https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-629-The-Rising-Sea-Levels-Are-My-Fault/13464590/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-631-This-Path-Is-Risky-But-I-m-Ready-to-Go-Solo/13464594/
Chapter 630: Good Job, Stay Sharp, and Don't Embarrass Us!
Chapter 630: Good Job, Stay Sharp, and Don't Embarrass Us!
Caley Bali Island.
Located in the New World, this outpost lies beyond the World Government's control, on an island without a magnetic field, and without even a permanent compass needle.
Its master is the former Shichibukai, now one of the Yonko, Buggy, known as the 'Living Buggy'!
This place once faced a Marine siege when the Shichibukai were abolished, but after Crocodile sank a Marine ship and destroyed the Life Paper, the Marines could no longer track it accurately.
With recent major events unfolding one after another, the Marines have been too preoccupied to bother, allowing this newly established Yonko crew to live in relative comfort, especially after they orchestrated the assassination of a Marine Vice Admiral for the bounty.
On the eastern side of the island lies a natural harbor, where the members of the Cross Organization dock their ships. At this moment, a group of pirates gathered together, shouting at the ships sailing along the coast:
"Hurry up! Brothers of Buggy, the Yonko 'Worldslider' is arriving. If we don't welcome him properly and Buggy-sama thinks we can't handle our tasks, none of you will be spared!"
The pirates on the shore loudly urged the ships to leave quickly.
Among the fierce and menacing pirates, a man with a scruffy beard, a ruddy complexion, and a weak build stood out. He seemed malnourished and out of place, but he mustered the courage to shout a few words, though his voice was as faint as a mosquito's.
He was clearly trying to fit in, but it just didn't work. He was like a sheep among wolves.
"Hey! Show some spirit! You're the evil leader who killed a Marine Vice Admiral!"
A tall, muscular, bald pirate with a scarred face grabbed his shoulder and growled, "We're welcoming the most notorious pirate leader in history. Pull yourself together!"
"I, I..."
The weak man was even more terrified by this gesture. Despite his efforts to adapt, he couldn't face these fierce individuals.
But
He had already done it, and he couldn't let his family down!
He had to bear the name of the evil leader who killed a Marine Vice Admiral. Only then would those villains and the starving masses not dare to harm his family because of his reputation.
He had to prove himself!
The bald man patted his shoulder hard and pushed him forward, forcing his small frame through the gaps between the burly pirates to the front.
"Show some presence! Look, he's here!"
Boom!
As the bald man spoke, a thunderous explosion echoed from the distant sea. Dark, ominous clouds suddenly swept in, covering half the island. The storm and rain drenched everyone, and the biting wind chilled them to the bone.
The weak man's legs went weak, and his face turned pale.
On the sea, a massive black ship, flying the Starry Skull Flag, emerged from the storm.
The black sails and the flag at the top of the mast flickered in the storm, revealing the skull with burning eyes, silencing the crowd and making them swallow hard.
Experts and novices perceive pirate flags and pirate ships differently.
Take Buggy's ship, the only one allowed to dock with Buggy's clown figurehead and circus-style structures on the deck.
To small pirates, Buggy's ship is just big and impressive, with size being beauty, and Buggy being the man.
To more renowned pirates, this Yonko has a unique style. Though not as majestic and formidable as the ships of other Yonko, it has its own charm, indicating a Yonko with a unique taste.
To established strongmen, Buggy's ship is merely comical, but they don't say much, as everyone has their own style.
But when it comes to Sagel's ship, whether you're a novice or a seasoned pirate, you either treat it as a formidable enemy or with serious respect. The strong respect it, and the weak fear it. This is the Apocalypse Pirates.
This is the expert's perspective.
As for the layman
Buggy's ship, with its clown figurehead, seems demonic, enticing and corrupting the innocent. One misstep, and you're trapped, forced to submit.
This man is the quintessential layman, reacting as any normal person would upon seeing a major pirate ship.
And when he saw Sagel's ship—
He nearly fainted!
As the Starry Skull Flag drew closer, the burning-eyed skull seemed to exert a heavier pressure, as if it could burn everything to ashes. The storm and the ship's appearance immediately brought to mind the terrifying legend of the Storm Ghost Ship.
Even though he knew the legend was just a sign of the Damnation Star's arrival, like special effects in a movie, seeing it in person still made him imagine the worst.
And as the dragon-like figure on the ship grew clearer, its fierce and predatory face seemed ready to devour everything, even more terrifying than the dragons in legends!
The ghost ship had arrived!
Bringing Worldslider!
Wherever it went, it would destroy everything in its path—villages, towns, and even kingdoms, all consumed by the storm!
