Buggy D Clown

Just as those with ill intentions were about to provoke Crocodile and Buggy, Kalifa's words stopped them in their tracks.

"Suprass Captain in term authority?" she chuckled softly.

"What our captain Buggy wants is actually the high reputation of Crocodile," Kalifa continued, a small smile playing on her lips. "Every time Buggy goes to a new area, he brings Crocodile with him. Do you know why?"

"Why?" Uta asked, genuinely puzzled.

From what she understood—and probably from everyone else's perspective—it seemed illogical for a leader to act in such a way. After all, in their world, this was the era of kingship supremacy. The World Government, with its centuries of control, had long stifled any notion of freedom.

"Because Captain Buggy wants to train Crocodile to become the next head of the Crimson Empire," Kalifa said casually, her words carrying a weight that made the room fall silent. "Buggy once said, 'Power is like ocean waves. What I want the most in the world is freedom, so how can I take the freedom of my own kingdom.'"

Kalifa paused for a moment, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. "Furthermore, the head of the Crimson Empire will change every five years. The goal is to prevent the rise of the cruel kings as seen in other kingdoms in and above Grandline."

The room went completely still. Uta and the rest of the team, along with everyone watching the live broadcast, were stunned. Such bold words, such daring ideals—could only come from someone like the Godslayer himself: Buggy.

From what they knew of the Crimson Empire, even without witnessing its army firsthand, they could imagine the sheer scale of its power. It was a number alone that was comparable to the Alabasta, perhaps even more formidable. Plus they were on an Island that was in the new world which even the world government hadn't been able to infiltrate in 800 years.

But the Crimson Empire's strength wasn't just built on military might. It was bolstered by the God Slayer Pirates, a crew whose influence ensured that no one dared challenge the empire's authority.

And from the way the empire was governed, it seemed far more organized and capable than any oppressive regime. The structure of it—changing leadership every five years—was a statement, one that made clear the empire's desire to avoid the stagnation of dynasty-like rule. The idea of freedom was at its core, an ideal that contrasted sharply with the world that had oppressed them for so long.

The country had just begun to calm down after a long period of civil strife, yet the lives of its people were still far worse than those in the Crimson Empire. The environment alone was incomparable.

But what truly set the Crimson Empire apart wasn't just the physical landscape—it was the political system. The structure of the Empire was something they had never seen before. How could the emperor simply let someone else take control? How much courage did it take to challenge such a tradition?

The news was nothing short of a revelation to the world. Those watching the live broadcast were stunned. It was something they had never even considered.

A new kind of government had been created, one with strong governance and exceptional means of enriching the country while securing the people's welfare. Buggy's vision had transformed him from a "Dreamer"—once mocked by the world—into a man now praised and revered.

Could a clown's dream come true?

No matter what, from this day forward, his name would leave a permanent mark on history.

"Kalifa, do you know?" Uta's voice was serious as she turned to Kalifa. "Before I came today, I actually had a very bad plan in mind."

Kalifa raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"But after today," Uta continued with a determined look, "I'm putting an end to all those thoughts. Buggy's actions have made me realize that dreams in this world can truly come true. As long as you have the heart to do it, you may not be as successful as Buggy, but at least you'll have direction."

She paused, her voice thick with admiration. "This man... he's truly someone to be admired and respected."

Kalifa nodded, her expression softening with a mix of respect and understanding. "Yes, Buggy is that kind of man. When we first heard his decision, we were all shocked. But who else do you think could've suppressed the rebellious pirates in our crew?"

Uta blinked, not fully understanding, and Kalifa smiled knowingly. "In this world, only Buggy can command that kind of loyalty. That's why we gather around him. His vision, his ideals—they're where we're headed."

Uta looked at her, intrigued, as Kalifa continued, her voice taking on a reflective tone. "You may not know this, but Buggy once said, 'If one day, my regime fails to bring happiness, security, and prosperity to the people, but instead causes pain, hardship, and disgust, then it will be time to overthrow it.'"

Kalifa's eyes shone with conviction. "No form of government is permanent. Change is necessary when things stop serving the people. Buggy's willing to change things when they stop working—and that's what makes him different."

"Human beings are never afraid of challenges and never stop—neither do their minds!" Kalifa's voice rang out with conviction, her words reverberating in the air. "This is the man we are willing to follow!"

Her statement hit Uta and the rest of the group like a jolt, leaving them stunned. At that moment, even the grandeur of Fish-Man Island seemed to pale in comparison. The group stood frozen, their eyes fixated on Kalifa, almost as though they were trying to peer through her and catch a glimpse of the man she spoke of.

It wasn't just Uta and her crew; all around the world, everyone watching the live broadcast was equally stunned. Ordinary civilians, pirates, even the nobles and kings—all of them paused in their tracks, a strange sense of awakening flickering in their hearts.

