dragon has fallen, Colonel Rat naturally has to shift the blame onto himself.

"You can't do anything?" Nami interrupted him, her voice still calm, but the emotions suppressed beneath that calm had already surfaced.

"The evil dragon has been running rampant in the East Sea for eight years, and you can't do anything about it?!"

"The evil dragon collects protection money from twenty villages every month, what can you do about it?!"

"When the dragon kills people, what can you do?!"

"If you abandon your duties with just one excuse, what use are you navy men?"

Nami dislikes both pirates and the Navy.

Because in Nami's eyes, the Navy was no different from pirates.

At least that's how the Marines Nami encountered were.

Colonel Mouse's smile froze completely: "Miss Nami, please let me explain..."

"Explain what?" Nami took a step forward, her gaze fixed on him. "Explain how you colluded with the dragon to divide that blood-stained money, and then pretended you didn't see anything?"

Everyone here is a smart person, and Nami didn't believe a single word of Colonel Rat's sophistry.

Colonel Mouse's face turned very ugly.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Nami didn't give him the chance.

"Navy? Justice?" Nami sneered. "You think you're worthy?"

Colonel Mouse's face turned red.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

"Miss Nami," Colonel Mouse began, his voice low, "I accept everything you've said. But you must understand, this isn't my fault."

Colonel Rat knew very well that he had to shift the blame.

Those who resort to sophistry can usually survive.

If I admit it, I'm really doomed.

"It's not your fault?" Nami's face showed a completely mocking expression.

"No," Colonel Rat shook his head. "You know about the dragon's background."

"He and Jinbe, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, were both members of the Sun Pirates."

What are the Seven Warlords of the Sea?

"They are legal pirates recognized by the World Government."

"Arlong is Jinbe's brother, and both are veterans of the Sun Pirates."

"What can a mere colonel like me do?"

Colonel Mouse spread his hands, looking completely innocent.

"If even Naval Headquarters doesn't care, how can I?"

"If I intervene, I'll offend the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the World Government. What will become of my life?"

"I don't even need the Navy to punish me; Arlong and his men will kill me first."

"You can't expect me to sacrifice my life for you, can you?"

That last morally manipulative remark was indeed very effective on Nami; she really couldn't do such a thing.

When Colonel Rat got to this point, he was also full of resentment towards the dragon.

He has plenty of ways to plunder the people's wealth.

But only the evil dragon's actions cause the greatest harm.

Unfortunately, due to the dragon's background and power, he couldn't control anything...

If something goes wrong, everyone will be dragged down with them.

Nami looked at him without saying a word.

To be honest, what he said makes sense; you can't expect Colonel Rat to die for the villagers.

The navy of this world does not serve the people, but rather the world government.

Therefore, the navy has no obligation to risk their lives for ordinary people.

Some naval personnel are willing to sacrifice themselves for their own sense of justice; that's acceptable.

Some naval personnel may simply want to live for their own lives, and that's acceptable.

This is also the root of all the Navy's problems.

It was merely a violent institution within the feudal aristocratic system.

Within the framework of the World Government, even if the Navy pursues justice, it will be distorted.

Seeing that Nami remained silent, Colonel Mouse assumed his words had worked and quickly continued.

"But things are different now."

His smile returned. "Now that you've destroyed the dragon, no one can stop me anymore."

"From now on, I will protect this village."

"I promise that what happened eight years ago will never happen again."

Colonel Mouse was absolutely right when he said that.

After all, a steady stream of income is best, and he's only 36 this year.

There is enough time to slowly make money.

Making money without offending anyone isn't actually that difficult.

Nami was silent for a moment.

Then her smile became even colder than before.

"Protect?" she said softly. "Do you think I'd believe you?"

Colonel Mouse's smile froze again: "Miss Nami, what you're saying..."

"When the dragon was around, you were his dog. Now that the dragon's gone, you're looking for a new master." Nami looked at him, her eyes filled with only a calm mockery. "You think I can't see through you?"

Colonel Mouse's face turned completely pale: "Miss Nami, I..."

"Alright." Nami interrupted him, turned and walked towards the direction of Dragon Paradise. "Come with me, I'll take you to see someone."

No matter how much Nami disliked this rat, she couldn't possibly let the surrounding pirates swarm her and kill the rat colonel.

The Buggy Pirates belong to Buggy, so Nami has no right to act recklessly when it comes to Buggy's interests.

This is self-awareness.

Colonel Mouse paused for a moment.

"To...to see whom?"

"Buggy the Clown".

Colonel Rat's pupils suddenly contracted.

He stood there, staring blankly at Nami's retreating figure.

Then I let out a breath, and I passed level 1.

Nojiko walked past the mouse, glanced back at him, and had a faint smile on his lips.

That smile sent chills down the spine of the mouse.

