Buggy D Clown

Uta couldn't help but be taken aback when she saw the blonde secretary in front of her. She hadn't expected to find someone so strikingly beautiful and possessing such a professional presence in a pirate lair.

Everyone appreciates beauty, especially Uta, who was always at the forefront of fashion. With a grin spreading across her face, she stepped forward and took Kalifa's hand.

"Hello! What's your name?" she asked, her voice light and cheerful.

"My name is Kalifa. I'm the head of the state head's private secretary," Kalifa replied, shaking Uta's hand. She noticed Uta didn't let go, but with practiced grace, Kalifa allowed her to hold it, returning a warm smile. "I'm also in charge of the concert venue you've selected for your performance."

Uta nodded thoughtfully and glanced at the wheelchair beside her, where Gordon sat, looking as though he wanted to speak but held back. Uta, ever the one to keep the conversation flowing, spoke first.

"That's great! I'd love to visit the various villages in your Crimson Empire. Oh, and I've heard that it was once called Wanokuni, right? Is that still the case?"

Gordon, who had been nervously watching, spoke up, his voice laced with concern. "Uta, I—"

But Kalifa simply nodded at him reassuringly, signaling him to remain calm. She then turned back to Uta, a serene smile still on her lips.

"That's correct, Miss Uta," she said, her voice soft but firm. "However, I must correct you: the Crimson Empire no longer refers to these regions as 'Wano'—we now call them the counties of the Crimson empire."

"I see," Uta responded with a thoughtful nod, her eyes gleaming with interest. She then grinned widely. "Then, how about we start with the most famous flower city?"

Kalifa gave a slight nod, her smile never wavering. "Certainly." She paused for a moment, then added, "But may I ask, Miss Uta, would you prefer to go directly to the city, or would you like to take a detour? Above us, there's Amigasa Village, just outside the Flower Capital. It's a bit far from the capital, and walking all the way there could be time-consuming."

Uta's eyes sparkled with determination. "It's fine, we're not in a hurry." She smiled slyly to herself, thinking, Does Kalifa think I'm just here to see the glittering parts of the Crimson Empire?

She wasn't interested in the polished image—they wanted to show her the beauty of the empire, but Uta had other ideas. She was going to see the real story, and she was determined to make sure the world saw it too.

"Good!" Uta said, her tone resolute.

Kalifa didn't flinch. She simply gave a gentle nod, her poise unwavering as she led Uta and her group up the stairs, unaffected by the subtle defiance in Uta's voice.

A few minutes later, they emerged from the dive port and stepped into the bright light of the evening sky. Uta and the others were immediately struck by the sight before them: a patchwork of small two-story stone buildings and wide, flat roads stretched out in front of them.

Despite the passage of more than a year, the stone buildings still looked as new as if they'd been built only yesterday. The roads, however, bore the marks of time. The constant traffic had left them worn in places, though they were still well-maintained.

In the distance, lush emerald fields of rice stretched as far as the eye could see, the grains swaying gently in the breeze. Nearby, mountainsides dotted with fruitful crops—vibrant vegetables and trees heavy with ripe fruits—added to the picturesque scene.

Uta and her companions stood in stunned silence, taking it all in.

Turning to Kalifa, Uta raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You call this a village? Miss Kalifa, are you sure this isn't one of the wealthier districts of your Crimson Empire?"

Kalifa blinked, slightly taken aback by the question, before responding with a chuckle. "Wealthy district? Miss Uta, this is hardly what I would call one. Just wait until I show you the rich areas later, and you'll see the difference."

She gestured toward a sign in the distance, proudly displaying the name Amigasa Village. "You see that sign? This is Amigasa Village. The villagers here used to be under beast pirates, though they don't work for them anymore. Still, the village name hasn't changed."

Uta's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took in the quiet surroundings. The village was eerily still. Where are all the people? She thought. It's almost evening, yet there isn't a single light in any of these houses.

Her frustration grew. "Where are the children?" she muttered under her breath. This is supposed to be a village, yet it feels like a ghost town. No one is here—just empty houses and silence. How convenient for pirates.

Her gaze flickered back to Kalifa, her distrust evident. "It's almost as if this whole thing is just a façade. How can you speak so highly of this place and its people when there's nothing here to show for it?"

