Buggy D Clown

New World, Egghead Island

In the sleek, futuristic laboratory of Egghead Island, Vegapunk leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the live broadcast flickering on the large monitor before him. His expression shifted between a frown and exasperation as he sighed deeply.

"Buggy is being far too reckless!" he muttered, shaking his head. "The World Government won't sit idly by after this. Ugh, I have so many experiments left to finish—solar energy, den den mushi model Mech TeleMushi, you name it! A war right now would ruin everything!"

Lilith, leaning casually against the counter, raised an eyebrow at his words. "What are you saying? Are you implying that the World Government might actually fall because of Buggy?"

"Eh!?" Caesar, who had been meticulously working on his own experiment nearby, spun around, his goggles askew as he gawked at Vegapunk. "Old man, are you saying the Government is about to attack Captain Buggy? Just like that?"

"Not yet," Vegapunk replied with a tired sigh, "but it's only a matter of time."

He gestured toward the screen as he continued. "Buggy's dream is too dangerous for the rule of world government who rule with an iron fist. You guys have never seen the power words of hope and dreams can awaken in broken men and women. Even if you lot don't see it yet, as the world's greatest mind, I immediately recognized the influence hidden within his words. It's the kind of influence that stirs the masses—enough to even make someone like me feel the itch to betray the world government, let alone ordinary people! And as for the Five Elders… they're not like the typical, idiotic pig like Celestial Dragons."

Lilith tilted her head. "The Five Elders? Aren't they just figureheads?"

Vegapunk shook his head gravely. "No, they are different. They embody the very pinnacle of the Celestial Dragons—not only in intellect but also in strength. I've met them on occasion, and based on what I've observed, each one of them possesses incredible power."

Caesar blinked in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? Those decrepit old men? Strong? Don't make me laugh! How could a weakling scientist like you judge their strength?"

Vegapunk tapped the half-apple-shaped structure on his head with a smirk. "With this magnificent brain of mine, of course."

Caesar scowled, crossing his arms. "Your 'brain' isn't even fully attached, old man! What kind of nonsense is that?"

Vegapunk's smirk widened as he explained. "My brain didn't disappear—it grew! It absorbed so much knowledge that it became too large to manage. So, I decided to sever it and store it elsewhere."

"NANI?!" Caesar's jaw dropped, his tongue nearly lolling out in shock. "You cut out your own brain?! Are you insane, you crazy old coot? People can't live without a brain! Oh wait… you're Vegapunk. Never mind. That checks out. Still, where the hell is your brain now?!"

Vegapunk casually raised a hand and pointed skyward, his face betraying no concern. "Up there."

As Caesar followed the gesture, his incredulous expression only deepened. Meanwhile, Lilith let out a snort of amusement, muttering under her breath, "Only Vegapunk…"

Ceasar tilted his head back, staring incredulously at the colossal brain suspended in the sky. His face twisted in a mix of awe and exasperation. "Hey!!! Should you really be telling me the location of your brain so easily?"

Vegapunk grinned triumphantly, wagging his tongue like a mischievous child. "Of course! You're my student, aren't you? Surely, you wouldn't harm your beloved teacher?"

"Who the hell are you calling your student, old man?!" Ceasar snapped, his temper flaring. "Have you forgotten? Even you've wanted to kill yourself before! Why do you think I'd hesitate to kill you? Idiot!"

Vegapunk's grin faltered, but Ceasar wasn't done. He jabbed a finger skyward. "Seriously, old man! You should move that thing to our headquarters ASAP. If the World Government sends their agents here, your brain will be a sitting duck! It's too massive to protect—it's practically a giant target!"

As he spoke, Ceasar's gaze lingered on the enormous structure looming above. He now fully understood why Vegapunk had chosen to cut out his own brain.

"That thing is almost as big as half of Egghead Island! It's ridiculous!" Ceasar muttered under his breath.

Vegapunk scratched his head, letting out a resigned sigh. "I know, I know. But if I move it now, all my experiments will be interrupted. I've got so much left unfinished…"

"Would you rather die?" Ceasar deadpanned, utterly unimpressed.

Vegapunk blinked, then clenched his right hand into a fist and smacked it into his palm as if he'd just had an epiphany. "You're right! I'll call Buggy right now!"