Compared to Whitebeard's reputation for stopping children's tears, the current Worldslider has become a terrifying legend!
Whether men, women, young, old, nobles, or commoners, the most vicious curse is to have Worldslider take them away!
Because Worldslider is here, nothing will be left. Everything you cherish will be taken away, leaving you homeless and bereft of loved ones.
They don’t even have the courage to face him!
Ordinary people can’t bear it, and those who claim to be evil, who laugh menacingly every day, are all retreating, their faces showing fear. Some can’t take it anymore and turn to run, howling in terror.
They are Pirates, comrades, brothers to Captain Buggy.
But that overwhelming pressure is just too much to face!
"Hey! You little ones!"
Just as a chain reaction was about to cause a mass breakdown among the people on the shore, a distinctive voice rang out from the center of the circus tent on the island.
It was Captain Buggy, the leader of the Buggy Pirates, the ‘living Buggy’ in their hearts.
...
Earlier.
Inside the circus tent, the inner room was like a torture chamber, with limbs hanging from hooks, hands and feet pierced, bodies split open, and a bruised and swollen head hanging from a hook on the wall.
"Just kill me already, it hurts too much", Buggy’s head swayed, his voice weak and intermittent.
In front of the head, at a table, sat three people.
On the left, Mihawk sat expressionless, while directly across from Buggy was Boa Hancock, her long legs crossed, the hem of her qipao revealing almost luminescent white skin. She didn’t sit in the chair beside the table, seemingly finding it dirty, but instead sat on a coiled snake behind her.
"Shut up! You should be grateful for my mercy!"
On the left, Crocodile’s eyes darkened, and the cigar he was holding tightened, "We haven’t settled the accounts for that ship yet!"
Last time, by a stroke of luck, Buggy became the president, and by saying 'sorry' he became one of the Yonko. Being pushed to the forefront had its benefits.
But the ship, the symbol of the Pirate crew, being made to look so ridiculous—anyone who saw it would laugh.
Laugh and be furious!
"I don’t want to board that ship", Hancock’s eyes were cold as ice, "If I do, I’ll be the laughingstock of the entire sea."
Punishing Buggy was also part of Hancock’s plan. She originally joined the Cross Organization thinking that if she was bullied too much, she would set sail alone and find a way to deal with the World Government.
But when she arrived, things were easier than she expected!
Buggy was a fake!
The true leaders were Mihawk and Crocodile’s alliance, and this alliance became even stronger with her arrival. Three Shichibukai were better than two.
One wanted peace, one wanted a military nation, and one wanted the protection of the Nine Snake Island to avoid being involved in conflicts. They all agreed, and even the posters were redone, changing from three to four portraits.
She had made the right choice!
But there was one downside: Buggy was a complete fool, but this fool had charisma. She could endure it most of the time, but then he built a flagship that looked like this.
It was a Pirate ship, for crying out loud!
"By the way, wasn’t it supposed to be ordered from Worldslider?" Mihawk asked, "How did it go wrong? Was it Worldslider’s twisted sense of humor?"
"He’s been too busy with so many tasks. He usually handles things well, but he made a mistake on this big project. His incompetent subordinates built this ship, and we’ve wasted so much time!"
It wasn’t just about the ship; it was mainly about the money.
The island was just a temporary base. The Pirate crew needed a Pirate ship to navigate the sea. To build this ship, he had to secure sponsors and take on various jobs, using only the best materials. All the profits from this period went into this ship.
And it turned out to be such a disaster.
Hancock frowned, "Although I’ve only been here for a short time, the Cross Organization’s earnings are quite good, right? Just one ship, and you’re in such a loss?"
Crocodile hesitated, "This guild isn’t just ours; Worldslider has a share too. He owns 20%, making him the biggest financier. This part has to go to him, and I don’t want to owe him any more. I’ve had enough of that."
No, that’s not right.
Buggy stared blankly at Crocodile, his lips trembling.
Pirates don’t work like that. It’s not about owing money; that’s not how Pirates operate.
"Besides, many things require payment upfront. The mercenary business is still ongoing, and we need to buy weapons and order ships in advance."
No, that’s not right. We have dreams, not just money!
"The bounty on the Marines is sponsored by financiers, but if the money isn’t paid on time, we have to cover the costs, and there are various expenses. In the end, we don’t get much of the profit."
What financiers? We are Pirates!
"Of course, we’re together not for the money."
Crocodile exhaled a plume of smoke and picked up a report on the table. "Thanks to recent business, the Cross Organization is doing well. More and more people are commissioning us, and the Marines recognize us as a significant threat. Our 'Utopia,' an independent military nation, will grow stronger in this threat. For that, we need more—"
"Power", Mihawk said gravely.
