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Red had always held a scornful attitude toward the increasingly fatalistic and bloodline-obsessed tone of pirate anime.
For him, who grew up under the red flag and had listened to stories about "princes, generals, ministers, and officials" on TV since childhood, this was undoubtedly the biggest insult to the efforts and scars that protagonist groups endured along their journeys.
However...
If fatalism and bloodline theory could help Red achieve his goals, then he didn't mind raising both banners high and preaching them to the world.
Because at this moment, these two arguments had become convenient tools in Red's eyes!
After Red's words, Buggy was stunned for a moment, as if his brain had lost the ability to think.
The entire tent suddenly grew quiet, with no sound to be heard.
Mohji and Cabaji had already been frightened and overwhelmed by this overly grand conversation. They wished they could plug their ears because they had never heard anything like this before.
Nami and Zoro were also looking at Red in surprise, with suspicion and shock alternating in their eyes.
At that moment, only Luffy's cheerful laughter from outside came through the thick tent walls, filling the silent space.
"..."
Buggy slumped weakly in his seat and suddenly began to murmur softly:
"Overthrow... the World Government..."
"That's right... that's right..."
His eyes were shining brighter and tears were flowing down his cheeks.
"I've been wondering how Shanks could suddenly become like that..."
"If it was Captain Roger's request, then everything makes sense!"
As a certain man once said...
If Shanks just wanted to protect the weak and had given up competing for the position of Pirate King, then Buggy would definitely yell at him.
But if Shanks' real purpose was actually to overthrow the World Government, and what he was doing now was just a disguise, then Buggy would instantly become Shanks' most devout supporter!
Only...
Buggy looked up.
The knot that had been building up for decades was solved in an instant, and his heart was now filled with extremely complicated emotions.
Even his tone of speech became polite.
"Red... Brother Red, can you please explain all this in detail..."
"Please!!!"
The always arrogant Buggy the Clown lowered his proud head at this moment in order to learn the truth.
However, even though he was clearly bowing his head, a unique aura erupted from his body.
Not particularly tyrannical, but extremely resilient!
'It seems my slip of the tongue was successful~'
'I can actually make Buggy the Clown evolve directly into the Clown King. I am indeed an excellent Trainer!'
Seeing this scene, Red immediately felt satisfied and planned to press his advantage, using Luffy's special identity to completely win over Roger's former crewmate.
"Buggy-Senpai, I can't tell you much about the specific situation."
"All I can say is... in the not-too-distant future, our crew will definitely turn the world upside down!"
"By that time, maybe the whole world will be our enemy!"
"Fortunately..."
"We are already prepared to fight against the whole world!!!"
Red's eyebrows raised slightly, his voice resonant and powerful, his eyes shining with confidence.
He was obviously just a novice pirate, but at that moment, no one present doubted whether his words were true.
Red continued:
"You must have heard some information... Shanks lost an arm in the East Blue a few years ago."
"In fact, that was the bet he made for the new era."
"This way, when the new era arrives, Shanks will become the biggest contributor to the creation of this era!"
"Buggy-Senpai, you don't want to see Shanks continue to thrive, right?"
"I..." Buggy, who had just unraveled his internal conflict, obviously hadn't thought that far.
But when he considered the majestic image of Shanks that Red's words painted, a strong feeling of disgust suddenly surged in his heart.
"Of course I don't want to!!!"
He said firmly in a hoarse voice.
Red smiled slightly:
"What a coincidence."
"This kind of life that seems to have been planned by others is not the adventure I want."
"So, Buggy, I extend an invitation to you once again..."
"You are invited to join the Straw Hat Pirates and become a member of the Straw Hat Fleet!"
"Let's work together to thwart Shanks' plan!"
"Give the world a real shake!!!"
Red took a few steps forward and extended an inviting hand to Buggy.
He believed that when it came to opposing Shanks, Buggy would not refuse at all!
As predicted.
Buggy, who had raised his head, hesitated for only a few seconds before immediately reaching out and gripping Red's hand firmly.
"If I find out that you lied to me, I will never let you off easy!!!"
"Hahaha!!! Then you must become stronger quickly, Buggy-senpai!"
Red pulled Buggy up, his fiery eyes shining exceptionally bright.
"The vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Red!"
"Captain of the Buggy Pirates, Buggy!"
This was the first real introduction between the two of them.
...
...
The celebratory banquet was suddenly interrupted by Red and Buggy.