Kalifa, seemingly unfazed by the questioning, gave a slight smile. "I understand your skepticism, but you'll see for yourself soon enough."

Uta's mind was already racing. I knew something was off about this place. But it doesn't matter—soon, I'll expose everything. She glanced at the other members of her team, who shared her doubts. Their faces mirrored her disbelief, each of them wary of the situation.

If this village is hiding something, I'll use my Singing Fruit ability to broadcast it live. Uta smirked to herself. With my powers, no one will even notice the presence of the audiovisual Den den mushis.

Her thoughts were already set in motion. She wasn't just here for the concert—this trip had a much larger purpose, and she planned to make sure the world saw the truth, no matter what it took.

Various thoughts raced through Uta's mind as she processed the situation, but she quickly masked her doubts with a smile. "Alright, then. Let's head to Flower City and enjoy the scenery along the way."

"Good!" Kalifa responded, seemingly unfazed by the skeptical expressions surrounding her. Without hesitation, she turned and led the group toward Flower City, as if nothing were amiss.

At that moment, a few audiovisual Den den mushis, hidden among the members of Uta's team, flickered to life, their signals spreading rapidly across the world.

Beep! Beep! Beep!!

The signal reached far and wide, and those who had been tuned in to Uta's broadcasts knew exactly what to do—straight to the live stream.

"Eh? Why is Uta broadcasting today?"

"It's rare for her to go live. What's going on?"

"Huh? Why isn't she singing?"

"It doesn't matter. Just hearing Uta's face is enough!"

"Wait, what did she just say? Crimson Empire? Where have I heard that before?"

For many, the mention of the Crimson Empire stirred confusion, but others had already connected the dots.

Uta's in… Wanokuni? No, wait. It's the Crimson Empire now! This is getting interesting.

Excitement buzzed through the global audience. They had been locked out of this isolated nation for over a year, and now, they finally had a glimpse into what had become of it. How had the God Slayer Pirates, who had long been rumored to have wreaked havoc, changed this land? The curiosity was palpable.

Meanwhile, at the Naval Headquarters in the Office of the Marshal, the atmosphere was tense.

Bang! The door to the office was flung open, and Akainu's eyes locked onto the figure entering. His tone was sharp as he growled, "Dalmatian, get a grip. Do you even realize where you are?"

The man known as Dalmatian, the chief inspector of the Marine, was known for his obstinate nature. Unfazed by Akainu's harsh words, he quickly blurted out, "Marshal Sakazuki, there's no time for formalities. That world diva, Uta—she's in Wanokuni... no, wait. The Crimson Empire now! And she's live-streaming it right now!"

Akainu's eyes widened in shock, and before he could process the information, he crushed the cigar in his hand, its ashes scattering. "What did you just say?" he demanded, his voice laced with disbelief and mounting anger.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

A sudden roar, like a thunderous mountain crash or a tidal wave, echoed from the distance, followed by the cacophony of countless voices.

Uta's sharp eyes flickered with curiosity as she turned to Kalifa, her expression filled with intrigue. "Miss Kalifa, it sounds like something's happening over there. Should we go check it out?"

Kalifa paused, a look of feigned realization crossing her face. "Ah, I just remembered! Today should be the day the drama troupe from the Flower City is performing for charity. The villagers must be gathered to watch the show." She smiled, as though a piece of the puzzle had finally fallen into place. "I was wondering why it seemed so quiet. Let's go, Ms. Uta. I'll take you to see our Crimson Empire's unique drama."

Despite Kalifa's composed demeanor, a faint doubt crept into Uta's mind. Why isn't she trying to hide this?

They soon arrived at the drama square, where they could see at least hundreds of people gathered, their attention fixed on the stage in the distance. The scene unfolding was unexpected, drawing Uta's gaze to the stage with an intrigued frown.

On stage, the actor playing Kaido boomed, "Whoa—Kozuki Oden! If you dance naked before me, I'll spare your life, and the people of your country!"

Kozuki Oden, the actor playing the legendary samurai, nodded without hesitation. "Alright, Kaido, I'll dance!"

Kaido's actor smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "Ha! What a fool. When you strip away the dignity of your warriors and your country, that's when I'll completely take over Wanokuni!"

The narrator's voice echoed, ominous and foreboding: "Five years later..."

