On the following day, around noon, a pirate ship found itself adrift on the sea surface, positioned roughly fifty nautical miles from the Impel Down prison.
However, once the pirate ship arrived here, it dared not proceed any further.
Because not far ahead of them, an immensely huge Sea King emerged from the water. Its head rose high, almost touching the clouds as it leaped. With a fierce and eerie countenance, along with sharp teeth, the people on the pirate ship were trembling in fear.
After the Sea King plunged back into the sea with a thud, the anxious voices on the pirate ship could be heard saying, âWeâve allâŠall come here. Is there really no other way? Sister AlvidaâŠâ
Then, a charming female voice responded, âDonât count on me! You insisted on coming here, and you even spent a fortune on an Eternal Pose. Are you really that loaded!?â
Indeed, the red-nosed skull flag fluttering on the mast revealed that this was none other than Buggyâs pirate crew, the Big Top. On the ship were two officers of the Buggy Pirates, the Beast Tamer Mohji, and the Chief of Staff Cabaji, along with the foolish lion Richie.
Standing before Mohji and Cabaji was a tall, black-haired beauty. However, the weapon she held in her hands didnât match her appearance at allâit was a thick wolfâs fang club.
This beautiful woman was Alvida, who, after eating the Slip-Slip Fruit, transformed from a plump girl into a stunning beauty.
Upon hearing Alvidaâs words, Cabaji and Mohji, along with Richie the lion, couldnât help but wipe their tears and said, âBut⊠but we have to rescue Captain Buggy, whoâs been imprisoned in Impel Down!â
âHmph!â Alvida hoisted the wolfâs fang club onto her shoulder, sneering, âOpen your eyes wide and look. This is the Calm Belt, the nesting ground for monsters and Sea Kings. Do you think this pirate ship can withstand the turmoil? You canât reach Impel Down this way⊠Even if there were other routes, those are Navy-designated sea currents. The âGate of Justiceâ wonât open to pirates. Impel Down is the worldâs largest prison, impervious to intrusion or escape. Itâs time to give up!â
âNo, Captain Buggy wonât die in Impel Down!â The two men and the lion fell to their knees, tears streaming down as they pleaded, âWe will follow Captain Buggy forever until he fulfills his dream, the day he finds Captain Johnâs treasureâŠâ
âSuit yourselves!â Alvida turned and walked away, disinterested in witnessing their pitiful state. She said, âThis ship is mine now. Row your own small boat to Impel Down and rescue him!â
âWhat!?â Cabaji and the others looked up in surprise. âBut this ship belongs to Captain Buggy!â
âHeâs not here, is he?â Alvida retorted, âGiving you the ship would be a waste. I wonât go to my death in vain. So, row your small boat. However, I doubt youâll even catch a glimpse of Impel Down before meeting your end.â
Upon hearing this, Cabaji, Mohji, and Richie immediately knelt at the shipâs side, facing the open sea, tears streaming down as they cried out, âCaptain Buggy⊠thank you for your care over the years. Weâll never forget your great kindness. Farewell! Safe travels!â
ââŠâ Alvida silently watched these fools, surprised at how quickly they turned their backs.
After what seemed like a farewell, Cabaji and Mohji felt a bit better psychologically and began chatting with laughter.
âThat female Navy officer who captured Captain Buggy was really pretty!â Mohji recalled with a dreamy expression, âIt was the first time I saw such a beautiful woman in the NavyâŠâ
âYeah!â Cabaji nodded in agreement, adding, âHer name was something like Guina. Thinking about it, she was quite formidable. Captain Buggy took a punch to the face from her, and he went flying. I bet his nose is even redder and bigger nowâŠâ
Before the two could finish their exchange, a wolfâs fang club came down with a resonant âDuang,â creating a hole in the deck. Alvida glared at them, her expression dark. âWho were you just saying is beautiful?â
Cabaji and Mohji simultaneously swallowed nervously, wisely replying, âOf course, Sister Alvida, youâre the most beautiful!â
Alvida gave them a satisfied look, nodded, straightened up, and hoisted the wolfâs fang club back onto her shoulder.
