As the pirate ship drew closer, the people inside the Baratie finally saw the red-nosed pirate flag clearly.
The Buggy Pirates—bounty fifteen million Berries.
Under normal circumstances, Zeff and the others would have been on high alert at the sight of them.
But now?
Even the far stronger Krieg Pirates had been wiped out by those two. Compared to that, Buggy's crew didn't inspire much surprise.
Looking at the ship being pulled right in front of them—
"What a waste of time. It's about time we set off."
Yuuki stepped forward.
His figure vanished from the Baratie's deck.
Conrad disappeared as well.
In the blink of an eye—
The two of them were standing on the bow of the Buggy Pirates' ship.
A glance revealed pirates scattered everywhere across the deck, thrown into disarray by the sudden acceleration and abrupt stop earlier.
The only one still standing was Buggy himself.
Yuuki's gaze flicked to Buggy's separated lower body and floating upper half.
"Chop-Chop Fruit?"
A faint glint of interest appeared in his eyes.
It wasn't a particularly powerful Devil Fruit.
But the ability it displayed was worth studying.
Buggy, one of the few Devil Fruit users in East Blue, was a convenient research subject. The coming voyage would not be too dull.
And while at sea, Yuuki could also take the time to study the thick dictionary of magic words that Dominique had compiled for him back in the Clover Kingdom.
Buggy noticed them.
His heart jumped, and he instinctively stepped back.
"We're not here because of Krieg's treasure map! We were just passing by!"
He forced a smile that looked close to tears, his red nose twitching as he hurried to explain.
He knew very well that someone who could manipulate the sea was not an opponent they could fight.
Damn it!
Why would someone like this appear in East Blue? Since when did a Devil Fruit capable of controlling seawater even exist?
Buggy's thoughts raced. His eyes darted between Yuuki and Conrad.
The black-robed man who controlled the sea seemed to be the subordinate.
The black-haired youth looked easier to deal with.
If he could seize that boy, maybe he could use him to threaten the other one.
With that thought, Buggy forced a flattering smile, preparing to lull them into lowering their guard before striking—
But before he could act—
The pirates who had scrambled to their feet began shouting instinctively.
"You've got guts, coming aboard our ship!"
"Do you know who we are?!"
"This is the Buggy Pirates!"
"Our captain has a fifteen million Berries bounty!"
The deck grew noisy.
Cabaji and Mohji had already moved to stand behind Buggy.
Unlike the clueless underlings, they sensed their captain's tension immediately.
The whirlpools.
The destruction of the Krieg Pirates.
The rumors.
Their bodies trembled.
Buggy's eyelids twitched as he heard his men boasting.
"You idiots, shut up!!"
His head separated from his body and floated upward as he turned to roar at them.
The deck fell silent instantly.
"Now then, you two…" Buggy's head hovered in midair, hands rubbing together as if to show he too was a Devil Fruit user.
"You should have a Log Pose on this ship," Yuuki cut in flatly.
"From now on, I'm the captain."
"Set sail. We're heading to the Grand Line."
Buggy froze.
He had imagined many possibilities—but not this.
They weren't here for treasure.
They were here for his Log Pose.
How did this brat know he had one?
Wait—
If the boy wanted the Log Pose and the ship—
Then what was he?
"I'm Buggy the Clown!" he shouted, face flushing red.
"Chop-Chop—Flying Daggers!"
Before his arms could fully split—
Black chains materialized out of thin air, binding him in place.
Chain Magic.
"You're a Devil Fruit user too?!" Buggy exclaimed, struggling.
His body broke into smaller fragments, trying to slip free from the chains.
Yuuki raised an eyebrow slightly.
The chains that sealed mana did not stop Buggy from activating his Devil Fruit ability.
"So, chain magic that seals mana doesn't affect Devil Fruit powers?"
He murmured thoughtfully and lifted a finger.
Water Magic.
Boom!
A pillar of seawater surged up and slammed into Buggy.
The impact, combined with seawater's effect on Devil Fruit users, sent Buggy flying into the mast.
His head lolled to one side as he lost consciousness.
Yuuki glanced at the stunned pirates on deck.
"There are too many of you. I only need two."
Black chains bound the unconscious Buggy and dragged him to Yuuki's side.
Yuuki grabbed him and walked toward the captain's cabin.
No one dared to stop him.
Their seemingly invincible captain had fallen so easily.
Conrad remained standing on deck.
Though his face was hidden beneath the hood, the pirates felt his cold gaze upon them.
Gulp.
Gulp.
They tightened their grips on their weapons and glanced warily at each other.
The atmosphere grew tense and oppressive.
Mohji and Cabaji exchanged looks.
After a brief silence—
They moved first.
They attacked the others.
Screams rang out across the ship.
Inside the spacious captain's cabin, Yuuki tossed Buggy onto the floor.
Thud.
"Chain magic doesn't interfere with Devil Fruit abilities…"
"Does it only seal mana? If so, that limits its application."
"After my evolution, my magic should have strengthened as well."
Silver mana flowed from Yuuki's hands, enveloping Buggy as he examined him carefully.
After a moment, the mana dispersed.
"Too few samples."
"Among Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia types, Zoan and Logia change the user's body more significantly than Paramecia."
He looked down at Buggy, listening to the steady heartbeat.
"You can stop pretending," Yuuki said calmly.
Buggy's eyes snapped open.
His body fragmented again, pieces shooting in all directions.
His head flew straight for the window.
Yuuki produced a golden key.
"Key Magic — Close."
He inserted the key into the nearest fragment of Buggy's body and twisted it.
Mana rippled outward.
Instantly—
All the scattered pieces snapped back together into a single body.
"My body… won't split?"
Buggy collapsed to the floor in shock.
No matter how he tried, he could not activate his power.
"What did you do?!"
"That," Yuuki said with a faint smile, "is magic."
"A miraculous power."
"Do you want it?"
Buggy was one of the luckiest figures in this world.
He would be very useful.
Outside, the fighting ended.
The deck was stained red.
Pirate corpses lay scattered everywhere.
Mohji and Cabaji stood drenched in blood, breathing heavily.
They felt no regret.
They were pirates.
Their own lives mattered more than any comrade's.
"Good. Move the ten chests from the Baratie onto the ship," Conrad said coldly.
Relief flashed across their faces.
They briefly considered running—
"Don't think about escaping. No one can outrun the whirlpools of this sea."
They shuddered at the memory of the vortexes.
Soon, the ten treasure chests were loaded aboard.
Yuuki emerged from the cabin with Buggy, who now looked oddly excited.
When Buggy noticed the blood and corpses, his expression shifted briefly before he forced a flattering smile again.
"Captain Buggy…"
Mohji and Cabaji spoke hesitantly.
"From today on," Buggy announced quickly, glancing at the treasure, "Lord Yuuki is the captain of this ship."
"Captain Yuuki!"
They knelt without hesitation.
On this sea, strength meant survival.
"Set sail for the Grand Line," Yuuki said to Buggy.
With a wave of his hand, seawater surged up and washed the deck clean.
Moments later, the ship departed, heading toward Reverse Mountain.
Inside the Baratie, everyone let out a breath.
"They've gone?" Sanji muttered, hand pressed against his bandaged chest.
For the first time—
A thought he had never considered before stirred within him.
Elsewhere—
On the distant Marine warship—
Smoker and Tashigi stood at the bow, watching the departing pirate ship.
"Colonel Smoker?" Tashigi asked quietly, hand tightening around her sword.
The unspoken question hung in the air.
Should they pursue?
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims
Youtube @Amina_SIms_Translation
Next Bonus Chapter at 5000 powerstones.