As pirate anime increasingly drifted toward themes of predestination and bloodline supremacy, Red had always regarded that trend with deep disdain.
Having grown up under the red flag, raised on the belief that "Are kings and nobles born, or made?", he saw such narratives as the greatest insult to the hardships, sacrifices, and bloodshed that protagonists endured on their journey.
However...
If determinism and bloodline theory could help Red achieve his goals, then he had no objection to raising those banners high and preaching them to the world.
Because at this very moment, those two doctrines had become nothing more than exceedingly handy tools in his eyes.
As Red's words fell, Buggy froze on the spot, as if his mind had completely lost the ability to think.
The entire tent fell into sudden silence—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Mohji and Cabaji were already utterly terrified by this grand, world-shaking conversation. They desperately wished they could puncture their own eardrums and pretend they'd never heard any of it.
Nami and Roronoa Zoro stared at Red in shock, disbelief and astonishment flashing back and forth in their eyes.
At this moment, the only sound filling the space was Luffy's cheerful laughter drifting in from outside the thick canvas of the tent.
"..."
Buggy slumped weakly back onto his seat and suddenly began muttering to himself.
"Overthrow… the World Government…"
"Right… right…"
His eyes grew brighter and brighter, tears streaming freely down his face.
"That's what I thought—there's no way Shanks would suddenly become like that…"
"If it was Captain Roger's final wish… then everything makes sense!"
Just as a certain tree-like being once said—
If Shanks had given up competing for the title of Pirate King merely to protect the weak, Buggy would've cursed him out without hesitation.
But if Shanks' true target had always been the World Government, and everything he was doing now was nothing more than camouflage…
Then Buggy would instantly become Shanks' most devout supporter!
Only…
Buggy slowly raised his head.
The knot in his heart that had been tied for decades finally unraveled, leaving him overwhelmed with complex emotions.
Even his tone became unexpectedly polite.
"Re… Red, could you please explain all of this in more detail…"
"I'm begging you!!!"
The normally arrogant Buggy the Clown bowed his proud head in his pursuit of the truth.
Yet despite lowering his head, a unique presence erupted from his body.
It wasn't overwhelming—
But it was incredibly resilient.
"Looks like my Talk no Jutsu worked~"
"To think I could evolve Buggy the Clown directly into the Clown King—guess I really am an outstanding Trainer!"
Watching this, Red smiled with deep satisfaction and decided to press forward, using Luffy's special status to completely win over this former crewmate of Roger.
"Senior Buggy, there's not much I can tell you about the specifics."
"But I can say this… in the not-so-distant future, our group will turn the entire world upside down!"
"And when that day comes, the whole world may stand against us!"
"The good news is—"
"We're already prepared to fight the entire world!!!"
Red lifted his brow slightly, his voice resolute and ringing with conviction, confidence blazing in his eyes.
Though he was merely a fledgling pirate, not a single person present doubted his words.
Red continued,
"You've probably heard some of this before… a few years ago, Shanks lost an arm in the East Blue."
"That was a gamble he placed on the coming New Era."
"When that era arrives, Shanks will become its greatest architect."
"Senior Buggy, you don't want to see Shanks keep rising higher and higher forever, do you?"
"I…" Just having untied the knot in his heart, Buggy clearly wasn't thinking very clearly.
But the moment he imagined the towering figure of Shanks described in Red's words, an intense surge of disgust welled up inside him.
"Of course I don't want that!!!"
He roared hoarsely.
Red smiled faintly.
"What a coincidence."
"A life planned out by someone else isn't the kind of adventure I want either."
"So, Senior Buggy—once again, I extend this invitation to you…"
"I invite you to join under the banner of the Straw Hat Pirates and become a member of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet!"
"Let's work together to shatter Shanks' plan!"
"And give this world some real shock and awe!!!"
Red stepped forward and reached out his hand toward Buggy.
He was certain that when it came to opposing Shanks, Buggy had no chance of refusing.
And indeed—
After hesitating for only a few seconds, Buggy raised his hand and firmly clasped Red's.
"If I find out you lied to me, I won't forgive you!!!"
"Hahahaha!!! Then you'd better hurry and grow stronger, Senior Buggy!"
Red hauled Buggy to his feet, his burning gaze shining fiercely.
"Vice Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates—Red!"
