Battle Cat-Dog

Duke Inuarashi and Nekomamushi moved with Inazuma and wildness, attacking Buggy from the left and right.

The news of Kozuki Oden that Buggy mentioned was so irresistibly appealing to them that they didn't mind being treated with such rudeness and barbarity!

Buggy dodged the attack from Nekomamushi with a swift movement, then kicked out at Duke Inuarashi, who was coming at him with a clenched fist. Their fists collided violently, and in Lightning Flash, Buggy soared into the air, spinning in mid-air. He then kicked forward with his other foot, using both feet to forcefully knock Duke Inuarashi back more than ten steps!

Although neither side used their full strength, this exchange revealed some of each other's capabilities. Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, initially standing close together, subtly created some distance between themselves. Duke Inuarashi then spoke with slight emotion, "Buggy, I didn't expect that after so many years, your strength has become so remarkable, even your Armament Haki has reached such a level..."

The Nekomamushi licked its paws. "Your Observation Haki is extraordinary... Even though we've been on the same boat, I still can't believe your strength has reached this level..."

"Tch... You two were just assistants back then, and now you've both become kings of a nation. If you can achieve this, what's so strange about me reaching this level?"

The Nekomamushi bared its mouthful of sharp teeth. "Hey, that's going too far! We had to compromise to protect Kozuki!"

Duke Inuarashi said rationally, "Buggy, you said that if we defeat you, you will tell us about Kozuki, is that right?"

Buggy said, "Of course."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Before Duke Inuarashi could speak, Nekomamushi stretched his arms forward slightly, light blue Lightning Flash crackling on his furry arms, and pounced on Buggy with swift, primal movements.

Buggy's lips curled into a smile, his right fist clenched, and he suddenly punched the charging Nekomamushi. A crack appeared on his fist, which suddenly widened, revealing a beautiful, luminous green color. Violent spatial energy roared out and crashed into the Nekomamushi!

Seeing the overwhelming force of the approaching creature, the Nekomamushi's expression changed slightly. Not daring to fight head-on, it covered its entire body with Armament Haki and used its destructive power to tumble and spin backward in the air, dissipating the massive energy coming at it.

He finally managed to stand firmly on the ground, covered in dust and looking quite disheveled.

The townspeople in the surrounding area ran a considerable distance away, discussing the matter animatedly.

"This is?!"

Duke Inuarashi was also forced to take three steps back, his face showing surprise. "Buggy, I remember you should be Chop-Chop Fruit user, how could you... how could you know such a strange technique!"

Nekomamushi dusted himself off and asked in surprise, "That's right, this kind of attack is something only Whitebeard would use. How come you know how to use it too?"

Buggy raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Devil Fruit abilities have never had clear boundaries or limits. If Whitebeard could use a technique, why can't I?"

"Wow!" Nekomamushi exclaimed in amazement at the confidence emanating from Buggy's very core, his face brimming with fighting spirit. "Again!"

Having said that, he lunged forward again.

Duke Inuarashi knew that Nekomamushi alone could not defeat Buggy, and in order to obtain information about Kozuki, he decided to temporarily put aside past grievances and join forces with Nekomamushi to defeat Buggy.

Although the two did not communicate, their actions remained perfectly synchronized after so many years. Their attacks were relentless and uninterrupted, with the next strike arriving as soon as the previous one ended. The Mink Tribe used all their static electricity and agility to entangle Buggy.

Of course, they suppressed their own strength, as did Buggy. If they were to truly fight to the death and go all out, the entire town would probably be destroyed, which would be a loss.

Buggy treats the two as opponents, specifically to hone his physical skills. He won't use the power of Chop-Chop unless their sudden attacks threaten his situation.

The static electricity attack from the fur is indeed the signature skill of the Mink Tribe. Every time Buggy comes into contact with an attack imbued with static electricity, his body will involuntarily pause for a moment due to the resulting paralysis, and he will be slightly suppressed in the rhythm of attack and defense.

Even so, Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi became even more alarmed. Despite their combined attacks and blockades, one gentle and the other forceful, Buggy showed no signs of faltering. Moreover, his movements became increasingly Ghostly Appearance and impossible to suppress, and they were unable to inflict any real damage.

After the three fought for forty or fifty rounds, Buggy became increasingly energetic. He recalled all sorts of battles that had taken place in that memory space. All his combat experiences and insights flowed into his mind like rivers, merging and forming a vast ocean of combat instinct.

Gradually, his every move began to unintentionally generate a force that could Chop-Chop, affecting the surrounding space and objects. Even without forcefully stomping on the ground beneath his feet, the ground would inadvertently spread with dense cracks like a spider web. Even the walls of distant houses appeared to have weathered over many years, with layers of the surface peeling off.

In this struggle, power gradually evolved into his instinct, and the release of power became more and more unrestrained.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the onlookers, the three fought for almost half an hour. Duke Inuarashi and Nekomamushi finally realized that only by going all out could they have a chance of winning. However, in that case, the battle would no longer be a friendly spar, but a life-or-death struggle, which went against their original intention. In the end, the two had no choice but to back down and stop fighting Buggy.

The townspeople were filled with shock. Even the two kings working together couldn't defeat this man. Just who was he?!

The Nekomamushi's expression turned somewhat dejected, tinged with regret. "Although I, the old cat, don't want to admit it, I know I can't beat you. Oh well, it's probably our destiny to never have any further connection with Lord Kozuki..."

"Probably like you said, the old mad cat..."

Duke Inuarashi, drenched in sweat, said with a touch of nostalgia, "I really miss the days when I was by Lord Kozuki's side. It's been so long since we fought side by side..."

The Nekomamushi turned its head away. "I don't know... it's been about twenty years!"

Buggy took a deep breath, then burst into laughter, "That felt great!"

He felt he had benefited greatly from the battle, after all, his opponent was no weaker than Jack, one of the Three Calamities of the Beast Pirates, and was even a top-tier fighter capable of defeating Jack when he unleashed his true strength!