A quiet fire burned within them, though none could quite grasp why. Just like the fabled drums of liberation.

Red Line.

Mary Geoise.

Pangaea Castle.

Inside the office of the Five Elders, the room was eerily quiet. The usual sound of glass shattering in rage was absent, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the Five Elders stared intently at the live broadcast. Their faces were grim, and the shadows behind them seemed to shift and swirl as if the very presence of monstrous beings lurked just beyond the light.

"Dreamer?" Saint Saturn muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I never thought he'd turn that mocking title into one of respect. This man... he's frightening."

"Indeed," Saint Mars replied, his tone a rare mix of awe and concern. "His words have shocked even me. This is beyond what we expected."

A silence fell over the group as they exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, Saint Jupiter broke the quiet.

"We need to report this," he said, his voice edged with caution. "We can't afford to deal with this kind of idea directly."

"Report it? This man... he feels... eerily familiar," Saint Venus muttered.

"Could it be him? The one Lord Im has spoken of—the lamp?" Saint Jupiter suggested, his voice low and wary.

"If it's him," Saint Saturn replied, his tone heavy with relief, "then we can rest easy. Lord Im could erase him without a trace. But if not... If we want to challenge him, we're looking at the possibility of a world war."

They fell into silence once again, the weight of the situation settling upon their shoulders. The very thought of Buggy rising to this level of power was more than unsettling.

"He's fully independent now," Saint Venus sighed, his voice tinged with frustration. "It's going to be hard to outmaneuver him. Even Kaido and Big Mom couldn't take him down. If we want to engage in a war across the seas, it'll be more difficult than we ever imagined."

Saint Mars looked over to the side, his brow furrowed in thought. "What does the Marine say about this?"

"They are in a meeting," Saint Saturn answered, his voice colder now. "We'll bring Sakazuki in to ask him later. But... Buggy is not as easy to deal with as we thought. I'm afraid we'll have to ask Lord Im to handle this one."

The group fell into uneasy silence once more, the shadows in the room growing darker as they pondered the implications of this new, unanticipated threat.

Naval Headquarters.

Marineford.

Akainu's sharp gaze swept across the room, his voice cold and authoritative. "So, what now? This Crimson Empire is unlike anything we anticipated. Not only that, but it's far more developed than any other nation we've encountered. If we act impulsively, it could spell disaster for the Marines. However, we can't just sit by and let this man wreak havoc without consequences. Does anyone have suggestions?"

Before anyone could respond, Garp's booming voice interrupted, his grin as wide as ever. "I gotta see it for myself! Is this Crimson Empire really as impressive as they say? I don't know much about this Uta, the world singer, but seeing is believing, right? I'd like to ask the Marshal for a few months off. You know, undercover work, gather some intel for the Marines! What do you think?"

Akainu's face twitched in irritation, his expression darkening. The vein on his forehead throbbed with barely contained anger. He clenched his fists, his voice dangerously low. "Garp, you moron. Are you serious? Do you want time off—again? This isn't some game. Every second we waste is a second the Crimson Empire grows stronger. Get serious!"

Garp simply chuckled, completely unbothered. "Come on, Akainu! Relax! It's just a few months. A bit of fun, a bit of work! I'll be back before you know it, and I'll have all the info we need!"

Akainu's nostrils flared as he tried to suppress his growing frustration. As much as he wanted to knock some sense into Garp, he couldn't deny that the old man had a point. A careful approach was necessary.

Just as Akainu opened his mouth to speak, a calm and measured voice interrupted the brewing storm. "Well... it's not impossible," said Vice Admiral Tsuru, the ever-composed strategist of Marineford.

All eyes turned to her, and the room fell silent, waiting for her to elaborate.

"Vice Admiral?" Akainu's voice was sharp, his frown deepening. "Are you actually encouraging Garp to shirk his duties? Can you provide a reason for this madness? Him, undercover? Seriously, of all people, him?" His tone was laced with disbelief, and his fists clenched as he glared at Tsuru. 

Crane straightened in her chair, her expression thoughtful. She glanced around the room, ensuring all eyes were on her. "First," she began, her voice steady, "Did any of you notice what Kalifa, Buggy's female secretary, said earlier? They were fully aware of Uta's live broadcast from the start, but they deliberately chose not to interrupt. Instead, they allowed it to continue, likely to reveal the true nature of the Crimson Empire to the world."

The room fell silent as everyone absorbed her words. The implication hung in the air, heavy and unsettling.

Crane continued, "In other words, the Crimson Empire is ready to face the world. They've deliberately opened their doors and chosen to make their intentions clear."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. If it hadn't been for Vice Admiral Crane's keen observation, many of them would've missed that crucial detail. The live broadcast had distracted them, making them focus solely on Kalifa's words, and they had failed to notice the subtle message behind her actions.

