Buggy D Clown

Chapter 118: Chapter 117 A Diva's Stage



"Concert?!" Buggy wasn't the only one confused—everyone else seemed equally baffled.

It wasn't that Buggy didn't know Uta. Of course, he did. But the idea of her wanting to hold a concert here? Outrageous.

Why is she coming here? Is she planning to use her version of Infinite Tsukuyomi with the Crimson Empire?

Buggy was momentarily dumbfounded, his mind reeling. But as the initial shock wore off, his expression shifted. A spark of realization flickered in his eyes, and a sly grin spread across his face. In the end, she is Shanks's daughter.

"This… this might be an opportunity."

"Opportunity?" Zephyr and the others exchanged skeptical glances, looking at Buggy like he'd gone mad.

"Yes, an opportunity to put the Crimson Empire on the global stage." Buggy's grin widened as he explained, "Zephyr, didn't you say the World Government's been trying to discredit us? Well, this is perfect! We accept Uta's request to hold her concert here, let her come to us. Then, we'll use her reputation as a world-famous singer to shine a spotlight on our Crimson Empire."

He jabbed a finger into the air for emphasis, his tone dripping with glee. "And while we're at it, we'll slap the World Government right in the face!"

"Ohhhh!!!" The crew erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable.

"Finally!" Zephyr grinned broadly, his enthusiasm infectious. "I can't wait to see the look on their faces when we ruin their little smear campaign!"

Shuzo leaned back with a sigh of satisfaction. "No one could've guessed that Wanokuni, after going through such a devastating war, would rise to this level so quickly."

Ain nodded firmly, her voice filled with pride. "Exactly! What nation in the New World can compare to our Crimson Empire? Forget the New World—there's no competition in the entire world!"

"That's right!" The Buggy Pirates shouted in unison, their pride radiating through the room.

They were standing in the heart of an empire they had built together. A nation now so powerful, it encompassed Fishmen beneath the seas, the Mink Tribe in the forests, and even the warriors of Amazon Lily from across the farthest reaches of the ocean.

An empire of this magnitude unveiling itself to the world? It was bound to create a sensation.

"Hahahaha!" Buggy burst into laughter, his voice booming through the room. He gestured grandly as he spoke, "When it comes to building this empire, the ones who contributed the most are Crocodile, Kumodori, and Gabban-san! Their abilities made it possible to complete the entire empire's infrastructure in just one year. It's a testament to how Devil Fruits, when used wisely, can revolutionize people's lives!"

Hearing the praise, Crocodile, Kumodori, and Gabban all grinned, their expressions a mix of pride and amusement.

But Crocodile shook his head, a knowing smile on his face. "Buggy, don't downplay your own contributions. Your power was the cornerstone of this country's foundation. If it weren't for you purging the toxins from the empire, our population would've plummeted long ago. And let's not forget—thanks to the blessing of your abilities, even our crops and fruits ripen several times faster than normal!"

He continued, his tone growing more animated. "Now, our food reserves are enough to sustain the Crimson Empire's population for three years. The supplies we purchased before the reforms? They lasted just a year and a half, and we didn't even have to touch half of them! On top of that, our melons and fruits have reached a level where we can export them to other nations. Buggy, your abilities aren't just the foundation of our survival—they're the backbone of this country's incredible growth!"

Buggy grinned, spreading his arms wide in a dramatic flourish. "Oh, believe me, I'm fully aware of my strength and accomplishments! I was just waiting for you, Zephyr, to sing my praises. After all, as head of state, it'd be shameless to pat myself on the back, wouldn't it? Hahahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"The room erupted with laughter, the infectious sound filling every corner. Even Zephyr, initially caught off guard, couldn't help but join in.

As the laughter died down, Zephyr glanced around at the faces of the people who had become his family over the past year. The Crimson Empire wasn't just a nation; it was a thriving, passionate community, filled with vigor and hope. It was hard to believe that this was the same land that had been ravaged by war just a short time ago.

Everything they had achieved—this unity, this prosperity—it was all thanks to Buggy.

After the banquet, Zephyr turned to Buggy, his expression contemplative. "So, should I go ahead and reply to Uta?"

Buggy nodded confidently. "Yes. Inform her that we're ready. The Crimson Empire is about to make its grand debut!" His voice carried a spark of ambition as he continued, "Let all the races within the empire know—it's time to prepare. They should read their finest commodities, gourmet dishes, and cultural showcases. We're going to use this World Diva Uta concert to present the most dazzling, beautiful side of our Crimson Empire!"

