Buggy stood at the bow of the ship, his gloved hands gripping the wooden railing tightly as the monstrous sight of Reverse Mountain loomed before them. His wide, red nose twitched involuntarily as the spray of sea mist hit his face. His usually goofy grin was nowhere to be found. Instead, his sharp, yellow eyes narrowed, tracing the furious upward rush of the current.
"Captain… are you sure about this?"
Buggy didn't turn around. He already knew the voice belonged to Mohji. The lion tamer's nervous tone was edged with panic, his hands clutching the sides of his face. Behind him, Richie, his oversized lion, was curled up, trembling like a frightened kitten.
"I-I mean… it's not too late, right?" Mohji continued, practically begging now. "We could just… you know… turn around. Maybe try the Calm Belt instead?"
"The Calm Belt?!" Cabaji, the swordsman on his unicycle, spun toward Mohji with an incredulous expression. "Do you have any idea how many Sea Kings live in those waters? We'd be devoured whole before we even made it halfway!"
"And this is any better?!" Mohji shouted, gesturing toward the mountain. "That current is going to tear us apart!"
"I—I'm with Mohji!" Another crewman piped up, followed by murmurs of agreement from the others. "This is suicide!"
Buggy's lips twitched. His gut churned painfully as his crew's panic spread like wildfire. Honestly, they weren't wrong. He wasn't thrilled about this plan either. The reverse current was a deathtrap. Even a single mistake in steering would smash their ship into the jagged cliffs. He was confident in his abilities, sure—but that didn't mean he was eager to risk his neck like this.
Hell, if he was being honest, he'd rather steer away from this cursed mountain altogether. But he knew what would happen if he backed down now.
A cold cough drifted through the tension-filled air.
Buggy's blood chilled.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Lazuli was leaning casually against the ship's mast, arms crossed over her chest. Her expression was as blank and emotionless as ever, those ice-blue eyes cutting straight through him like shards of glass. A single golden strand of hair framed her face as the ocean wind tugged at her long, straight blonde hair.
"What's the matter?" Her voice was soft, but it carried a chilling undercurrent. "Are you scared?"
Buggy's mouth opened. His crew turned toward him expectantly.
Lazuli's gaze sharpened.
Buggy's back stiffened as a bead of sweat slid down his temple. He had seen what Lazuli was capable of. Her strength was inhuman. Her speed was terrifying. He still remembered the day she'd incinerated an entire grove of trees with a single flick of her finger. The look on her face back then was the same one she wore now—completely impassive. As if what she'd done was nothing more than swatting away an insect.
He couldn't afford to lose face in front of her.
Buggy straightened his back and forced his lips into a cocky smirk. He flicked his cape dramatically over his shoulder, his gold-trimmed coat billowing behind him.
"Scared?" He laughed, throwing his arms wide. "Me? The great Captain Buggy? Pfft! Not a chance!"
Mohji and Cabaji exchanged uncertain glances.
"I was just… testing your loyalty!" Buggy pointed toward his crew, his voice booming with exaggerated bravado. "And guess what?! You've all FAILED!"
The crew flinched.
"You're pirates, aren't you?!" Buggy's grin widened. His yellow eyes flashed dangerously. "When you set sail with me, you all swore to follow me to the ends of the world! Or have you all lost your nerve?"
"B-But Captain—"
Buggy's expression darkened.
"You want to tuck your tails between your legs and run?" His voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl. "Then maybe you don't deserve to call yourselves pirates."
The crew shifted nervously, some looking down in shame.
Buggy jabbed a finger toward Reverse Mountain.
"You think the Grand Line is going to be easier than this?! Do you know what's out there?! The strongest pirates in the world! Monsters capable of wiping out entire fleets! You think you're gonna survive that by running away every time it gets hard?"
Cabaji's jaw tightened. Mohji and Richie stopped trembling.
Buggy's grin widened. He pointed dramatically at the summit of Reverse Mountain.
"If you're scared, then jump overboard!" he shouted. "But I'm going up there! Because I'm not just any pirate—I'm Buggy the Clown! And I'm going to become the greatest pirate the world has ever seen!"
