Saint Louis Island
Rain and Mira landed with Robin and Hiyori in tow. The bustling streets of Saint Louis were filled with merchants, pirates, and mercenaries, but Mira had only one thing on her mind—shopping.
"Rain, you go find Buggy. We'll keep looking around," Mira said, her eyes sparkling as she dragged Robin and Hiyori toward the nearest row of boutiques.
"Haa?"
Rain's expression twisted slightly, but seeing the three of them so happily immersed in shopping, he just sighed. "Figures…"
Shaking his head helplessly, he turned away and made for the headquarters of the Buggy Delivery, the sprawling building that dominated the island's skyline.
At the entrance, a familiar face was already waiting: Kuro, Buggy's second-in-command.
"Lord Rain!" Kuro immediately jogged over, posture stiff with respect.
Rain raised a brow at the sight. Even after rising in status under Buggy's Chamber of Commerce, Kuro hadn't forgotten the iron law of this world—strength is everything. And Rain's strength was something he'd seen with his own eyes.
"You came all the way to the front to greet me, huh? Now I'm even more curious what Buggy called me for." Rain's smile was faint, but edged.
"Forgive me, Lord Rain… even I don't know the full details."
"You don't?" Rain's surprise was genuine. If Kuro was being kept in the dark, then Buggy's plans weren't small. His expression hardened. "Then it must be something big."
Led by Kuro, Rain entered Buggy's office.
The moment the doors opened, Rain stopped in his tracks.
"…Oh?"
The room wasn't just filled with Buggy's usual crew. Gathered around the table were faces that made even Rain raise an eyebrow.
Douglas Bullet, sitting with his arms crossed.
Donquixote Doflamingo, grinning behind his tinted shades.
Vinsmoke Judge, silent and imposing.
And most surprising of all...Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk, the world's future greatest swordsman, still young but already exuding a sharpness that cut deeper than any blade.
Rain gave a low whistle. "Well, with this kind of lineup, Buggy… just what the hell are you planning?"
He casually took a seat beside Bullet, eyes narrowing in curiosity.
"Fufufufufu…" Doflamingo chuckled, tilting his head as he glanced around the room. "I have to admit, Buggy. Gathering this many monsters in one place… it's got me curious too."
"Don't worry, Rain. Since you're here, let's talk about the real reason I called you."
Buggy's usual clownish grin faded, replaced by a rare serious expression.
"Other than a few who haven't arrived yet, everyone here is part of the backbone that allowed the Buggy Delivery to reach this point."
He swept his gaze around the room—Bullet, Doflamingo, Judge, Mihawk, Rain. His tone was unusually sincere.
He knew the truth: without these monsters and their influence, no matter how crafty he was, the Chamber of Commerce would never have risen so high, so fast.
"Other people not here yet?"
Doflamingo leaned back in his chair, amusement flickering behind his shades. This clown… he's gathering more pieces than I thought. And his influence keeps getting stronger.
"Buggy, stop dragging it out." Bullet's voice was sharp, impatient. "Spit it out."
Buggy's jaw tightened. "Recently… CP0 has been moving against us."
"CP0?"
The name stirred the room. Mihawk's expression didn't change, Judge narrowed his eyes, Doflamingo's grin widened but none of them looked afraid.
Even among monsters, no one considered CP0 untouchable.
"What's certain is—they've set their sights on us. And I won't sit and wait to be picked apart." Buggy's tone hardened, his clown façade giving way to something sharper."
"So I've decided… it's time to make a statement. To prove the Buggy Delivery is not something the World Government can toy with."
Doflamingo's grin sharpened. "Ohh? And what do you have in mind, hm?"
Buggy leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I've received news—the Revolutionary Army is preparing to raid Mary Geoise."
"What I want… is the defense map of the Holy Land. After that, I'll use my influence to drag every top Navy force away, and open the path for the Revolutionaries."
"What?!"
Even Bullet, who rarely showed shock, twitched at the words.
"Revolutionary Army… attacking Mary Geoise?" Doflamingo's grin froze for half a second. Judge frowned deeply. Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly but his expression remained unchanged.
The only one unfazed was Rain.
"...The 'Revolutionary Army,' huh?" Rain muttered with a strange look. "Don't tell me you mean Fisher Tiger, Buggy. Pulling the tiger-skin banner already?"
Buggy coughed but didn't deny it.
Rain chuckled softly. Still, with Buggy's connections now, it wouldn't even be surprising if he did have ties to Dragon's people.
"…Not impossible," Rain admitted, tapping his chin in thought. "Given the strings you can pull, I could believe you'd find a way to deal with the Revolutionaries."
He leaned back, gaze locking with Buggy's. "So what's your real angle, Buggy? What exactly do you expect us to do?"
"As I said just now… first, we secure Mary Geoise's defense map and pass it to the Revolutionary Army. After that, if you have money or strength to spare, contribute it. Simple as that."
Buggy leaned back in his chair, a grin plastered on his face as if the entire scheme was already settled.
"Well… can I withdraw? Y'know… not participate?"
Judge raised his hand weakly, his mechanical voice carrying none of the bravado he usually had. His expression made it clear—he wanted no part in poking the World Government.
"Fufufufufu…"
Doflamingo's gloved fingers twitched as if itching to pull strings, amused at the sight of Judge's cowardice.
"You don't have to participate, Judge."
Buggy's answer came without hesitation.
Judge froze, his brows knitting. So quick? So easy?
Suspicion immediately colored his gaze. "…I say, Buggy… you're not planning to have me 'silenced' once I leave, right?"
Because realistically, who lets someone walk away after learning a secret like this?
Buggy raised both hands in mock offense. "Oi oi, don't worry. I'm not the type to stab a man in the back just for bowing out."
Then his smile thinned, his eyes sharpening. "…But until this matter begins, you're not allowed to leave this room. That much, you understand, right?"
The weight in his gaze was unmistakable. The unspoken truth hung heavy in the air—refuse even this, and you die here.
Judge swallowed hard, his pride giving way to survival. "This… this is acceptable."
He nodded quickly, the steel mask on his face doing nothing to hide the sweat running down his neck.
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