Buggy

"3... You actually?!"

Buggy's eyes widened in disbelief.

He had originally planned that if things went wrong, he would at least make some feigned compliance, and then find a secluded place to escape once the crisis was over.

Unexpectedly, Mr. 3, that bastard, beat him to the punch and defected to the enemy before the situation was even settled!

How am I supposed to even start this now!

"Candleman... your abilities don't seem to have any effect on me, do they?"

Cifer propped his chin on his fist, watching with great interest Mr. 3, who was trembling but had a determined look in his eyes.

In some ways, he is quite talented, with a certain level of intelligence, and ruthless enough to achieve his goals.

Moreover, he was, to some extent, loyal to Crocodile.

The latter's face turned pale upon hearing this, but he straightened his back, his voice became even louder, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"A person's value cannot be measured solely by their abilities; it must be judged by their heart!"

"I have a heart that's willing to give everything for my boss! Please let me show my value in life!"

It's out now...

Mr. 3's lips were twitching.

He simply couldn't believe that his cold lips could utter such passionate words, especially in front of such an important person.

But everyone has to die eventually.

If possible, he wanted to try to stand higher; he didn't want to die as an unknown Mr. 3!

"Interesting..."

"How's that von Clay guy doing now?"

Instead of responding immediately, Cifer asked about the whereabouts of another person, as he was quite curious about what had become of that "man."

"Mr. 2... he escaped with the Revolutionary Army cadres, and we don't know where he is now..."

When that person was mentioned, Mr. 3's determination deepened even further.

He witnessed firsthand how Mr. 2 gradually transformed from a petty person into a real man.

In the Jail, he also witnessed Mr. 2's genuine devotion to following that transvestite.

Mr. 1 also disappeared without a trace after entering the New World with the former BOSS.

As former colleagues, he couldn't accept that he was the only one still wandering around aimlessly like a headless fly.

"I see. That's a good place for him too."

"And what about you, what's your choice?"

His gaze shifted to Buggy, but Cifer had no interest in the group of henchmen behind him.

Although Buggy isn't exactly a strongman, he is, after all, the holder of the lucky-colored Haki. If it's under control, it wouldn't be bad to keep him as a mascot.

"I..."

Buggy wanted to back down like Mr. 3, but for some reason, he suddenly couldn't bring himself to speak.

He thought of Roger, the man he regarded as a father figure, the Pirate King!

"I... let's work together! With my intelligence and your skills, we're sure to make a fortune!"

His tongue kept twirling, and he started uttering some nonsense.

Buggy kept waving his hands, trying to make his comical appearance seem smarter.

"Once my reputation is established, countless people will be willing to do things for me. So why do you think I need to cooperate with you?"

Cifer's words carried a hint of mockery.

"This... this seems to be..."

Buggy thought for a moment, and it seemed like he understood what was going on. Before he knew it, he was covered in sweat.

"A villain who cannot be controlled by me is better off dead."

As soon as Cifer finished speaking, Lucci, who was standing to the side, had already taken his hands out of his pockets and twisted his neck.

"Wait! Don't kill me! I'll do anything you want, even lick the soles of your shoes. I'm sure I'll be of some use!"

"My team has all sorts of talents—design, printing, shipping—please give me your orders and let me be your servant!"

Buggy was so startled that he forgot everything he had been thinking and immediately clung to Cifer's leg.

"It's... it's so ugly!"

Mr. 3 and the others were shocked once again. Even Lucci's usually expressionless face twitched slightly.

"Go to the depths of the New World, and I will send someone to contact you."

Cifer stood up, casually swung his long leg, and Buggy was embedded in the wall.

He never intended to kill these people on this trip.

Rather, Cifer was curious about how far his future would lead.

With little ability and no background, getting to where he is today is all thanks to luck, which is also a kind of skill.

"I understand! I'll definitely make you a lot of money!"

Buggy's comical face was full of smiles, smugly pleased with his own cleverness and adaptability.

Although it was a bit frustrating, at least I could survive before worrying about anything else.

"You should continue to stay by his side, lest these guys outwardly comply but inwardly defy him."

Cifer looked at Mr. 3, his meaning clear: he had already tacitly accepted him as his subordinate.

"Understood, Boss!"

Mr. 3 was overjoyed. He seemed to have changed nothing, but this one sentence alone was enough to give him a lot of influence among Buggy's group.

"As long as you don't cross my red lines, all I need is for you to make money. As for what you want to do, I don't care."

"As long as it's within the permitted limits, you can do whatever you want, including... fighting for ONE PIECE!"

Just as Cifer was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and added something.

"Really?!"

Buggy could hardly believe his ears; he had never even dared to imagine such a thing.

He simply didn't have the power, but now, if he were to align himself with the Sea Emperor, he might have a chance to visit that Laugh Tale.

Cifer did not answer again, and together with Lucci, the two disappeared from their sight.

"Captain Buggy, we've... hooked up with a super powerful patron!"

His men, as if waking from a dream, excitedly rushed forward and embraced him.

"It's just a bit strange. Given that man's reputation, anyone you randomly grab from the New World would probably be more useful Buggy!"

The only woman among them wiped the cold sweat from her face and slumped onto the sofa with a sigh of relief.

"That's true, Buggy doesn't seem very bright..."

Mr. 3 was also pondering, rubbing his chin.

"Hahaha~ They must see that I have the potential to become the Pirate King!"

Buggy began to feel smug.

Now that the other person is gone, he thinks it's not so bad to temporarily rely on that man.

He himself is not famous, but he is.

In a place like the New World, without powerful figures protecting you, you might die any day now.

Times are changing!

I must live, I must go to Raftel!

"This doesn't seem like your style."

As he walked in the air, Lucci was somewhat surprised that Cifer hadn't killed them.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to see if someone who has no advantage in any aspect could go against the tide."