The sounds of clashing steel and pirate shouts faded away at the foot of Central Mountain. The Buggy Pirates stood victorious, just as everyone had expected.
Their triumph wasn't only due to Captain Buggy and his officers. Their crew, almost a hundred strong, had given them a solid advantage.
"Damn it, let me go!"
The Goa Kingdom's Army Commander was dangling in the air, his neck in the grip of a hand that had detached from Buggy's body. He squirmed and struggled, but he couldn't break free from the strange hold.
"Gya ha ha ha! That's what you get for crossing Buggy!" Buggy howled with laughter, savoring his victory.
"Bring out my cannon!" he ordered, his voice ringing with excitement.
"Yes, sir!" his crew replied.
The pirates eagerly wheeled forward a cannon, its dark muzzle pointed directly at the struggling Army Commander. Their faces glowed with anticipation. They knew Captain Buggy loved executing his foes with a grand cannon blast, a display of his power!
"No, stop--"
BOOM!!!
The explosion ripped through the air, leaving nothing but a cloud of smoke and the faint smell of gunpowder. The Army Commander was gone, not even a bone left behind. The remaining Goa Kingdom soldiers, prisoners of the pirates, turned ghostly white at the sight.
They were doomed, they knew.
"Captain Buggy, we found the treasure!" Cabaji announced, his voice filled with excitement. He led a group of pirates from the Treasure Cave, each loaded down with heavy chests.
Several of the smaller chests were already overflowing with gold and jewels. The largest chest was locked, but its sheer weight hinted at the riches hidden inside.
Treasure worth one hundred million!
The pirates erupted in cheers. "It's treasure!"
Watching from the branches of a distant tree, Nami's heart leaped with excitement as she saw the Buggy Pirates unearth the treasure. Next, I just need a chance to sneak in and steal it! she thought.
It was her usual plan, after all.
But then, something felt wrong.
"Marines?" she whispered, spotting a unit approaching in the distance.
Her keen eyes instantly sensed something amiss. Why are the Marines showing up now, at the perfect moment? Is there a trick?
Nami grabbed her telescope and scanned the surrounding jungle. She quickly found more Marine squads, carefully positioned to surround the Buggy Pirates.
This is bad! she thought, her heart sinking.
If the Marines seized the treasure, her dream of buying back her village would be shattered. And she had a code: she only stole from pirates.
Wait a minute... If I can use the chaos of the battle between the Marines and the pirates, maybe I can move the treasure somewhere safe!
BOOM!!!
The earth-shattering blast nearly knocked Nami from her perch.
A massive explosion ripped through the cliff above the Treasure Cave, triggering a landslide. Huge boulders tumbled down, crashing towards the ground.
It's a trap!
Nami's face paled.
Now I get it. The treasure is bait!
If she wasn't wrong, the locked chest was empty, nothing more than a lure. This was all a Marine scheme.
Outside the Treasure Cave, chaos reigned.
The explosion had sent countless rocks and dust raining down, engulfing the Buggy Pirates below. The pirates screamed in terror, scattering in every direction.
"Run away!"
But it was too late.
Rumble～～
The avalanche of rocks and dust roared down, burying the pirates beneath a deadly cascade. A thick cloud of dust filled the air.
Almost instantly, dozens of Marines stormed out of the forest, surrounding the Treasure Cave. Any pirates who had survived the landslide were met with the cold, unyielding barrels of their guns.
"Fire!"
Without hesitation, the Marines pulled the triggers. A hail of bullets ripped through the air, quickly silencing the remaining pirates.
After days of training, they'd become accustomed to Roya's ruthless tactics: seize every opportunity to kill, leaving the enemy no chance to react.
After the last shots echoed, the battlefield fell silent.
The Marines didn't relax. They quickly reloaded, ready for the next wave. The battle wasn't over until they saw the enemy leader's corpse.
Roya was waiting too.
He knew how resilient pirates could be. Even after a landslide, there was a good chance some would survive, especially the officers.
The pile of rocks blocked the entrance to the Treasure Cave, but Roya had a feeling Buggy wasn't dead.
Suddenly, a furious roar erupted from the rubble!
"Buggy Ball!"
BOOM!!!
The rocks exploded, revealing the dark entrance to the Treasure Cave. Three figures, along with a large lion, emerged from the darkness.
Buggy's eyes burned with rage as he surveyed the scene of death and destruction. He'd never imagined he'd be ambushed by the Marines while celebrating his victory.
"Damn Marines!"
If they hadn't been near the cave entrance, and able to retreat inside at the last moment, the three of them would have been crushed.
"Mohji, Cabaji!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!"
"Wipe out the Marines!"
"Understood!"
Mohji leaped onto Richie's back, and Cabaji mounted his unicycle. Together, they charged towards the Marines.
"Fire!"
"Bang, bang, bang!"
"The bullets aren't working!"
The Marines opened fire.
But the bullets missed their marks. The lion leaped and dodged, and Cabaji weaved and bobbed on his unicycle. Ordinary guns couldn't hit them.
"Gaoo!"
Richie the lion reached the front of the Marine formation. His massive paws slammed down, shattering the ground with a terrifying force.
"Ahhh!"
Several Marines went flying.
The remaining Marines turned their guns on the lion, but a long whip lashed out, knocking the rifles from their hands!
Snap!
A hand wearing an iron fist grabbed the whip!
"Everyone, fall back! He's out of your league!" Fullbody yelled, grabbing the whip and trying to pull Mohji down. His arm bulged with strain.
This guy! Mohji thought, feeling the pressure.
"Richie!"
"Gaoo!"
Richie opened his jaws and lunged at Fullbody. A bite from those teeth would crush rock.
Clang!
Two steel hoops blocked Richie's teeth!
It was Jango!
"There are two enemies; I can't let you handle them alone."
"Thanks, Jango." Fullbody grinned. He was more confident with Jango at his side.
"Let's go together!"
"Yeah!"
Meanwhile, swords clashed.
"I know you, Ensign Isca 'Nail Handed', am I right?" Cabaji said with a sneer. He quickly pedaled away, reaching inside his coat.
"To kill a promising Marine rookie, that really makes me happy!"
"Acrobatics: Spinning Top Attack!"
He launched more than a dozen spinning tops. They spun wildly, capable of tearing flesh on contact.
Isca's eyes narrowed. She swung her sword, deflecting the tops with precision.
At the center of the battlefield, Roya's expression was strange.
"Are you sure you want to go?"
"Leave it to me!"
Zoro confidently drew his three swords, holding the Wado Ichimonji in his mouth. Assuming his strongest three-sword stance, he stalked towards Buggy.
I drank their water, ate their bread, and they helped me out of the forest. I'd be ashamed if I didn't do something!
He would take care of the enemy leader!
"Don't worry, it will be over soon!"