Half a month later.
In the East Blue, there was a bustling commercial island known as the “City of Free Trade” — Roana Port.
At dusk, a medium-sized, eye-catching speedboat, resembling a black sword, slowly sailed into the port’s top-tier private berth.
Its streamlined, teardrop-shaped hull and understated yet luxurious craftsmanship caused the eclipse to immediately attract many hidden gazes from the docks the moment it entered the port.
On the deck, Buggy was sprawled out like a starfish on the expensive iron pine floor, gasping for air.
“I can’t take it anymore, This Great Man’s fingers are about to cramp up.” Looking at his hands, which were covered in special gloves, Buggy was so exhausted he couldn’t even lift an eyebrow.
For the past half month, Ace and Sabo hadn’t beaten him out of boredom, but that kind of systematic “targeted training” was even more lethal to Buggy than getting beaten up.
Sabo crouched beside Buggy, holding a set of extremely intricate finger guards and wrist guards, making final adjustments.
“Stop complaining, Buggy.” Sabo tossed the adjusted finger guards onto Buggy’s stomach, his tone serious.
“Your Chop-Chop Fruit’s passive ability to be immune to slashing attacks is indeed very strong, but your attack methods are too monotonous.
These are ‘Sea Stone finger guards’ that we had black market craftsmen urgently polish using the scrap Sea Stone from Burjiam’s treasure chest.” That’s right, this was the development path Ace had customized for Buggy.
The inside of the Sea Stone finger guards was lined with thick insulating leather and iron sheets; as long as they didn’t directly touch Buggy’s skin, they wouldn’t cause him to lose his strength.
The outer attacking surface, however, was embedded with high-purity Sea Stone.
Combined with Buggy’s passive ability to freely detach his hands, feet, and even individual fingers from his body and fly them through the air, this set of equipment was a nightmare for all Devil Fruit users.
Just imagine, during an intense battle, a severed hand wearing Sea Stone finger guards suddenly flying in from a blind spot—as long as it touched the enemy’s body, it could instantly strip them of their abilities!
“That’s easy for you to say, but if I wear this on my hand and the leather inside wears out and touches my skin, This Great Man will fall into the sea and drown!” Buggy said with a woeful face, carefully putting away the finger guards.
“That’s why I’ve been making you practice micro-movements and precision when splitting every day.” Accompanied by steady footsteps, Ace pushed open the cabin door and walked out.
He was wearing a form-fitting black shirt today, with that dark red sleeveless trench coat draped over it.
“Sabo and I are going to get off the ship.” Ace walked to the ship’s railing, looking at the bustling streets of Roana Port.
“We’re going to the black market to exchange the miscellaneous jewelry we scavenged at the Terminal and Orange Town for cash, and while we’re at it, we’ll purchase supplies needed for the Grand Line.
You stay on the ship and keep watch.” “Leave it to This Great Man!
I guarantee not even a fly will be able to get on board!” Upon hearing that he didn’t have to continue training, Buggy immediately bounced up like a spring, patting his chest to guarantee it.
Ace nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned, and leaped onto the dock with Sabo, quickly disappearing into the bustling crowd of the port.
Watching the two walk away, Buggy let out a long sigh of relief.
“Finally gone.
Keep watch, my foot.
This Great Man hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in half a month.” Buggy let out a huge yawn, walked straight to the leather sofa outside the living room, sprawled out, and within two minutes, the sound of thunderous snoring filled the air.
Night soon enveloped Roana Port.
The port area was brightly lit, while the eclipse, moored in its private berth, was quietly hidden in the shadows of the sea.
Just then, a slender, enchanting figure appeared on a lamppost next to the dock.
It was a young girl with striking purple hair.
She was wearing a tight black night-suit that outlined her proud curves.
Under the Moonlight, her eyes, as cunning as a fox’s, were fixed intently on the eclipse not far away, a greedy arc forming at the corners of her mouth.
The Phantom Thief, Carina.
A wildcat who was quite famous in the East Blue underworld circles and specialized in “robbing the robbers” — targeting wealthy people and pirates.
“The hull is covered with anti-corrosion steel plates, the deck is expensive iron pine—this is definitely some nouveau riche pirate or brainless noble’s cruise ship; the vault inside must be overflowing with wealth.”