Chapter 128: Chapter 127 Buggy on Warpath
"Who is it?" Gabban and Kumadori asked almost in unison, their surprise evident.
Buggy raised a hand, gesturing for them to stay silent. His expression was dark, his patience razor-thin as he listened. On the other end of the line, Robin's voice came through, hurried and tinged with desperation.
"Buggy, I don't have much time to explain everything. I'm running as we speak," Robin began, her tone laced with exhaustion. "There was a conflict between the Straw Hat Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates. We managed to make a rubbing of the Poneglyph—the historical text—and now we're fleeing."
Buggy's brow furrowed, his expression growing colder.
Robin continued, "We split into two groups. Luffy took the initiative to lure Big Mom away, but for some reason, she turned back toward us. Right now, it's just me, Nami, and Pudding here. The situation is critical. Even with my awakened ability, I can only hold her off for a few minutes. That's why I called you."
Her voice hesitated briefly, then turned more resolute. "This is on us—on the Straw Hat Pirates. But we're willing to trade. We'll give you the rubbings of the Road Poneglyph in exchange for your help. Is that acceptable?"
Buggy didn't answer immediately. A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face, his tone unnervingly calm as he asked, "Robin, did you say Charlotte Linlin is chasing you alone?"
"Right," Robin confirmed, though her tone carried confusion. "We're still in Totto Land, so technically, we haven't left her range of influence."
"Perfect," Buggy muttered, a predatory gleam flashing in his eyes. "How close is she? Are there any islands nearby?"
"There are many islands close to us, but they're all part of Totto Land, so we've been avoiding them," Robin replied without hesitation.
"Good. Stay where you are. I'm coming," Buggy declared firmly.
Robin's voice wavered slightly. "Buggy, are you—?"
The line cut off as Buggy hung up, already moving with purpose.
He gritted his teeth, his expression growing more murderous by the second. Charlotte Linlin, you've crossed the line.
"Have you really lost your mind from hunger? Or was it because you realized she's connected to me that you abandoned Luffy and turned your sights on her?" Buggy snarled under his breath, his fury palpable.
His bloodlust was undeniable, yet his movements were precise. Turning to Blueno, he ordered, "Locate her now. Use the Vivre Card and open the gate."
Blueno didn't waste a moment. Returning to the interior of Onigashima, he retrieved the Vivre Card tied to Robin's location and activated his powers, creating a portal without hesitation.
Gabban and Kumadori looked at Buggy expectantly, ready to follow their captain into battle.
Buggy stopped them with a single glance. "You two stay here. This time, I'll handle it myself."
Their protests died in their throats when they saw the intensity in his eyes.
Buggy's lips curled into a feral grin. My strength is no longer what it used to be. Charlotte Linlin, you've been saved before—once by Kaido, once by Blackbeard. This time, you'll be saved by no one. This time, you'll face me.
With that, Buggy stepped through the portal. For once, the self-proclaimed "Clown" of the seas seemed anything but amusing.
Buggy had spent countless hours strategizing how to handle the two emperor-level opponents when the inevitable world war erupted. Yet, he hadn't expected the opportunity to come knocking so soon.
"Luffy, you're truly my lucky charm," he muttered with a crooked grin, stepping into the space gate without hesitation.
The portal deposited them on a desolate island near Totto Land, the air thick with the kind of tension that could strangle even the bravest. Robin, normally composed, had a rare flicker of unease crossing her face as she scanned their surroundings.
Pudding's voice broke the silence, trembling with fear and guilt. "Why did you bring me with you? If I hadn't come, Mama wouldn't be chasing us! You should leave me behind and run while you still can…"
Nami, her grip tightening around her Clima-Tact, cut her off sharply, her voice laced with frustration. "Pudding, don't say that! You've done so much for Sanji and the crew—there's no way we're leaving you behind just to have that hag steal your soul! Don't even think about it!"
Despite her words, Nami's confidence faltered slightly as she glanced around. Her voice wavered as she muttered, "But seriously… what are Luffy and the others doing? Aren't they supposed to be leading Big Mom away from us? Why are we stuck here dealing with this boss-level nightmare? We're just… weak girls! Ahh, we're doomed! Robin-chan, we're going to die!"
She turned to Robin, her eyes wide and pleading.
Robin, ever the calm one, met Nami's eyes with an unshakable steadiness. "Nami, calm down. We'll be fine." Her voice had an underlying firmness, though, a quiet strength that carried through. She paused, her gaze distant for a moment before she added, "It's not just because of Pudding. Big Mom might also be after me... after all, she knows I've been... seen with Buggy."
"Nani?!" Nami gasped, her eyes practically bulging out of their sockets in shock.
Robin gave her a small, almost amused smile. "It makes sense. If she thinks I'm associated with Buggy, she'll come after me no matter the cost. Now, Nami—take Pudding and go. I'll hold her off. Help will be here soon."
