Chapter 971: I Admire You Greatly, Captain Buggy!
Chapter 971: I Admire You Greatly, Captain Buggy!
Carrying documents from Lucius Kro, Kuro emerged to find Klah had already prepared his ship, the Golden Lion.
“Kuro,” Klah greeted, waiting patiently. “We’re severely undermanned.”
“Undermanned? You mean five thousand men aren’t enough?” Kuro asked.
“Indeed. Kas and Wilbur took the Dougleg Navy Unit, while Ai En returned to G-3’s patrol with eight hundred more. We’re down to twelve hundred men. Without reinforcements, we can’t sail the Golden Lion,” Klah explained.
“Then requisition two thousand more—no more than that—and have Headquarters send another eight hundred directly to me,” Kuro replied, striding toward the ship.
Suddenly, he turned. “Oh, Klah… you were a pirate, right?”
Klah hesitated. “…That’s ancient history.”
“I haven’t been a pirate in ages,” Klah added.
“Doesn’t matter. What matters is that you used to be one,” Kuro said, handing him two document folders and a small Transponder Snail. “Starting now, you’re the vice-captain of ‘Sword.’ Handle the undercover agent affairs for me.”
“Undercover agents? Sword?” Klah blinked, stunned. Skimming the documents, he realized, “The Navy has spies embedded in pirate crews?”
“First I’ve heard of it. That’s why I’m assigning you—your pirate experience will help you deal with pirate shenanigans,” Kuro said, dismissing further questions with a wave.
A Vice Admiral doubling as a vice-captain? Perfectly acceptable—he was the supreme commander, after all. Besides, Klah had nothing better to do.
Kuro even considered delegating the Seven Warlords of the Sea assignments to Lida. Someone capable of matching her strength would surely qualify as a Warlord. But the thought of Lida engaging in combat—and risking injury—made him reconsider.
No, better to handle the Seven Warlords himself.
Back on the ship, Klah swiftly requested reinforcements from Headquarters. Within hours, two thousand Navy troops boarded, and the Golden Lion set sail into the Grand Line. Though the steamship required at least twelve hundred crewmen to operate, Kuro had no intention of waiting for new recruits to learn the ropes.
This time, Kuro used his ability to soar over the Red Line and land directly in the Grand Line’s first half—no need to waste time sailing.
“Let’s start by checking on the Seven Warlords,” he muttered, studying the Grand Line map in his office. He pointed to a route. “Carnival Town. Haven’t had much fun exploring this route yet.”
Carnival Town, Shengfaderu—a hub of festivals and celebrations, where every district hosted unique carnivals. Among them were the famed Pujiculinary City and Spring Queen City, both nestled along this bustling route.
Kuro had visited Spring Queen City before, recruiting Yi Xiao for the Navy. He’d yet to explore the others.
Buggy was stationed here.
As for the other Seven Warlords—powerful as mythical beasts, none had caused trouble lately. No need to visit them. But Buggy? Worth checking in on. A routine inspection couldn’t hurt, especially with Buggy’s motley crew of fools. Even fools could be unpredictable.
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Carnival Town was alive with color. At its heart stood a massive circus tent atop a raised platform. Beneath its towering peak, a lanky man in an oversized robe stretched his arms skyward. His slender frame swayed weightlessly, his harlequin-painted face glowing with pride, the bulbous red nose on his face gleaming in the sunlight.
“Waaah! Look at that giant red nose!” a young girl shrieked, tugging her mother’s hand.
“Don’T Call IT A Red Nose!” Buggy’s head bellowed as it detached and soared downward, scattering the crowd. Satisfied, his head floated back to his body.
“My dear citizens!” Buggy barked, raising his arms. “From this day forth, I, Captain Buggy—Warlord of the Sea and Master of the Thousand-Lion Coin—declare this town under my protection! You’ll pay tolls for safe passage, and my Buggy Delivery Company will handle all your shipping needs! No cargo too big, no destination too dangerous—we’ve got contracts for it all!”
The Seven Warlords’ new rights, announced when Kuro reorganized the faction, were already public knowledge. The Grand Line’s residents needed no convincing—having a Warlord nearby meant safety.
Buggy struck his pose, savoring the silent crowd. “Excellent! You’ve accepted my generosity. Now, heed this warning: I’ll eliminate any pirates daring to raid here! All pirates—flee while you still can!”
Fleeing pirates, of course, was his preferred strategy—no need for actual combat. As long as they paid him, he’d leave them be.
“Hey! You’re Buggy, right? The Thousand-Lion Coin Buggy?!”
A booming voice interrupted. Buggy turned to see a hulking brute wielding a four-meter sword, glaring up at him.
“I’m ‘Big Blade’ Meiweng, a pirate with a 178 million Berry bounty!”
178 million?! Buggy’s mind reeled. This early in the Grand Line? Is this guy one of this year’s Super Novas?
“Yes! I’M Buggy!” he barked, hiding his nerves.
“Confirm it again! You’re the same Buggy who drank with Shanks, challenged Whitebeard, sailed with the Pirate King Roger, and rescued countless pirates during the War at Marineford?!” Meiweng roared.
“That’s ME! What’s your deal—want a fight?!” Buggy snapped, rolling his eyes. “I’m a Warlord, you know!”
“Buggycaptain’s gonna duel him?!” a Buggy Delivery member shouted. “Let’s see his strength!”
Buggy froze. Duel?! He had a fleet—why would he fight alone?!
Meiweng’s glare sharpened, making Buggy twitch.
Then—Bang! Meiweng slammed his blade into the ground, creating a crater. “Captain Buggy—I’m honored to meet you! Please, let me join your crew as your subordinate! Captain Buggy!”
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(End of Chapter)
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