Ceasar's eyes bulged, and his tongue nearly fell out of his mouth in disbelief. "What the hell? You're giving in that easily?!"

But Vegapunk wasn't listening. His mind was already racing ahead. He couldn't ignore the ripple effect of Buggy's words. To the average person, their significance might take time to sink in, but the seeds had already been planted. It was only a matter of time before they sprouted—and when they did, the world would never be the same.

Meanwhile, at Fish-Man Island…

After receiving Kalifa's report, Uta had simply nodded, murmuring that she'd request a meeting with Buggy tomorrow. Her thoughts were elsewhere, and she barely paid attention to the breathtaking scenery of Fish-Man Island that unfolded behind her.

Even so, her presence didn't go unnoticed. Uta was, after all, the world's most renowned singer. Fans swarmed her wherever she went, even in the depths of the sea. After signing a wave of autographs, she finally returned to the luxurious villa Buggy had prepared for her.

But before reaching the villa, Uta and her crew were left utterly stunned by the sights they'd witnessed. From the massive Sky Forest, its trees towering like skyscrapers, to the legendary Treasure Tree Adam, whose trunk seemed to pierce the heavens, they were rendered speechless.

"Unbelievable…" Lyrica muttered, collapsing into a chair as if their legs could no longer support them.

Uta herself was in awe, though she tried to hide it. Luckily, her live broadcast had ended before they entered Fish-Man Island. If the rest of the world had seen these wonders, it would've caused a storm of chaos and fascination across the four seas and the grand line.

But deep down, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before these marvels became public knowledge. And when that happened, the world would once again shift on its axis.

Even if Uta didn't livestream the wonders of the Crimson Empire today, Buggy had already planned a broadcast of his own. Soon, he would carefully unveil the majesty of the Crimson Empire to the entire world.

The centerpiece of this reveal? The legendary Treasure Tree Adam is revered within the empire as the "World Tree." Its awe-inspiring presence, crowned with a sprawling mansion and a luxurious villa complex, was a sight destined to stun the globe. Buggy knew the palace atop the divine tree wasn't just a symbol of his empire's grandeur—it was also a future goldmine. The allure of such a marvel would draw admirers, investors, and potential allies from all corners of the world.

However, Buggy wasn't overly concerned about timing. Even if he delayed his broadcast, Uta herself was bound to resume her live stream after resting and recovering her energy. The sheer spectacle of the Treasure Tree Adam was too breathtaking to remain hidden.

For Uta, this divine tree wasn't just remarkable—it was transformative. She had been awestruck by Fish-Man Island, believing it to be the pinnacle of wonder. But the Crimson Empire shattered her expectations yet again. The sight of Adam, its enormous branches holding a palace complex as if the structures had naturally grown from its trunk, left her utterly speechless.

The artistry of the wooden palace, seamlessly blending into the natural grandeur of the Sacred Tree, exuded a beauty that was both pure and awe-inspiring. It was more than a residence—it was a masterpiece.

"Living here must feel like a dream…" Uta thought, her heart swelling with admiration.

New World, Elbaf Kingdom – The Departure

At the port of Elbaf, the sound of hearty laughter filled the air. The towering figure of the red-haired giant Brogy stood out as he guffawed loudly.

"AHAHAHAHA! Shanks, are you leaving already?"

Beside him, the blue-haired giant Dorry joined in with his own booming laughter. "Gya gya gya! Looks like you're in a real hurry. Well, we won't keep you. But if you ever need help, just ask! We still owe you for bringing us back to Elbaf."

Shanks, leaning casually against the railing of the Red Force, laughed along with them. "HAHAHAHAHA! Alright, it's a deal. Next time, we'll hold a grand banquet together!"

With a final wave, Shanks and his crew bid farewell to the two legendary giants of Elbaf. As the Red Force began its journey, Beckman gave clear orders to the helmsman.

"Set course directly for Wano—no, the Crimson Empire now."

Shanks turned his gaze in the direction of the Crimson Empire, his expression thoughtful. He hadn't expected his journey to take such a turn. All he'd wanted was to hear Uta sing again. But now, it seemed he was being pulled into something far greater than he could have anticipated.

Shanks couldn't shake the feeling that Uta's visit to the Crimson Empire wasn't a coincidence. She had chosen the location for a reason. But how had she even heard of the Crimson Empire? Until recently, the empire had been completely isolated from the world.

