章 41: Chapter 41
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In Orange Town on the Organ Islands, there was a brick building with small flags hanging at the entrance.
The spacious hall was bustling with people, pirates dressed in circus attire engaging in their daily entertainment activities, creating a lively atmosphere.
On the second floor's viewing platform, several officers of the Buggy Pirates were leisurely drinking.
"The owner of a sea restaurant has taken down several wanted pirates? And the ship's beautiful waitress might be a Devil Fruit user?"
The one asking, with clown makeup and a big red nose, was none other than Buggy the Clown, a former apprentice on Pirate King Roger's ship and a future Emperor of the Sea.
"Yes, just got the scoop. They've gained some fame among the East Blue's pirate hunters," the juggler Cabaji informed Buggy while sitting on a unicycle, discussing the Endless Dreams.
Zyhark and Aqua had just arrived in Orange Town, and the Buggy Pirates were already aware of their basic information, showcasing their commendable intelligence network.
"Pirate hunters under the guise of a restaurant?" Buggy asked, observing the acrobatic performance below.
"Not exactly. They won't interfere as long as the meal is paid for."
"Principled businessmen, huh? Sounds interesting. I'd like to see what kind of man he is if I get the chance."
Bang! As Buggy finished speaking, the main doors of the headquarters were forcefully pushed open.
The noisy Buggy Pirates instantly quieted down, eyeing the entrance with hostility.
"Captain Buggy! A guy who runs a sea restaurant wants to see you!"
"We got beaten up badly. You have to stand up for us!"
Two pirates, bruised and swollen, rushed in, tearfully recounting their ordeal to Buggy on the viewing platform.
Having returned to their turf, they regained some courage, no longer the fearful and compliant demeanor from before.
"Oh?" Buggy uttered, looking down at the two figures who calmly entered the hall.
"If I'm not mistaken, you must be Buggy the Clown, leader of the Buggy Pirates?"
Zyhark, surrounded by the menacing pirates ready for a fight, was enveloped in a faint blue glow, having asked Aqua to bless him with attribute enhancements in anticipation of a possible conflict.
Aqua was also on high alert, ready to unleash a flood if anything went awry—as per Zyhark's instructions, though at that moment, the sight of Buggy's bright red nose seemed to amuse her somewhat.
"Indeed, it's me!" Buggy stood up and approached the edge of the viewing platform, facing Zyhark, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"What business does Mr. Zyhark have with me? If you're after an autograph, you better hurry. My time is precious!"
Recognizing them as the duo from the "sea restaurant" and connecting it with the information about the young man and blue-haired girl, Buggy quickly identified them.
"You know me?" Zyhark was slightly surprised.
"The owner of a sea restaurant who captured five pirate captains? Your fame is spreading through the East Blue."
Buggy was generous with his explanation, causing Zyhark to realize why the previous pirate crews had been so eager to pay up.
"Since Captain Buggy remembers me, I won't beat around the bush."
Zyhark quickly regained his composure and stepped forward. "Keep your autograph. I'm here to discuss business with you."
"Doing business with a pirate requires credentials."
Buggy tilted his head, signaling Cabaji beside him.
Understanding, Cabaji performed a dazzling act along the viewing platform's railing, ending with a dramatic leap towards Zyhark.
Buzz! With a flash of cold steel, Cabaji drew a long sword, charging at Zyhark with incredible speed.
"I've given you plenty of time, yet you're still so slow to react..."
Cabaji sneered disdainfully, swinging his sword down without mercy!
Zyhark's eyes flashed red, easily tracking the blade's trajectory. Armament Haki enveloped his hand, allowing him to precisely grasp the sharp sword.
Cabaji's pupils shrank as he stared at the halted blade, sweating profusely, unable to push further.
In the East Blue, where average strength prevails, dual-color Haki and goddess blessings give Zyhark a significant advantage in direct confrontations.
"How could this be? He stopped Cabaji's attack with his bare hands?"
The onlooking pirates were stunned, their previous cruelty and unwarranted confidence replaced by disbelief.
Zyhark, as calm as ever, released the sword, putting pressure on Cabaji, who hastily retreated to a safe distance.
"Is that sufficient?" Zyhark asked, turning to Buggy on the viewing platform.
Buggy, unable to hide his shock at seeing someone use Haki in the supposedly weakest of the seas, had spent enough time on Roger's ship to recognize Armament Haki at first glance.
Cursing his luck, Buggy was unsettled but not ready to flee.
Swallowing his nerves, he inquired, "Let's hear this business proposal of yours."
"I want your special Buggy Balls," Zyhark stated calmly.
Surprised, Buggy responded, "You're well-informed, Mr. Zyhark. That's something I only recently developed..."
After Roger's crew disbanded, Buggy devoted himself to creating powerful ammunition, achieving some success only now.
After a moment's thought, Buggy's eyes gleamed with undisguised greed. "If you want it, bring a hundred million Belly."
Testing Zyhark's limits.
"What? Just for some junk, a hundred million Belly?!"