One of the officers spoke up, breaking the silence. "So, since the Crimson Empire has decided to face the world head-on, it's unlikely they'll remain isolated much longer."

Akainu's frown deepened as he processed the new information. The implications were vast. If the Crimson Empire was indeed making a public play to enter the world stage, the balance of power could shift dramatically. And they would need to prepare for whatever came next.

"Very well," Akainu finally said, his voice low and filled with resolve. "We'll need to observe closely and decide how to respond. Old man, if you're going, do it discreetly. And keep your foolish antics to a minimum."

Garp grinned widely, completely undeterred. "You got it, brat!"

Akainu rolled his eyes, his irritation mounting, but deep down, he couldn't deny that Garp's reckless methods of gathering information might actually be the most effective.

This man had a long history of befriending pirates, and he was the one who raised Roger's son after his death. It wouldn't be surprising if Buggy actually welcomed Garp as an honored guest in his empire. For now, the Marines would wait and observe. The Crimson Empire had made its move—it was time to see just what they truly had to offer.

Crane Vice Admiral spoke up, her voice calm and measured. "If the Marines need more comprehensive information, we must have someone investigate directly. But as you've heard, the Crimson Empire's skies are controlled by Thor Enel. He can even intercept den den mushi waves. Instead of sending spies, it's better to approach them directly, openly—just like Uta did."

She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle.

"Furthermore," Vice Admiral Tsuru began, her voice calm yet firm, "Garp's position within our ranks makes him the most suitable candidate for this mission. First, there's no direct conflict with the God-Slayer Pirates. Second, there's no direct conflict with Buggy either. And most importantly," she paused, her gaze shifting to Akainu with a pointed look, "Garp's got two grandkids—one is the son of his old captain, Roger, and the other is the son of his ally, Dragon. With connections like that, he won't go off the rails."

Her reasoning was sound. Everyone in the room couldn't help but agree, even though Akainu felt a lingering sense of discomfort. The truth was irrefutable, but it wasn't exactly easy to swallow. The connection between Garp and the family… made things more complicated than they should have been.

Akainu's face darkened, a scowl forming as he shook his head. "I can't just let Vice Admiral Garp go alone. Kizaru, you're going with him. If anything goes wrong, your abilities should be fast enough to handle the situation."

Kizaru, as usual, was unfazed. "I see," he replied lazily, his tone as casual as ever.

For a brief moment, the room went quiet. Everyone, including Akainu, couldn't help but stare at Kizaru. Why had he agreed so easily? Normally, he'd drag his feet and avoid responsibilities like this. The sudden change didn't sit right with them.

Kizaru blinked, catching the unspoken thoughts in the room. Realizing his slip-up, he quickly cleared his throat. "Well, I mean... I don't have much going on at the moment. Might as well join Vice Admiral Garp for the trip." He gave a light chuckle, trying to cover his tracks, but it was obvious to everyone that he was scrambling for an excuse.

Sengoku, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, his voice calm and collected. "Since I'm free, I'll accompany you both. No need to worry."

"Yeah, I want to see this for myself too," Momousagi chimed in from the back, her voice steady. She raised her hand with determination in her eyes. "If we're dealing with something this serious, I'll be there."

Akainu frowned, about to refuse her request out of instinct. But then he turned to Crane, who nodded after considering it for a moment.

Akainu's voice was sharp, but there was a hint of reluctant acceptance in it. "Alright," he sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in irritation. "With Garp, Sengoku, and Kizaru going, I'm sure they'll manage just fine. Go ahead and arrange a warship, but make sure the whole thing is framed as a 'friendly reunion between the crew of the Pirate King and his old buddy Garp.' I bet they'll be thrilled to see you, old man." His tone was laced with sarcasm, though it was clear he was begrudgingly giving his approval.

The room seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Akainu had made the decision, and things were moving forward. Even if the mission felt uncomfortable, there was no turning back now.

The group was ready. Their eyes were fixed on the Crimson Empire, uncertain of what awaited them, but determined to find answers—by whatever means necessary.

Everyone in the room nodded, understanding Akainu's point. The decision not only ensured their safety but also allowed them to maintain their dignity. The mission was framed as a "visit," avoiding the appearance of an outright military action. There was no need for the Marshal to circle this decision any longer.

"Good," Sengoku said with a faint smile. However, as his gaze drifted off, he was once again reminded of the shock he'd felt earlier from Kalifa's words about Buggy. He was left momentarily speechless.

It was almost impossible to fathom how such a mere pirate had managed to achieve something so extraordinary.

Sengoku's mind wandered to a darker thought. If his seasoned mind who had dealt with cruel pirates his entire life could be swayed like this, what about the civilians? The pirates? What about the Revolutionary Army?

He shuddered. He didn't dare let himself think any further.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army's reaction was no less intense.

Revolutionary Army Headquarters, Baltigo, White Soil Island.