He leaned back with a smirk, the gleam in his eyes betraying the schemes swirling in his mind. "This concert will bring an influx of visitors from across the world. The founding of our nation will be an unforgettable event, and with it, the perfect opportunity for our tourism industry to shine. But let's be clear—nobody gets to visit our country for free."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"In a few days," Buggy continued, "I'll construct luxurious palaces and villas atop the Adam's Treasure Tree. These will be exclusive accommodations for the world's elite—a chance to stay in the tallest and most extraordinary tree hotel ever built! Of course, we'll set the starting price at no less than 10 million a day, going up to hundreds of millions for the most extravagant suites. Only the wealthiest will get to enjoy this experience."

Zephyr's eyes lit up as he listened. It was a brilliant plan—a fusion of grandeur and profit.

"Just think," Buggy said, his grin widening, "the Adam's Treasure Tree is a marvel in itself. With its massive diameter stretching hundreds of meters and its towering canopy reaching over a thousand meters high, it's the perfect site for a once-in-a-lifetime luxury stay. And with my abilities, I can effortlessly create hundreds of villas."

Zephyr could already envision the sheer scale of wealth this venture would generate. Billions of Berries could be earned daily. He couldn't help but compare it to Gild Tesoro's casino empire—but unlike gambling, Buggy's tourism industry promised stability and sustainability.

Nodding in agreement, Zephyr stood, his satisfaction evident. "I'll take care of informing everyone right away."

Meanwhile, on the Sabaody Archipelago, chaos had its usual suspects.

A certain green-haired swordsman was being unceremoniously carried aboard a ship at the harbor by a girl floating mid-air.

"Hey, you moron!" Perona snapped, her gothic Lolita outfit fluttering as she hovered above him. "What were you thinking? How do you even manage to get lost over such a short distance?"

Zoro, drenched and visibly annoyed, shook off the water clinging to him. "Tch quit nagging me! How was I supposed to know there was a cliff over there?"

Perona's eyes narrowed, and her lips twisted into a scowl. "Unbelievable. You'd think even someone as directionally challenged as you could manage this!"

Zoro groaned, rubbing the back of his neck in exasperation. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Can we move on already?"

The ship rocked gently as Perona floated down, still muttering under her breath about incompetent swordsmen. Zoro, on the other hand, simply stared ahead at the horizon, already thinking about his next destination—though, admittedly, he had no idea how to get there.

"How could you not know?!" Perona roared, throwing her hands up in frustration. She crossed her arms and huffed, muttering, "Forget it. A good person finishes what they start. I'll take you where you need to go so you don't end up getting abducted by human traffickers or something."

"Ah?!" Zoro's expression twisted into one of pure indignation. "What do you mean I'd get abducted by human traffickers? Are you looking for a fight?!" He clenched his fists, his tone growing harsher as he added, "I'm heading to Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, thank you very much!"

Perona rolled her eyes dramatically, though her exasperation was still evident. "Whatever, just try not to get lost on the way there, idiot."

Zoro grumbled in response but didn't argue further, his pride taking a hit but not enough to admit he might need her help. After all, there was no shame in asking for directions—except for when it came to Zoro.

Perona shot him an unimpressed look. "Fine. I was heading that way too, so I'll take you." She paused mid-thought before shaking her head. "On second thought, just follow my instructions! Otherwise, you'll end up wandering to the ends of the grandline."

With a dark scowl, Zoro complied, trailing behind her as they made their way through the Sabaody Archipelago.

Half an hour later—and after Perona corrected his course at least five times—they finally arrived at the entrance of Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.

Creak!

The door swung open, and Zoro stepped inside. His gaze immediately landed on two familiar figures lounging casually in the bar.

"Hey, Shakky! Long time no see! Rayleigh, you too. Are Luffy and the others here?" Zoro called out, his usual gruff demeanor softening slightly as he greeted them, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity. Despite the hardness in his tone, there was an unspoken warmth in his words when he saw the two.

"Oh? If it isn't Roronoa." Shakky exhaled a plume of smoke, her lips curling into a sly smile as she leaned back in her chair. "As for Straw Hat, you'll need to ask old Ray here."

Rayleigh stroked his beard with a thoughtful look. His eyes crinkled with amusement as he spoke, clearly enjoying the reunion. "Zoro! Long time no see. I haven't seen that kid Luffy in half a year myself, but there's no need to worry. His father assured me someone's already on their way to pick him up and bring him back."