"No!" Nami shouted, her voice firm, refusing to back down. "I might be scared of dying, but I won't leave my friends behind! If you're staying, Robin-chan, then we'll stay together. We'll—ah, what's this?!"
She froze mid-sentence, her eyes darting around in confusion as she noticed something unexpected.
Before she could finish, petal-shaped chains emerged from the ground, ensnaring both Nami and Pudding. The chains dragged them toward a large tree in the distance, their floral shimmer eerily beautiful yet unyielding.
The scene hit Nami like a wave, dragging her back to that painful night in Water 7, more than two years ago. Her chest tightened, and tears filled her eyes as she shouted, her voice cracking with emotion, "Robin, are you really going to do this again?! Sacrificing yourself for us?!" She dropped her head into her hands, her voice breaking. "I'm the useless one! I'm always the one holding everyone back! I'm too weak! Waaaah!"
Pudding, still stunned by the gravity of the situation, stared at Robin's retreating figure, her three eyes wide with confusion. The calm, composed woman facing an overwhelming threat with such conviction seemed almost unreal to her.
This was the Straw Hat Crew. A crew who would risk everything—everything—for one another.
Robin paused for a moment, her gaze softening, but only slightly, as she turned her head just enough to address Nami. Her voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable weight of resolve in it. "It's not weakness, Nami. It's trust. And trust is our greatest strength."
Her words hung in the air, carrying a quiet but undeniable power. Without another glance, Robin turned back toward the impending threat, her silhouette framed by the shadow of Big Mom's looming presence. She walked forward with quiet determination, her path clear.
First, the Straw Hat Luffy crashed into the bloody wedding scene between Sanji and Charlotte Pudding, turning chaos into his calling card.
Then, Nami—quick as lightning—had stolen Big Mom's thundercloud, Zeus, and used him to carve a path for their escape through the treacherous Homies-infested forest.
And the most daring act? Luffy and his friends had risked their lives to distract Big Mom and her forces, giving Robin, Nami, and Pudding a chance to slip away.
Now, to ensure their safety, Robin had used her powers to entrap Nami and Pudding in a tree, staying behind to face whatever came alone.
Pudding's thoughts raced. What is going on with this pirate crew? How could they care for each other so deeply, more than even blood relatives?
Her confusion was interrupted by a sudden change in the distance.
The once barren beach of jagged rocks and sparse jungle transformed into a vibrant sea of flowers that swirled and shimmered in the sunlight. The transformation radiated outward, enveloping Robin in a surreal, otherworldly aura.
Pudding and Nami stared in shock as dignified voices seemed to echo from nowhere, calling out techniques that sounded both elegant and fearsome:
"Colossal Violet Bloom—Sea of Rebirth!"
"Angel Wings, arise!"
"Hana Hana no mi · 1000 arms Guanyin!"
With each deliberate step, Robin's power surged, and a platform of vibrant petals bloomed beneath her, lifting her off the ground with elegant precision. Behind her, enormous wings of petals unfurled, their delicate beauty hiding the overwhelming force they carried.
But it was what followed next that truly captivated the onlookers.
A massive wave of petals shot into the sky, spiraling in a radiant explosion of color and light. In a mere instant, the petals coalesced into a majestic form, towering over the battlefield—a colossal, ethereal figure of 1000 hands Guanyin, sitting cross-legged atop a sprawling lotus platform. It was a breathtaking sight, its serene aura overpowering the chaos of the moment.
"My god…" Pudding gasped, her three eyes widened in awe and disbelief.
Nami, momentarily forgetting her fears, wiped her tears and stared, slack-jawed. "Has Robin really become this strong? Woohoo, I'm falling behind again! It's so frustrating…"
A soft, familiar chuckle broke through their shock.
"Hehe, feeling a little fishy?"
The playful voice made both women spin around, their eyes widening in surprise at the figure standing casually against the tree. His appearance was striking—a pristine white cloak draped over a sharp suit, with a blue ponytail and makeup that hinted at a mischievous, almost clownish grin.
The recognition hit them like a bolt of lightning.
"It's him!" Nami blurted out.
"The Godslayer of the Four Emperors—Buggy!" Pudding exclaimed, her voice trembling with both fear and excitement.
Though their shouts carried the weight of their shock and awe, they didn't disturb Robin, who remained focused in the distance, her petals commanding the battlefield like a goddess of war.
Buggy wielded his mastery of Observation Haki with deadly precision, turning his keen senses into a silent assassin's blade. His advanced Haki allowed him to vanish not just from sight but from perception itself.
Even if someone's eyes locked onto him, their Observation Haki would register nothing where he stood. It was one of the ultimate abilities of a heightened Observation Haki—the power of experiential evasion.
"Yes, it's me," Buggy said casually, nodding with a self-assured smile.
Nami, however, had no time for pleasantries. She stepped forward, her voice laced with urgency.
"Then hurry up and help Robin! That old hag is going to kill her! Aniki Buggy, you don't want to see your woman get hurt, do you?"