There was only one explanation. Before arriving, Uta must have read countless government-published newspapers filled with propaganda and slander against the Crimson Empire. In those reports, the Buggy Pirates were painted as nothing less than villains—destroyers of Fish-Man Island and Wano Country.

But Shanks knew better.

He understood the truth behind the headlines. Over the past year, he had spoken to Buggy multiple times, their conversations revealing a very different reality. Buggy had described the Crimson Empire as thriving and full of potential.

Shanks had no reason to doubt his old friend. And now, after seeing it with his own eyes, the red-haired pirate could confirm that Buggy's words weren't exaggerations. The Crimson Empire was indeed flourishing.

But Uta... Shanks couldn't help but worry about her intentions. Could she be planning to use her Devil Fruit ability against the Buggy Pirates? He hoped not, but the possibility gnawed at him.

Beckman, ever perceptive first mate, noticed Shanks' unease. With a roll of his eyes, he pulled out a transponder snail and dialed Buggy directly.

Click.

Buggy's familiar voice echoed through the receiver, catching the attention of everyone aboard the Red Force.

"Yo, Shanks? What's up? Why are you calling at this hour? Don't tell me you can't sleep."

Beckman grinned, amused by the timing. "Shanks is worried you're going to hurt his daughter, so now we're heading full speed to the Crimson Empire to stop you."

"What?!" Buggy's voice shot up in exaggerated shock. "Shanks has a kid? You're kidding me!"

That was enough to break Shanks' silence. Shooting Beckman a glare, he snatched the transponder snail and cleared his throat, attempting to sound calm.

"Buggy, about Uta... The one who arrived in your Crimson Empire today... she's my daughter." He paused, then added earnestly, "If she does something reckless, I'm asking you as a friend to stop her, not harm her. I'm in Elbaf right now, and I won't be able to get there quickly."

"Ha?" Buggy's confusion was evident, his tone somewhere between amused and annoyed. "Shanks, I'm not even in the Crimson Empire right now! Vegapunk—yeah, that crazy old scientist—dragged me into some mess. The World Government is after him for his research on historical texts and decrypting the Poneglyph. I've been busy helping him relocate his brain, so I don't exactly have time to babysit your daughter."

"NANI?!" The entire Red Hair Pirates froze in collective shock, their eyes wide as saucers. Buggy's words echoed in their minds, each revelation more outrageous than the last.

Vegapunk is asking Buggy for help.

Does the World Government want to kill Vegapunk?

And what's this about historical research on Poneglyph?!

"Good grief, "Lucky Roo muttered, beads of sweat forming on their brow. "That's a lot of secrets all at once!"

Shanks' face darkened as he let out an exasperated roar, "Hey! Buggy! Don't spout such secrets on den den mushi just to drag me into your mess! That's a pretty dirty move, even for you!"

The crew collectively drew in a sharp breath. If the World Government was hunting Vegapunk, what chance did anyone else stand? The mere thought sent chills down their spines.

"It's no wonder they call him the Godslayer," Yassop whispered. "That guy is really planning to kill them, alright…"

Meanwhile, Buggy's booming laughter came through the transponder snail, his amusement evident. "Hahahaha! What's wrong, Red-Haired Shanks? You don't want your precious daughter to get hurt on my turf, do you?"

He continued with mock sincerity, "Anyway, since you're already nearby—Elbaf isn't far from Egghead Island—why don't you hurry over? I'll even let you keep my life card! Get your crew moving, and maybe you'll make it in time to help me haul Vegapunk's oversized brain out of here. If we're lucky, we'll reach my headquarters by dawn."

"You bastard!" Shanks snarled. He snapped his head toward his crew. "Linaria, speed up the ship! The rest of you, adjust the sails! Full speed ahead toward Buggy's life card!"

"Aye, Captain!"

At Shanks' command, Lorraine—a green-haired woman with a sharp, determined gaze—moved swiftly. She pressed her hands against the ship's hull, a green fluorescent light spreading like veins across the wood. Energy pulsed through the vessel, and with the sails expertly adjusted, the Red Force surged forward like a cannonball, a black shadow streaking across the waves toward Egghead Island.

"Maybe it's the power of her love…" Lucky Roo murmured, watching the speed they'd gained.

