Way to Go, Buggy-Don't Embarrass Yourself

As if to prove Austin's words, a storm that swept across heaven and earth began brewing on the horizon the very next second!

"What!?"

Before the might of nature itself, even the rulers of the New World, said to be capable of destroying the world, had to give way.

Countless ships controlled by the Float-Float Fruit were swallowed by the storm and tsunami, and Golden Lion himself, who commanded the skies, was no exception.

As he was swept into the tsunami and went limp, a ship's wheel came hurtling toward him...

"Set sail, everyone!!!"

The Oro Jackson, built from Adam Tree wood, was incredibly sturdy. With a group of powerful Devil Fruit-free fighters leading the way, not even a tsunami could stop the Roger Pirates from advancing!

Buggy and Shanks were both left dumbfounded by the sight.

"Hey—"

Buggy suddenly crashed through the kitchen door. The door, which had already taken plenty of abuse, now looked even more ready to fall apart.

"Austin!"

Buggy rushed in with an excited expression, his voice filled with disbelief and exhilaration. His face had even turned a little red. "Was what you said true, Austin? That storm that saved us... was it really because of my luck?"

Austin was sneaking food in the kitchen, holding meat in his left hand and a bucket of milk in his right, wolfing it all down to replenish his energy. A mountain of food went into his stomach, yet his belly did not bulge in the slightest.

His Observation Haki had detected Buggy's approach long ago, so he was not surprised. He just found it amusing. Buggy actually believed him.

Buggy might really possess Conqueror's Luck.

Otherwise, there was no way someone with such pitiful strength could so easily become a Shichibukai and even one of the Four Emperors.

But Austin felt that their safe escape from this battle was not because of that. It was more likely Captain Roger's Child of Destiny fortune at work.

Even if Buggy had played a role, he was probably only there as support.

Still, though that was what he thought, Austin had high emotional intelligence. Buggy was one of the few close friends he had.

"Of course, Buggy. With your level of strength, you managed to get on this ship and survive so many major battles unscathed until now. Doesn't that prove it?"

Austin spoke earnestly to Buggy.

Buggy really was a true man, though. He still remembered what Austin had once said very clearly.

That sentence—

"Won't your lives cry out?"

With such spirit, even if he was weak, he deserved to be called a Great Pirate!!!

Buggy fell silent for a moment after hearing that.

Because he was not sure whether Austin was actually praising him.

But after thinking it over for a moment—

He chose to believe Austin!

Austin could be a little mean and annoying at times, but Buggy believed he understood him well enough.

At the very least, Austin had never lied to him. Whenever danger came, Austin was often the one who helped him.

Unlike Shanks, who even used fake treasure maps to trick him into doing chores. The two of them had fought plenty over that—though Buggy lost every time.

Thinking about it, he felt a little happy. His mouth curled into a grin, and he simply sat down to slack off with Austin.

On the whole ship, Austin was the one Buggy most wanted to spend time with.

Shanks was far too irritating, while the other crew members valued the more talented Austin and Shanks even more. For a time, Buggy had nearly wanted to give up on his dream.

Only Austin spoke nicely and did not make him angry.

Though Austin occasionally asked him to help with work, he always genuinely gave Buggy the treasure maps and loot they had seized. He never thought Buggy was useless, and he gave him affirmation.

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

"Come to think of it, Austin, besides juice, you really like drinking milk too."

Buggy rubbed his red nose.

He picked up the milk bucket and took a taste. Other than being a little sweet and fragrant, there was nothing especially appealing about it, so he curiously asked Austin.

"Huh? This? I don't actually like drinking it that much."

"Then why do you drink so much of it?" Buggy asked skeptically.

"Because drinking milk helps you grow taller!"

Austin smiled.

"I want to grow to three meters tall. Otherwise, when I fight the monsters of the sea, I'll have to look up at them. That'd be way too embarrassing~"

"So that was why?"

"Of course. What I actually like best is orange juice." Austin clinked cups with Buggy and continued gulping down milk.

"Then..."

Buggy clenched his fists as though making some great decision. He suddenly stood up excitedly and looked at the slightly baffled Austin. "Austin, once I become a Great Pirate, I'll definitely treat you to the best orange juice in the world!"

As he said it, Buggy's face reddened with embarrassment, but he still forced himself to remain calm and looked nervously at Austin.

"Hahahaha, sure. Buggy, you'll definitely become a great figure who shocks the seas one day. When I fall on hard times, I'll come rely on you."

Austin laughed happily, but Buggy clearly took it seriously and immediately agreed.

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

Although Buggy said that—

When he thought back to Austin and Shanks's strength, he did not have much confidence. Those two were just far too promising.

A dream—

Did he really deserve to have one...

The two lay back with their hands behind their heads, eating and chatting.

In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.

It was not until the ship's cook sensed something was wrong and stormed in with a mop, teeth gritted, that he finally dragged the two slackers out.

But when he saw Austin, who merely let out a full belch without changing at all, and Buggy beside him, who had unknowingly eaten himself into a ball, he was left speechless.

Austin's monstrous body digested everything immediately no matter how much he ate, but why were you joining in, Buggy? You can't even digest it.

With no other choice, Austin had to carry him back to his room himself.

After saying goodbye to Buggy, Austin finally had time to return to the dormitory and take a bath, washing away the bloodstained grime from the battle.

But—

As soon as he relaxed, his head started to itch.

He really wanted to let out some Conqueror's Haki and have some fun.

When he had first learned Geppo, he had run around in the sky every day, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of flying.

Though in the end, the constant popping sounds of his feet kicking the air became so irritating that Uncle Gaban gave him a bump on the head.

Considering it was already nighttime, randomly unleashing Conqueror's Haki would probably earn him a group beating, so Austin gave up on the idea.

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

"Clang—"

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

"Once we get to Wano Country, I'll learn Ryou too. Then comes Conqueror's infusion..."

Austin admired his overwhelming strength while steadily planning how to rise from Vice Admiral-level strength to Emperor's First Mate, then to Admiral-Emperor level, and finally become a king...

By now, because of his monstrous physique, ordinary training could no longer keep his strength growing rapidly. Its effects could even be called negligible.

From here on, he would have to rely on growing older and developing further, along with advanced Haki instruction from stronger people, to maintain such rapid progress.

But if he had to say it, there was actually one more way to increase his strength...

Austin looked at the small treasure chest beneath his bed.