The Devil Fruit Was Eaten?

The dust and rubble settled. A faint movement came from beneath the collapsed rocks, and an arm reached out.

"Ah!!"

Usopp pushed the enormous rock pinning him down with all his might. His body was covered in cuts from flying stone chips, and blood trickled from his forehead down his face, dripping onto the ground.

"I... will never let you pass. I won't let a bunch of wicked pirates like you... disturb the peace of our village."

He sat cross-legged on the ground, head bowed, and spread his arms out to either side. "This is the resolve expected of a great liar..."

Buggy's eyes were hidden in shadow, and killing intent radiated from him. "Even if it means dying, you still won't let us pass?"

Usopp's body trembled despite himself. He clenched his teeth. "...Then you'll have to take my life!"

Cabaji looked astonished. "That long-nosed guy is so weak, yet he has such a strong will. Unbelievable..."

"Indeed. To say something so fearless in the face of death..." Mohji said. "I'm starting to admire the guy."

Buggy shrugged, and his killing intent abruptly vanished. "I think you've got the wrong idea. Actually... we mean you no harm."

"Don't mess with me! You're the infamous Buggy Pirates of the East Blue!" Usopp shouted. "I'm a great liar. I can tell at a glance when someone's lying, so don't even think you can fool me!"

"Captain Usopp!!!"

Tamanegi, Piment, and Ninjin—the three young figures who had fled—turned back halfway and hurried to the East Coast. Tears and snot ran down their faces as they took in the scene, then rushed to Usopp's side.

"What are you doing back here?! Run! Go warn the village that pirates are here!" Usopp said to them, exhausted.

"We're going to fight alongside Captain Usopp! We're members of the Usopp Pirates!" The three stood in front of Usopp, gripping their wooden weapons.

Usopp's tears spilled over, mingling with the blood. "Go! They're real pirates!"

"That's enough..." Buggy said, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "I told you I'm not here to cause trouble. How about this? You know the names Red-Haired Shanks and Yasopp, right?"

Usopp froze. "Red-Haired Shanks... Yasopp..."

"Let's see... Red-Haired Shanks and I used to be crewmates on the same ship. We've got some history."

"Really?" Usopp's expression changed from sorrow to delight. "You used to be one of Shanks's crew, too? Yasopp is my dad. How is he doing?"

"Yeah, they're both incredible pirates in the Grand Line now. Things are going great for them." Buggy didn't bother correcting Usopp's misunderstanding. "I'm not here to cause trouble, so there's no need to be so nervous."

"Then why did you..."

"I just wanted to see what you could do. I'm only here to find someone."

"That was too much... You didn't have to hit me so hard just to test me!" With a huge weight lifted from his heart, Usopp's eyelids began to droop. His consciousness slowly slipped away, and his body swayed unsteadily.

"What a simple guy..." Buggy watched him calmly.

In the original story, this sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates was a rather controversial character. He was as timid and cowardly as an ordinary person, yet he was also courageous, always pressing forward in pursuit of what he believed in.

When he encountered trouble or a powerful enemy, his first thought was always how to run away. But his determination to become a brave warrior of the sea often let him overcome his fear and charge against the current.

Compared to the three fearless, oblivious main fighters of the Straw Hat Pirates, he was the one who was unmistakably normal. He was quite an interesting guy.

Usopp's wounds were treated with herbal medicine and simple bandages. In just a few hours, he was already bouncing around again.

Nearby, he excitedly waved his arms alongside the three little boys, then proudly pointed his thumb at himself. "Hahaha, did you hear that? The great pirate Buggy and my dad used to be crewmates on the same ship!"

Then he hurried over to Buggy, apparently having forgotten that they'd been enemies just moments ago, and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Uncle Buggy, I had no idea we had such a close connection! I hope you'll look after me from now on!"

U-Un... Uncle?!

Buggy suddenly felt as if lightning had struck him. His ears rang incessantly.

"Uncle Buggy, what's wrong?" Usopp asked, puzzled as he watched Buggy stare at him in shock.

"N-Nothing..." Buggy held his aching chest and stared straight at him. "Do I really look that old...?"

"Of course not! You don't look old at all, Uncle Buggy. Let me guess how old you are..." Usopp stroked his chin thoughtfully, then his eyes lit up. "Definitely not over fifty!"

F-Fifty...

Buggy turned to stone and was unable to speak for a long time.

"Hahahaha! 'Proud Usopp' got it right!" Usopp laughed extravagantly, chin held high. Surrounded by the three little boys' praise, he felt like he was floating.

After a long while.

Buggy finally came back to his senses. Watching Usopp quickly fit right into the pirate atmosphere, waving his arms around, he let out a breath and asked, "Usopp, tell me, did you see anyone strange the day before yesterday or yesterday?"

"Hmm..." Usopp furrowed his brow, thinking. "Someone strange?"

His brow suddenly twitched. "Uncle Buggy, you don't mean someone wearing a cloak, do you...?"

Uncle...

Buggy couldn't help fixating on that word. His body stiffened before he managed to ask, "You saw them?"

"That person..." Usopp remembered what had happened yesterday and shuddered. "They were really strange!"

"What did you see?" Buggy frowned.

"Her face didn't look human. It was covered in fluffy white fur, like a monster's, and her eyes looked like they could shoot out a savage green light. She must have been a monster!"

As Buggy listened to Usopp, his mind went blank for a moment. He began to slowly piece things together.

Could Nami have been so hungry that she mistook the Devil Fruit for food and ate it?!

Could my arrival have stirred up a butterfly effect and thrown the entire plot off course...?

Nami stealing the Marines' belongings had already been unthinkable. Now she'd eaten a Devil Fruit, too, and the story had strayed far from the original. Forget it... there's no point overthinking it. No matter what she turns into, her excellent navigation skills won't change, and neither will my goal.

After a long moment of thought, Buggy turned to Shuma. "Shuma, go prepare some food."

Then he glanced at Usopp and the three boys. "You can come along, too. Since you're eager to live the pirate life, you might as well get a taste of it early. I'll treat you to a free meal today... Consider it a reward for sharing your information."

"Thank you so much!"

Usopp and the others' eyes lit up as they chorused in unison, "Uncle Buggy!!"

On a distant hillside, a man with slicked-back hair, glasses, and a suit held the food he'd bought. He stared coldly at the pirates below and pushed up his glasses with his palm.

"Pirates, huh... I can't let this bunch of desperadoes disrupt my plan. Hmm... I'll have Jango come and sort things out."