Previously, Mohji rode Richie to capture Zoro's head. This was because the three pirates who had been released by Zoro and Luffy had fled back to the tavern to report to Buggy.
"They said the Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro and a kid with a straw hat showed up in town?"
"Yeah! Captain! They're incredibly strong, look at us! All these injuries were caused by them, Captain Buggy."
While Buggy was in the middle of a feast, hearing this news instantly put him in a foul mood.
Kaito Sakamoto, on the other hand, felt different. Finally, Zoro and Luffy had arrived. After grabbing a free meal, he could leave.
"And what about the treasure?"
Buggy shot a deadly look at the trio, making them tremble.
"Cap... Captain Buggy, we were tricked by a woman. She even made us fall into the sea. If it weren't for getting aboard Roronoa Zoro's ship, we'd have died out there."
They dared not say anything more and told the truth.
"Was it her?" Buggy asked, holding up a picture of Nami.
The trio hurriedly nodded. "Yes! Yes! That's her!!"
Buggy turned his gaze toward Kaito, who was casually eating a steak. Kaito waved his hand, indicating he had no clue about the treasure. Buggy turned back, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Again, that damn woman!!"
"Who am I?!"
Buggy shouted, and his crew stood at attention as if a switch had been flipped.
"The pirate clown, Buggy-sama!"
"That's right! Hahahaha!!"
"I am the great Buggy! How can I tolerate that thieving woman causing chaos in my territory?!"
"And Roronoa Zoro, the Pirate Hunter! Once I take his head, my reputation will soar even higher!!"
"Let's put on a beast show!"
Buggy spread his arms wide, shouting.
"Are you calling me, Captain Buggy?"
"I'll go take Roronoa Zoro's head right now and get our treasure back! Is that okay?"
Mohji approached on Richie, looking all tough, thinking he was some big shot.
Kaito knew better—Mohji was just going to deliver himself as a victim, which was fine. It would also lure Luffy and Zoro closer, so Kaito wouldn't have to lift a finger.
Hmm, taking care of these guys first wouldn't be a bad idea either.
...
Back to Luffy's side, Mohji arrived riding Richie, just as Kaito had predicted. Mohji, along with Richie, were nothing more than cannon fodder.
"Take my head? Heh." Zoro chuckled. It seemed like his reputation still wasn't enough—people kept underestimating him.
"Treasure? What treasure? I don't know anything about that!!" Nami hastily denied it. Whatever treasure it was, if it's in her hands, it's hers now. There was no such thing as their treasure here.
"Kaito?" ×2
Luffy and Zoro both called out the name simultaneously upon hearing it.
"So, you two are Kaito's companions after all!" Nami exclaimed, confirming her suspicions. Had she somehow offended all three of them?
"What do you mean?"
"You guys know that Kaito too?"
Mohji asked, confused. How does Kaito seem to know everyone?
Luffy and Zoro immediately looked at him. "What do you mean? You know Kaito too?"
"Of course, he's a new member of the Buggy Pirates."
"WHAT?!"
Luffy's jaw dropped upon hearing this, utterly shocked at the idea of Kaito betraying him.
"Though I don't really like that guy, he doesn't seem like that kind of person," Zoro remarked.
Luffy nodded in agreement. Zoro hadn't known Kaito for long, but Luffy had grown up with him. He should trust Kaito!
"Right! Kaito isn't that kind of person!"
"Let's go check things out!"
Mohji, meanwhile, fumed at being ignored. Richie, who had ruined his show, was equally enraged.
"Damn it! Are you ignoring me? Richie!"
"Woof!!"
Richie and Mohji, vastly different in size, launched their attack together.
The outcome of the fight was obvious, but they didn't expect to be facing Luffy and Zoro.
Bang!
In an instant, Luffy's fist extended, punching Mohji squarely in the face and sending him flying.
Zoro, with his two swords crossed, slashed Richie's belly as the lion pounced.
Like I said, they were just here to serve themselves up.
Nami was once again shocked. She thought back to what Kaito had said about becoming their navigator and making money together. It didn't seem like such a bad idea now.
As long as she saw it as cooperation, not joining a pirate crew, it would be fine.
"Woman, you know where their base is, don't you? Take us there... it's a bother!" Zoro said.
The mayor, who had been pinned down by Luffy to avoid Richie's claws, struggled to lift his head, blood streaming from his nose.
"I... know!"
...
With Nami and the mayor leading the way, the four arrived at Buggy's base—the tavern.
Kaito was leaning casually on the rooftop, holding a cocktail, watching the four below with a relaxed expression.
"Kaito!"
Luffy called out.
Kaito raised his head slightly, "You're a bit late!"