"Captain of the Buggy Pirates—Buggy!"
This marked the first true self-introductions between the two.
...
...
The celebration feast was abruptly interrupted by Red and Buggy.
Then, a shocking announcement spread like wildfire.
"What!? Captain Buggy is joining under the Straw Hats!?""Why would he do that!?""Hold on—by Straw Hats, do you mean those brats!?""No way! I refuse! How can the great Captain Buggy become someone else's subordinate!?""..."
As Buggy issued his command, the entire Buggy Pirates instantly erupted.
Every pirate voiced fierce opposition and protest.
They had just learned that Buggy was once part of the Pirate King's crew!They'd already begun fantasizing about conquering the world under him!
And now they were supposed to become subordinates of some small pirate crew!?
"Hey, Vice Captain Mohji, what's going on here!?""Yeah! Advisor Cabaji, go talk sense into Captain Buggy!""..."
With no other choice, the pirates turned their complaints toward the other officers.
But Mohji and Cabaji—still stunned by the shocking revelation—could only exchange glances.
One look was enough.
They were both utterly lost.
Even after hearing everything inside the tent, they still hadn't fully processed the situation.
But as Buggy's right-hand men, they had no choice but to step forward and handle it.
Snap!
"Shut your mouths!!!"
The beast tamer Mohji whipped his lash through the air above their heads, the sharp crack silencing the crowd.
Cabaji stepped forward with his arms crossed.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"Are you trying to disobey Captain Buggy's orders!?"
"Or do you think you're smarter than Captain Buggy himself?!"
"If Captain Buggy has made his choice, then as his subordinates, all you need to do is support him with everything you've got!"
"I don't want to hear anything that threatens unity—otherwise, don't blame me for treating you as traitors!!!"
Under their fierce scolding, the pirates finally quieted down.
Cabaji's words lit up many of their eyes.
That's right!
If this was Captain Buggy's decision, who were they to oppose it!?
Captain Buggy must have his reasons—they just needed to support him blindly!
After all, none of them were smarter than Buggy to begin with.
Just like that, the pirates swiftly changed their tune, accepting that joining under the Straw Hats was the correct decision.
...
...
Half an hour later.
"Oath wine? What's that!?"
Called back by Red, Luffy scratched his head in confusion.
The feast had been forcibly halted, but since he was already full, it didn't bother him much.
Still, suddenly being told to drink with someone else left him completely baffled.
Since this involved the crew's structure, Red patiently explained,
"When another pirate crew wants to become our subordinates, they drink the wine of fealty—it symbolizes their submission to us."
"And as captain, you drink the oath wine to show your acceptance of them."
"Huh? That sounds annoying!"
Just as Red expected, Luffy immediately frowned after hearing the first sentence.
"And why would I want subordinates anyway? I don't need that many people! Having you guys is enough!"
"Brat, are you planning to make us personally handle everything forever?!"
Red shot him an exasperated glance, took the wine bowl from a pirate, and shoved it into Luffy's hands.
"Anyway, since they want to swear loyalty, don't reject their goodwill."
"Well… okay then."
With Red's persuasion, Luffy reluctantly agreed.
"..."
Was I… being disliked!?
Buggy blinked, holding the bowl of fealty wine.
He'd felt embarrassed about drinking it at first—but seeing Luffy's reaction made his temper flare instantly!
"Just like Shanks—equally annoying!"
"Damn that Shanks…"
"Once I drink this wine, I'll become the one who creates the New Era before you!"
Thump!
Buggy suddenly dropped to his knees, addressing the more than one hundred members of his crew with solemn resolve.
"The Buggy Pirates—108 members strong—request to join the Straw Hat Pirates! Captain Luffy, please drink the oath wine and accept us!"
Behind him, Mohji and Cabaji knelt as well, wine bowls in hand, leading the entire crew to kneel in unison.
"Hmm…"
Luffy looked at the wine, then at Red.
"Well, I don't really get what's going on, but since Red said it's fine, then I guess it's fine!"
With that, Luffy tilted the bowl back and gulped it down in one go.
Seeing this, Buggy quickly led his crew in drinking the wine of fealty.
Thus—
The Buggy Pirates officially joined under the banner of the Straw Hat Pirates, becoming the very first pirate crew of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet!!!