"Reputation", Hancock added calmly.
"Wealth", Crocodile concluded.
"Enough!!"
A hoarse shout interrupted their conversation, drawing their attention.
"Just kill me! Can you even call yourselves Pirates with this attitude!"
Buggy roared in anger, "This isn't what it means to be a pirate! Pirates aren't calculating schemers! They aren't just manipulative tricksters! Can you even call yourselves pirates, always chasing after half-assed goals?!"
Mihawk frowned, "Are you just giving up and preparing to die?"
"I gave up my dream of becoming the Pirate King because Shanks was too exceptional! But that guy, who said he didn't want to inherit Captain Rozairogy's will, is now making a move! I heard that he clashed with Blackbeard just the day before yesterday! After being quiet for so long, he started acting as soon as Big Mom went live!"
"He just gives up and then acts on a whim! I'm a Yonko too! Whether by chance or luck, I've become a Yonko! So, I want to be the Pirate King too!!"
He glared at Mihawk, "Power!"
Then he looked at Boa Hancock, "Fame!"
Finally, he turned to Crocodile, "Wealth!"
Buggy's eyes widened as he bellowed, "And more, all of it is ours! Let's go and claim the treasure at the top of the world, the key to owning everything!"
Bang!!
As soon as he finished speaking, a golden hook latched onto his face and flung him away. At the same time, Hancock's pink arrow struck the center of his forehead, and Mihawk's sword sliced through the air, splitting his head in half. The severed head rolled to the corner, dragging the hand caught by the hook.
"We aren't your subordinates, and your schemes won't work on us."
Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke, "Besides, rushing into a fight without a plan or preparation—what do you think pirates are? This is a business."
Hancock tilted her head back and pointed at Buggy, declaring, "I won't be swayed by a fool like you; it would be a disgrace! I am furious!"
"Red-Hair, Blackbeard, and the powerful rival Straw Hat, as well as—"
Mihawk continued, "Worldslider. Which one of them do you plan to face? Or do you want us to fight them all?"
The first few are manageable.
But the last one, we've 'sparred' with him before. Everyone except him was brutally beaten.
He is truly, undeniably, the unbeatable force of the sea.
"Beating them to it is enough! Raftel. Even though I left the ship and never went there, it's not a battle; it's a treasure hunt! Just watch, the power of this word can stir anyone's ambition. Everyone sets sail for it!"
With his freed hands, he flew up and grabbed the Den Den Mushi's mouthpiece, roaring into it, "Hey! Minions!"
...
"Do you remember why you set sail? Did you abandon your lives to the sea? If you can die at any moment, how can you waste your life now?!"
In the rain, the panicked people stopped and looked up at the source of the voice, as if in the gloomy sky, that voice was a beam of light guiding them.
"Cowards content with the status quo! Ask your hearts, whether you are big shots or small fries, dying with a passion is far better than being killed in humiliation by the Marines or betrayed by your peers! Go! Pursue your true, heart-stirring dreams!"
"I'm right behind you! Let's go and claim the one and only, the ultimate treasure!"
"One Piece!!"
"Oh!!"
The entire island of pirates erupted in cheers.
"Captain Buggy! It's really Captain Buggy! The only light in my heart! That's right! We are the ones who seek One Piece, how can we be afraid of a ship! That's cowardice!!"
Those who were fleeing turned back to the shore. The bald man, who had been encouraging the skinny man, stood at the front, his face fierce, "I'll go first! I'm not afraid of Worldslider! We're all pirates, there's nothing to fear!"
"Me, me too!"
The skinny man took a deep breath and shouted.
Whether it was fate or necessity, they had made their choices and now had to change. They couldn't be timid anymore!
What's there to fear about the Yonko?
They are just people too!
"Good on you!"
"Right, who isn't a pirate? We've all braved the storms, let's stay sharp and don't lose our dignity!"
The pirates, roused to a fever pitch, seemed to have moved the heavens. The gloomy rain cleared, revealing the sun, filling everyone with even more confidence.
A massive black ship docked at the shore.
The bald man gritted his teeth and was about to step forward to give a welcoming blow to the figure who had lowered a ladder and appeared above.
But at that moment, the usually meek and subservient evil leader ran forward, passing him, and pointed at the figure, cursing, "Norton Sagel, you fking—"
"Hey, hey, hey!"
The bald man's newfound courage instantly faded, and he instinctively covered the other's mouth, "Do you want to die?!"
They were here to greet and show this Yonko the mettle of his fellow Yonko's subordinates.
What's with cursing someone like that?
(End of Chapter)
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