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

The Giant burst out of the rapids of Upside Down Mountain, its hull jerking violently and splashing up a huge spray of water.

Even though the pirate ship was equipped with a hot air balloon, which provided a lot of upward pull during the descent, the impact was still quite strong when they came down the mountain.

In fact, for the pirate ships that have crossed the Upside-Down Mountain, going down is much more difficult than going up.

It's a bit like a person climbing a mountain.

There's generally not much risk going up the mountain, it's just a bit tiring.

Going downhill is easy, but it's also easy to slip and die instantly.

The splashing water drifted into the air, and when the sunlight shone on it, it resembled a rainbow encircling the pirate ship.

Then everything returned to calm.

The Buggy Pirates' Giant Ship has successfully traversed the Reverse Mountain!

applaud!

"This is... the Grand Line?" Nami stood at the bow of the ship, her hands resting on the gunwale, her gaze fixed on the blue sea.

I used to think that the Grand Line was some kind of legendary place, a place where countless pirates perished.

But now that she's here, the surrounding sea seems no different from the East China Sea.

"...It doesn't seem to be anything special," Nami muttered.

"That's because you haven't seen how special it is yet," Bucky's voice came from behind.

The Grand Line's bizarre climate can be described as hellish. In this hellish place, it's normal to encounter any kind of situation. Back then, Buggy the Clown witnessed many strange journeys on Roger's pirate ship.

However, that's not the main point. The main point is that Nami noticed something strange about a certain area of ​​the sea in the distance.

Is there land in the distance?

But why does it feel like that land is moving?

Is that a mountain?

It doesn't seem like it either.

The thing was so big, it was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

It was like a mountain, like a wall... and like a sleeping giant beast.

"What is that?" Nami frowned.

"An island whale," Bucky said. "Its name is Laboon."

Nami's pupils contracted slightly.

Island whales?

That island-like thing, it's actually a whale?

Are these the terrifying creatures that live on the Grand Line?

"How...how did it get here?" Nami asked.

"We've been waiting for... for fifty years." Bucky sighed when talking about this.

How beautiful is a simple yet intense emotion!

Nami's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

I've waited fifty years.

This whale has been waiting here for fifty years.

Who is it waiting for? Will it ever come back?

These questions swirled in her mind, but in the end, she asked none of them.

Because she felt the answer might not be very comfortable.

Fifty years is a long time for a person. Most people in this world will never see each other again if they haven't seen each other for 50 years.

The Giant continued forward.

Bucky knew very well that Laboon wasn't a particularly aggressive creature, so going around it wouldn't be a problem.

As the Giant went around it, and got closer, the pitted and cratered scars on the whale Lap’s head became visible.

Those are the scars left by this whale when it crashed into the red earth.

It has been planted here for 50 years.

Only island whales are physically very strong, so they can survive... otherwise, they would have died long ago from that kind of impact.

Baji stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the whale with a calm gaze.

The whale was designed based on a touching story—the Rumbar Pirates, Brook, and Laboon.

A story about commitment and waiting.

"Captain," Nami's voice came from the side, "there's a tower over there."

Bucky followed her gaze.

At the foot of the inverted mountain, on either side of the waterfall, there is a tall tower.

This place is also known as Twin Points and Twin Towers.

"Should we rest there for a bit?" Nami asked. "Everyone's tired after coming down from Reverse Mountain."

Indeed, that's true; of all the Buggy Pirates, only Buggy's strength is exceptionally high.

For others, the experience of rushing up and down the upside-down mountain was indeed a bit too thrilling.

"Sure," Bucky said. "I can also meet an old friend."

"An old friend?" Nami raised an eyebrow.

Bucky didn't answer, his gaze falling on the shore between the two towers, where an old man sat beneath the tower on the left.

The old man sat in a recliner, holding a newspaper in his hand, with his legs crossed, looking relaxed and content.

With a balding head, a face full of wrinkles, round-framed glasses, and a brightly colored shirt, he looked like an ordinary retired old man sunbathing on the beach.

But Bucky knew he wasn't.

The old man was the acquaintance he was referring to: Crocus, the ship's doctor for the Roger Pirates and also the lighthouse keeper.

