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[Once Luffy emerged from the iron cage, they prepared to confront the Buggy Pirates once more.]
[Zoro defeated Kabaji, the chief strategist of the Buggy Pirates.]
[Next up was the battle between Luffy and Buggy!]
Pagewaan: "Isn't this guy one of the interns who debuted alongside Red-Haired Shanks in the Roger Pirates?? Why does he seem so weak?"
Capone Bege: "Luffy had just set sail at that time, so his strength was still lacking. But for someone who was part of the Pirate King's crew, Buggy not having any advantage at all is ridiculous!"
Scratchmen Apoo: "Is this guy really this pathetic? That would be such a disgrace to the Pirate King's ship, ah bah bah bah bah~~~"
Rakuyo: "So clumsy!"
Charlotte Smoothie: "This level of combat... it's almost unbearable to watch!"
Watching the video footage, the chatroom erupted with comments criticizing the scene.
On the warship heading to Impel Down...
The pirates who had just joined Buggy's crew were equally dumbfounded.
This...
Buggy-sama???
Exchanging blows evenly with some rookie who just set sail...
How weak can you get?!
Who exactly are we following here???
Feeling the suspicious gazes around him, Buggy squirmed uncomfortably!
He had only just begun to enjoy the perks of his reputation—"brother of Red-Haired," "survivor of battles against Whitebeard," and "crew member of the Roger Pirates."
But he never expected this cursed viewing system to leak footage of his early battles...
Now his cover was about to be blown!
Just as Buggy braced himself for the fall from grace, Shanks spoke up in the chatroom.
Shanks: "Luffy, you should thank Buggy!"
Monkey D. Luffy: "Huh...?"
Shanks: "You're wearing my straw hat, so Buggy definitely recognized it immediately. I gave that hat to you, so he must have realized your connection to me. He wouldn't dare use his full strength against you."
Monkey D. Luffy: "Huh? Is that so...?"
Shanks: "Of course! It may look like he's fighting you, but he's actually helping you gain combat experience! If he went all out, you'd have been done for in one move back then."
As Shanks spoke, the video on screen confirmed his words.
["Gomu Gomu no Pistol!!"]
[Luffy threw a punch, his arm stretching like a bullet and shooting toward Buggy.]
[Buggy casually tilted his head, dodging the attack.]
["Your ability is interesting, but extending your arm like that leaves you wide open!!"]
[Buggy chuckled, raising his hand as if preparing to cut Luffy's arm.]
["Watch me chop your hand off!"]
[But before Buggy could strike, Luffy suddenly launched himself forward, delivering a fierce punch aimed directly at him!]
On the warship heading to Impel Down...
"It's true! Red-Haired Shanks is right—Captain Buggy was clearly helping Straw Hat Luffy improve his combat skills!"
"Yes, during the fight, he even pointed out how exposing Luffy's attacks were. Captain Buggy truly has good intentions!"
"Did you see that? Captain Buggy raised his dagger high but hesitated to strike, waiting for Luffy's counterattack. This... it's too staged!!!"
"Just because of a straw hat, he immediately recognized Luffy's connection to his brother Red-Haired Shanks and switched to mentor mode. Captain Buggy's mastery of restraint and strategy is truly commendable!!!"
...
The prisoners who had doubted Buggy earlier now felt deep regret, realizing they had underestimated their leader!!!
They quickly showered him with flattery!!!
[Their attacks exchanged back and forth...]
[Buggy's hand holding the knife was caught by Luffy, but the hand split apart again, the blade heading straight for Luffy's face.]
[Luffy dodged, but his precious straw hat was pierced through with three large holes!]
[When Luffy saw the damage to his straw hat, his anger surged uncontrollably!!!]
"Bastard!! You ruined this straw hat! It's my treasure—I won't forgive you!!!"
[Picking up the damaged hat, Luffy's face trembled with rage.]
"Oh? This hat means that much to you?"
[Buggy smirked, looking at Luffy with amusement.]
"Yeah!!!" Luffy roared.
[But at that moment, a hand flew up behind Luffy, gripping three knives between its fingers. With a whoosh, it struck the straw hat in Luffy's hand once again!]
"If it's that important, you should've protected it better!!"
[The hand returned to Buggy's wrist as he laughed, stabbing the hat with his blade.]
"Wahaha!!! A shabby old hat that anyone can mess with—what kind of treasure is that?!"
[At those words, Luffy snapped completely!!!]
[The memory of Shanks handing him the hat flashed vividly in his mind!]
"This hat is my most treasured possession. When you become an outstanding pirate someday... make sure to return it to me..."
[Shanks' voice echoed in Luffy's mind...]
"Bastard!! That hat... it was my promise to Shanks!!!"
[Consumed by rage, Luffy unleashed his full power!]
[Buggy was defeated!!!]
On the warship heading to Impel Down...
"Truly worthy of Captain Buggy! He taught Straw Hat Luffy the meaning of protecting something using just a single hat!"
"At first, Luffy seemed evenly matched with Captain Buggy, but after being deliberately provoked by him, Luffy's combat abilities skyrocketed! Of course, Captain Buggy was merely pretending to hold back—he just wanted to test Luffy."
"To receive such favor from Captain Buggy, Straw Hat Luffy, you should be extremely grateful!"
...
The prisoners' admiration for Buggy soared to new heights!!!
Buggy smiled smugly, basking in the praise.
But inwardly, he muttered, Damn you, Shanks, for taking matters into your own hands!
Still...
You did save me this time, so I'll let go of my grudge over eating that Devil Fruit thanks to you!
Hmph!
Beside him, Luffy scratched his head and looked at Buggy. "So you were teaching me combat experience back then? I misunderstood you—sorry about that!"
Buggy froze momentarily before nodding "graciously." "It's fine since it was for Shanks' sake—don't worry about it~~~"
At that moment...
The white-framed screen in the sky gradually dimmed...