The crew's hesitation faltered. Some of them exchanged uncertain looks—but there was a flicker of determination beneath their nervousness now.
Lazuli's gaze sharpened slightly. For a brief moment, Buggy could've sworn he saw a hint of approval in her icy eyes.
Buggy inhaled deeply and turned toward Cabaji. "Cabaji! Get us into position!"
Cabaji sat straighter on his unicycle. "Aye, Captain!"
Buggy marched toward the railing, his eyes fixed on the raging current ahead. His grin widened, a dangerous glint in his eye.
"Brace yourselves, boys!" he shouted. "We're going up!"
Cabaji spun the wheel hard to the left. The ship's bow tilted toward the base of Reverse Mountain. The furious roar of the current filled Buggy's ears as they surged forward.
"Mohji! Secure the mast!"
Mohji scrambled toward the ropes, tying them down with trembling hands.
"Richie! Stop shaking!"
Richie whimpered.
Buggy's heart hammered as the ship surged into the churning water. The deck tilted dangerously as the current sucked them forward.
"CABAJI!"
"I KNOW!" Cabaji shouted back. His knuckles were white against the wheel as he fought to keep the ship balanced.
The ship's hull creaked violently. Spray hammered against Buggy's face.
Lazuli stood calmly at the edge of the deck, her arms still crossed. Her expression remained impassive.
"You're going to want to steer slightly to the left," she commented.
Buggy scowled. "I know how to sail a ship!"
They surged upward.
Buggy's grin widened. "We're almost there—!"
The ship veered sharply to the right.
Buggy's heart shot into his throat. "CABAJI!"
"I'm trying—!!"
Buggy's hands gripped the railing so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. His crew stood behind him, huddled together in sheer terror as the ship climbed higher and higher up the raging current of Reverse Mountain.
The sound of the water crashing against the hull was deafening. Massive waves surged upward on either side of the ship, making it feel like they were being swallowed by the sea itself.
Cabaji stood at the helm, his one visible eye focused intently on the rushing water ahead. His gloved hands were tight on the wheel, his feet placed firmly to keep his balance. His whole body trembled under the strain.
"Captain!" Mohji screamed from the deck. Richie was latched onto his back like a giant, terrified house cat, claws digging into Mohji's jacket. "We—We're gonna die! We're gonna die!"
"SHUT UP, MOHJI!" Buggy roared, his mouth stretching unnaturally wide as his body twisted grotesquely in frustration. His yellow eyes flashed with rage and barely concealed panic. "I'm trying to think!"
"What's there to think about?!" Mohji shouted back, tears in his eyes. "We're climbing a freaking mountain in a boat! THIS IS MADNESS!"
"I know!" Buggy shouted back. "But we're already halfway up—there's no turning back now!"
Another wave slammed into the side of the ship, sending a wall of freezing seawater crashing across the deck. The crew screamed as they slipped and stumbled, clutching onto the railings and the mast for dear life.
Lazuli stood at the back of the ship, arms crossed over her chest, her face perfectly calm despite the chaos unfolding around her. Her expression was the same cold, detached gaze as always.
Buggy shot her a look. "Aren't you gonna help?!"
Lazuli's icy blue eyes met his. "You're the captain," she said evenly. "Figure it out."
Buggy's face contorted in frustration. "Why did I even let you on this ship?!"
"Because you're smart enough to know your limits," Lazuli replied calmly.
Buggy growled, biting down on his lower lip hard enough to taste blood. His crew was panicking, Cabaji was barely holding it together at the wheel, and they were seconds away from being hurled into the jagged cliffs on either side.
But Buggy was the captain.
Buggy inhaled sharply, planting his feet more firmly against the slippery deck. "CABAJI!"
"Y-YES, CAPTAIN?!" Cabaji screamed back, his whole body shaking as he fought the wheel's pull.
"KEEP US STEADY!" Buggy barked. "You see that bend up ahead?! Steer left—then lean into the curve!"
Cabaji's eye widened. "L-Left?! But that's toward the rock face—!"
"JUST DO IT!"
Cabaji gritted his teeth, his hands tightening around the wheel. "Aye, Captain!"
