Chapter 57: Paying Respects!
"Uh... I'm sorry! Brother Bonez, I was talking bad about you before you arrived." Law didn't disappoint Buggy. Although his voice wasn't loud, it was at least full of sincerity.
"Bad-mouthing me, huh? I can pretty much guess what it was about. A Marine Rear Admiral... I also fought with other pirates for several years to get this position. To outsiders, it's not easy for someone like me who came from a different path to reach this position. How could I give it up so easily? Your suspicion wasn't without reason, you just slightly underestimated my loyalty to the captain.
Law, the captain personally went to a sky island to get my Rumble-Rumble Fruit for me, and I only gradually mastered Haki after the captain taught me. Without the captain, I would be a bounty hunter in the West Sea at best right now. Forget about my current prestige; I might have even remained unknown. I, Daz Bonez, am not an ungrateful person. I'll accept your apology this time, but don't let there be a next time."
After hearing Daz Bonez's speech, Buggy clapped his hands twice and then said, "Alright, this matter ends here. Next up is planning our voyage. Our first stop is Loguetown."
"Loguetown? Brother Buggy, aren't we going directly to Amazon Lily?" Hancock was a little confused.
Daz Bonez and Law were also confused, but they didn't get a chance to speak before Hancock beat them to it.
"Loguetown is Captain Roger's hometown, the beginning and end of his life. And no matter what, I was once a part of the Roger Pirates. Now that I'm finally going to formally establish my own pirate crew, I have to go to Loguetown to report to the captain. This is a trip I must take."
After hearing Buggy's words, the other three nodded.
"We'll rest for one night today and set out tomorrow morning! Bonez, take us to see our rooms now."
"Alright!"
The next day at noon, outside Loguetown, as a strange warship slowly sailed into the port, the Marines in Loguetown were instantly alerted.
Ahem, perhaps the pirates of the East Blue would be unfamiliar with this strange warship, but Marines from any region would recognize the appearance of the fastest warship in Marine history.
After all, the "Thor" built by Daz Bonez had accomplished the feat of crossing the Calm Belt without Seastone plating. Ahem, note, the reason this was called a feat was not because it entered the Calm Belt without Seastone, but because after entering the Calm Belt, it managed to shake off the pursuit of Sea Kings at super-high speed. In two hours, it set a super record for crossing the Calm Belt at an unprecedented speed.
According to the memories of a certain king from the South Blue, at that time, Rear Admiral Daz Bonez went against all advice and charged into the Calm Belt. Less than two minutes after entering the Sea Kings' nest, a dozen Sea Kings surfaced and immediately surrounded the warship.
Seeing that scene, that king thought he would surely not escape. But in the next second, accompanied by a huge roar, the Thor instantly accelerated and broke out of the encirclement before the Sea Kings could even react. Although the enraged Sea Kings pursued relentlessly afterward, the speed difference was too great, leaving the group of Sea Kings to only follow far behind the Thor, eating its wake.
Such a legendary warship had suddenly disappeared from the South Blue two days ago. Even during the World Conference, this was considered significant internal news.
Now that it had appeared in Loguetown, how could it not cause the town's Marines to mobilize in full force?
Leaving behind an address and a message, Buggy had Bonez take Law to get a weapon after dealing with the Marine problem. As for himself, by the time the Marines received the news, he had already left the warship with Hancock, heading straight for Loguetown's square.
An hour later, carrying two bottles of rum, Buggy arrived with Hancock at the base of the giant execution platform.
With a single leap, Buggy went up onto the platform alone.
Opening one of the bottles of rum, Buggy slowly poured it onto the execution platform.
"Captain Roger, it's been sixteen years. Don't mind that I've only come to see you today. I don't think you would mind, given your personality. Hahahaha, I have good news for you today. I'm about to form my own pirate crew. I've already decided on the name. It's called the Red Nose Pirates. Hahahaha, that's right, it's named after my own nose. But it's definitely not because I'm following that bastard Shanks's trend. His Red Hair Pirates are definitely named that way for simplicity's sake. I, on the other hand, made this decision after long and careful consideration. Who can blame me when my nose is so unforgettable?"
After saying this loudly, Buggy paused, then opened the other bottle of rum and took a few big gulps.
"Captain Roger, I'm really happy today. Although I don't know when I'll be able to come here and drink with you next time, I'll definitely come whenever I have the chance. If possible, I'll bring the seniors with me. Of course, that's assuming I can find them. One last sip of wine. After this, I have to leave. I hope you'll watch over us from the pirates' heaven. That bastard Shanks and I will definitely carry on your will to the end. I'm leaving!" After speaking, Buggy jumped down and landed right beside Hancock.
At this moment, some people had already gathered around the execution platform. They weren't Marines, but onlookers attracted by Buggy's voice.
This was only natural. Ever since the Pirate King was executed on this platform, no one had ever come up with wine to pay respects. In sixteen years, Buggy was the first, so naturally, he attracted a lot of attention, especially after he loudly declared that he was a former member of the Pirate King's crew. Although the onlookers were startled, and some even moved far away, it couldn't stop the curious ones who weren't afraid of death.
"Uh... excuse me, Captain, were you once a member of the Pirate King's crew? May I be so honored as to know your great name?" A reporter with a professional spirit rushed up the moment Buggy came down, taking pictures while asking questions.
The surrounding people couldn't help but back up several meters, afraid that this captain would suddenly fly into a rage.
"Hahahaha, in sixteen years, this is the first time I've ever been interviewed. I never thought it would be under such circumstances. Well, it doesn't feel bad. You there, bold reporter, please remember, my name is Buggy, captain of the soon-to-be-formed Red Nose Pirates. Let's end the interview here for now. However, I have a feeling we'll meet again soon. When we do, I'll definitely let you ask to your heart's content. Hancock, let's go!"
(End of Chapter)