Meanwhile
Tsuneo led the Akatsuki heavyweights onto Orange Town. Since they had been brought here personally by two of Buggy the Clown's subordinates, the outcome was inevitable
At this very moment, the Buggy Pirates and the Tsuneo Pirates collided head-on.
No matter how badly Buggy the Clown wanted to avoid it, there was now no escape.
"Captain Buggy, this is all our fault! We never could've imagined they'd be so cunning—using such despicable methods!"
"Hey, you two—this is clearly because you're idiots, isn't it? What kind of moron captain would even recruit brainless trash like you?!"
"Ah! Captain Buggy! We already know we were wrong! Please—could you stop scolding yourself like that?!"
"…Huh?"
In an instant, Buggy exploded with rage.
"You idiots! Because of you, I almost forgot—you're my crew!"
"Captain Buggy, we deserve death! But now that they're already here… what should we do?!"
"What should we do?"
At that very moment, the Buggy who had been trembling in fear suddenly leapt into the air
A twisted grin, one befitting only a king, spread across his face. Even his voice dropped into a low, ominous register.
"Hehehe… if that's how it is, then there's no helping it. Since they've come all this way to deliver themselves to death… I'll just grant their wish!"
In an instant
All of Buggy's crew froze in shock, their faces filled with absolute terror.
"Ahhh! Captain Buggy is finally getting serious!"
"Captain Buggy, long live!"
"Hahaha! Anyone who dares anger Captain Buggy is dead for sure!"
Originally, Tsuneo thought this was just Buggy's usual over-the-top bluffing—nothing to worry about.
But the moment he turned his head and took a closer look
He was completely stunned.
"Hm?"
Behind him, the Akatsuki elites all frowned in unison, their expressions turning grim and cautious.
[Vice-Captain]Pain (Nagato):
"This man is a powerhouse. His presence alone rivals that of the Captain. We must not underestimate him."
[Scientist]Orochimaru:
"Indeed. There's something deeply unsettling about him—an aura that makes it impossible to approach carelessly."
[Scout]Black Zetsu:
"Even we can feel it… this is the aura of a king. No doubt about it—this man is terrifyingly strong."
Holy hell!
At this point, Tsuneo seriously began questioning reality itself.
So Buggy the Clown was actually this insane?!
In this world, when it came to sheer bluffing power—using nothing but presence alone to make the entire Akatsuki elite wary
Aside from Tsuneo himself…
Only Buggy the Great could pull this off.
"Chop-Chop Fruit—Flying Daggers!"
At the same time, Buggy struck first without hesitation.
Using his Devil Fruit ability, he instantly split both arms from his body, daggers in hand, sending them flying toward Tsuneo's group at incredible speed!
[Evangelist]Hidan:
"Unbelievable! He can detach his arms and still control them freely—something even I can't do! This is nothing short of a miracle!"
[Shipwright]Sasori of the Red Sand:
"Is this a puppet? No—he's alive! To manipulate a living body like a puppet and split it at will… such a technique actually exists?"
[Demolition Expert]Deidara:
"You've got to be kidding me… this is way too strong! Other than the Captain, none of us stand a chance!"
[Chief Strategist]Uchiha Itachi:
"Agreed. Until we fully understand his abilities, charging in recklessly would be courting death."
Damn.
Damn it.
DAMN IT.
At this moment, Tsuneo could no longer describe how he felt.
He could only clasp his fists together and look at Buggy with genuine admiration.
The entire Akatsuki had been completely bluffed!
Buggy the Great was simply too insane!
A former apprentice on the Pirate King's ship
A once-in-a-generation genius!
Tsuneo at least had [Words Become Law], allowing him to act freely in front of them.
But Buggy?
He relied on nothing but pure presence.
Just imagine
If the Akatsuki elites ever found out that Buggy wasn't some supreme king at all, but actually a complete rookie
They'd probably want to die on the spot.
Wait.
That… might not be a bad thing at all.
The higher Buggy's image climbed in the eyes of the Akatsuki—the stronger and more untouchable he seemed
Then when Tsuneo eventually subdued him…
Wouldn't that only make Tsuneo look even more god-defying?
Hahaha!
Since the hype had already reached this level, why not add fuel to the fire?
Let Buggy's image soar even higher!
In an instant, Tsuneo raised his gaze toward Buggy, deliberately furrowing his brows and adopting a cautious expression.
"Indeed. Everyone—this man was once a crew member of the Pirate King himself. His true strength far exceeds your imagination."
"What?! A crew member of the Pirate King?!"
"As expected! No wonder he inspires such dread!"
"Even the Captain is treating him with caution… this world really is full of monsters!"
"Against such a foe, even the Akatsuki must go all out!"
At this moment, every member of the Akatsuki was fully prepared to fight to the death.
And yet
What no one expected was that Tsuneo suddenly stepped forward
And activated the Emperor Engine.
"Drrr… drrr… drrr…"
As the violent roar of an engine erupted from Tsuneo's body, fear flooded Buggy's face. Cold sweat poured down his forehead.
The very next second
Buggy collapsed to his knees before Tsuneo.
"Boss! I was wrong! Please—have mercy! Forgive my ignorance and stupidity!"
Just moments ago, he was overflowing with arrogance.
Now?
He was as cowardly as it got.
One could only imagine—
Not just Buggy's crew, but even the Akatsuki elites behind Tsuneo—
How utterly shattered they were by this sight.
...