Pirates: Seeing My Proficiency, I Became a Legend

Chapter 20 – Met Bucky By Chance, Alas! Can't Beat It!

"Captain Bucky!"

"It's bad news! The pirate hunter Dongze has entered the town!"

"He's going to slaughter us! Let's run!"

…

Inside a dimly lit tavern, a chaotic buzz filled the air. Laughter and nervous whispers mingled, but the most striking sight was a massive lion lounging in the middle of the room. Surrounding it were the infamous Bucky Pirates, a crew of misfits who had been wreaking havoc across the East Blue.

However, fear gripped even these rowdy pirates today. Word had spread like wildfire—a lunatic had appeared in the East Blue, hunting down pirates mercilessly. This hunter wasn't just some low-level bounty chaser. He had already taken down numerous wanted criminals, some even boasting impressive bounties. In fear of becoming his next victims, most pirates had gone into hiding. The Bucky Pirates were no exception, keeping a low profile in this tiny town for half a month.

Just when they thought they had finally escaped his notice, fate played a cruel joke. The executioner himself had walked right into their den.

"It seems that guy isn't going to let us off… Damn it!!"

"Captain! What should we do?"

"Why don't we just fight?"

"Yeah! Let's show him the true power of Captain Bucky!"

…

Hearing his crew's overly enthusiastic confidence, Bucky's face twitched. He slammed his mug on the table, veins bulging on his forehead.

"Shut up, you idiots!"

His voice echoed through the room, and the chatter instantly died down.

"That guy isn't some run-of-the-mill pirate hunter. As far as I know, he's taken down dozens of bounty-holding pirates—real threats, not weaklings!"

Bucky's face was grim as he continued.

"If we make one wrong move, we're as good as dead! Do you think rushing in will make you die any slower?! Fools!!"

Silence filled the tavern. Even Mochi, the beast tamer, who had been clutching his pet lion Richie for comfort, swallowed hard. His throat was dry, and his hands trembled as he forced himself to speak.

"C-Captain… Then what should we do?"

Bucky glanced at his crew, his usual bravado replaced with sheer terror. If there was one person he never wanted to meet in the East Blue, it was Dongze. He wasn't exaggerating—this was the last person on earth he wanted to face.

With his mind blank from fear, he blurted out the first word that came to him:

"Wait."

Everyone looked at him, dumbfounded.

"…Wait?"

Wait for what?! Wait to die?!

Just as confusion settled in, Kabaji, Bucky's acrobatic right-hand man, suddenly had an epiphany. His eyes lit up as he dramatically clapped his hands.

"Souga! Although Dongze entered town, that doesn't necessarily mean he's after us. The best move now is to wait and see what happens."

"As expected of Captain Bucky!!"

Bucky froze.

Huh?!

What was Kabaji even talking about?! Even Bucky himself had no idea! He had just blurted out "wait" because his brain had short-circuited! Speechless, Bucky could only gulp down another bottle of alcohol. Fine! If they think I meant that, I'll roll with it.

…

Meanwhile, outside in the bustling streets, Dongze walked at a leisurely pace, his hands behind his head.

"Mr. Dongze, where are we going?"

Beside him, Nico Robin followed with her usual calm demeanor. Dongze scratched his head, glancing at her outfit.

"Don't you want to change clothes?"

He had assumed that even in the world of pirates, women still enjoyed shopping. It was a universal fact, right? He expected Robin to be at least mildly interested.

But so far, she hadn't seemed too eager. Was she an exception?

However, the moment Dongze made the suggestion, Robin's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Really?"

"Thank you so much!!"

"Mr. Dongze, you're too kind!"

Dongze nearly choked. Wait a minute—wasn't she supposed to be calm and composed?!

Moments later, Robin stood in front of a full-length mirror, modeling a sleek new bikini. Her stunning figure turned heads, causing more than a few men to nearly spit out their drinks.

Dongze, despite his usually composed nature, found himself momentarily speechless. He was only human, after all.

"W-Well… looks good."

With that, Robin officially entered shopping mode. A few hours later, Dongze was loaded with bags upon bags of clothes, accessories, and who-knows-what.

"…Never again," he muttered under his breath. Shopping with Robin was a nightmare.

Eventually, the two made their way to the only restaurant in town for a well-earned meal.

But as soon as Dongze stepped through the door—

Silence.

All chatter died. The room went deathly still.

The Bucky Pirates sat stiffly in their seats, faces as pale as ghosts.

They had made a terrible miscalculation.

They had convinced themselves that, with the town being remote, Dongze wouldn't possibly come here. They had assumed they were safe.

But there was only one restaurant in this town.

And now, the reaper himself had walked in.

"C-Captain Bucky! What do we do?!"

Kabaji's legs trembled like jelly. The very name Dongze was enough to make even seasoned pirates shiver. His reputation was terrifying—wherever he went, pirates ceased to exist.

Bucky yanked his cloak over his head, gripping his tankard so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His hands trembled like leaves in a storm.

Trembling, he whispered back:

"…Wait."

Another "wait"!

But this time, no one felt reassured. Dongze was right there, only a few feet away. If he so much as looked at them the wrong way, their heads could roll.

Each passing second felt like an eternity. Bucky's crew sat as if on a bed of nails, sweating bullets. But strangely enough—

Dongze did nothing.

He simply ate his meal, paid the bill, and walked out with Robin.

As they left the restaurant, Robin glanced at Dongze, puzzled.

"Mr. Dongze, those were Bucky's pirates back there."

"I know."

"Then why didn't you—"

Dongze was silent for a moment before sighing.

"I can't beat him."

Robin blinked in shock. Was he joking? Dongze, the infamous pirate hunter, couldn't defeat… Bucky?!

She knew for a fact that Bucky's strength was laughable compared to the real threats of the Grand Line. It didn't make sense!

Yet, Dongze's expression was completely serious.

Robin frowned, lost in thought. What was the true meaning behind those words?

Dongze, on the other hand, already knew the answer.

Bucky's best friend was "Red-Haired" Shanks.

If he touched Bucky, he'd be making an enemy out of one of the Four Emperors.

And right now? That was a death sentence.

Sighing, Dongze muttered to himself:

"Damn it… I really need to get stronger."