Deep in the alley, two teenagers stood face to face, the atmosphere somewhat tense.
"Come with me, Buggy!"
Shanks gripped Buggy's shoulders, his eyes filled with sincerity.
"Let's form a pirate crew together and carry on Captain Roger's will!"
Buggy shook off his hand, his voice tinged with anger and... a hint of inferiority:
"What a joke! Why should I be with you?!"
"We are all apprentices in the Roger Pirates, we will work together--"
"Intern?!"
Buggy suddenly became agitated, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
Shanks! Don't you understand?!
Captain Roger chose you!
He gave you the Straw Hat!
He acknowledges your talent and potential!
And me?! I'm just a burden!
He pointed to his red nose,
"Look at me! A landlubber who ate Devil Fruit!"
You useless piece of trash who can't even swim!
It's all because of you!
If it weren't for you causing me to accidentally eat Devil Fruit...
I can still swim freely in the ocean!
I can even go find the treasure of my dreams!
Buggy became more and more agitated as he spoke, and then stepped forward and grabbed Shanks by the collar.
"And my treasure map! That treasure map that I went through so much trouble to get!"
It's because of you that I lost it!
Shanks! You've ruined half of my life!
Shanks was stunned. He looked at Buggy, who was in tears, and felt a pang of guilt.
Indeed, it was he who accidentally let Buggy eat the Devil Fruit then.
He also accidentally lost the treasure map that Buggy treasured.
But he never imagined that these things would cause Buggy such great harm.
" Buggy, I..."
"Stop talking!"
Buggy wiped away his tears, his voice hoarse.
"Go, Shanks."
You have your path, and I have mine.
I don't want to be a burden to you, nor do I want to live in your dazzling light.
He turned around, his back to Shanks.
" Captain Roger chose you, which proves that you are more worthy than I to inherit his will."
Go forth, form your pirate crew, and venture forth on the Grand Line.
As for me... I will live on in my own way.
Shanks remained silent.
He looked at Buggy's thin back, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew Buggy was telling the truth— Roger truly valued him more, giving him the Straw Hat and imparting some important ideas to him.
But this doesn't mean that Buggy has no value.
" Buggy, you're wrong."
Shanks slowly opened his mouth,
Captain Roger never considered you a burden.
He once said that everyone has their own unique talents; it just takes time to discover them.
"Oh, no need for words of comfort."
Buggy sneered.
I know my own limitations.
Shanks, you can leave now.
"Let's leave Loguetown before the navy discovers us."
Just then, a calm voice came from the alley entrance:
He's right, you should leave.
Shanks and Buggy turned around at the same time and saw Roy and his group standing at the alley entrance.
Roy's gaze swept over the two boys before finally settling on Shanks' face.
" Shanks, Buggy, it's been a long time."
The sudden sound stopped the two arguing in their tracks.
" Captain Roy..."
How did you get here?
"Like you, I've come to see Roger one last time."
Roy walked into the alley,
"The navy has now blockaded the entire Loguetown. If you continue arguing like this..."
It will only attract the navy.
He looked at the two of them.
"Would you like to leave with us? My ship can take you away from here."
Shanks and Buggy exchanged a glance.
Buggy gritted his teeth. "I..."
We'll go with you.
Shanks interrupted Buggy and made a decision.
He knew that in their current state, it was virtually impossible for them to break through the navy's blockade on their own.
Roy is also a pirate, but at least he's not an enemy.
" Shanks!" Buggy wanted to object.
"Stop messing around Buggy."
Shanks looked at him intently.
"Let's leave here first."
Other matters... we'll discuss them once we're safe.
Buggy was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
Roy smiled with satisfaction, "Then let's follow."
Roy didn't intend to let these two future Four Emperors perish here.
Although they escaped safely in the original story,
But who knows if this butterfly effect might change one's destiny?!
After all, hasn't Roy already taken over the key members of Buggy's future Four Emperors crew?
The group continued onward, with Shanks and Buggy bringing up the rear.
Buggy had his head down, seemingly lost in thought.
Shanks cautiously observed his surroundings, while also keeping an eye on the members of the Roy Pirates.
He was secretly shocked when he saw Hawk Eyes, Bullet, Tesoro, and the others.
The aura of these people... is no less than that of any of the veteran members of Roger Pirates.
Roy, in just two years, has he really assembled such a powerful team?
"As Captain Roger was right, this Roy will be his greatest enemy in the future!"
The group quickly left the alley and entered a relatively wide street.
There are fewer people here, but the number of naval soldiers has noticeably increased.
"Stop!"
A naval force blocked their path.
"Everyone must undergo a check! Show your identification!"
Roy frowned.
Identification? Where would these pirates get identification?
Just as he was considering whether to charge straight through or take a detour, the bear suddenly spoke:
"Captain, ahead..."
Roy followed the bear's gaze and saw three people standing at the front of the street.
The leader was a man wearing a dark green cloak, whose face did not yet bear the distinctive slipper mark.
Standing beside him was a man dressed entirely in black, like Karasu.
And a transvestite dressed in strange clothes and wearing heavy makeup?
Monkey D. Dragon, the future Revolutionary Army commander Karasu, and the transvestite Ivankov.
Roy's lips twitched slightly.
What day is it today? Why are so many acquaintances popping up?
Just then, Ginny suddenly exclaimed:
" Ivan?!"
Ginny's voice made the three people in front of them turn around at the same time.
When Ivankov saw Ginny and the bear, a look of surprise appeared on his face:
" Ginny?! Bear?! What are you doing here?!"
He strode over, but immediately noticed Roy and the others beside Ginny.
He stopped walking, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.
Dragon and Karasu also came over, and the three of them stood in front of Roy and his group, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Dragon's gaze swept over the members of Roy Pirates, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes, before finally settling on Roy.
" Captain Roy..."
The dragon slowly opened its mouth,
I never expected to run into you here.
Roy looked at Long's face, which still lacked the mark of a slipper, and a strange feeling welled up inside him.
The legendary leader of the Revolutionary Army, one of the greatest threats to the future World Government.
It looks pretty... normal now.
" Monkey D. Dragon, I've long admired your name."