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

a few days later.

The Giant slowly sailed away from the shore of Twin Capes.

Kurokas stood on the rocks by the shore, his floral shirt fluttering in the sea breeze.

He didn't wave or say goodbye; he just stood there, like an ordinary old man watching a lighthouse.

But the eyes behind those round-framed glasses remained fixed on the ship that was sailing further and further away.

Bucky hasn't actually done much here these past few days; he's basically just been drinking, eating, and chatting with Crocus.

Pirates, you know.

There aren't that many serious matters to attend to.

Although Crocus stayed here voluntarily, it's true that he found it very boring.

Baji stood at the stern of the boat, his back to the shore, his clothes fluttering in the wind.

He knew Crocus was watching him, and he also knew Crocus wouldn't say anything sentimental.

The Roger Pirates have always been like this: they've said what needed to be said, taught what needed to be taught, and then it's up to each other to go their separate ways.

These are the children of the sea, their lives and deaths are predestined, their wealth and honor are determined by fate... They accept the consequences of their bets.

"Did you leave all the drinks behind?" Bucky asked without turning around.

"He's left," Nami's voice came from behind. "Enough for him to drink for a while."

Crocus wouldn't ask for money living in a place like this, so what would be a suitable reward?

Of course, it's alcohol.

Besides the alcohol, some seasonings and other condiments were also left here.

The old man doesn't know how much longer he has to live, so let's just treat him to something good.

"Mm." Bucky nodded.

Those liquors were top-quality goods that Bucky sourced from Loguetown; they weren't the cheap rum that pirate henchmen drank themselves into a stupor, but proper whiskey and brandy.

These bottles of wine were packed in wooden crates, separated by straw, and floated all the way down the Upside-Down Mountain without breaking a single one.

Crocus did not refuse.

Although the old man said, "You kids are just wasting money," he was quick to take the drinks.

He often finds supplies from pirate ships that have failed to fall from Upside Down Mountain and crashed here, including drinks.

But if something is soaked in water for too long, the cork will break, the liquid will leak, and the taste will change. It's never as good as fresh.

In return, Crocus gave Bucky a permanent pointer and several record pointers.

When Bucky received the permanent pointer, he wondered if it was something good—pointing to some legendary island? Laugh Tale? Or some secret realm brimming with treasure?

Crocus then told him to point to Twin Capes.

"And those medical notes, Noki and I sorted them out and packed them into three boxes."

"Mm." Bucky nodded.

The medical notes were brought back by Nami and Nojiko from Crocus.

The notebooks were stacked up to half a person's height, bound with hemp rope. The paper was yellowed, the edges were curled, and some covers had stains of unknown origin.

When you open it, it's filled with dense writing, and there are also some medical charts that Pakistanis can't understand at all.

Sketches of the skeleton, markings of organ locations, and prescriptions and dosages of medicinal materials.

The handwriting was crooked and scraggly, with some parts smudged by water and others that had been erased several times, making it look like an old man's scribbles.

But Bucky knew the value of these things.

Crocus was the ship's doctor for the Roger Pirates. To be able to serve as the ship's doctor on a ship teeming with monsters, his medical skills were definitely not ordinary.

Keep in mind that Roger had a terminal illness at the time, and he was supposed to recover soon, but Crocus kept him alive for a while.

These notes record Crocus's decades of medical experience, insights, folk remedies, and even treatment methods for certain specific injuries.

If left out in the open, this thing could fetch an astronomical price.

Anyway, those notes would just gather dust at Crocus's place. That old man doesn't teach apprentices; he just leaves them at home after writing them and doesn't bother with them.

Rather than letting that knowledge rot on the pages, it's better to let Nami and Noji go to high school.

Having a doctor on board is better than having none.

The Buggy Pirates actually had a former ship's doctor, but that guy was a complete novice.

Bucky always felt that the chances of that guy surviving after treatment were not much different from not being treated.

However, something is better than nothing, and it at least provides some psychological comfort to the other crew members.

