While Kaguya was holding a coming-of-age ceremony for Nami, Buggy was desperately fleeing with Buggys subordinate Kabaji.
Because these two had just escaped from Orange Town, only to run into a group of Pirate Crew.
Buggy clutched the wound pierced by Kaguya’s lead bullet, while Buggys subordinate Kabaji rowed the small boat desperately, with cannonballs continuously exploding into huge splashes on the sea behind them.
Under the Moonlight, the small boat jolted forward through the waves.
Buggy’s face was as pale as paper, and cold sweat kept sliding down from his forehead.
He pressed hard against the wound on his chest, but blood still seeped through his fingers, staining the comical patterns on his clown suit red.
“Damn it…
that brat…”
Buggy cursed through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with pain.
Buggys subordinate Kabaji rowed desperately; the Captain was already seriously injured, and there were pursuers behind them.
At this moment, he could only rely on his own strength to carve out a way to live on the pitch-black sea.
“Captain, hang in there!”
Buggys subordinate Kabaji shouted back, his eyes full of anxiety.
Under the Moonlight, Buggy’s small boat rocked in the waves as the gunfire from the Alvida Pirate Crew gradually closed in.
Buggy clutched his wound, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.
He suddenly raised his hand, signaling Buggys subordinate Kabaji to stop rowing.
“Stop running, Buggys subordinate Kabaji.”
Buggy said breathlessly, his voice low but resolute.
“If this continues, we’ll just be worn down to death.”
Buggys subordinate Kabaji was stunned for a moment, but soon understood the Captain’s intention.
He stopped his movements, and the small boat slowly came to a halt on the sea.
The gunfire behind them also fell silent.
“Oh?
Finally stopped running?”
Alvida stood at the bow, holding an iron mace, with a contemptuous smile on her lips.
Under the reflection of the Moonlight, her obese body appeared exceptionally large, but a cunning light flickered in her eyes.
Buggy forced himself to stand up.
Although the pain from the wound was unbearable, he still straightened his back and revealed his signature clown smile.
“Alvida, long time no see!
I didn’t expect to reunite under such pathetic circumstances.”
Alvida snorted coldly: “Buggy, you have a day like this too?
Truly surprising.”
She waved her hand, and several pirates jumped down to the small boat, escorting Buggy and Buggys subordinate Kabaji onto the “miss love duck”.
On the deck, Buggy was roughly pushed to the ground, and Buggys subordinate Kabaji was also pinned down to the side.
Alvida looked down at them from above, her eyes full of mockery.
“Tell me, Buggy, where have you hidden your treasure?
Hand it over, and maybe I’ll consider sparing your life.”
Buggy coughed a few times, a trace of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth.
“Treasure?
Hahaha…
He said through gritted teeth.
“A damn brat came to Orange Town and ambushed me while we were having a banquet!
Not only did he snatch my treasure, but he also nearly took my life!”
Alvida narrowed her eyes: “Oh?
A brat could wound you like this?”
Buggy sneered.
“Hmph, if he hadn’t ambushed me while I was having a banquet, could he have even touched me?”
He paused, a hint of calculation flashing in his eyes.
“Alvida, how about we cooperate?
If you help me deal with that brat, I’ll give you half the treasure!”
Alvida was silent for a moment, then burst out laughing: “Interesting!
Buggy, you certainly know how to do business.”
She swung her iron mace.
“Fine, I’ll play along with you.
However, if you dare to play any tricks…”
Buggy waved his hands hurriedly.
“Rest assured, I, Buggy, am as good as my word!
However, I need to recover from my injuries first.”
Alvida looked at the still-bleeding Buggy, frowned, and then waved her hand to her subordinates.
“Take him down and find a ship doctor to bandage him up.”
Alvida said impatiently, turning to walk towards the Captains Cabin.
“In three days, I want to see you able to stand.”
Buggys subordinate Kabaji was released from his restraints and hurriedly helped Buggy up.
The two were taken to a small cabin, and a ship doctor soon arrived with a medicine chest.
Buggy lay on the simple bed, letting the ship doctor treat his wounds, while a cold light flickered in his eyes.
“Captain, are we really going to cooperate with her?”
After the ship doctor left, Buggys subordinate Kabaji asked in a low voice, casting a wary glance at the cabin door.
Buggy’s mouth curled up slightly, revealing a cunning smile.
“Cooperate?
Hmph, she’s nothing more than a pawn of mine.
That brat is very strong; the two of us might not be a match for him.
That stupid woman Alvida is perfect for helping us wear down that brat’s stamina.”
Buggy’s voice was low and sinister, his fingers lightly tapping the bedboard.
Under the bandages applied by the ship doctor, the wound still throbbed with pain, but this didn’t affect the plan brewing in his mind at all.
“When they both end up injured…”
A red light flashed in Buggy’s eyes.
“Not only can we take back the treasure, but we might even be able to seize Alvida’s power.”
Buggys subordinate Kabaji nodded thoughtfully, but then showed a worried expression.
“But that brat’s strength…
even you, Captain…”
“Shut up!”
“That was just an accident!
If he hadn’t ambushed me…”
Footsteps suddenly came from outside the cabin, and the two immediately fell silent.
A pirate pushed open the door and rudely threw in two bowls of moldy food.
“Eat up, don’t starve to death!”
After the pirate left, Buggy stared at the bowl of sour-smelling food and sneered.
“Just you wait, Alvida…”
The next morning, Nami woke up in Kaguya’s arms.
She opened her bleary eyes as the morning light spilled through the gaps in the curtains onto the messy sheets.
Kaguya’s arm was still wrapped around her, his breathing even and steady.
Nami moved her body gently, trying to pull away without waking him up.
But her movements still disturbed Kaguya.
He opened his eyes slightly, a lazy smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
“Morning, Little Thief Cat.”
Kaguya’s voice was husky from just waking up.
Nami’s cheeks flushed slightly; she quickly wrapped the sheet tightly around herself and glared at him.
“Don’t call me that!”
Her tone carried a hint of embarrassed anger, but her eyes involuntarily dodged his.
Kaguya sat up and stretched, revealing his lean and strong upper body.
He looked sideways at Nami, his smile deepening.
“What?
That wasn’t your attitude last night.”
Nami grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, but he easily dodged it.
“Shut up!
That was just part of the deal!”
She jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed, trying to hide her internal panic.
Kaguya shrugged and stood up to get dressed, unconcerned.
“Say whatever you want.”
He walked to the window and pulled back the curtains, and sunlight instantly filled the entire room.
“However, our cooperation has only just begun, hasn’t it?”
Nami tied her bandana, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.
“That’s right, you promised to help me deal with Arlong.”
She stared at his back, her tone firm.
“Don’t even think about backing out.”
Kaguya turned around, the sunlight forming a silhouette behind him.
“I never break my word.”
He approached her and reached out to gently lift her chin.
“But don’t forget your promise either.”
…