Arrival at Orange Town

Under the cover of night, Moya stood at the bow of the Yanhuang, deep in thought.

On Moya's orders, the Yanhuang sailed through the night, with the crew taking turns rowing in shifts to speed her along.

The crew had no idea why their captain was in such a hurry, but they could only follow his orders.

Moya knew this was the only way to catch up with Luffy and Zoro, who had set out a day earlier.

Luffy and his companions' little boat couldn't match a sailing ship's speed, especially since it was powered by just two people rowing.

Moya began training his Devil Fruit abilities on deck, pressing both hands against the planks.

Glazed Slide Ground.

A strange power from the Slip-Slip Fruit spread through Moya, altering the friction of the deck.

He'd finally done it. His fruit's influence had grown from affecting only himself to affecting certain objects, and now even the surrounding environment.

Was this imagination? Or talent?

Sabo and Blackbeard had both mastered the abilities of the Mera Mera no Mi and the Tremor-Tremor Fruit in an instant. Was that talent, or could they use them so easily because they already knew the techniques?

There was no way to know.

With no martial arts, swordsmanship, or Haki training methods, Moya could only devote himself to developing the Slip-Slip Fruit's abilities and working out to build his strength.

Using his power took a great deal of stamina, after all.

"Ah!" Rika cried out.

Moya reacted instantly. Using Instant Slide, he caught her before she could fall.

Nestled in Moya's arms, Rika's little face flushed red.

"Big Brother Moya, it's late. You should get some rest too! Don't wear yourself out. Mom's still angry, but I've already made her feel better.

"Now we can go on adventures together."

At Moya's insistence, Rika had switched from calling him "Lord Moya" to "Big Brother Moya."

It satisfied his lolicon wishes, of course, but he also didn't want to hear a cute girl call him by that islander-sounding title!

"Rika's the one who should get to bed early. That way, you'll grow big and strong!"

Moya smiled as he spoke, his words seeming to hold a hidden meaning.

"Mm! You too, Big Brother Moya!"

In her innocence, Rika didn't catch his meaning.

Moya withdrew the Slip-Slip Fruit's power, returning the deck to normal, then set Rika down.

"I'm a Devil Fruit User, so I'm already strong. I don't need that much rest. I just need to get stronger so I can protect our little Rika!"

Hearing that, Rika asked, blushing but puzzled, "Is your ability to make the ground all slippery?"

"That's just one of my abilities. You'll gradually discover how amazing your big brother is."

Moya answered, affectionately patting Rika on the head.

Dis and the other crew members watched this heartwarming scene, feeling moved. Their captain might have had a few billion too many demands.

But compared to Alvida, he was so much better.

Moya had already handed out hundreds of thousands of Beli in pocket money to each crew member from the money they'd brought back. He also planned to standardize their outfits.

That way, every crew member would have clothes that were unique to the Moya Adventure Group!

They could take inspiration from Trafalgar Law, or go for a mafia-style suit-and-gun look.

"All right, go get some rest!"

"Okay, Big Brother Moya!"

After Rika left, Moya told the crew on watch, "Keep up the speed and stay alert!"

"Yes, Captain!" the crew replied.

The third day, at noon...

"Captain, I can see Orange Town!" the lookout atop the mast called to Moya.

Moya clenched his fists and murmured softly, "Luffy, this butterfly of mine has begun to flap its wings. I wonder how your future will change!"

"Pick up the pace!" Moya ordered.

"Boom!" The sound of cannon fire kept rumbling from the island...

"Captain, there's a battle going on over there!" the lookout reported, still holding his spyglass.

Moya's heart tightened. He could only hope the fight wouldn't end too soon.

If Buggy was sent flying, Nami might form a deep bond with Luffy and decide to join him on his adventures.

"Full speed ahead! Everyone, get rowing!"

Moya hurriedly issued the order.

"I hope we still make it in time."

Moya gazed grimly at the smoke drifting above the island, where the cannons were firing.

On the other side, after Nami stole the Grand Line map, Buggy flew into a rage and began firing Buggy Balls wildly at the town, venting his frustration.

Unable to bear it any longer, Nami decided to return the map of her own accord. She even tied up her "boss," Luffy, and handed him over to Buggy.

But Buggy ordered Nami, who had supposedly come over to his side, to kill Luffy with a Buggy Ball. Nami refused, exposing her deception, but was saved by Zoro, who had just arrived.

Zoro didn't know that Buggy was a Bara Bara no Mi user and immune to slashing attacks.