However, in that moment of straightening up, she seemed to notice something, making her freeze on the spot.
âWhatâs wrong, big sis?â Mohji asked curiously.
âThere⊠seems to be a warship!â Alvida pointed at the sea ahead.
The members of Buggyâs pirate crew followed Alvidaâs direction and looked in the distance. Sure enough, amidst the mist, a Navy warship was faintly visible, sailing towards them.
âThat should be heading to Impel Down, right?â Alvida speculated. âA ship escorting prisoners?â
âAt this distance, they wonât attack us, will they?â Cabaji expressed some concern.
âDonât worry!â Mohji reassured, âWeâre leaving here soon anyway, and they canât catch up with us!â
âHaha, thatâs right!â The members of Buggyâs pirate crew burst into laughter.
However, just as they were enjoying the moment, suddenly, a voice came from above, saying, âWhat the heck! Itâs really you guys!â
Cabaji and Mohji instantly froze. What the heck!? This voice⊠why does it sound so familiar!?
So, the two looked up and saw Ian, with wings of flames, hovering in mid-air!
âWow!!!â
Mohji and Cabaji were scared stiff, and along with the lion Richie, they crawled and rolled along the deck, seeking cover behind a pile of barrels.
The rest of Buggyâs pirate crew couldnât bear it either. After getting a clear look at Ianâs appearance, some were so frightened that they jumped into the seaâŠ
Ianâs appearance was like a big shark suddenly diving into a school of sardines, causing the entire Buggyâs pirate crew to scatter in panic.
âHey, am I that terrifying!?â Ian landed on the deck of the Big Top, feeling somewhat depressed. He hadnât expected such a huge reaction from these guys.
Only Alvida, who hadnât seen Ian before, found the reaction of Buggyâs crew strange. Turning to Mohji, who was hiding behind a barrel, she asked, âWho is he? Why are you all so afraid of him?â
Mohji stammered, âI-Ian! Heâs the Shichibukai Ian, the Black Dragon!â
This revelation left even Alvida visibly shaken. Gripping her wolfâs fang club, she shouted nervously at Ian, âW-what do you want? Donât come any closer!â
However, Ian paid no attention to them. Instead, he looked around and asked with curiosity, âHuh? Whereâs Buggy? Doesnât he want to greet an old friend?â
Speaking of it, Buggy and Ian were indeed old friends. Ianâs first substantial loot when he set sail came from Buggy. Thatâs why, back on the warship, Ian had spotted Buggyâs pirate flag through the telescope, prompting him to fly over.
No one answered Ianâs question, not even Alvida, who had joined Mohji and the others in hiding. Seeing this, Ian had to take matters into his own hands and physically drag Cabaji out.
âC⊠Captain B-Buggy, heâs been captured by the Navy!â Cabaji hastily explained. âHeâs currently held in Impel DownâŠâ
Hearing this, Ian slapped his forehead, recalling the commendation order he had seen back at the Marine Headquarters, praising Kuinaâs promotion to the rank of Commander for capturing several notorious pirates. Among those captured was Buggy. Ian had momentarily forgotten about this.
âSo, what are you doing here?â Ian curiously asked, âDo you want to rescue your captain, Buggy?â
Cabaji and Mohji exchanged glances and reluctantly nodded, âY-yes!â
As luck would have it, they had actually given up on rescuing Buggy just a moment ago. However, now, in front of Ian, they found themselves forced to use it as an excuseâŠ
But in the next moment, Ian uttered words that made them regret their decision.
âI see! In that case, come with me. Weâre heading to Impel Down to rescue someone. With an extra pair of hands, weâll have more manpower!â
The source of this cđšntent is fređw(e)bn(o)vel