A tense atmosphere hung over the phone bug meeting as Dragon, Sabo, Ivankov, and Lightning sat before their devices. An anti-tapping phone bug sat in the middle of the table, ensuring their conversation couldn't be overheard. The phone bugs connected to the commanders of the Fourth Armies, waiting for them to speak.

Dragon, his face unreadable, spoke first.

"Belo Betty, Lindbergh, Morley, Karasu, are you all there?"

"Yes, Chief!" came the unified response from the other end.

"You must have seen the live broadcast from the Crimson Empire that I told you about. What are your thoughts?" Dragon asked, his voice calm, but there was an undercurrent of urgency beneath it.

The first to speak was Belo Betty from the Eastern Army.

"I've already had some direct contact with Buggy," she replied, her voice measured. "But I won't go into details for now. I'd rather not cloud your judgment. You can decide for yourself."

With her words, the line fell silent for a moment, the weight of her statement hanging heavily in the air.

A few seconds later, the voice of the Northern Army's commander, Crow, cut through the silence.

"I've been keeping an eye on this 'Godslayer'—Buggy—for quite some time," he began. His voice was steady, though tinged with awe. "To be honest, his dream shocked me at first. Like everyone else, I initially dismissed him as a mere 'dreamer,' someone who spoke empty words. But after everything I've seen today, I've had to completely reassess my previous judgment. Honestly, he will be the greatest man in history even above pirate king if he is able to fulfill his dream."

He paused for a moment, his tone reflecting the gravity of his thoughts. "As a pirate, he built an empire with the firepower of a rising star, something I never imagined. But what strikes me the most is that he doesn't care about power, yet he's managed to do it. A man who does what he says—now that's someone we can relate to."

The room fell quiet after Crow's speech, until Lindbergh, the commander of the South Army, chuckled and chimed in.

"Is that all? You should first consider whether Buggy is even willing to contact us. Let's face it—compared to his empire, our Revolutionary Army is still far behind."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression serious. "Have you forgotten Buggy's other identity? The strongest of the Four Emperors today! To borrow a phrase from Buggy himself, 'Crow, you're being arrogant.'"

As Lindbergh finished, a heavy silence settled over the meeting. Everyone seemed to share an unspoken understanding. Sabo and Ivankov exchanged glances, offering wry smiles at the sudden tension.

But what truly surprised everyone was Crow's response. After a few moments of quiet reflection, he nodded and spoke with an unexpected humility.

"Lindbergh, you're right," he admitted. "I was too arrogant before. I've been too one-sided in work as the commander of the revolutionary army."

He let out a breath, his voice softening with genuine respect. "But when it comes to making decisions about something like this, Dragon you should handle it. I still have plenty of time to fight."

The den den mushi crackled with a chorus of laughter from the other end. Lindbergh couldn't help but grin.

"It seems I misunderstood you, Crow. My apologies," he said, his voice light. "I've always had respect for Buggy, even when the world laughed at him as a 'dreamer.' I never doubted him. And now, he's proven me right. He hasn't let me down."

Morley, the commander of the Western Army, shyly chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of admiration.

"Normal folk like Buggy, too. Didn't you see? He's managed to bring together humans, Fishmen, Mink, and—by the way—a Giant. So many different races, all living together in peace."

His words hung in the air for a moment, and then, in contrast to Morrie's more reserved tone, Bello Betty, the leader of the Eastern Army, let out a soft chuckle on the other end of the phone.

"Hehehe... Seems I don't need to say much more," she said, her voice warm with understanding. "Were you all wondering where the large population we suddenly acquired came from? Maybe some of you received information through them?"

There was a brief pause as everyone waited, and Bello Betty continued.

"They were the slaves of the Tequila work on the bridge. Buggy rescued them, and then he brought them to me, freeing the slaves and handing them over to me. From that day on, I knew he was no ordinary man."

She took a breath, as though reflecting on everything that had transpired.

"Since then, he's continued to defy expectations. He's slain the Celestial Dragons, saved Dressrosa, taken down Wanokuni, and now, he's building a new empire from the ashes of a broken kingdom."

Her tone shifted slightly, becoming more fervent. "You all feel the same as I do, don't you? As revolutionaries, there's not one of us who doesn't want to do the same but we are too weak to fight in open ground."

After a brief silence, Bello Betty paused and then asked, her voice thoughtful, "So, what do you think of this man, leader?"

At that moment, Morley, Lindbergh, and Crow all leaned in, their attention fully focused on Dragon. They were eager to hear their leader's thoughts.

But, unexpectedly, Dragon answered with a different, more contemplative tone.

"Our Revolutionary Army has always lacked a real vision for the future... and a true goal of what our endgame will be..."

The words sent a ripple of unease through the room. Everyone's hearts skipped a beat. What did this mean?

---

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