Nami walked to Buggy's side and followed his gaze to the increasingly distant coastline.

The figure of Crocus had become a tiny dot, blending into the rocks, making it impossible to distinguish which was the stone and which was the person.

"That person is really strong," Nami said.

"Although Crocus is a doctor, he could also work as a combatant on Roger's ship," Bucky said directly.

Even if someone isn't a pure combat type, they wouldn't be too weak if they could join Roger's crew.

Just look at Crocus's muscular physique.

He can reason with you, but if you disagree, he can also talk to you about physics.

As a general practitioner, I also work part-time as an orthopedic surgeon.

Orthopedics, simply put, is similar to being a sterile carpenter.

laugh.

"Wait? The Roger Pirates?" Nami froze as if time had been stopped, then she realized what was happening.

Although Bucky mentioned Shanks in his previous conversation with Crocus.

However, when you simply talk about the name Shanks, you generally don't associate it with the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks.

It's even less mentioned that Crocus was Roger's ship's doctor.

"So, Captain, what do you mean?" Nami was quite clever and immediately realized what was going on.

Since Crocus was the ship's doctor for the Pirate King Roger, then Buggy and Crocus must be acquaintances... Nami had a feeling that she had suddenly learned a secret she shouldn't have known.

—Nami: Do I know too much?

——Nami (꒪⌓꒪)

Although Nami had long suspected that Buggy, with his strength, was hiding in the East Blue, he was definitely up to no good and was probably plotting something big.

But she never imagined that Buggy was connected to the Pirate King Roger.

"Shh~" Buggy put his index finger to his lips, signaling Nami to be quiet.

"Good to know, but don't tell anyone, my little thief~"

At this moment, Buggy's expression, actions, and demeanor became even more unfathomable in Nami's eyes.

"Oh." Nami nodded subconsciously.

The captain is so mysterious.

Time passed day by day.

this day.

The Giant sailed slowly across the Grand Line.

It looks no different from the East China Sea at present, but everyone knows that this is not the East China Sea.

The Grand Line.

Pirate graveyard.

An adventurer's paradise.

The next morning, Baji stood on the deck, watching the pirate henchmen begin their training under the guidance of Cabaji and Mochi.

"One, two, one, two—"

Mochi's voice came from the center of the deck.

He held a whip in his hand, but didn't swing it; he simply held it in the air and tapped it rhythmically.

In front of him, more than twenty pirate henchmen were lined up in three rows, doing push-ups.

"Hold on tight! Don't stick your butt out! Don't let your back sag!"

Mochi walked back and forth between the ranks, his shoes making a dull thud on the deck.

His gaze swept from one person to another, and if he saw anyone whose movements were not up to standard, he would lash them with his whip.

Whether it hurts or not depends on the situation.

The use of a whip requires skill.

It can be very painful, or it can be painless.

"You! Bend your arms! Put your chest on the ground!"

"Hey! What are you doing sticking your butt out like that? Who are you trying to impress?"

"If you skip again, next time you'll have to take the sheep's place in that bucket!"

When they heard Mochi say that, several pirates couldn't help but laugh.

"And you lot, what are you laughing at!"

"I've got your names on the list; you guys are on the shortlist too!"

"Stop shaking! You've only done a few and you're already shaking?"

After hearing Mochi's threats, the pirates could no longer laugh.

Watching others go into the barrel is interesting, but when it's your turn, you can't hold back.

Although Buggy's pirate ship didn't have such barrels, that didn't stop Mochi from using them to intimidate the pirate minions.

The pirate henchmen gritted their teeth, veins bulging on their foreheads, sweat streaming down their faces and dripping onto the deck, forming small puddles.

"Kabaji," Mochi called out.

"Hmm?" Kabaji raised an eyebrow.

How many do you think they can make?

"Fifty?" Kabaji tilted his head. "No more than that."

"I think so too," Mochi nodded.