"Let's go," Nami's voice came from ahead. "What are you standing there for?"

Colonel Mouse snapped out of his daze and quickly followed.

The four soldiers carrying the box and the adjutant followed.

The group crossed the dock, entered the ruins of the Dragon Paradise, and finally arrived at the relatively intact wreckage of a building.

This place used to be the dragon's territory, but now it has become Bucky's temporary stronghold.

Nami pushed open the door and went inside.

Colonel Mouse stood at the door, took a deep breath, and then went inside.

The door closed behind me.

The light dimmed.

Colonel Mouse blinked, adjusting his eyes to the dim light. Then he saw a man sitting in a large chair at the far end of the room.

He was wearing a red shirt, green pants, yellow shoes, and white gloves.

He carried four swords on his back, with hilts shaped like spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds respectively.

He was wearing a mask.

The right half is pure black, the left half is pure white, and on the white half, a bright red heart is drawn.

The corners of his mouth beneath the mask were slightly upturned, as if he were smiling.

But those eyes... those eyes looking out from behind the mask made Colonel Rat feel like his heart was being gripped.

It's not fear.

It's not oppression.

Rather, it is something more abstract and fundamental.

It's like looking at an ant.

It's like looking at a speck of dust.

Colonel Mouse immediately realized that the man in front of him was none other than Bucky the Clown.

To Bucky's left stood a man with a fierce face, holding a whip in his hand.

To Bucky's right stood a tall, thin man with a knife hanging from his waist.

Under the immense pressure from Bucky... Colonel Rat's legs went weak.

He wanted to speak, but no sound came out of his throat.

He tried to kneel down, but his knees were already stiff.

He just stood there, like a mouse being stared at by a snake.

Bucky's gaze seemed to possess a certain power that captivated Colonel Rat.

Bucky looked at him, his gaze lingering on him for a moment.

Then his gaze shifted and landed on Nami.

"Should we kill him?"

The voice rang out.

Lazy.

elegant.

Like a gentleman greeting a visiting guest.

But to Colonel Mouse, it sounded like a whisper from the abyss.

"No need." Nami walked up to Buggy and stopped in front of him. "He wants to see you."

"Want to see me?" Bucky's gaze returned to Colonel Rat, his voice carrying a faint hint of amusement.

"Naval captain... a rat, right?"

Colonel Mouse's throat moved, and he finally managed to squeeze out a sound.

"Yes, yes... Bucky... Captain Bucky..."

"Captain Bucky?" Bucky tilted his head, the corners of his mouth beneath his mask curving upwards even more. "That was the old title."

He paused.

"Now, call me Clown King."

Clown King.

The three words that came out of that mouth were like a thunderbolt, striking Colonel Rat's heart.

His legs finally gave way.

With a thud, he knelt on the ground.

"Little...Lord Clown King!"

The mouse knelt there, trembling all over, its forehead pressed against the ground, not daring to raise its head.

Although he had prepared himself mentally before coming, Colonel Rat did not expect to kneel so easily.

The four soldiers carrying the boxes also knelt down.

The chest of treasure slammed heavily to the ground with a dull thud.

Bucky looked down at him.

Watching him grovel at his feet like a real rat.

Then he laughed.

The laughter came from deep in his throat, low, hoarse, with a strange echo.

"Hehehe... Ahahahaha!"

The laughter echoed in the hall, lingering for a long time.

Colonel Mouse knelt on the ground, listening to the laughter, feeling his heart leap out of his throat.

"Interesting." Bucky's voice came from above. "What brings you here?"

Colonel Mouse took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice from trembling too much.

"Little, Lord Clown King... I, I came... came..."

He couldn't continue.

Because Bucky's gaze fell on him again.

Those eyes, behind the mask, were looking at him.

It's like a cat catching a mouse.

Colonel Mouse's mind went completely blank.

He just knelt there, mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.

Bucky looked at him, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Here to deliver a gift?"

He raised his hand and pointed to the chest of treasure.

Colonel Mouse paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

"Yes, yes! Give gifts! Give gifts!"

He quickly got up, staggered over to the box, and opened it himself.

Golden light poured out of the box.

gold.

A whole box full of gold coins.

"This...this is just a small token of my appreciation..." Colonel Rat's voice trembled. "Please...please accept this, Lord Clown King..."

Bucky looked at the box of gold coins without saying a word.

Colonel Mouse's heart sank.

He secretly raised his head, wanting to see Bucky's expression.

But all he saw was that black and white mask, and the upturned corner of his mouth beneath it.

Bucky raised his hand and waved it gently.

A sword silently slid out from its scabbard behind him.

Red Heart Sword.

The sword hovered in mid-air, its tip aimed at Colonel Rat.

The rat colonel's eyes widened, his pupils shrinking to the size of pinpoints.

