Mochi, the animal tamer and first mate of the Buggy Pirates.
Cabaji, the acrobatic swordsman and chief of staff of the Buggy Pirates.
These two were little more than bit characters in the original story, but in reality, they were already the strongest fighters aboard this ship besides Buggy himself!
Compared to how they looked in the original story two years later, they seemed a little more immature now. Still, they had room to grow. Buggy had already decided that once they finished their next job and saved up enough money, he would take the pirates aboard his ship to an island for a period of secluded training. They would improve both his own strength and that of the crew, preparing to face the challenges ahead. His sights were set on more than just the tiny East Blue.
They were still three hundred meters from the shore by the town. The main sail had been furled, and they were relying on the smaller sails. It would probably take another four or five minutes to reach shore.
Buggy looked at Cabaji and Mochi. "Tell me, what are your dreams?"
They stopped bickering and looked at Buggy. A snot bubble dangled from Mochi's nose. "What's a dream...? Captain Buggy, why are you asking us that?"
Cabaji leaned against the wall. Even an acrobatic swordsman had a little of the swordsman's romantic streak. He tossed his hair. "To seek a free and unrestrained life..."
In his previous life, Buggy had been an opportunistic entrepreneur with plans and goals. He was no slouch when it came to spinning tales and arguing his way around anything.
His eyes glimmered as he spoke in a low, emotional voice. "Human dreams don't fade with time. On the contrary, as the years pass, they grow deeper, like the mellow aroma of aged wine. In the end, they set your heart and body free beneath that dazzling dawn. A person without a dream is like a walking corpse. Even if they're alive, they lose their luster... Do you want to know what my dream is?"
They both shook their heads.
"You bastards, at least play along!!!"
Buggy composed himself again. "My dream is to become the Pirate King and find the legendary One Piece. And you'll be the future Pirate King's animal tamer and swordsman, so you have to become the world's number-one animal tamer and the world's number-one swordsman too!!!"
Listening to the wonderful future and endless possibilities Buggy had suddenly painted for them, Mochi and Cabaji couldn't help but yearn for it. They murmured, "The world's number-one animal tamer... swordsman..."
Buggy put on a smile that looked positively sinister. No matter what, he'd planted a seed of hope in their hearts. Now it could sprout and bloom, becoming the motivation they needed to keep training and laying a foundation for their future journey into the Grand Line. Besides... now that he'd distracted them, they probably wouldn't keep wondering why he'd suddenly changed his usual ways...
The pirates around them chimed in. "Hey, what's that got to do with furling the sails and docking?"
"Probably nothing."
Buggy flew into a rage. "Who said something about my Red Nose!!!"
A few minutes later, the Big Top pulled into shore.
This quiet docking was much friendlier than brazenly flashing their pirate flag and baring their fangs. A few fishermen on the shallows glanced over without much interest, then went back to mending their nets and fishing.
"Squad One, go into town and buy enough food and fresh water. Squad Two, buy weapons and gear. Mochi, stay aboard and keep watch. Cabaji, you and a few others come with me."
After giving his orders, Buggy disembarked with Cabaji and a group of underlings.
"Captain Buggy." Cabaji's gaze was cold. "I understand. You want to hide our forces in town and put them at ease. Then, under the cover of darkness... we can launch a surprise attack."
"Exactly. You're so... Not!"
Buggy bonked him on the head. "Don't jump to conclusions."
In truth, pillaging and killing could bring in wealth quickly, but Buggy didn't want to do that. Part of it was his aversion to the idea; the rest came from the disdain and stubbornness in his bones.
Like any ordinary island in the East Blue, Gali Island had four villages. Ever since a harbor was built on the eastern coast a hundred years ago, the island's residents had focused on developing trade.
Since then, merchant ships had passed through every year, and the islanders had become increasingly connected with the outside world.
By selling the island's rare aquatic specialty, Gali Fish, the residents had gained wealth and labor, greatly improving their standard of living. They had also acquired a stockpile of fine weapons and gear, which the village guard teams took turns safeguarding. That equipment had proved invaluable, helping them defeat the pirates who had invaded a few years ago.
That was one reason Buggy and his men hadn't raised any suspicions by coming ashore.
The afternoon sun was harsh, beating down on every rooftop, street, and the broad-brimmed hats of passersby. The air was thick and stifling, and several laborers wiped the sweat from their brows as they hurried by. Vendors at the market called out listlessly.
On any other day, the sailors taking a break, traveling merchants, and nearby villagers at the Kodia Tavern would surely have raised their chilled beer mugs and laughed as they traded stories about recent happenings.
But today, the tavern was unusually quiet. A group of unwelcome visitors had taken over the seats, and the villagers stood to one side, glaring with clenched fists.
The man sitting in the center of the tavern wore his hair in a topknot, his chest bared, and an unusual long sword at his waist. The wooden sandal on his foot rested on the head of an unconscious young villager. He looked toward the old man behind the bar and spoke mockingly. "Village chief Chris, since we've worked together in the past, I'll let your village pay ten percent less in monthly tribute than the others."
Old Chris adjusted his reading glasses and tried to reason with him. "Lord Tatadan, we worked together before to fight off the pirates. I don't see why we can't speak to each other civilly."
Tatadan sneered. "I worked with you back then because those pirates trespassed on my turf. It wasn't for any other reason. Don't get carried away, old man."
Chris glanced at a barrel beside him, then spoke firmly. "I don't care what the other villages think, but Kodia Village will not submit to bandits, and we won't pay tribute. If you..."
Smack!
Before he could finish, the tavern door swung open. A bandit standing guard at the entrance was hit hard in the back of the head by the door and collapsed, unconscious.
"Boys, all the drinks today are on Captain Buggy! Drink up!"
"Yeah!" the underlings shouted excitedly. "Long live Captain Buggy!!!"
Everyone in the tavern turned toward the red nose at the entrance and the large crowd behind him. The conversation came to an abrupt halt.
Buggy immediately sensed that something was off about the atmosphere in the tavern, but he didn't care. As long as there was no conflict of interest with the village, nothing should happen.
Buggy sat down beside Tatadan's table. "Boss, bring out your strongest liquor. Hmm... Boss, why are you just standing there?"
Old Chris didn't move, but Tatadan narrowed his eyes menacingly. "You're... pirates?"
The atmosphere grew tense. Buggy poured himself a glass of water. "Yeah, I'm a pirate."
"Well, so this is what pirates look like. They all have such ridiculous faces."
Tatadan snatched the glass from Buggy's hand and crushed it in his fist. "We're bandits. Great bandits—not some low-class pirates you can compare us to. You scum of the sea, get off this island right now."
The bandits around them shoved their blades upward from their belts, revealing their gleaming edges. They grinned viciously at Buggy.
"What if I say no?" Buggy's face twisted into a sly, sinister smile.
Whoosh!
Tatadan swiftly drew the long sword at his waist and slashed across in the blink of an eye. A snowy-white flash, like cherry blossoms, flared in the air.
A fine line suddenly appeared across Buggy's neck. His head and body split apart, and his head fell limply onto the table.
Before you continue