Caught off guard, he was ambushed by one of Buggy's flying hands and badly wounded, slashed across the kidneys—yes, the kidneys.

But even injured, Zoro fought Acrobat Cabaji to a standstill.

Seeing his first crewmate badly hurt, Luffy flew into a rage and attacked Buggy furiously.

The Chop-Chop Fruit and the Gomu Gomu no Mi clashed in a back-and-forth battle between the two Devil Fruit users.

When Buggy learned that the straw hat on Luffy's head had belonged to Red-Haired Shanks, he was furious, but he showed far more restraint, no longer aiming for Luffy's vital spots.

After all, that hat had been passed down by Captain Roger.

Luffy, meanwhile, was acting like a complete fool, refusing to stop until he sent Buggy flying.

While they were fighting, Nami snuck back into Buggy's treasure room to search for a precious Grand Line map and treasure.

Luffy and Buggy seemed to be taking the fight seriously now. Buggy ordered his crew to use the Buggy Cannon to blast Luffy and the others to pieces.

Buggy Ball was made from a formula Buggy had brought back from the Grand Line. It was dozens of times more powerful than an ordinary cannonball.

Cannonballs couldn't hurt Luffy because of his Devil Fruit, but they blew the surrounding buildings to pieces, putting Luffy and the others in increasing danger.

Zoro was also growing weaker from blood loss.

At last, the Adventurer made it into Orange Town's harbor.

Moya glanced at Buggy the Clown's enormous, empty pirate ship and at Luffy and Zoro's little boat.

It looked like all the Buggy Pirates had gone to reinforce their captain.

Moya immediately gave his orders.

"Half the crew will stay here and take over the pirate ship. Move the Yanhuang and Buggy's ship a hundred meters away from the harbor, then wait for my orders!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Dis, who was now absolutely loyal to Moya, answered.

Moya left Rika aboard and picked out a dozen of the strongest crew members. Each one carried a small or medium-sized wooden barrel as they hurried toward the battlefield, where smoke was billowing.

Though Nami was using Luffy and the others as a shield, she didn't want them to die because of her.

So she hid nearby, watching how the battle unfolded and waiting for a chance to ambush Buggy.

Gomu Gomu no Pistol!

Luffy shouted as his arms stretched out, his fists flying at Buggy like bullets.

Bara Bara Senbei!

Buggy split his body into several pieces to dodge Luffy's attack. At the same time, his flying hands wielded daggers and slashed Luffy by surprise.

Buggy spotted Nami flying through the air with treasure on her back. He immediately grew frantic and distracted, eager to reclaim his valuables.

Luffy noticed that Buggy's lower body couldn't leave the ground and immediately attacked—kicking him below the belt, grabbing his feet, pulling a monkey-steals-the-peach move. He used every trick he could think of.

Even though his body was separated, Buggy could still feel pain in his lower half. Tears streamed from his eyes as he writhed in agony.

Nami spotted her chance too. She snatched one of Buggy's body parts and tied it up.

Luffy had already prepared his next move.

Gomu Gomu no Rocket!

Luffy shouted as he pulled back his outstretched arms, gathering strength, ready to send Buggy flying with one mighty blow.

Just then, the sound of rapid footsteps came from farther away.

The Moya Adventure Group had arrived at the battlefield!

Fast Slide!

Moya shouted inwardly. His figure flashed beside Buggy, and he grabbed Buggy's head and hands before darting aside, dodging Luffy's attack.

Faced with Moya's sudden interference, Luffy angrily demanded, "Who are you?! Why are you butting into our fight?!"

Moya instantly slid back to his crew and shoved both of Buggy's hands into wooden barrels filled with seawater.

Buggy went limp at once, completely at Moya's mercy.

The other crew members began gathering up the rest of Buggy's body and sealing the pieces in barrels of seawater. They also started tying up the injured Buggy Pirates.

Meanwhile, they stood off against the Buggy Pirates who were still unharmed.

Moya had briefed his crew on this plan beforehand. It was also the simplest and most effective method he could think of.

They would take advantage of the situation and seize control of Buggy as quickly as possible, keeping him from hurting his crew!

After all, his useless teammates were all weaklings. They could only win through tricks like this and keep their casualties down.

He didn't want everyone who could sail the ship to end up dead.

Only then did Moya turn around and look at Luffy's familiar face. "Heh heh heh~ Luffy, my name's Moya! I'm really glad to see you again!"