The scene shifted, and Kozuki Oden, on his knees, cried out, "Kaido, you are despicable! You are a cruel, shameless, idiot!"

The Kaido actor, fully embracing his villainous role, laughed darkly. "Despicable? Cruel? Shameless? Unreasonable? All of it, yes! Take them down!" He gestured to the imaginary soldiers. "Kill the rebels of Wanokuni! Make them slaves!"

The narration continued: "Wanokuni was occupied, and its people enslaved for twenty long years..."

The stage grew darker, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of the country's subjugation. Then, a new figure emerged, the voice of hope ringing out: "Until twenty years later when the Head of State Buggy came to Wano, willing to challenge the Double Emperor Alliance!"

The actor playing Buggy, dressed in exaggerated flamboyance, grinned wickedly as he struck a dramatic pose. "The Four Emperors? Less than half of me! Ha ha!"

The Kaido actor, feigning panic, shouted, "Run away! He's too strong! We can't defeat him!"

The Big Mom actor, equally terrified, added, "If we stay, we'll die! We're no match for him!"

The scene shifts to a victorious Buggy standing triumphantly, while the narrator declares, "The Double Emperor Alliance was defeated, and the Beasts Pirates were all destroyed—except for the sinner Kaido, who managed to escape!"

The final scene was a sweeping shot of the empire, the people jubilant as they celebrated their newfound freedom. The narrator's voice rang with finality: "Wanokuni was erased from history, and the Crimson Empire was re-established under the leadership of Head Buggy. The people lived happily and healthily once more."

Uta watched the scene unfold, her expression a mixture of disbelief and amusement. Despite the absurdity of the performance, she couldn't deny the power of the propaganda it conveyed. So this is how they've been shaping the story of their 'victory'...

"Good!!! Well done!"

The Uta group, standing at the rear, watched as the villagers—ordinary but well-groomed—cheered, their faces illuminated by the warmth of genuine smiles. For a moment, they were utterly confused.

A smile might be faked, but heartfelt cheers like these? That couldn't be faked. If Uta couldn't sense this sincerity, how could she possibly be called a world singer?

But the confusion only deepened. Why?

According to the World Government's newspapers, weren't these people supposed to be living miserable lives, enslaved by the Buggy Pirates, caught in a cycle of suffering where they were neither fully alive nor fully dead?

So why did this scene feel so... different? Could it be the power of Devil Fruits?

Right!

It made sense. The Devil Fruit's powers must have something to do with it.

But how could a nation that had just experienced such a brutal war—one involving hundreds of thousands of lives, the Three Emperors clashing—be thriving so peacefully, so prosperously?

Not just Uta, but her adoptive father, Gordon, shared the same suspicion.

This is a fabrication by the God Slayer Pirates!

No one paid much attention to them, though, as the drama on stage continued. The scene was now focused on how Mimiao Nakamoto had helped the Crimson Empire's citizens grow rich.

But Uta wasn't interested in watching any longer. She'd seen enough.

This is a performance, she thought. It has to be. It's just not believable!

"Wasn't this supposed to be a poor area?" she muttered under her breath. "Let's go to the Capital of Flowers. I want to see the most prosperous capital for myself."

And so, they quickened their pace. About half an hour later, Uta and her group reached a flat road 500 meters from the Capital of Flowers.

The sight before them stopped them dead in their tracks.

There were streetlights lining both sides of the road.

The sun had already set, casting the area in twilight, but the streetlights were so bright that they almost blinded them, leaving the group frozen in place.

"This is... a streetlight?!" Uta gasped in astonishment.

"Right." Kalifa smiled, a hint of pride in her voice. "Our Crimson Empire is still catching up in some areas. For now, we've only electrified the main cities in the nine counties. The wind and hydropower sources are enough to power the counties, but not the countryside. That's why we didn't see streetlights there."

This is called 'backward'?!

Uta and the others were completely dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

"Don't miss it as you pass by! Take a look at freshly baked glutinous rice cakes—sweet and delicious! Only 10 Baileys each! Come taste the soft, chewy goodness that will melt in your mouth!"

"Fresh and best meat in wano, just 100 Baileys a piece! Come and get it! Tender, juicy, and full of flavor—no better meal to fuel your day than this delicious offering!"