The ship lunged violently to the left, the whole vessel groaning under the strain as the starboard side scraped dangerously close to the jagged cliff wall. Splinters flew as the hull barely missed the edge of the rocks.
"AAAAGGHHH!!" Mohji screamed as Richie flailed on his back, claws digging in deeper.
"STAY FOCUSED!" Buggy roared.
Cabaji's arms trembled as he forced the wheel to the left. "We're almost at the top—!"
The ship pitched forward violently—
And then suddenly—
They broke through.
The ship shot over the peak of Reverse Mountain, the deafening rush of the water beneath them momentarily replaced by the sound of wind howling through the sails.
For a moment, everything was still.
Buggy's eyes widened as he took in the view from the top of the mountain. Beneath them, stretching out endlessly in every direction, was the Grand Line. The horizon was a wild mixture of blue ocean, mist, and distant storm clouds. The sky itself seemed to darken unnaturally over the churning waves far below.
"We… We made it…" Mohji breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.
The crew erupted into cheers.
"WE DID IT!"
"CAPTAIN BUGGY DID IT!"
"WE'RE IN THE GRAND LINE!"
Buggy's chest swelled with pride. He spun toward his crew, planting his hands on his hips as his red cape billowed dramatically behind him.
"HAHAHAHA! OF COURSE WE MADE IT!" Buggy's grin stretched unnaturally wide. "WHAT DID I TELL YOU?! I'M A GENIUS!"
"YEAH, CAPTAIN BUGGY!"
"THE GREATEST CAPTAIN EVER!"
Buggy threw his arms wide, his head detaching from his body and spinning triumphantly through the air. "NOW LET'S—"
"CAPTAIN!"
Cabaji's shout cut through the celebration.
Buggy's eyes widened. He whipped his head back toward the bow of the ship.
"WHAT NOW?!"
Cabaji's face had gone pale. He pointed toward the distance. "IT'S A DROP!"
Buggy's heart shot into his throat.
Ahead of them, the current didn't lead smoothly down the other side of the mountain—it plunged into a steep, roaring waterfall.
"SHIT!" Buggy screamed. "HOLD ONTO SOMETHING!"
The crew screamed as the ship pitched forward.
Cabaji gripped the wheel, fighting desperately to control the angle of descent.
"STEADY… STEADY!" Cabaji's voice was tight with panic.
Mohji's scream practically shattered Buggy's eardrums.
Lazuli remained standing calmly at the back of the ship. Her golden hair whipped in the wind as they began their violent descent.
"CABAJI!" Buggy screamed. "CAN YOU STEER?!"
"I—I'm TRYING!" Cabaji's eye twitched violently as the wheel fought him. The ship trembled violently beneath their feet. "We're going too fast!"
Buggy watched nervously as Cabaji tried to steer with everything he got. His eye twitched harder as they fell down the stream. They all screamed in fear as the ship dropped down the stream.
Suddenly, there was a huge splash as the ship made contact with the water on the down.
Cabaji collapsed against the wheel, his face pale and drenched in sweat. Mohji lay on his back, Richie sprawled across his chest like a dead weight.
"We… We're alive…" Mohji gasped.
Buggy rubbed the back of his neck with a shaky grin. He couldn't believe this! They had done it. They had really done it.
"Of course we are!" he barked. "Because I'm Captain Buggy! HAHAHAHA!"
"Captain!" One of the crew members shouted from the crow's nest. "There's a lighthouse up ahead!"
Buggy's eyes lit up. "A lighthouse, huh?" His lips curled into a wide, toothy grin. "Perfect!"
Mohji stumbled to the railing, Richie clinging to his head like a lifeline. "C-Captain, what if it's dangerous? What if there are Grand Line monsters there?"
Buggy shot him a glare. "Shut up! If it's a lighthouse, that means there's someone living there! And if someone's living there—"
"We can get a map?" Cabaji suggested from the helm.
"Exactly!" Buggy's grin widened. He then suddenly realised something. "No! Maps don't work in the Grand Line. The Grand Line is dangerous because of its unpredictable climate and dangers. The only way to pass through it, is via the Log Pose. Thankfully, I have one."
