"Not sure, Captain—but that's definitely the Red-Hair Pirates' flag," Cabaji stammered, shaking his head so fast his hat nearly flew off.
Beside him, Vice-Captain Mohji froze mid-crack of his whip, his lion Richie's mane bristling as fear rippled through the air.
The name Red-Hair Pirates alone was enough to drain all color from their faces.
Every pirate worth his salt knew the pecking order of the seas.
Some crews you could provoke.
Others… you simply did not.
And a Yonko crew?
That was suicide.
"Captain Buggy," Mohji croaked, sweat beading on his temple. "If it's really the Red-Hair Pirates, we have to get off this island—now!"
"Y-Yeah, Captain, let's sail!" Cabaji echoed.
But Buggy's expression darkened. His painted lips twisted, eyes flashing dangerously.
"Which way did they go?"
Cabaji pointed shakily toward the town. "Th-That way. Looked like they headed into Orange Town—"
Before he could finish, Buggy cut him off with a sudden bark of laughter.
"Good! Hahahaha!
Perfect!"
His teeth gleamed under the circus tent lights.
"Shanks, you damn red-haired idiot! This time, you'll be the one buried here!"
No one else dared breathe.
The Buggy Ball—his special weapon—had been designed for this very purpose.
Now fate had delivered its target right to his doorstep.
"Bring out the cannon! Load my Buggy Ball!"
"Captain, wait, you can't mean—"
"Now!"
Mohji and Cabaji exchanged horrified glances.
"Is he serious? The Four Emperors' crew and he's… firing first?"
Even Richie looked ready to faint.
Buggy ignored them all.
"Light it!"
BOOM!
The special Buggy Ball launched skyward with a fiery roar—its red shell streaking toward the distant town.
In Orange Town
What happened next was exactly what Kaka and her audience had seen:
Yasopp, with a single bullet, detonated the cannonball midair.
The blast left nothing but wind.
Back on the ship, Buggy's eyes bulged as smoke filled the horizon.
"Damn you, Red-Hair! Damn you, Shanks!"
He stomped the deck, fists trembling, before storming ashore.
Mohji and Cabaji watched his back shrink into the distance.
A long silence.
Then Mohji sighed, forcing a grin. "...Farewell, Captain."
Cabaji nodded solemnly. "May you rest in peace."
Richie whimpered.
The Tavern Confrontation
"BANG!"
The tavern door slammed open, crashing against the wall.
Every member of the Red-Hair crew looked up mid-drink.
Kaka blinked, more curious than afraid—by now, chaos like this barely fazed her.
She trusted the Red-Hair Pirates. Around them, even disaster felt like comedy.
But when she saw the newcomer, she froze.
And so did her chat.
[Wait. Why does that guy look familiar?]
[No way—IS THAT THE CLOWN WITH THE RED NOSE FROM THE TRAILER?!]
Buggy's nose gleamed like a beacon. There was no mistaking him.
[Shanks mentioned him! He said they were apprentice crewmates on Roger's ship!]
[So this is that Buggy?!]
[OHH this is historic—a reunion of Roger's apprentices!!]
Despite it being past 3 AM in the real world, the viewer count skyrocketed.
Over ten million people were watching across all streams—seven million in Kaka's alone.
The tavern itself had turned into history in motion.
Shanks's crew recognized the clown at once, but merely kept laughing and drinking.
That laughter… hit Buggy like a slap.
Their captain's calm smile, his nonchalance—mockery, all of it!
"Shanks! You damn bastard!" Buggy roared, fists shaking.
Shanks turned slowly, finishing the last sip of his orange wine.
Then he smiled.
"Well, if it isn't Buggy. Been a long time. How've you been?"
"Who needs your concern?!"
"I came here to kill you!"
"Then come on," Shanks said lightly.
Buggy didn't hesitate. Fury took hold—his fist shot forward—
And detached.
Gasps erupted from the stream as his arm zipped across the room, smashing straight into Shanks's cheek.
The Yonko toppled from his stool with a thud.
[WHAT?! He actually punched Shanks?!]
[They were crewmates! Why are they fighting?!]
[Don't tell me Buggy's that strong—did he just knock down a Yonko?!]
[They must be equals! Both were on Roger's ship, right?!]
[That means Buggy's also a legendary pirate!!]
[Bro I'm switching allegiances. Sign me up for the Buggy Pirates!]
The chat spiraled into collective delusion, imaginations running wild.
[Did you see that? He threw his fist like a missile! What fruit power is that?!]
[Meteor Punch! Hahaha!]
Meanwhile, Buggy's bravado vanished as soon as he noticed the looks from the Red-Hair crew.
They weren't angry—they were calm.
Too calm.
That was far more terrifying.
Shanks himself might laugh it off.
But his officers?
Each stare radiated quiet, lethal menace.
Beads of sweat slid down Buggy's painted face.
"Y-You… you just wait, Shanks! I'll get you next time!"
And before anyone could stop him, he spun on his heel and bolted out the door—legs pumping, body parts flailing.
His voice echoed down the street:
"DAMN YOU, SHANKS! ONE DAY I'LL DESTROY YOU!!"
The tavern fell silent for a beat—then the Red-Hair crew burst out laughing.
And somewhere, behind their screens, ten million viewers laughed right along with them.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/HorizonStudios0