Then shocking news spread: "What?! Captain Buggy wants to join the Straw Hats?! Why is this happening?!"
"Wait a minute, the Straw Hats—do you mean those brats?!"
"No! I don't accept it. How can the great Captain Buggy become someone else's subordinate?!"
"..."
"..."
As Buggy issued his order, the entire Buggy Pirate crew instantly erupted in protest.
All pirates expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition.
They had just learned the exciting news that Buggy was a former member of the Pirate King's crew, and they still dreamed of following Buggy to the top of the world!
How could they, in the blink of an eye, become subordinates to a small pirate group?!
"Hey, Vice Captain Mohji, what on earth is going on?!"
"Chief of Staff Cabaji, please go and persuade Captain Buggy!"
"..."
The pirates had no choice but to appeal to other officers in their crew.
However, Mohji and Cabaji, who had just heard the shocking news and had not yet recovered, looked at each other.
Meeting each other's eyes, they confirmed they were both equally confused.
The regular pirates who knew nothing were even more lost.
Even the two officers, who had listened to the entire conversation in the tent, still didn't understand the current situation.
But as Buggy's right-hand men, they needed to stand up and address the problem.
Snap!
"Shut up, all of you!!!"
Beast tamer Mohji quickly cracked his whip over the heads of all the pirates, making a sharp sound.
Cabaji also stood up with his arms folded across his chest:
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"Are you going to disobey Captain Buggy's orders?!"
"Or... do you think your intelligence surpasses that of Captain Buggy?!"
"Now that Captain Buggy has made his choice, as his subordinates, all we should do is support him with all our strength!"
"Don't let me hear anything that undermines our unity, otherwise I'll treat you as traitors!!!"
After some severe scolding, the pirates actually fell quiet.
Cabaji's words also made most of the pirates' eyes light up with understanding.
Yes!
Since Captain Buggy made the decision, what right did they have to object?!
Captain Buggy must have a deeper reason for doing this. All they needed to do was support him without questioning!
After all, they weren't smarter than Captain Buggy.
And so, all the pirates changed their minds and believed that Buggy joining the Straw Hats was the right decision.
...
Half an hour later.
"Sake of brotherhood? What's that?!"
Luffy, who was called back by Red, asked with a confused look on his face.
Although the banquet was interrupted, he was in a good mood after having eaten and drunk plenty.
But suddenly having to drink with others in some ceremony really left him confused.
As for the structure of pirate fleets, Red was prepared to explain it to Luffy:
"When other pirate crews want to become our subordinates, they have to drink the sake of brotherhood as a sign of allegiance to us."
"And as the captain, you must also drink the sake to represent your acceptance of them."
"Huh? What? That sounds so troublesome!"
As Red expected, after hearing the first sentence, Luffy immediately showed an impatient expression:
"Besides, why should I let others become my subordinates? I don't need so many crew members! It's enough for me to have you guys!"
"You idiot, you still want us to do everything ourselves?!"
Red glanced at Luffy with annoyance, then took the sake cup passed by one of the pirates and thrust it into Luffy's hand.
"In short, since they already want to be loyal to us, you shouldn't refuse their goodwill."
"Well... okay." After Red's persuasion, Luffy reluctantly agreed.
"..."
Am I being looked down upon?!
Buggy blinked while holding the cup of sake.
Originally, he felt a little ashamed about drinking the sake of brotherhood, but after seeing Luffy's expression, his temper really flared!
'Sure enough, it's because of Shanks' influence that he's so annoying!'
'Damn Shanks...'
'When I drink this cup of sake, I will be a legend who creates a new era before you do!'
Thud!
Buggy suddenly knelt on the ground, and then said seriously in front of hundreds of members of the Buggy Pirates:
"The Buggy Pirates have a total of 108 members. We request to join the Straw Hat Pirates. Please, Captain Luffy, drink the sake of brotherhood and accept us!"
Behind him, Mohji and Cabaji also held sake cups, leading all the pirates to suddenly kneel down.
"Umm..."
Luffy looked at the sake cup in front of him and then at Red, and said:
"Although I don't know what's going on, since Red says it's okay, then let's do it!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Luffy picked up the sake cup and drank the sake in one gulp.
When Buggy saw this, he quickly led his crew to drink the sake of brotherhood.
And so...
The Buggy Pirates officially joined the Straw Hat Pirates and became the first subordinate crew of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet!!!