"Plus, our ship's taken a beating from Reverse Mountain. We need repairs. And while we're at it, we'll find out where the nearest town is!"
"Are you sure they'll help us?" Cabaji asked through the excitement of his captain.
Buggy's smile faltered for a moment as his eyes slid toward Cabaji.
"Of course they'll help us!" Buggy forced a laugh. "They don't call me Captain Buggy the Genius for nothing!"
"Aye, Captain, we're approaching the lighthouse!" Cabaji shouted from the steering.
Buggy straightened his coat and adjusted his hat. His hands curled into fists as the ship slowed to a stop alongside the rocky shore.
"Drop anchor!" Buggy barked.
The crew scrambled to obey. The sound of chains clinking and the splash of the anchor hitting the water echoed through the quiet.
Buggy stepped onto the gangplank, his cape billowing behind him as he walked confidently toward the lighthouse door. Mohji and Cabaji followed him nervously. The ladies such as Lazuli and Alvida simply stayed behind.
"Mohji!" Buggy snapped. "Knock on the door!"
"R-Right!" Mohji rushed forward and banged his fist against the heavy wooden door.
A long silence followed.
The crew shifted uneasily. Richie let out a low whine from Mohji's shoulder.
Buggy crossed his arms, tapping his foot impatiently. "Come on, come on… Don't tell me they're sleeping at a time like this!"
Finally, the door creaked open.
Buggy's eyes widened the moment he saw who stood on the other side. His mouth fell open. His breath hitched.
Standing in the doorway was an old man with long, thinning white hair and a round nose. He wore a loose, open shirt and pants, and his thin, weathered face bore a hint of weariness—but his sharp gaze was unmistakable.
The old man's eyes widened in surprise. "Buggy?"
Buggy's jaw dropped. "Crocus-san?!"
The crew was collectively stunned. How famous was their captain actually?
The old man's thin lips curled into an amused smile. "Well… I'll be damned."
Buggy stumbled back a step, his mouth working wordlessly. "W-What… What are you doing here?!"
"I could ask you the same thing," Crocus replied calmly.
Buggy blinked rapidly, his mind struggling to catch up with the sight in front of him. "You— You're alive?!"
"Of course I'm alive," Crocus said. "I'm not as easy to kill as you think."
Buggy's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "But… how?! After everything—"
Crocus raised an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same question, Buggy. It's been… what, twenty years?"
Buggy's hands curled into fists. "Don't remind me!"
Mohji leaned toward Cabaji, whispering, "Who's that?"
"I don't know," Cabaji whispered back. "But Captain Buggy looks nervous…"
Buggy snapped toward them. "Shut up!"
Crocus chuckled softly. "Same old Buggy."
Buggy turned back toward him, his brow furrowing deeply. "What are you doing in a dump like this?"
"I live here," Crocus replied evenly. "I'm the lighthouse keeper."
"YOU?!" Buggy's eyes practically popped out of his skull. "You're the lighthouse keeper?! Are you serious?!"
Crocus shrugged. "Someone needs to keep an eye on the ships coming through Reverse Mountain."
Buggy gawked at him. "But… But you were—! You're Crocus! The doctor of the—!"
Crocus's eyes darkened. "Careful, Buggy."
Buggy's mouth snapped shut. His expression tightened.
Crocus's gaze sharpened slightly. He studied the people infront of him and took a look at the ship anchored, before his gaze returned to Buggy. "Looks like you've been busy."
Buggy forced a strained laugh. "Yeah, well—You know me! Always aiming for the top!"
"Clearly." Crocus's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Anyway!" Buggy clapped his hands together. "We need information! And some repairs! You can help us, right?"
Crocus sighed. "I suppose I owe you that much."
Buggy grinned. "That's what I'm talking about!"
Buggy suddenly turned to his crew as he looked at the assembled men before him. He wasn't a fool to ignore Crocus-san's warning. The warning to not reveal their past allegiance. He wasn't that much fool to not understand that.
"Alright crew! Let's have a feast today! Crocus-san is a dear friend of mine. You know this calls for a celebration!"