The two men exchanged a glance, then looked at the pirate henchmen.

"Did you hear that?" Mochi cracked his whip in the air. "Fifty! You can only rest after you've done fifty!"

"There's no end to it~" Cabaji chimed in, his voice clearly reaching the ears of every pirate henchman, "Don't sleep tonight, we'll only sleep when we can do 50 at once."

The pirate henchmen let out a wail:

"Captain...the captain won't agree..."

"Yeah! We need to sleep! We have to work tomorrow!"

"This is abuse!"

If Mochi and Kabaji speak seriously, then the pirate henchmen certainly won't dare to bargain.

But this obviously absurd request proves that Mochi and Kabaji aren't too serious, so they can chat and joke around together.

Mochi and Kabaji exchanged a glance and smiled at the same time.

There was an indescribable pleasure in that smile—it was so damn fun to mess with these lackeys under his command.

"Captain?" Mochi slung the whip over his shoulder. "Whose idea do you think this was?"

The pirate henchmen were stunned for a moment.

"This is an order personally given by the captain." Kabaji pulled his hand out of his pocket. "From today onwards, two hours of physical training every morning and two hours of meditation every afternoon."

"Those who can't keep up physically shouldn't even think about surviving on the Grand Line."

"You choose for yourselves—whether you die from exhaustion on the training field or die silently on the battlefield."

This was Buggy's real request; after all, these pirates had come out with him, and they couldn't die too quickly.

Rather than watching them die without anyone noticing, it's better to let them cause some trouble and gain some fame.

The pirate henchmen fell silent.

They all choose to go to sea, isn't it all for money and fame?

To gain money and fame, one needs at least basic ability.

After making enough money in Brazil to meet their basic needs, these pirate henchmen were able to start thinking about higher spiritual pursuits.

They gritted their teeth and continued doing push-ups.

one two three four……

The deck fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the pirate henchmen and Mochi's counting.

On the other side of the deck, another group of pirate henchmen were sitting cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed, hands on their knees, palms up.

They are meditating.

This is the introductory training for Observation Haki—eliminating distracting thoughts and calming the mind to perceive.

Don't overthink things.

Kabaji appeared beside them at some point.

"Close your eyes, listen to the sound of the wind, the sound of the waves, and the sound of your own heartbeats."

"Feel your surroundings—feel the temperature of the air, feel the direction of the sea breeze, feel the presence of your companions."

"Start with one person, then two, then ten."

"Don't use your eyes to see, use your senses to 'see'."

The pirate henchmen had their eyes closed and their brows furrowed tightly.

Some people are trying hard to "perceive," but they can't perceive anything; they can only feel their own heartbeat and breathing.

Someone was trying to "listen," but all they could hear was the sound of the wind, the waves, and the panting of their companions doing push-ups in the distance.

Someone secretly opened their eyes, glanced at Kabaji's location, and then quickly closed them again.

Kabaji didn't expose them, knowing that these things couldn't be rushed.

In training Observation Haki, talent and comprehension are more important than hard work.

Some people may never get the hang of it in their entire lives, while others may be able to perceive everything around them on their first try.

Kabaji's gaze swept over the henchmen: "Anyone who slacks off will have their lunch canceled today."

Upon hearing this, the henchmen who had been dawdling suddenly became incredibly energetic, their movements increasing by 30%.

The previous demands were outrageous and clearly nonsense, but canceling lunch is something we will actually do!

It's one thing to do something that's obviously impossible, but it's unacceptable to have something that's achievable canceled.

It's like asking someone to donate a cow; most people would agree because they don't own a cow.

But if you ask him to donate 1000 yuan, he really does have 1000 yuan.

"The top 10 students will get extra treats!" Mochi shouted at this moment.

He glanced at the pirate henchmen who were meditating, and then at the men doing push-ups on the other side of the deck.

The gap is huge, but it doesn't matter.

The Buggy Pirates don't force everyone to become strong; they only need to become tools in the hands of the strong.

