Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Akainu was speaking to a green transponder snail.
"Mr. Sakazuki, I am currently rushing back aboard a CP0 warship. On board are remnants of Kaido's forces, and a wanted criminal the World Government specifically requested: the 'Devil Child,' Nico Robin," the green transponder snail said.
"Well done, Aramaki," Akainu said. "This is the only good news I've heard these past few days."
"Hahahaha!" the green transponder snail sounded a bit shy. "If I hadn't run into Nico Robin by chance, I would have taken the Straw Hat's head."
"Don't do anything unnecessary. The biggest enemy right now isn't the Straw Hat. Return first, we'll discuss the rest later." Akainu hung up the transponder snail.
It was fortunate this guy didn't act recklessly; the Straw Hat crew, capable of defeating Kaido and Big Mom, wasn't someone to be trifled with easily.
"Admiral Aramaki, could you hand Nico Robin over to us?" a CP0 agent approached.
"No need. I will personally keep watch over her." Aramaki glanced at Robin, who was bound by vines. "I wouldn't feel at ease handing her to you."
"What you need to do is speed up the warship and return to Marineford quickly. I still need to help Mr. Sakazuki clean up this messy world..."
The CP0 agents silently retreated, looking at the ship's cabin, which had been turned into a plant paradise.
"She's such a pBuggyy young lad. Why did she have to become a criminal?" Aramaki sighed, looking at Robin.
"Don't you people already know why I became a criminal?" Robin retorted sarcastically.
"I know. I looked into the destruction of the scholar island, Ohara. Mr. Sakazuki was the executor of the Buster Call," Aramaki stated.
"You bastards!" Robin's eyes immediately turned red. "As Marines, you massacre civilians—is this your justice?"
"But the World Government explicitly forbids researching ancient script. Why didn't your Ohara scholars listen?" Aramaki countered. "I don't know what the Poneglyph records, Ms. Robin. If the contents of the Poneglyph were made public, would the world's conflicts decrease?"
Robin fell silent. The Poneglyph not only recorded the Void Century but also the ancient weapons powerful enough to destroy the world. If the news about Pluton and Poseidon got out, it would only cause greater strife.
"I once discussed the topic of justice with Fujitora. We have seen despicable Marines and noble pirates, but overall, the Marines are generally righteous."
Aramaki used vines to open a barrel of rum. "So, I'm sorry, pBuggyy young lady, but I can only hand you over to the World Government."
"My comrades will rescue me..." Robin showed no fear.
"Give up hope. They can't catch up," Aramaki was very confident. "Even if they have a Vivre Card, by the time they catch up, we will already be at Marineford."
"I believe in Luffy and the others. They are the best comrades in the world!" Robin stated firmly.
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"You want to join my Buggy Pirates and become my comrades?"
Buggy set up a rendezvous point on the route to Wano Country to gather people from Buggy Dispatch.
But before Buggy Dispatch arrived, Buggy unexpectedly welcomed uninvited guests.
The Empress of the Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock, and the large-statured former Shichibukai member, Gecko Moria.
"That's right, Captain Buggy. As long as you grant this Empress one request, the Kuja Pirates will merge into the Buggy Pirates," Hancock stated.
"What request?" Buggy already guessed in his mind.
"Since Captain Buggy has already declared war on the Celestial Dragons, this Empress hopes that one day Captain Buggy can lead us to storm Holy Land Mary Geoise," a strange light flickered in Hancock's beautiful eyes.
"That's not a problem, but it will take some time. It's impossible in the short term..." Buggy replied.
Before honing his strength to its peak, Buggy had no intention of going to Holy Land Mary Geoise. Who knew what trump cards the Celestial Dragons were hiding?
"Having Captain Buggy's word is enough," Hancock bent slightly, which was the limit for her.
"The Kuja Pirates are willing to become a weapon in the Captain's hands. If the opponent is a Celestial Dragon, please let us be the first to attack."
Was it because of hatred for the Celestial Dragons that they came to join?
"What about you? Gecko Moria, why are you on Hancock's ship?" Buggy asked Moriah, who stood nearby.
He should have been with the Blackbeard Pirates right now, yet here he was appearing on Hancock's ship with Perona.
"Perona and I escaped from the Blackbeard Pirates. We ran into Hancock on the way."
Moriah and Hancock were both veteran Shichibukai and had some acquaintance. Upon inquiry, they found their goals were the same, so Moriah abandoned his small boat and boarded Hancock's ship.
"Captain Buggy, I need the power for revenge. If you can help me deal with Blackbeard, this life of mine is yours."
Moriah, who once contended with Kaido, had long lost the spirit of those years and had become a bloated, fat man.
But Blackbeard killed Absalom, one of his only three subordinates, instantly enraging the veteran powerhouse.
Absalom had long since left the pirate ranks and become a freelance contributor, using his Clear-Clear Fruit ability to take pictures that everyone enjoyed viewing.
Yet, just because of the Clear-Clear Fruit, he invited disaster upon himself.
That guy Blackbeard evendared too try to recruit him—how was that possible?
For Moriah, who had been a shut-in for so many years, comrades were more important than hegemony.
It was just that the Blackbeard Pirates were too strong, and Moriah saw no hope for revenge until he saw Buggy's live stream...
"I can agree to that, too."
The sea territory was only so large; Buggy would inevitably clash with Blackbeard sooner or later. Besides, he completely despised Blackbeard's methods.
"Then I can serve Captain Buggy. After Blackbeard is killed, I will pledge my loyalty," Moriah stated.
"Don't worry, you won't have to wait long."
Moriah's Shadow-Shadow Fruit was actually quite strong, and his ability to create zombies also had unique aspects. Perhaps there was significant room for development.
With this, including Bartholomew Kuma, Buggy realized he now had five former Shichibukai under his command.
Although they each had their own motives, they could all fight for the Buggy Pirates now.
With the strength of these individuals, taking over Wano Country should be more than enough.
Wano Country's main fighting force was the Nine Red Scabbards.
Shichibukai versus the Nine Red Scabbards? Wouldn't that be bullying them a bit?
"Captain Buggy, Mr. Morgan's World Economic News agency wants to come here to take pictures. They are likely preparing for new bounties. Should we agree?" Mr. 3 received a call on his transponder snail.
"Let them come. It's a good chance to let the world witness the strength of the Buggy Pirates."
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