"Luffy's father?!" Zoro, who had just settled into a chair, immediately bolted upright. His eyes widened in shock, and he stared at Rayleigh with disbelief. "You mean that man?!"

Rayleigh chuckled deeply, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He gave a slight nod. "That's the one." He glanced over Zoro's shoulder, his eyes landing on Perona. A raised eyebrow and a curious tilt of his head followed. "Oh? And who's this little lady?"

Perona floated a few feet above the ground, her gothic dress swaying gently with her movements. She gave a polite curtsy, her posture regal and composed. "Hello. My name is Perona." Her tone was polite but carried an air of authority, typical of her upbringing. "I heard from Hawkeye that you might know where to find Lord Moria. Is that true?"

Shakky raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She tapped her cigarette against the ashtray, a smirk pulling at her lips. "Moria, huh?" She paused, the gears in her head turning. "That might be a bit tricky right now. I can't seem to get in touch with Buggy either. From what Robin told me, he's been in training recently."

"Lord Moria is training?" Perona repeated, her eyes momentarily darkening as her expression fell. She floated lower, her usual self-assured demeanor shifting slightly. "That's unusual."

Rayleigh hummed thoughtfully, but his smile didn't fade. "He is with Buggy, I wouldn't worry too much. He always has a flair for showing up exactly when he's needed—or not."

The next day. A flamboyant ship from the Kamabakka Kingdom docked at the port of Sabaody.

"Hahaha! I, Sanji, have finally escaped hell! Goodbye, you monsters! Never again!"

Whoosh!

With a shout of unrestrained glee, Sanji bolted off the ship, his feet barely touching the ground.

"Sanji-kuuuun! We will meet again~~"

The sing-song voice from behind froze him mid-step. A shiver ran down his spine as he turned and—seemingly against all logic—stepped on air to escape in the opposite direction.

As the day went on, the rest of the Straw Hat crew began arriving on the island one by one. Meanwhile, the supernovas of the current generation had also gathered, some seeking to ally with the Straw Hats, others scheming to use their names for their glory.

Luffy, ever the trouble magnet, found himself spirited away to yet another illegal corner of the Sabaody Archipelago shortly after his arrival.

Elsewhere, Buggy and Robin were strolling through a bustling marketplace. Buggy, hands full of goods, glanced at her and said with a wide grin, "Your crewmates are here. Go and meet them. They're in Area 45. You should be able to spot them if you fly over."

Robin nodded, her lips curving in a small smile. "Thank you. I'll see you later."

Buggy smirked. "Blueno will take care of loading the ship. You focus on your reunion."

Without a word, Robin spread her wings—a feat that immediately drew gasps from the crowd around them. As gracefully as a bird in flight, she ascended into the air, her figure a striking silhouette against the sky.

Before leaving, she swooped down toward Buggy, catching him off guard. Robin wrapped her arms around his neck, and with a boldness that matched her charm, kissed him deeply.

Buggy's eyes widened briefly in surprise before softening. For several long seconds, the world around them seemed to fade, the crowd forgotten in their moment.

When she finally pulled away, Robin smiled sweetly and whispered, "Goodbye, my man. I have adventures to continue."

Buggy chuckled and nodded, his grin as mischievous as ever. "Go."

He watched as she flew off toward Area 45, her wings carrying her further into the horizon. Buggy had no objections to Robin continuing her journey with the Straw Hats. After all, they had an unspoken understanding now, one forged through their time together.

Robin, in her quiet wisdom, knew Buggy's temperament all too well. His possessiveness, though overbearing at times, came from a place of deep care. She'd laughed when he'd first made his boundaries clear, but the seriousness in his eyes had made her understand.

As domineering as he could be, there was no doubt in her heart—she loved him for it. A man who didn't care enough to draw lines didn't care at all, and Buggy? He cared.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Not long after Robin flew off, an explosion echoed from Area 45 in the distance.

Buggy, with his heightened Observation Haki covering the entire island, immediately grasped what had happened.

The world's most tight-lipped man—Dr. Vegapunk—had sent his army of Pacifistas out once again, this time to torture the Supernova Pirates. But this time, the Pacifista had an extra trick up their sleeve: Lasers.

At first, the appearance of the Pacifistas was enough to send a shiver down the spines of the Supernovas. A laser fired from one of the machines instantly vaporized a pirate with a bounty of 80 million Baileys, drawing attention from the rest.