The strong one... Kabaji raised his head and looked towards the bow of the ship.

There stood a man named Bucky.

Bucky leaned against the railing at the bow of the ship, watching all this with a slight smile on his lips.

If possible, Bucky would prefer that his henchmen be stronger.

It's almost certain that these guys' strength won't be up to par for the journey ahead.

But if circumstances allow, Bucky will give them a chance.

Even if, in the future, a group of powerful pirates are rescued from Impel Down, Buggy feels that the pirates he brought with him could at least be transferred to administrative positions, right?

Civilian pirate?

It's a bit like the "civilian general" meme.

Although the wording is somewhat bizarre, it is already considered a relatively good future.

Bucky won't abandon them, but in reality, they basically have no way out.

Having lived the life of a pirate for so long, would he really be willing to retire?

There are indeed pirates like that, but they are really few and far between.

"Captain." Nami's voice came from behind.

She was holding a stack of papers, with a half-finished nautical chart on top.

Nami's short orange hair was a little messy from the sea breeze.

She wore a white shirt today, with the collar slightly open, revealing a small patch of healthy-colored skin below her collarbone.

"This is the route calculated based on the recorded and permanent pointers given by Crocus." Nami handed over the top sea chart. "We are currently in the waters near Twin Capes. Our next stop is Whiskey Peak. At our current speed, it will take about three days."

Bucky took the chart, glanced at it, and then handed it back to her: "It's your decision."

Nami nodded, put the sea chart away, but did not leave.

"Is there anything else?" Bucky asked.

Nami's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"explain."

"Alvida..." Nami paused, "What do you plan to do with her?"

Bucky turned around, facing the sea, with his hands behind his back: "She's one of us now."

Nami frowned slightly: "You believe her?"

"I don't believe it."

"and you--"

"Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant," Bucky interrupted her, his voice calm. "What's important is that she knows fear."

Trust and loyalty are rare and precious things.

But fear is different; fear is an extremely cheap form of domination.

Although the fear-based rule is unreliable, it is indeed convenient to use in the early stages.

Even setting aside the nominal alliance, they've already arrested him; they can't just let him go, can they?

Nami fell silent.

She remembered how Alvida looked when she was transformed back from her doll form—paralyzed on the ground, trembling all over, like a terrified mouse.

That fierce woman who could once wield a spiked club shattered completely on that day, in that instant.

It shattered into pieces.

Then Nojiko picked up the pieces one by one and pieced them back together to form a complete person.

But that person is no longer the Alvida you knew.

Nami actually thought Buggy was a pretty good person a while ago, especially since he would play with the kids in Loguetown.

At that moment, he didn't seem like a crazy pirate, but like a simple older brother.

However, Nami once again realized what a pirate is in how he treated Alvida.

At this moment, Nami thought of Arlong... Arlong and his crew, who had been tormented by Buggy's Pirates.

Nami suddenly realized a fact—I'm doing the same thing, I'm a pirate too... I'm not the same person I used to be.

After realizing this, Nami felt a little more at ease.

We're in this together!

We are the same!

We were accomplices!

...None of us are good people...

Aside from that, there's not much difference, since Nami's dream is to draw sea charts, and Buggy fully supports Nami's dream.

"I understand," Nami said, turning and leaving.

She took a few steps, then stopped, without turning back: "Captain."

"Um?"

"...It's nothing." Nami shook her head and quickly walked towards the door.

Bucky watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips beneath his mask.

He knew what Nami wanted to say, and he also knew why she didn't say it.

Some things don't need to be said.

As for not saying it out loud, how would you know?

This is the power of the heart!

As for how to deal with Alvida... her mental state has recovered to the point where she can communicate and move normally in the past two days.

Then let Nokiko arrange the meeting tonight.

Meet her, talk to her, and then see what her attitude is before deciding on the next course of action.

Is it a person?

Is it a tool?

Or is it a pet?

——❛‿˂̵✧——