Encounter with Fujitora

Although he was just watching from the sidelines, the exhilarating feeling of winning fifteen games in a row was like having all the dirt in his pores instantly cleansed away. Mikuru shouted excitedly, "We won again! That's amazing!"

Buggy roughly counted the chips. "Not bad, I won a total of fifty million Beli. Kitty, why don't you go and try your luck?"

"The cat just really wants to eat grilled fish!"

Mikuru, holding the plate, devoured the grilled fish in no time, then handed the plate to Carina, his cheeks bulging, and said, "Please bring me another one!"

"I already told you, I'm not a waiter!"

Carina reluctantly took Mikuru's plate, handed it to a nearby waiter, gave him instructions, and then couldn't help but glance at Buggy out of the corner of her eye. Fifteen consecutive bets on "single" and he'd won every single one... This guy's luck is just unbelievably good!!

Fortunately, he was Shichibukai under the World Government. If he were just an ordinary person, he would probably have to lose a leg or an arm to get out, or he would have to stay here for the rest of his life to pay off his debts. This is because Gild Tesoro, the owner of this cruise ship, would not allow anyone who wins money in the casino to leave at will. Even the legendary super gambler who has never lost a game, Rez Max, is now imprisoned in the Eternal Hell.

"Let's go play something else."

Buggy put away his chips, glanced at the gambling table in the distance, and walked down the long corridor. Suddenly, he sensed something and glanced to the side at a group of people separated by passersby. The other people seemed to be looking over at him as well.

"Buggy!"

Almost instinctively, Smoker drew the Jitte he had been carrying on his back and charged forward, yelling, "Surrender!!"

Seeing the imposing manner, the passersby in the middle quickly covered their heads and squatted down, trembling with fear.

Buggy tilted his body to the left, dodging the Jitte's attack. As he leaned forward, he bent his right leg and raised it, pausing for half a second in mid-air before unleashing terrifying power. In an instant, like a bullet fired from a gun, he kicked towards Smoker's head.

Unable to dodge, Smoker quickly raised his left hand, which was imbued with Armament Haki, to protect his head.

Bang!

The Armament Haki clashed instantly, and Smoker's body was jolted back five or six meters before he staggered and regained his footing.

He stared intently at Buggy with dead fish eyes, "Hmph... you bastard!"

Buggy slowly withdrew his leg, straightened his wrinkled trousers, and a smile appeared on his lips. "Hey, what are you doing? I'm Shichibukai. Watch your manners, you... no, Flower Hunter."

Upon hearing Buggy mention that title, Smoker couldn't help but recall the humiliation he suffered in Loguetown. The thought made his teeth itch with hatred, and his lips twitched slightly before he regained his composure and coldly said, "Even if you're Shichibukai... in my eyes, you're still hopeless scum!"

"Haha, that's really hurtful! Our [positions] are now aligned!"

Buggy paused, then added, "But coming to a place like this... it seems you're not exactly serious marines after all..."

"Hmph." Smoker snorted coldly. Not wanting to be tricked into revealing information by Buggy, the bespectacled girl couldn't help but step forward and retort, "Stop talking nonsense... We're here on official business!"

Buggy laughed, "Is indulging in revelry considered performing official duties?"

"You, you..." Tashigi's face flushed slightly, unsure how to retort.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Genius Jester!"

Fujitora, holding a Cane Sword and wearing wooden clogs, stepped forward.

"Indeed, I couldn't resist the urge to fight, which is why I came here. However, this is my personal decision and does not represent the Navy's position..."

"Fujitora... the monster who was exceptionally recruited as Marine Admiral by the World Government, it's indeed a pleasure to meet you."

Buggy smiled. He had sensed the aura that Fujitora had inadvertently exuded earlier. If the other party had really come to capture him, he would have avoided it and not provoked unnecessary conflict. However, now that he had the status of Shichibukai to rely on, he naturally did not need to worry about such a thing happening.

Fujitora said calmly, "I never expected our first meeting would be here."

Buggy stood with his hands behind his back. "I'm not surprised at all."

After they finished speaking, they fell silent for a few seconds.

"Oh dear~"

Baccarat gracefully approached again. "Another rare guest! Marine Admiral, Fujitora, and Smoker the White Hunter."

All eyes turned to Baccarat. Smoker, a cigar dangling from his lips, asked, "You know us?"

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Baccarat, the receptionist for this Gran Tesoro. All the marines, pirates, and bounty hunters are on my little notebook. As for you, you're VIP guests!"

"We don't need you to receive us," Smoker replied calmly.

"Don't be so formal, White Hunter." Baccarat chuckled and tried to lean closer, but White Hunter dodged her. She then turned her eyes and leaned towards Fujitora, but Fujitora dodged her without making a sound.

Seeing that the two weren't buying it, Baccarat straightened her clothes slightly and said with a light laugh, "The Gran Tesoro is a country recognized by the World Government. Even those great World Nobles come here often. Why are you Navy people being so formal?"

"The standard of judgment is not only in the hands of the World Government, but also in the hearts of each individual. As for what stance to take, I know what I should do."

"Is that so..."

Baccarat smiled noncommittally and ordered her bodyguard in black to bring over a metal case. "Since you're here to have fun, Lord Fujitora, here's a stake of 300 million Beli. Don't be shy, have some fun!"

"No need!" Fujitora's tone was calm and his attitude firm. "Although my salary is meager, I would never accept ill-gotten gains. Please take it back!"

"Then... please proceed, Lord Fujitora."

Baccarat has received countless people over the years, and she can get a general idea of a person's personality after just a few minutes of contact. The Marine Admiral in front of her, although rugged in appearance, was very perceptive. Knowing that further conversation would be pointless, she politely took her leave and turned to leave.

Smoker looked at Buggy and said in a warning tone, "Buggy, now that you've been recruited as Shichibukai, I hope you'll fulfill your duty. The Marineford War must never happen again!"

"Haha, interesting..." Buggy picked at his ear with his little finger, looked at Fujitora, and said, "Well then, excuse me." With that, he continued walking forward.

Fujitora turned slightly, glancing at the direction Buggy had left with a sliver of white in his eye, and muttered, "Indeed, a pirate not to be underestimated..."