The tension was palpable. The new generation of pirates, eager to join the Straw Hat fleet, was terrified. And then, the shocking realization hit them all.

The Straw Hats on the stage had been nothing more than fakes. The Pacifistas had targeted and blown them away with lasers. The Supernovas were left in stunned silence.

"That Starwhat was a fake?!"

"Damn, we got played by that bastard!"

"The Pacifista just said something about pirates with a bounty of 26 million... Demalo Black? That bastard lied to us?!"

"26 million? We're being tricked by a weakling?!"

"Run! The Pacifistas are here!"

"Wait! Look over there!"

"That man! I'm such an idiot—he is the real Straw Hat!"

Whoosh!

"Too slow!" Luffy's voice rang out as he kicked into his Second Gear, charging towards the Pacifista.

Boom!

Boom!

With two swift punches, the Pacifista was blown away, leaving only a trail of dust behind.

Meanwhile, Buggy lay back on a deck chair outside a nearby coffee shop, sipping his drink leisurely. With his keen Observation Haki, he caught every moment of the scene unfolding in front of him.

When he first saw this spectacle in his previous life, he'd been exhilarated, full of excitement and thoughts to share. But now? With everything playing out, he couldn't help but wonder—if the story had changed, would he still be rewarded?

"Wooooooaaaahhhh!"

"He's the real Straw Hat! So strong!"

"Oh my God!"

"Look! That's the Pirate Hunter from the Straw Hat Pirates!"

"Black Leg Sanji?! Oh my God! The two of them just destroyed a Pacifista so easily! The Straw Hat Pirates are here!"

"Wait! Look at that woman! Ughhh!!"

Just after Luffy defeated a Pacifista, Zoro and Sanji arrived, quickly teaming up to take down another one. As they were about to flee, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

"Thousands of Flowers Blooming Hell Chains!"

The trio instinctively turned their heads and saw Robin in midair, her wings spread behind her, hands folded in front of her chest. She smiled at them, nodding in greeting.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Chains formed from white petals shot out from the feet of the four Pacifistas chasing them. In an instant, the chains turned black, and the feet of the Pacifistas were forced into the ground, causing them to collapse flat on their faces.

"Nico Robin? You're here too? What a coincidence! It looks like we're all getting caught together today!"

Sentomaru's voice was laced with frustration as he struggled to regain control of the Pacifista unit that had been knocked off balance. The massive mechanical soldier groaned, trying to push itself back into a standing position. Before Sentomaru could issue another command, however, a shift in the atmosphere signaled the arrival of something far more dangerous.

Robin stood at the forefront, her presence commanding the attention of everyone around. She gave a single, sharp command.

"Kamae!"

In an instant, the sky seemed to part, a flurry of petals surrounding Robin as something immense began to take form behind her. The sheer scale of the manifestation was enough to make the onlookers freeze. It was a display of raw power they had never seen before.

The Pacifistas, still struggling to regain their footing, began to falter as they realized what was happening. Sentomaru's jaw tightened in frustration, but it was already too late.

Before anyone could process what was unfolding, Robin's voice rang out again, filled with purpose.

"Flowers Bloom!"

From behind her, the air rippled with power. Hundreds of thousands of hands, all with dark, menacing palms, burst from the ground and sky, coming down like a storm. The sheer force of the attack was enough to send tremors through the earth.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The massive hands descended on the Pacifistas with unrelenting force, smashing the metal giants into the ground. The earth shook violently under the onslaught, the impact sending shockwaves that left the ground quaking beneath everyone's feet.

The Pacifistas, attempting to recover, were no match for Robin's overwhelming strength. Their bodies were tossed backward, crashing into buildings and sending debris flying in every direction. They were flung more than 100 meters before finally skidding to a halt against the remnants of an abandoned house.

The silence that followed was deafening.

A few seconds later, the dust began to clear, and the scene of destruction came into focus. Where the four Pacifistas had once stood, there was now nothing but a massive crater—hundreds of meters wide, tens of meters deep. One of the Pacifistas had been reduced to nothing more than a pile of scrap metal, twisted and broken beyond recognition.

Everyone watching couldn't help but shiver. Their minds raced as they tried to process the scene.

Is this the bounty of 80 million? How terrifying!

"Pacifista? Is that all?"

Robin's voice rang out once more, filled with casual amusement as she flicked her long hair. She glanced down at Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji with a playful smile.

"Luffy, Zoro, Sanji... It's been two years. I hope I'm not holding you back."

--

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