The giant is getting closer.

Crocus seemed to sense something on the shore, and looked up from his newspaper at the sea.

Crocus didn't pay any attention.

He lived on the Twin Gorges side and had seen many pirates from all over the world who came to the Grand Line through the Reverse Mountain. In fact, it could be said that most of the pirates died at the Reverse Mountain.

However, there were still quite a few lucky ones who managed to get through Upside Down Mountain, and after seeing so many, he became too lazy to bother with them.

After all, those who travel from Reverse Mountain to Great Haru are generally small fry in Crocus's eyes, not worth his attention at all.

In everyday situations, Observation Haki only provides basic, passive perception, which can help prevent some dangers.

As for large-scale, detailed perception, it generally requires active use.

To what extent one can achieve depends on their individual abilities.

For example, the redhead's passive perception is much stronger than many people's active perception.

"Get ready to dock," Bucky said.

The pirate henchmen got to work.

Lower the sails, drop anchor, and set up gangplanks.

The Giant came to a stop not far from the shore, and a gangplank was lowered from the ship's side and placed on the rocks on the shore.

Bucky strode onto the springboard, his goal, of course, being to find Crocus.

Nami followed behind him.

Noki followed closely behind Nami.

Mochi and Kabaji exchanged a glance and followed.

Many pirates, including Roro, began to disembark from their pirate ships, preparing to set up tents and camp.

"Who is that old man?"

"I don't know, does the captain know him?"

"He doesn't look like an ordinary person."

"Of course! Could an ordinary person sunbathe on the beach of the Grand Line?"

The pirate henchmen whispered among themselves, not knowing why, but just looking at the old man from afar, they felt a sense of awe at the old man's glance.

It was a kind of pressure that was hard to describe.

It wasn't something overtly menacing, but rather a feeling that made you instinctively want to stay away.

Bucky walked at the front.

He walked up to the old man and stopped.

The old man was still reading the newspaper, without even looking up.

Bucky didn't pay any attention; he just stood there with his hands behind his back, looking at the old man with his head down.

The two remained silent.

The sea breeze blew between them, making the newspaper in the old man's hand rustle.

Nami stood three steps behind Buggy, watching this scene with a slight frown.

She didn't know what had happened, but she could sense the subtle atmosphere in the air.

Finally, the old man spoke.

"They came down from Upside Down Mountain specifically to see this old geezer—"

Crocus looked up from the newspaper and onto Bucky. "You're still the same as always, doing nothing but pointless things."

Even if Crocus doesn't usually use Observation Haki, he couldn't possibly not recognize him now that he's this close.

"That's not right, old man." Bucky's right hand split off and flew out, placing a box of cigars in front of Crocus. "I think it makes a lot of sense."

The Devil Fruit ability is enough to prove Buggy's identity.

"Oh?" Crocus accepted it without hesitation. "Tell me about it."

"What's there to say? Isn't it something to be happy about after so many years?" Bucky retorted directly.

"I'm overjoyed about this!" Bucky exclaimed, then burst into laughter again. "Hahahaha!"

Crocus's gaze paused for a moment, then he put down the newspaper, looked up, and stared directly at Bucky.

"Bucky," Crocus chuckled with a touch of admiration, "after all these years, your mouth has gotten even more impressive."

"You flatter me." Bucky bowed slightly, like a gentleman accepting praise.

"Hahaha~" Crocus laughed loudly, slowly standing up from the recliner.

In front of an old acquaintance like Bucky, there's no need to pretend to be a useless old man like you would in front of others.

The moment he stood up completely straight, everyone felt the pressure.

His body was fully stretched out, revealing strong muscles and broad shoulders, making him appear very powerful.

Compared to Buckine's somewhat thinner physique, he even exudes a sense of oppression.

The two are not of the same physical structure.

Buggy has the kind of muscular, handsome physique that's quite typical of a normal person in the world of One Piece.

Although Crocus is old, he still has the muscular build you can tell from his physique.

Crocus looked down at Bucky. "Your personality... you're definitely different from before... you've become more composed, Bucky."