Buggy's smile stiffened. Nami-chan, your choice of words is downright dangerous.
"Yes, yes! Mom is terrifying!" Pudding added anxiously, wringing her hands.
Buggy shook his head, his expression unbothered. "Robin isn't as fragile as you think. When it's time to intervene, I'll step in. For now, I want to see the results of her training over the past two years. I need to gauge whether a crew as... inexperienced as yours is ready to survive the New World."
Nami's head drooped, her heart sinking under the weight of her shortcomings. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Buggy's grin returned, sly and teasing. "Hehe, so let me ask you—do you want to become stronger?"
Nami's head shot up. "Of course, I do! I dream about it all the time, but we don't have the luxury of training! The crew needs me. Without me, I don't think they'd last a week in the New World."
Buggy shrugged nonchalantly. "If you want to get stronger, the solution is simple: eat a Devil Fruit."
At first, Nami's eyes lit up with hope. But just as quickly, she lowered her gaze in dismay. "Devil Fruits are way too expensive! We can barely scrape by as it is. Besides, even if I could afford one, what good would it do me? Without the ability to fly, it wouldn't help much."
Buggy's smirk widened a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Flying, huh? Well, it just so happens I've got one right here."
"Ah—what?!" Nami stared at him, her eyes sparkling with sudden excitement. But suspicion quickly overtook her enthusiasm. "What's the catch? What do you want in return?"
Before Buggy could respond, Pudding slapped a hand over his mouth and shot a sharp glare at Nami, scandalized.
"Wow, Nami! This man is trying to seduce you! Tempting you with a Devil Fruit—how shameless! Robin's out there fighting her heart out, and here he is flirting with other women. Despicable!"
Buggy froze, his smile faltering as he stared at Pudding, blinking in disbelief. What the hell, kid? Are you psychic?
The worst part? She wasn't entirely wrong.
Sure, Nami was fun to tease, but his heart belonged to Robin—well, mostly. He couldn't deny that Nami's banter was just that, banter. Nothing serious. But Pudding's words had struck a nerve, and Buggy briefly found himself lost in his thoughts.
No, wait—what am I even thinking? Buggy snapped out of it, his signature smirk returning. Focus on the situation, not this nonsense.
Nami, visibly annoyed, clenched her fists and shot back with determination. "Alright, I promise you. Can I eat the damn fruit now? I need to help Robin immediately."
Buggy chuckled, his grin widening despite himself. "Yeah, yeah. You can have it, but don't get all weird about it. Just do your thing."
Pudding, still fuming, crossed her arms and huffed, but she said nothing more.
Snap!
Buggy snapped his fingers and then spoke directly into the phone:
"Blueno, go to the treasury and get King's Devil Fruit Ancient Zoan Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Pteranodon."
"Yes!"
The little den den mushi on Buggy's arm opened its eyes and made the sound of Blueno's voice.
Crunch!
A moment later, Blueno stepped out of the space door, carrying a box in his hands.
"Ah! You're that CP9 agent, bull-guy!"
Nami gasped in shock when she saw Blueno, and then, with a surprised expression, added, "Although I've heard Robin mention you before, I'm still a little shocked to see you in person."
Blueno smiled at the woman who might become the future captain's wife, careful not to underestimate her. "Hi, Miss Nami. Long time no see."
"Yeah, long time no see!" Nami gritted her teeth, evidently recalling how they had once captured Robin.
Buggy chuckled, raising his hand to take the box from Blueno and open it. Inside was a Devil Fruit that resembled a cucumber with wings.
He handed it to Nami and explained, "This is a Zoan-type Devil Fruit. After you eat it, it will rapidly improve your physical strength, endurance, and speed, and give a boost to every aspect of your body. Most importantly, this Devil Fruit grants the ability to fly and has powerful flame-throwing capabilities. It's a very strong fruit. However…" He paused with a slight grin. "It might not be the most graceful beast transformation. So, think carefully before you decide."
"What are you hesitating for?!" Nami snapped, her tone fierce. "I'll never let my friend die for me again!"
With that, she grabbed the fruit, her resolve clear. Without even a second thought, she bit into it, devouring the Devil Fruit in just two or three bites, her expression unwavering. Her anger and determination were unmistakable.
Watching this, Buggy couldn't help but sigh. The Straw Hat crew truly had immense potential. He knew he had made a good investment with this Devil Fruit, securing Nami's future.
After all, she and that brat Luffy would only be traveling and adventuring for another two or three years at most. It didn't matter to him. Let them have fun. The world might change in the meantime, anyway.
Suddenly, a booming, manic voice echoed across the sea, the sound of rage and insanity seeping through every word:
"MAMAMA!!! Wasn't it you, roaming the Sabaody Archipelago with that damn clown?! I'll show you today what happens when you mess with my crew! That fool will finally understand—when I make sure to tear them apart!!"
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