If you want something, you have to pay for it.
Buggy had learned this principle during his time aboard the Pirate King Gol D. Roger's ship, but unlike the others on that legendary crew, he never agreed with their romantic notions of what treasure truly meant. They believed treasure was something abstract—adventure, camaraderie, dreams—but Buggy? For him, treasure had always been literal: gold, silver, gems, and piles of wealth.
What could be more satisfying than riches you could see and touch? Empty dreams and meaningless philosophies were of no interest to him. This belief had been reinforced time and time again by the loyalty of his crew. If his ideology was so wrong, why did so many pirates choose to follow him? Why was Lord Buggy so popular?
In Buggy's mind, the essence of being a pirate was simple: eat meat, drink wine, chase treasure, and conquer the seas with your comrades. That was the true pirate life.
With a drunken grin spread across his painted face, Buggy leaned back in his oversized chair, savoring the fantasy playing out in his mind. He imagined himself seated atop a golden throne, mountains of treasure surrounding him, and thousands of pirates bowing before him, chanting his name in awe and fear.
But his daydream was suddenly interrupted.
A strange presence above caught his attention. Buggy opened one eye and looked up, slightly tipsy but still instinctively cautious. On the rooftop above, a young man in a crisp white shirt, a black vest, and a matching formal suit stood silently, gazing down at him. The sunlight beamed behind him, casting a warm glow around his figure. In one hand, he held a sleek black cane. In the other, a balloon floated gently.
The man looked dashing and refined—handsome, even. But to Buggy, he gave off a familiar and unsettling vibe, almost reminding him of someone he had once despised.
Buggy narrowed his eyes.
Years of deception and disguise had trained him never to let his guard down, not even when drunk. Though he had played the fool for years, he had never abandoned his ambitions, nor had he neglected his training.
His body disappeared in a flash, reappearing behind the young man without a sound. His voice turned low and dangerous, completely unlike the clownish figure many expected.
"Who are you?" he growled. "There's no way someone like you belongs in East Blue."
Leo turned around slowly, his expression calm and composed. "Buggy the Clown. Intern on the Pirate King's ship. Friend of the great Red-Haired Shanks. You've been pretending for years. Why?"
His words pierced deep, like a dagger striking Buggy in the heart. Even more alarming was the energy radiating from Leo—it was powerful, almost threatening. Buggy's instincts screamed that this wasn't just some naive youth. For a moment, he wondered if Leo was an assassin sent from the New World.
But no... He couldn't be more than seventeen or eighteen years old.
"What is your purpose?" Buggy barked. "And how do you know these things?!"
Leo tilted his head, thinking. Maybe it was better to play nice for now. He didn't want to provoke Buggy unnecessarily—especially not before the others arrived.
And then he remembered something... In the anime, Buggy had stabbed Zoro in the waist. Could that be the reason Zoro remained single for so long? With a smirk, Leo's tone turned playful.
"As for my purpose," Leo said, "nothing too serious. I'm just here to let you know something important."
He paused, then added with a casual smile, "My captain's name is Monkey D. Luffy. So before you do anything foolish, you might want to think twice."
Buggy's face froze.
The name triggered a flood of thoughts. He had heard that name before. And then it clicked.
"Monkey D. Luffy... Wait. Garp. What is he to Luffy?!"
Leo grinned mischievously. "He's his grandfather. By blood."
Buggy stared in shock.
A few tense seconds passed.
"How could a guy like you... end up on someone else's crew?" Buggy muttered through clenched teeth, glaring at Leo with open hostility.
Leo ignored the jab. "Oh, before I forget—this balloon? It's a gift for you. Consider it a payment for your cooperation."
He held out the black balloon with a warm smile. Unless the enchantment on it was removed, it wouldn't explode. Besides, what circus didn't have balloons?
Buggy was initially hesitant. But seeing Leo's enthusiastic offer, and the balloon's playful charm, he finally accepted it. He inspected it thoroughly, then relaxed. It was harmless, after all. And, in fact, he loved balloons.
What sealed the deal was the gold thread tied to the balloon, with a shiny gold chunk hanging from the bottom. How could he resist?
"All right then, we have a deal," Leo said cheerfully.
He looked toward the distance. Two figures were approaching fast—Luffy and Zoro. Leo smiled and vanished from sight, reappearing behind his companions.
"Ahhhh!"
Nami's shriek broke the moment. She appeared from nowhere, pointing at Leo furiously.
"Leo, you damn b*****d! You actually tricked me!"
Leo calmly pointed at her waist pouch.
Nami's expression stiffened. She looked away, pretending not to hear him. The balloon she'd been holding earlier was gone. Judging by her now-overstuffed pouch, the Bailey hidden inside the balloon must've "accidentally" made its way into her hands.
Meanwhile, Buggy finally caught sight of the intruders. His eyes locked on the grinning boy with the straw hat. Something about that smile stirred long-buried memories.
A man with the same smile... A man long dead.
Then Buggy saw the straw hat perched atop Luffy's head.
His blood boiled.
That hat...
Before he could react, Luffy's arm stretched and struck him directly in the face.
Bang!
The powerful punch sent Buggy flying backwards, crashing into the center of the banquet hall. The force of the blow stirred up dust and silence. All the pirates who had been drinking and laughing a moment ago froze.
"Immortality?" Luffy muttered, staring at his fist. "That felt weird."
He scratched his head. It almost seemed like Buggy had flown backwards before his punch even landed. But Luffy, ever carefree, didn't dwell on it. He simply laughed.
"That's what makes it fun!"
The crowd slowly began to shift. From within the smoke and confusion, three distinct figures emerged.
A man in a snow-white bearskin coat. Another on a unicycle, twirling knives between his fingers. And a towering lion with a menacing snarl.
Mochi, Kabaji, and Richie had arrived.
They looked at their captain, stunned and confused.
"Cough, cough!"
Buggy stood up, brushing the dust off his coat. Though rattled, he held tightly onto Leo's balloon.
"That was a strong punch," he muttered. "But not nearly enough to hurt me!"
Cheers erupted.
"Captain Buggy!!!"
"Captain Buggy is invincible!"
Buoyed by the praise, Buggy puffed out his chest and raised his arms dramatically.
"Tell me, everyone! Who is the greatest captain in all of East Blue?!"
"Captain Buggy!!"
"Who terrifies the Marines and the world alike?!"
"Captain Buggy!!"
"Who will lead you to the greatest treasures?!"
"Captain Buggy!!"
Buggy laughed maniacally, eyes gleaming. "Good! Now, listen well! If someone dares lay a hand on your captain, what do we do?!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Satisfied, Buggy turned sharply and pointed at the trio of intruders.
"Then what are you waiting for?! Pick up your swords and kill them!"
Clang!
The sound of dozens of swords being drawn filled the air. One by one, Buggy's pirates stood, their eyes filled with fury. They advanced toward Leo, Luffy, and Zoro, blades gleaming in the sunlight.
The real fight was about to begin.