"Cotton candy, cotton candy—delicious, sweet cotton candy! Only 50 Baileys! Sweet enough to make your day sparkle—perfect for any occasion!"

"Big sale on practical furniture! Not 10,000 Baileys, not even 5,000—now only 999 Baileys! Choose any piece and take it home today! What are you waiting for? Make your home the envy of all with this unbeatable offer!"

As soon as Uta and the others stepped into the Capital of Flowers, they were immediately surrounded by the calls of enthusiastic vendors. The lively atmosphere of the marketplace—bright colors, bustling crowds, and the sheer variety of goods—left them utterly stunned.

How is this possible?

Uta's mind raced with disbelief. This country had just been through a massive war! Even the Marineford conflict wasn't over yet, and here was Wanokuni—thriving?

Could it be the power of Devil Fruits? Or... was she hallucinating?

Her thoughts spiraled, and without thinking, she subtly pinched her belly under her coat. The sharp sting of pain shot through her, forcing her to take a quiet breath to steady herself.

Uta's eyes flickered to Kalifa, who had been calmly observing the scene. After a moment of consideration, Uta spoke up.

"Miss Kalifa, can we visit another place? Didn't you mention we could see other counties? Is it still too late to leave?"

"Of course, no problem." Kalifa's voice was smooth, almost too casual.

With a fluid motion, Kalifa pulled out a den-den mushi from her pocket and dialed it with practiced ease. "Blueno, come to my location."

Crunch!

The sound of a door opening echoed around them. Uta and the others blinked in surprise as a large spatial tear appeared in mid-air, and out stepped Blueno, his figure emerging from the rift like a ghost.

The moment Blueno appeared, the street vendors stopped their shouts and turned to greet him.

"Blueno-san!"

"Has Blueno-san eaten?"

"Huh? Is Kalifa-chanhere too?"

"Good evening, Kalifa-chan!"

Uta and the others were frozen, wide-eyed in shock. Is this… a small cadre in the Buggy Pirates? They had never imagined that someone of his rank would be so adored by the common people.

Was there something wrong with them? But this was only the beginning of Uta's shock.

Blueno casually waved at the vendors, and, without another word, led Uta and her group through the six pre-Wanokuni counties and their surrounding countryside. The further they went, the more Uta's mind struggled to process what she was seeing.

Her adoptive father, Gordon, walked beside her, equally stunned—completely paralyzed by the strangeness of it all.

Nothing about this felt real.

Everything was… too perfect.

What went wrong?

As they ventured further, one question slowly began to form in Uta's mind, as if the pieces of a puzzle were just starting to click into place.

What was happening here?

"Miss Kalifa, you mentioned that there are nine counties in your Crimson Empire, but we've only visited six so far, right? What about the other three?"

Kalifa paused, considering Uta's question before responding thoughtfully.

"There are three more, yes. One of them is the headquarters of our Buggy Pirates, a place ordinary people cannot visit." She smiled slightly. "If you're curious, you could ask Blueno to take you there and speak with Captain Buggy."

Uta nodded, waiting for Kalifa to continue.

"As for the other two," Kalifa said, "one is the island of Amazon Lily, where only women are allowed entry. The other is the Fishmen island in the Fishmen Sea, an underwater island where the Fishmen live. It's a fascinating place, definitely worth visiting. What do you think, Miss Uta? Would you like to go?"

"What!?"

Uta's face twisted in shock, her mind racing. "Underwater? The Fishmen Island?"

The mention of Fishmen Island immediately raised a storm of questions in her mind. Wait, wasn't Fishmen Island destroyed?

She stared at Kalifa in disbelief. Wasn't it wiped out by the God Slayer Pirates after the Fishmen discovered their secret?

"What's going on?" Uta muttered under her breath, utterly confused.

It wasn't just Uta who was stunned. Across the world, as the live broadcast continued, viewers were equally dumbfounded.

So… Fishmen Island wasn't destroyed after all?

The people of Wanokuni weren't enslaved by Buggy? Everything we've been told was a lie?

The revelation spread like wildfire, and the shock only deepened.

So the World Government deceived everyone? Anger began to boil in Uta's chest, her disbelief turning into frustration. How could they fabricate such a lie and manipulate people's perception of reality?

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