Well Done, Buggy, Don't Embarrass Yourself

As if to confirm Austin's words, the next second, a storm that swept across the heavens and earth brewed on the horizon!

"Nani!?"

Before this world-shattering power, even the New World overlords who claimed to destroy heavens and earth had to yield.

Countless ships controlled by the Float-Float Fruit were swept away by the storm and tsunami, and the Golden Lion, who had control of the skies, was naturally no exception.

Swept into the tsunami, his body limp, a ship's rudder flew towards him in an instant...

"Set sail! Everyone!!!"

The Oro Jackson, made from an Adam Tree, was still very sturdy. Coupled with a group of non-Devil Fruit users clearing the path, even a tsunami couldn't stop the Roger Pirates from advancing!

This scene left Buggy and Shanks stunned.

"Hey--"

The kitchen door was suddenly burst open by Buggy. The door, which was already frequently slammed, now looked even more precarious.

"Austin!"

Buggy rushed in excitedly, his voice filled with disbelief and emotion, his face even flushing slightly. "Are you telling the truth? Austin, that storm that saved us, was it really because of my luck?"

Austin was hiding in the kitchen, sneaking a snack, meat in his left hand and a milk bucket in his right, stuffing his mouth to replenish his energy. After consuming a mountain of food, his abdomen showed no sign of bulging.

He had already sensed Buggy's presence with Observation Haki, so he wasn't surprised, just found it a little amusing that Buggy actually believed him.

Buggy might indeed possess Conqueror's Luck.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to easily become a Shichibukai or even a Four Emperor with his weak abilities.

But Austin felt that their safe escape from this battle wasn't due to that. It was likely Captain Roger's destiny as a child of fate that was at play.

Even if Buggy had played a role, it was probably only a supporting one.

However, even with these thoughts, Austin was very tactful. After all, Buggy was one of his few good friends.

"Of course, Buggy. With your strength, you could get on this ship and survive so many major battles until now. Doesn't that prove something?"

Austin said seriously to Buggy.

But Buggy was indeed a true man. He still remembered his words clearly.

That line, "Don't your lives cry out?"

With such magnanimity, even with weak strength, he could be called a Great Pirate!!!

Hearing this, Buggy fell silent for a moment.

Because he wasn't sure if Austin's words were truly praising him.

But after a moment of thought, He chose to believe Austin!

Although Austin was sometimes annoying and irritating, Buggy believed he understood Austin's character well.

At the very least, Austin never lied to him, and often helped him when danger approached.

Unlike Shanks, who would trick him with fake treasure maps, leading to many fights between them—though Buggy always lost.

Thinking of this, he became a little happy, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curling up. He simply sat down to slack off with Austin.

On the entire ship, he actually preferred spending time with Austin the most.

Shanks was too irritating, and the other crew members valued Austin and Shanks, who had better talent, even making him want to give up on his dreams at times.

Only Austin spoke kindly and didn't make him angry.

Although he would occasionally ask for help with chores, he would always genuinely give him the captured treasure maps and riches, and wouldn't make him feel useless, instead giving him affirmation.

Honestly, in Buggy's eyes, Austin was his best friend.

"Speaking of which, Austin, besides juice, you also really like drinking milk."

Buggy rubbed his red nose.

He picked up the milk bucket and took a sip. He found that besides being a bit sweet, there wasn't anything particularly appealing about it, so he curiously asked Austin.

"Ah? This... Actually, I don't really like drinking it."

"Then why are you drinking so much?" Buggy was a little disbelieving.

"It's because drinking milk helps you grow taller!"

Austin smiled.

"I want to grow to three meters tall. Otherwise, when fighting monsters at sea, I'll have to look up at them. That would be too undignified~"

"It's for that reason?"

"Of course. Actually, my favorite is still orange juice." Austin clinked glasses with Buggy and continued to gulp it down heartily.

"Then..."

Buggy clenched his fist, as if he had made a firm decision. He suddenly stood up excitedly, looking at a somewhat bewildered Austin. "Austin, when I become a Great Pirate, I'll definitely treat you to the best orange juice in the world!"

As he said this, Buggy's face flushed with embarrassment, but he still forced himself to remain calm, looking nervously at Austin.

"Hahahaha, that's great, Buggy! You'll definitely become a big shot who shocks the seas someday. When I'm down on my luck, I'll come seek refuge with you."

Austin laughed heartily, but Buggy clearly took it seriously and readily agreed.

"Don't worry, Austin, the position of my Vice-Captain will always be yours!"

Although Buggy said this, in reality, recalling the strength of Austin and Shanks, he felt quite unsure of himself. Those two were simply too promising.

Did he really deserve to have dreams...

The two of them chatted while eating, with their heads resting on their hands.

Time flew by until evening.

It wasn't until the ship's cook felt something was wrong and, gritting his teeth, rushed in with a mop that these two slacking monsters were finally dragged out.

However, seeing Austin, who had burped and remained unchanged, and Buggy, who had unknowingly eaten himself into a ball, he was left speechless.

Austin's monster physique allowed him to digest anything immediately, but why did Buggy have to join in? He couldn't digest it.

There was no other way; Austin had to personally carry him back to his room first.

After bidding farewell to Buggy, Austin finally had the time to return to his dorm to take a shower and wash off the bloodstains from the battle.

However, now that he was free, he started feeling restless, always wanting to unleash his Conqueror's Haki for fun.

When he first learned Geppo, he ran around in the sky every day, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of flight.

Although, in the end, he was punched on the head by Uncle Gaban for making too many "poof poof" sounds while stepping on air.

Considering it was already nighttime, randomly unleashing Conqueror's Haki now would likely provoke a group beating, so Austin simply gave up.

However, looking at himself in the mirror, his slightly scarred body was filled with explosive power.

"Zing—"

Black Armament Haki instantly covered his arm, faintly reflecting the room's lights.

"When I go to Wano Country, I'll learn Ryuo, and finally, Conqueror's Haki Infusion..."

Austin admired his own formidable martial power, while simultaneously planning step-by-step how to advance from Vice Admiral level strength to Emperor's First Mate, then to Emperor level, and finally, King...

To this day, due to his monstrous physique, ordinary training could no longer allow his strength to grow at such a high speed; its effect could even be said to be negligible.

The remaining progress had to rely on the growth and development that came with age, as well as instruction in advanced Haki from stronger individuals, to maintain such a rapid rate of improvement.

However, if he had to say, there was actually another way to increase his strength...

Austin looked at the small treasure chest under his bed.