"Old man, I'm not the same person I used to be," Bucky said.

The two looked at each other for a moment.

"Speak," Crocus sat back down in the recliner, picked up the newspaper, shook it, and asked, "What brings you here?"

"I'm going to the Grand Line," Bucky said.

"I know." Crocus didn't even look up. "Those who come down from Reverse Mountain are all going to the Grand Line."

"So I thought I'd drop by and see you."

"By the way?"

"By the way."

After all these years, it's impossible for him to have come specifically to find them, right?

Pirates' feelings may be sincere and passionate, but they generally don't last long; short-term relationships are the norm.

Crocus snorted and said nothing more.

Bucky wasn't in a hurry; he just stood there watching Crocus take the newspaper.

Nami stood behind, looking at Buggy and then at Crocus, her face blank.

"Who...is this person?" she whispered to Nochiko beside her.

"I don't know." Noki shook her head.

At this moment, Crocus spoke up again: "That brat Shanks came here a few years ago too."

Shanks became one of the Four Emperors not long ago, about 6 years ago.

"Mm," Bucky replied.

"He also said he wanted to go to the Grand Line."

"Um."

"Are you all crazy, you little brats?"

"Crazy?" Bucky laughed. "Maybe."

"But... Crocus, what do you consider madness?" Bucky retorted bluntly.

Crocus looked up at him.

"To do what others can't do is crazy," Bucky said. "To do what others dare not do is crazy. To pursue what others dare not pursue is crazy."

"But if—"

Bucky and Kulekas looked at each other.

"If everyone thinks you're crazy, but you actually do it."

"Then madness isn't madness."

That's legendary.

"Just like a captain."

The reason why Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, is so famous is not simply because of his great strength or the great things he accomplished.

Rather, it was because he was crazy enough... Roger was actually quite eccentric.

Or perhaps the powerful figures who once dominated this sea were all quite eccentric, quite eccentric in every aspect, even creating the farcical Great Repression Era, which completely surprised the Navy and the World Government at the time—of all people to arrest, they arrested Shakky, the source of the Great Repression Era.

The battle at God Valley was originally for Rocks... but it ended up attracting a large group of sexually repressed people, making a complete mess of things.

That war was also the source of the current chaotic world order.

"Your mouth," Crocus looked at Bucky, then looked down at the newspaper in his hand again, "is more talkative than that brat Shanks."

Crocus didn't have much ambition to begin with, so even if Bucky said that, he didn't feel much; at most, he felt a little nostalgic.

Right now, Crocus just wants to stay at Twin Peaks with the whale Laboon... and then wait to die.

"Shanks?" Bucky's lips curled up slightly. "He just doesn't like to talk about this."

"Yeah?"

"Um."

"And what about you?"

"Me?" Bucky tilted his head. "I just want to do what I want to do."

"...Speak," Crocus folded the newspaper and placed it on the rock beside him. "Besides dropping by to see me, what else is there?"

"I knew I couldn't hide it from you." Bucky looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips beneath the mask.

"Nonsense," Crocus snorted. "I've practically watched you grow up."

Bucky went straight to the point: "I need your help."

"What kind of help?"

"Give them a pointer on their domineering presence." Bucky turned to the side, raised his hand, and pointed at the four people behind him.

"Them?" Crocus's gaze swept over Nami, Nojiko, Mochi, and Kabaji.

"Them?" Crocus looked at Bucky. "And what about you?"

"Do I need to emphasize what our relationship is?" Bucky said shamelessly.

"..." Crocus looked at him, speechless. "You didn't practice before, but now you suddenly want to learn?"

Bucky didn't refute it because he knew Crocus was telling the truth.

Back then, Bucky the Joker was just an ordinary intern, and most of his interests were focused on treasure; he wasn't particularly interested in fighting.

He had no ambition, no goals, and simply followed Roger's ship around.

Back then, Bucky the Joker had no idea what he really wanted, and many of his actions seemed like nonsense to others.

But the current Bucky the Clown is different.

"People always change," Bucky said with a touch of melancholy.

"Five at most." Crocus looked at him and finally spoke. "I'm too old to teach too many people."

