But now that he had eaten a rather lackluster Paramecia Devil Fruit, he had lost some confidence. Buggy and Shanks had always had a love-hate relationship and never got along. Now, Buggy hated Shanks even more. "Shanks, we're companions!"
Shanks continued trying to win Buggy over. After all, the entire Roger Pirates had already fallen apart. Those who were going to leave had left, and Buggy was the only one he could still find.
Besides, they were about the same age and still had some drive. The other crew members had lost theirs long ago; those who should retire had gone off to retire. So he did not want to give up on his only remaining companion.
"Shanks, if you weren't my companion, I would've killed you a long time ago. Don't think I don't hate you. The moment you forced me to eat that Devil Fruit, I lost all hope of becoming strong."
"Listen to yourself. I didn't force you to eat it back then. Even if you ate a Devil Fruit, you can still become strong. Besides, if it undergoes Devil Fruit Awakening, it won't necessarily be weak."
Shanks spoke with a grin, but in Buggy's eyes, he was simply mocking him.
"Hmph. Captain Roger said Devil Fruits shouldn't be eaten lightly unless they're truly powerful."
"I'll always have a weakness. If I were going to eat one, I'd definitely choose a Logia or Mythical Zoan. What can this Paramecia Chop-Chop Fruit even do?"
"What else can it do besides split up my body?"
The more Buggy spoke, the angrier he became. Tears were practically about to spill from his eyes.
"Buggy, don't belittle yourself. Paramecias can be powerful too. Think about it—you have the Chop-Chop Fruit. What if, after Devil Fruit Awakening, you could split apart an entire island?"
"That would be pretty powerful too, right?"
"So, join my pirate crew, Buggy!"
Shanks smiled and extended his right hand.
Buggy paused, then snorted coldly and smacked Shanks's hand aside.
"Get lost. Don't interrupt me while I'm working to make money. I'd advise you to keep quiet for a while, or you won't even know how you died."
To be honest, Buggy had just felt a small urge to become a pirate again. But with his cowardly nature, he was still afraid. Roger had only been executed recently, so he needed to hide for a while longer.
Mu Chen had watched the show for quite some time. Sure enough, Shanks and Buggy were just as he remembered them: close friends who loved and fought each other. Although Buggy was merciless with his words, Mu Chen could tell that Buggy truly cherished Shanks as a companion.
Having watched enough, Mu Chen clapped his hands like a villain and suddenly appeared before them. "Not bad, not bad. Actually, Buggy, I think you still have a chance. Just like Shanks said, what if there's an opportunity?"
Mu Chen spoke with a smile.
Buggy might not have had much strength, but he possessed the luck of an emperor and was a user of lucky-colored Haki. Though it sounded like a joke, his absurd luck was undeniable. In the end, Buggy even became one of the Four Emperors—wasn't that all thanks to his lucky-colored Haki?
"Who are you?"
Shanks and Buggy turned toward Mu Chen at the same time. Their faces became grave as they both took a slight step back, ready to flee at any moment. Anyone would have been frightened in this situation.
More importantly, when had Mu Chen arrived? How much of their conversation had he heard?
Neither Shanks nor Buggy had any answer, but judging from what Mu Chen had just said, it seemed he had heard everything he was supposed to hear.
Seeing how guarded Shanks and Buggy were, Mu Chen suddenly felt like having some fun.
Shanks and Buggy probably weren't very strong in their youth, were they?
Mu Chen smiled faintly and looked at the Straw Hat atop Shanks's head. Seeing it from so close instantly reminded him of the days when he had chased One Piece day and night in his youth. That was all lost youth now.
Seeing Mu Chen staring at his head, Shanks instinctively pressed a hand over his Straw Hat.
"Who exactly are you?"
"What do you want?"
"Don't be nervous. Shanks, could you lend me your Straw Hat for a look?"
Seeing Shanks so wary of him, Mu Chen acted like a bad older brother and tried to make himself seem gentler.
But Shanks and Buggy did not see it that way. To them, Mu Chen looked like a smiling devil, and he was staring at that Straw Hat. Many people knew that the hat had belonged to Pirate King Roger. Had Mu Chen recognized it? They had been hoping Mu Chen had not heard what they said, but if he had not, why would he want to look at the Straw Hat?
When Mu Chen saw that Shanks and Buggy were still so guarded, he could not help laughing in irritation.
"Relax. Although I'm a Marine, I won't do anything to you. I just want to look at Pirate King Roger's Straw Hat. What Marine?"
"What kind of Marine?"
Shanks and Buggy were immediately terrified by Mu Chen's identity, automatically ignoring everything he said afterward. Buggy was so scared that he had begun trembling.
"Shanks, I told you long ago not to come looking for me, not to come looking for me! It's over now! Even the Marines are here! We're dead, we're dead!"
Buggy spoke as he fearfully grabbed Shanks's arm for a little comfort. Meanwhile, Shanks was already preparing to draw the dagger at his waist.
Mu Chen realized that he had revealed his identity. He really should not have done that. Since he was a Marine, there was nothing more to say. "Buggy, run!"
The moment he spoke, Shanks shook off Buggy's hand, drew his dagger, and rapidly closed in on Mu Chen.
Kids were still kids. They could not take a scare.
Mu Chen was somewhat helpless, but this was fine too. He had wanted to see just how strong Shanks had been in his youth.
"Shanks, don't think I'll forgive you just because you're covering my retreat!"
Without another word, Buggy immediately ran off. They had not even finished talking, yet he was already leaving.
Mu Chen did not waste any words. He directly activated the Eight Gates, and his aura surged dramatically.
Before you continue