Aqua, who had been suppressing her laughter, was instantly outraged.
In their week-long voyage, capturing numerous pirates had earned them only a couple of tens of millions, yet this red-nosed pirate dared ask for a hundred million Belly right off the bat.
Did he know how many bottles of wine or Axis Cult flyers that could buy? This was outright extortion!
"We don't have a hundred million Belly right now."
Compared to the agitated Aqua, Zyhark remained calm, seemingly unsurprised by the price, indicating he had something Buggy couldn't refuse.
"Then please leave. Don't disturb my drinking!"
Buggy was adamant, signaling his subordinates.
This was an opportunity to test Zyhark's strength. If he was just an ordinary Haki user, they might stand a chance by overwhelming him.
If he was as strong as those New World monsters...
Buggy was prepared to flee using his Chop-Chop Fruit powers at any moment.
"Oh! Captain Buggy has spoken. He's not afraid of this newcomer!"
"Right, our captain has a bounty of over ten million! With him backing us, what's there to fear? Let's take him down!"
The oblivious crew thought Buggy was confident in their victory, boosting their morale and drawing weapons against Zyhark.
Zyhark glanced at the approaching pirates, remaining as serene as ever.
"I don't have money, but I have a treasure map of the East Blue," he stated.
"What? A treasure map?!!" Buggy's eyes widened with excitement, gripping the viewing platform's railing tightly.
As the only pirate in One Piece truly obsessed with adventure and treasure, the words "treasure map" were incredibly tempting.
"Captain, compared to a hundred million Belly, a treasure map of the East Blue is hardly worth anything. Don't be fooled by this guy!"
Seeing their captain waver, the two previously beaten pirates quickly stepped forward to advise.
In reality, their words held truth; the market value of a treasure map of the East Blue was only about one or two million Belly.
"Shut up!"
Buggy's gaze turned cold, and he scolded the two, "As pirates, as my subordinates, how can you reject a treasure map offered to us?"
"From now on, you're dismissed. Get out!"
Before the bewildered pair could respond, Buggy turned back to Zyhark with a smile.
"A treasure map, in exchange for one of my special Buggy Balls, is no problem at all. However, we'll need some time to prepare. Come back this afternoon."
"Alright," Zyhark agreed with a light laugh.
It was perfect since they planned to buy supplies in town anyway. Waiting a bit longer wasn't an issue, and it gave them a chance to explore the town.
After all, Orange Town was a battlefield for an early clash between two future Emperors in the original story, filled with many familiar elements.
Thus, a potential conflict was averted as both parties saw benefit in the exchange.
"Why wait until the afternoon if we have a spare cannonball in our warehouse?" questioned the animal tamer, Mohji, after Zyhark and Aqua had left.
Hearing this, Buggy's lips curled into a sinister smile, "The special Buggy Balls are the result of my hard work. How could I just hand them over for analysis?"
The power of the special balls was only slightly better than regular cannonballs. If the other party wasn't after the technology and material formula, why would they bother exchanging a treasure map for it?
"What do you mean?"
"Preparing a counterfeit that looks just like the real thing takes time, haha!"
…
Buggy was laughing, and Aqua was laughing too as they walked through the streets.
"Haha, asking for a hundred million Belly right off the bat, I thought he was a greedily insatiable pirate. Turns out, he's just a red-nosed fool!"
"I've been a goddess for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen a human with such a hilariously round nose, hahaha!"
Although Aqua didn't know the exact value of the treasure map they acquired from the pirates, the underlings' reactions made it clear it wasn't worth much.
The sight of Buggy's noticeably prominent red nose made her laugh even louder.
Her unrestrained laughter, devoid of any goddess-like demeanor, drew the attention of passing townsfolk.
"The Buggy Pirates are truly despicable! This beautiful girl entered their den fine and came out looking mad..."
Kind-hearted citizens shook their heads in dismay, condemning the Buggy Pirates who had taken over their town.
Hearing their conversation, Zyhark blushed and inadvertently kept his distance from the laughing Aqua.
"Just the other day, they tested a cannonball and blew up Mr. Hocker's pet shop. It'll take a long time to reopen."
"When will these days end?"
The townsfolk's subsequent conversation caught his attention.
Mr. Hocker, the pet shop owner, must be the future owner of Chouchou, the dog that swallowed the key to Luffy's cage.
Meaning, in a few years, Hocker would pass away, leaving his pet dog to guard the shop.
At this point in time, Chouchou hadn't even been born yet.
'Maybe we'll stop by there later.' Zyhark thought.
Traveling through the world of One Piece and witnessing these minor characters and details firsthand was a unique experience.
Once Aqua's laughter subsided, Zyhark rejoined her, and they began purchasing supplies in Orange Town.
After shopping around, they loaded various necessities and ingredients onto the Endless Dreams, just in time for their scheduled trade with Buggy.
Before they set off, an unexpected figure blocked Zyhark and Aqua's path.
It was Mayor Boodle of Orange Town.
(End of Chapter)
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