Bucky's lips curled up slightly. "That's enough, just the few of us."

Nami, Nojiko, Mochi, Kabaji, and Buggy—a total of five people.

Anyway, as long as Crocus is willing to teach, it's fine. It's a standardized method that can be practiced, and once you learn it, you can teach it to others.

"Let me make this clear from the start." Crocus stood there, his expression unchanged. "While I will do my best to teach you, I can't guarantee you'll master it."

"They can do it, Crocus," Bucky said with a smile.

"You're much more confident than before." Crocus looked at him, his lips twitching slightly.

"That's because I'm much stronger than before." Bucky felt he wasn't lying.

"Then let me see just how much stronger you've become," Crocus snorted.

Armament Haki began to swirl around his right hand; it wasn't just hardening, but flowing.

"Come here," Crocus said in a low voice, "let me see what you've learned all these years."

No matter what, they are old acquaintances, especially since Bucky grew up under Crocus's watchful eye.

Therefore, if Buggy's strength does not satisfy Crocus, Crocus is prepared to leave Buggy here.

If a child lacks ability, then they need intensive tutoring!

After all, we can't just watch our younger generation go out to sea and die, can we?

Crocus is the type of person who is quite responsible.

"Just once." Bucky opened his right hand, and the Heart Sword slowly flew out from behind him and into his hand.

"Just for a moment." Crocus nodded.

Then Bucky leaned forward, pushed off the rock with his right foot, and swung the Heart Sword upwards, the blade tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

The sword was covered in black Armament Haki.

Although this sword strike was very fast, its trajectory was also very direct.

Crocus could sense the trajectory of the sword attack without even using Observation Haki, and then simply blocked it with his hand.

Crocus simply spread his fingers and grabbed it.

clang--

The sound of metal clashing echoed across the shore.

Crocus gripped the blade of the Heart Sword with his right hand.

The clash between Armament Haki produced a dull echo.

That's how the high-end combat power in this world works. Generally speaking, the level of Armament Haki has a greater impact on combat than divine weapons and magical artifacts.

...Although the clash of Armament Haki is not as earth-shattering as the clash of Conqueror's Haki.

Kurokas gripped Bucky's sword, locking it tightly like an iron clamp.

"Your strength hasn't declined at all~" Buggy said with a smile.

Although Crocus's primary profession is not a combatant but a ship's doctor, his strength is not lacking.

Crocus looked at Bucky, then released his grip.

Bucky sheathed his sword, took a step back, and stood in front of Crocus.

The two looked at each other for a moment.

"Not bad, you've improved a lot compared to before." Crocus looked at Bucky with surprise.

Bucky's dedication to training in this area doesn't really fit his personality.

Therefore, the strength displayed completely exceeded Crocus's expectations, and he was already very satisfied.

While it might not be able to open up the Grand Line, it's at least enough for basic self-defense.

...If you die in an accident, then so be it...That's how children of the sea are.

"Just good?" Bucky asked.

"It's just not bad." Crocus nodded. "Your Armament Haki is too crude."

Bucky didn't speak because Crocus was telling the truth.

Bucky's Armament Haki was something he developed by relying on his memories and wild guesswork.

It can be confirmed that this is Armament Haki, but how many problems there are in the details is another matter.

"You have changed, Bucky." Crocus turned and walked toward the Twin Towers.

"Come with me."

"Let me assess your abilities first, and then I'll decide how to teach you."

In theory, everything that should have been taught in Roger's crew was taught, but unfortunately, Buggy wasn't very interested in it back then. Plus, Buggy was just a kid who was an apprentice crew member, so no one forced him to learn.

The Roger Pirates didn't expect children to be their fighting force.

Bucky followed behind Crocus.

Nami, Nojiko, Mochi, and Kabaji exchanged glances and followed.

The pirates in the distance had no idea what their leaders were up to; all they could see was that their leaders seemed quite happy.

So the pirate henchmen started a fire and cooked.

After all, thinking too much in life is meaningless, so live in the moment, and this is especially true for pirates.

A deep cry came from the huge island whale in the distance.

The sound echoed across the sea, lingering for a long time.

—⊙_⊙—