Buggy yanked the trembling pirate up by the collar, pulling him close until his red nose pressed against the man's forehead.

"You know what happens when someone lies to me, right? I tie them to a target and blast them to pieces with a Buggy Ball!"

The pirate swallowed hard, visibly shaking — but still mustered his courage.

"Captain Buggy… everything I said is true! There were other survivors at the ship. They all saw it — they can testify! And... and..."

"And what?" Buggy growled.

"And… those two intruders… they've already entered Orange Town. They seem to be… searching for our base."

They're looking for our base?

Buggy tossed the pirate aside and mulled it over. Then he barked at another crewmember:

"Get me an umbrella!"

"Y-Yes, Captain Buggy!"

Buggy marched to the edge of the rooftop, one of his men trailing behind, holding an umbrella over his head.

From his coat, Buggy retrieved a telescope, peering through it to survey Orange Town.

Meanwhile, Nami, noticing that everyone's attention had shifted, quietly inched toward the tavern's exit, trying to make her escape.

Through the telescope, Buggy finally spotted two unfamiliar figures roaming the town — a tall man in a black cloak and tricorn hat, and a hulking woman built like a bear.

What kind of bizarre duo is that?

Regardless, unease stirred in Buggy's gut.

They actually killed Mohji and Cabaji, scared off Richie, and somehow destroyed my ship...

Could they be Devil Fruit users?

No matter what, they're dangerous! I can't let them get any closer — it's too risky!

Feigning calm, Buggy shouted:

"Bring out the cannon! Load a Buggy Ball! I'll blow those pests sky high before they can get anywhere near us!"

"Aye aye, Captain Buggy!"

Within moments, a massive cannon was wheeled to the rooftop's edge. A crewman held an umbrella over the fuse to keep the rain from extinguishing it.

Buggy personally took aim, adjusting the telescope for accuracy. Once the cannon was aligned, he gave the order:

"Fire—!"

He didn't bother calculating distance or wind — he had absolute confidence in the destructive power of the Buggy Ball.

"Yes, sir!" The pirate lit the fuse.

Fwoosh—

The fuse burned down in seconds. The cannon gave a lurching recoil, then—

BOOM!

The roar of the cannon split the air as the shell launched. If time had stopped, one would've seen the signature clown emblem on the Buggy Ball itself.

The shell tore through several buildings in a straight line, kicking up a howling wind that scattered even the heavy rain.

KA-BOOM—!

A deafening explosion followed. Dust and rubble erupted skyward, completely engulfing the area.

Down below, Nami, now on the tavern's first floor and just reaching the exit, turned to witness the blast.

"Holy crap…"

Her eyes widened in awe and fear.

That cannon's power is insane… Even more terrifying than I imagined! If no one had interrupted earlier, I'd be vaporized right now!

A shiver ran down her spine. Guilt flickered in her eyes.

Sorry to whoever took my place. Tough luck, but hey — not my fault.

At last, she understood why the Buggy Pirates had such a fearsome reputation — much of it owed to the devastating firepower of those cannonballs.

Shaking her head, Nami quickly slipped into a nearby alley and disappeared.

She patted the hidden sea chart secured beneath her clothes. It was safe.

Yes — the Cat Burglar Nami had, in fact, stolen Buggy's Grand Line map.

---

Back on the rooftop, Buggy placed one foot triumphantly on the railing and laughed heartily:

"Ahahaha! As expected of my masterpiece! Direct hit! Those two fools must've been blown to bits!"

The pirates erupted into cheers:

"Captain Buggy is fierce!"

"Captain Buggy is unstoppable!"

"Captain Buggy is glorious!"

Still chuckling, Buggy stroked his big, round red nose, his eyes narrowing.

But deep down… he had doubts.

Did Mohji and Cabaji really die?

He turned to a group of nearby pirates.

"You lot — go down to the docks and confirm it. Mohji and Cabaji might've just been injured. Check it out… Also, that woman from earlier… wait—"

He looked around.

"Where is she?!"

The orange-haired girl had vanished.

"DAMMIT!" Buggy's face turned crimson with rage. "Not a single one of you was watching her?! I'm very disappointed in you all!"

The pirates all looked guilty, heads bowed.

Buggy snapped:

"Fan out and search! I guarantee that Grand Line map is on that vile woman!"

"Yes, Captain Buggy!"

The crew scrambled from the rooftop, storming out the tavern to scour every corner of Orange Town.

Only a few pirates remained, rolling the cannon back inside.

Buggy slumped into his lounge chair, fuming. He snatched up a cup of wine and downed it in one gulp.

Can't believe I got played by a woman…

If she escapes with the map, not only will it be humiliating — it could derail my entire plan to enter the Grand Line and hunt for treasure!

SLAM— He slammed the wine cup onto the table, his anger boiling over.

Clink—

Thud—

Suddenly, strange noises echoed from behind him — like something heavy had fallen.

Then, a voice seemed to call out…

"Ba…"

Ba—?

"B-Buggy… Captain Buggy?!"

He froze.

Turning around slowly, he noticed — all the pirates who had just been helping with the cannon… had vanished.

The storm howled around him, but inside the building — it was unnaturally quiet.

A chill ran down Buggy's spine.

It wasn't just the cold.

He was… afraid.

Struggling to steady his breathing, Buggy called out the names of his vanished men, voice rising — then faltering.

What's going on? What the hell happened?!

Eyes wide, he crept cautiously into the dark room.

Creak—

He pushed open the door to find chaos inside — overturned tables and chairs, paintings on the floor, the cannon now pointing at the ceiling.

But… no sign of anyone.

Buggy's fear peaked.

Then — a deep voice came from behind.

"Looking for me?"

Buggy spun around.

Standing in the doorway was a tall, imposing figure — cloaked in black, tricorn hat atop his head, writhing tentacles where a beard should be, a pipe clamped between sharp teeth, a crab claw for one hand, and tentacles for the other.

A… monster?!

That was Buggy's first thought.

But a moment later, his seafaring instincts kicked in — he recognized this for what it was: a Fishman, or something like one.

His terror eased, but only slightly.

Then, Buggy noticed the hat. That exact tricorn — he'd seen it earlier through the telescope.

It's him. The intruder…

How?!

How did he survive the Buggy Ball?!

More footsteps echoed.

Buggy turned again to see the other intruder — the huge woman with the spiked club — squeezing through the doorway.

Davy Jones and Alvida had arrived.

Back when the Buggy Ball was fired, Davy Jones had sensed its immense power and quickly teleported, taking Alvida with him out of the blast radius.

After witnessing the destructive force firsthand, Jones became curious about its creator.

And so, the two of them came to the bar — and eliminated every pirate they encountered on the way.

Now, Alvida, having just smashed the last straggler's head in, entered the room behind Davy Jones.

Buggy looked at them both, heart sinking.

These two… are on a completely different level.

Especially the one in the tricorn hat — the aura of sheer danger radiating from him was unbearable.

PS: Access advance chapters at

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