"Y-you really are Austin!!!"
Buggy cried his heart out, his enthusiasm leaving Austin somewhat helpless. All he could do was pat Buggy on the shoulder in consolation.
"It's me, Buggy. It's really been a long time."
"Of course it has! B-but... it's been nearly ten years since we last saw each other!!!"
If Austin hadn't left word before he departed, after such a long time apart, many people might have thought he was dead.
Even some people who hadn't known Austin well had gradually forgotten the former "king" over the years.
Only Buggy...
He had always believed that Austin wouldn't meet with any accident, that sooner or later, he would return to these seas.
Because he was Austin!!!
The man even Uncle Buggy acknowledged!!!
But he hadn't expected the wait to last nearly ten years. They were already in their thirties, nearing forty. They were no longer young.
"Stop crying. Haven't I already come back?"
Austin draped an arm around Buggy's shoulders and burst into laughter.
"Let's throw a party together, Buggy!!!"
Gradually, Buggy emerged from the excitement of their long-awaited reunion, and a smile returned to his face.
"Right, right, a party! I've been preparing for this day all along!!!"
All of a sudden, Buggy, whose shoulders Austin had been holding, broke into an excited grin. He immediately split apart with his Chop-Chop power and flew away from Austin.
Clenching his fists, Buggy shouted at his underlings:
"Men, bring me the latest batch of [Perfect Orange Juice]! Hurry up!!!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!!!"
Austin stared blankly at the scene, then smiled and patted Buggy.
"You've had it ready all this time? Well... thank you."
"What?!!!"
Buggy seemed deeply displeased by those words. His head floated over to Austin, his mouth wide open and his expression sour.
"With the friendship between