Loguetown, near the execution platform.
A group of people, cloaked in burlap, strode purposefully through the streets.
But because this was one of Loguetown's most famous landmarks, the crowd was so large that their appearance didn't attract much attention. After all, there were so many strange people in the pirate world that the people here were used to it.
"Navy."
"Wow, so young?"
"Shh, be quiet. Look at his cape, that's a naval officer."
"And that thing flying beside him, is that a legendary elf?"
"Idiot, that's probably a dwarf from the Grand Line. Roland's adventure stories mentioned them."
"Never seen one before. Are they new navy recruits?"
At this moment, the crowd stirred, and their conversation caused the group in burlap cloaks to pause.
"Captain?"
One of them asked the person in the middle. The person pondered for a moment, then shifted to the side, no longer so arrogant.
"Maintain concealment. Don't forget our objective."
With the leader's command, the others obeyed, quietly moving to the side of the road.
At that moment, the impeccably dressed young man in a naval uniform and cloak walked directly towards them—it was Kong, back in Loguetown.
"Dr—."
One of the leader's underlings reached for his sword hilt, drawing his blade, but their leader stopped him.
"Idiot! See the golden epaulets? That's someone from Navy Headquarters. Don't move! He's not necessarily here for us..."
But before he finished speaking, Kong stood before him, looking at the large red nose beneath the hood with an ambiguous smile.
"Hello, Buggy."
"Dr—!"
Instantly, Buggy's underlings drew their swords, and Buggy's face, hidden beneath his hood, slowly rose.
"Kid, what do you want… w-w-with me?!?"
He started off strong, full of bravado, but the moment he saw the golden Den Den Mushi in Kong's hand, his voice shot up several octaves, his eyes bulging.
Kong smiled, pocketing the gold-painted decorative Den Den Mushi, and affably placed a hand on Buggy's shoulder.
"Don't worry, it's nothing bad. Gentlemen, I'd like to borrow your captain for a few minutes. Is that alright?"
His underlings were still confused.
"Brat! Who do you think you are?!"
"Damn it! How dare you treat our respected captain like that?!"
"I'll kill you!!!"
Kong ignored the underlings, focusing on Buggy.
"Oh my, Captain Buggy, it seems your men don't recognize that little thing I had. Do you recognize it?"
Buggy was sweating profusely.
"He… he… he… Kid, I'm just a measly 15,000,000 bounty pirate. There's no need to use the Buster Call on me! Haha… you're just trying to scare me."
Kong shook his head.
"No, no, no. Forget about 10 million. Even someone with a 100 million bounty wouldn't warrant a Buster Call. I'd be dismissed from my post."
Hearing Kong's words, Buggy breathed a sigh of relief—only to have it cut short by the next statement.
"But if you were a former crew member of the Pirate King… then tell me, in the eyes of the World Government, does that not qualify as a 'demon'?"
"Burp!!"
Instantly, Buggy was so startled he burped, his body stiffening.
Kong continued.
"It's not just the title of a Pirate King's crew member, but also the fact you're a close friend of the same era as Shanks the Red Hair… Don't you think, when Shanks learns his close friend has been captured, he might come to the rescue? The Navy are eagerly anticipating this opportunity."
"Who's his close friend?!?"
It was almost a reflexive retort, and Buggy quickly covered his mouth.
Gently patting Buggy's shoulder, Kong turned to Buggy's underlings with a bright smile.
"Everyone, I'm friends with your captain. We're just catching up, right, Buggy?"
Then, Kong whispered in Buggy's ear.
"Buggy, you wouldn't want your men to suffer, would you~?"
Paimon covered their eyes.
"Ugh… Kong seems so…evil right now…"
Looking at his subordinates, Buggy's eyes welled up as he nodded vigorously.
"That's right! This… this…"
"Kong."
"Kong is my friend! You guys go meet up with Alvida. I'm just catching up with my friend."
Perhaps it was some kind of aura Buggy possessed, but this clumsy lie was actually believed by his subordinates.
"I see."
"Boss is awesome! He even has friends in the Navy!"
Buggy laughed with a stiff expression.
"Hahaha, after all, I am the great Captain Buggy…"
"Alright, Boss, take your time catching up. We'll go ahead."
Soon, his underlings were gone, and Buggy's expression instantly transformed into that of a fawning lackey. He rubbed his hands together with a grin.
"So, uh, Mr. Kong, is there anything I can help you with?"
Buggy was known as the son of destiny, not just for his incredible luck, but also for his pragmatism.
Kong held up two fingers, rubbing them together.
"Nothing much, it's just that this little brother is a bit short on cash lately, and I was hoping to borrow a little something from Big Brother Buggy."
Buggy's expression froze.
"A Navy… asking a pirate for money?"
"Is that not allowed?"
Hearing that his little treasury was being targeted, the money-obsessed Buggy exploded, his head practically snapping off as he roared at Kong.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I've only ever taken from others…"
Kong silently took out the decorative item and weighed it in his hand, instantly extinguishing Buggy's rage.
"Oh my~ Let's talk this over~ How much were you thinking, little brother?"
Considering that Buggy had just been robbed by Luffy and his crew, he probably didn't have much money left. Kong held up one finger.
"Ten million Belly."
"Are you crazy?!?"
"Huh? Aren't I already robbing you? Did I not make that clear?"
Buggy's temples throbbed, but seeing the gleaming golden Den Den Mushi in Kong's hand, he wilted.
"Wait… no! Only Rear Admirals and above have the authority to use the Buster Call! A Commander like you shouldn't have it!"
Kong's expression didn't change.
"Oh, I wanted to interact with you as an ordinary person, but since things have come to this, I'll stop pretending. Paimon, tell him who I am."
Paimon floated before Buggy, hands on hips, saying smugly…
"Before you stands a Marine Headquarters patrol officer, a disciple of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Commander known as the Executor! Kong!"
Buggy took a step back in shock.
"You… you're Sengoku's disciple?!"
Kong jiggled the fake item in his hand.
"Now, do you still doubt the authenticity of this thing?"
Buggy finally gave in.
"Fine! Ten million Belly! I'll give it to you!"
A smile returned to Kong's face.
"That's better, Buggy, my friend."
Buggy's face twitched; it was the pain of losing money.
"Y-yes… fr… friend!"