"Doesn't matter," Shanks replied, his voice resolute. "We're going to end this—fast."

The reason Shanks was able to reach Marineford so quickly after his battle with Kaido during the war? Buggy only discovered this after asking him about it following the Summit War.

After the Red Force cut through the waves, Shanks turned to Buggy and said, "Alright, it'll take us another hour or two to reach there. You go back and keep an eye on Uta. Make sure she doesn't do anything foolish."

He paused, a serious expression crossing his face. "That girl's abilities are a little too unique. If she activates her power in the Crimson Empire, even if we try to stop it, it'll cause a massive amount of destruction. That would be a major problem."

Buggy immediately understood the gravity of the situation, nodding in acknowledgment. "Got it. I can handle troublesome people. I'll go check on my eldest niece. Is she your daughter, by the way? Is her mother Makino?"

Shanks, who had been nodding along, froze in shock. "How did you know about Makino?"

Buggy feigned surprise. "Oh? So she's Makino's daughter?"

"No!" Shanks protested, his face reddening in embarrassment. "Stop messing with me, Buggy!"

Ohhh!

The rest of the Red Hair Pirates erupted into wild cheers and laughter at Shanks' flustered expression. Even Beckman couldn't hold back a chuckle.

Shanks rolled his eyes and ignored his crew's antics. Clearing his throat, he said, "Alright, enough of that. Here's the truth: the girl appeared in a treasure chest when she was a child. I found her and raised her. And now… well, here we are."

Buggy listened attentively as Shanks recounted the plot from the previous Red-Haired Diva theatrical release, understanding the concerns behind it. He chuckled, his usual playful demeanor taking over.

"Shanks," Buggy laughed, "It seems you still don't fully grasp the power that the Chop-Chop Fruit represents—especially when it's in the hands of someone like me!"

He grinned wide, a gleam of confidence in his eyes. "That's the power that can chop the world! No matter what abilities you have, I will chop them! Even if it's just an illusion, I can chop it with ease. And that demon king from another world? Don't make me laugh. Do you really think I can't handle things you couldn't even defeat ten years ago? You must be joking."

Shanks scowled, his face hardening. "Buggy, don't get so cocky! Believe me, I'll come over there and challenge you to a duel right now!"

Buggy raised an eyebrow, amused. "A duel with me?"

Buggy scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

"You've only got one hand? Let me tell you how Hawkeye lost to me!"

He laughed mockingly. "Even if you used 100 Divine Departure, it wouldn't even scratch me. Sorry, but against swordsman, I'm invincible! Not even Captain Roger could defeat me!"

Buggy raised his arms in a dramatic flourish. "My Chop-Chop Fruit doesn't just chop the world—it chops me too! And that's thanks to you, Shanks!"

Cluck cluck!!

Shanks gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly, but there was nothing he could do.

As Buggy so proudly proclaimed, the truth was undeniable: no matter how strong the swordsmen—Hawkeye, Roger, Rayleigh—they couldn't hurt Buggy! Not with any of their skills.

Shanks shuddered at the thought, and as the realization sank in, he considered Buggy's history.

Even if his Haki wasn't as powerful as Sengoku's, Buggy could still make Sengoku cough up blood with his Chop-Chop Fruit. The power of that fruit was undeniable—one of the top-tier abilities in the world.

Tsk!

Shanks growled in frustration, his teeth gritted. "Fine. I'll come and check on Uta. But if anything happens to her, you and I will settle this!"

"I know, I know!" Buggy laughed in response, unbothered. "Alright, I'm heading back to the Crimson Empire now. You want to talk to her?"

Shanks paused for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile. "She probably still hates me. Let's leave it for the next time we meet."

Tsk, what a moody guy. Buggy rolled his eyes, not bothering to dwell on it. "I don't care. Call me when you're on the Island."

With that, he hung up, his usual mischievous grin in place.

As he emerged from the space gate, Buggy found himself in the treetop palaces of the divine Adam Tree. Without hesitation, he made his way to Uta's villa and knocked on the door.

"Uta! Open up! Your father sent me to check on you. It's your Uncle Buggy!"

Uta, who had been lounging on the sofa in the living room, was just about to open the door when she froze. The sound of Buggy's voice left her completely dumbfounded.

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