"Little...Lord Clown King!"

Bucky didn't say anything.

He simply looked at the sword, then at Colonel Rat, a faint smile playing on his lips.

That smile conveyed a message more clearly than any words—your life is in my hands.

Colonel Mouse's legs went completely limp.

He knelt down again, his forehead touching the ground, his whole body trembling like a leaf.

"Lord Clown King, spare me! Lord Clown King, spare me!"

Bucky looked at him.

He watched as the rat trembled at his feet.

Then he let out a low, hoarse laugh, tinged with a strange pleasure: "Hehehe... Get up."

Colonel Mouse looked up and stared at him blankly.

"I accept the gift," Bucky said, "but..."

Mochi then walked to the side and removed all the black cloth from the cages, revealing the fish-men inside whose hands and feet had been cut off.

Then Mochi dragged over a cage.

"!!!" Colonel Rat stared at the fishman cage in front of him, his heart pounding wildly.

"His name is Kinjo, a member of the Arlong Pirates, and a remnant of the Sun Pirates," Buggy said slowly.

"You know what you should be doing now." Bucky propped his head up with one hand, a mocking smile on his face.

What should I do?

Of course, it's a pledge of allegiance.

"Hehehe~" the beast tamer Mochi laughed.

"Hahaha~" Swordsman Kabaji laughed too.

"..." Nojiko remained silent for a moment.

"Let me see how far you're willing to go." Nami glanced at the fishmen still in their cages and began to urge them on.

"..." Colonel Rat knew he had no choice, so he picked up the red heart sword floating next to him and stabbed it directly into the fishman's chest.

Then Colonel Rat looked at the few trusted men he had brought with him and handed the sword to his adjutant.

He knew very well that if he wanted to get his men out alive, he had to do this.

The adjutant took the red heart sword and stabbed him first.

Then the sword is handed to the next person.

The four naval soldiers, their faces pale, took turns stabbing each of them with their swords.

After everyone had finished stabbing.

Colonel Mouse took the Heart Sword and, with a smug grin, uttered flattering words:

"Great Clown King, I pledge my loyalty to you!"

"We humans and fish-men are sworn enemies; these fish-men deserve to die!"

"He deserves to be torn to pieces!"

As Colonel Rat spoke, he could even feel the gaze of the fish-men in the distant cage, as if they wanted to pierce him with a thousand arrows.

The fish-men in the cages gritted their teeth, but no matter how angry they were, it was useless since they had no hands or feet.

But so what?

In short, we need to get past this hurdle first.

"Hehehe... Ahahaha!" Bucky laughed loudly. "You're really sensible, mouse."

"I've decided not to kill them~ The Navy needs talents like you~" Bucky genuinely found it very interesting.

That's power!

That is power.

What a wonderful feeling.

No wonder people say that power is the best aphrodisiac.

The desire to conquer, the sense of self-inflation, the ability to decide the fate of others, to command others, and to gain obedience—this sense of dominance is truly, truly wonderful!

"You can leave now," Bucky suddenly said, and the Heart Sword flew to Bucky's side on its own.

Colonel Mouse paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Lord Clown King! Thank you, Lord Clown King!"

He got up and staggered toward the door.

He took a few steps back, then stopped.

"Lord Clown King, there's one more thing..."

"Um?"

"I...I'll report it to the outside world that the Arlong Pirates were wiped out by the Navy," Colonel Rat said nervously. "That way, no one will bother you..."

This kind of thing is indeed within the scope of rats' rights.

Or rather, the navy does this kind of thing quite often.

After two pirate crews clash, one is wiped out... and the Navy can claim the credit for the annihilation.

Bucky's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his gaze.

"You're very clever, mouse."

"But I don't want to see your unnecessary cleverness."

"Just report it normally. I think my bounty is a bit too low, it doesn't look very good."

Bucky's words were filled with a strange malice.

"Yes, sir!" Colonel Mouse lowered his head, determined to flatter Bucky and try to increase his bounty as much as possible.

"Go ahead." Bucky took out a white handkerchief and began wiping the blade of the Heart Sword.

Colonel Mouse felt like he had been granted a pardon and turned to run away.

The four soldiers and the adjutant quickly followed.

The door closed behind me.

The hall fell silent.

Nami stood beside Buggy, looking at the closed door with a cold smile on her lips.

"This rat knows how to change its stance depending on the wind."

Bucky didn't say anything.

He simply leaned back in his chair, a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth beneath the mask.

"Life is always afraid of death."

"To fight desperately to survive is courageous."

"To do anything to survive is a sin."

"I don't want you to ever have to think about this kind of thing."

Bucky paused, his gaze falling out the window.

Colonel Rat called to his men to set sail together.

Once you have it, you don't want to lose it.

Therefore, become stronger, even stronger, the strongest.