Luffy and Zoro met Nami and learned from Mochi that Kaito Sakamoto had joined the Buggy Pirates. To understand the situation better, they dealt with Mochi and Ritch before heading to the tavern where the Buggy Pirates were stationed, guided by Nami and the town mayor. They initially expected a battle.
However, they found Kaito casually leaning against the roof's edge, holding a cocktail and looking down at the four of them with a relaxed expression.
"You guys are a bit late!"
This was all happening because, one hour earlier...
One hour earlier, just as Mochi was leaving the tavern's rooftop.
"Alright then, it's time to deal with the trash."
"We don't need any trash in the Buggy Pirates!"
After Mochi left, Buggy said darkly. The three guys who had been released by Zoro and Luffy finally let out a sigh of relief, only to feel their hearts leap into their throats as they realized what Buggy meant. Who else could he be talking about?
"Captain Buggy!"
"Sorry! We were wrong! Please spare our lives, Captain Buggy!"
Buggy turned around, his big red nose almost poking into their faces.
"Who am I?"
"You're... the Pirate Clown... Buggy-sama," the three trembled in response.
"Ha ha ha!"
"Good, now you know! I am the Clown Buggy!!"
"There's no room for trash on my ship!!"
Buggy stood up, laughing heartily.
The three of them, realizing they were trapped, desperately tried to escape.
"Escape? You think you can get away? Ha ha ha!!"
Buggy laughed, and with a quick motion, he split his hands, grabbing a rope that ensnared the three, tying them up tightly.
"Still want to run? How brave! Then I'll send you off with my special Buggy Bomb! Ha ha!!"
"Guys, load the special Buggy Bomb into the cannon!"
Buggy commanded, using his arms to pull the three toward the cannon's mouth, while his underlings obediently placed the special Buggy Bomb inside.
"No! Please, no!!"
"Captain Buggy, have mercy on us!!"
The three, staring at the dark cannon, felt hopeless but still clung to the hope that Buggy might spare them.
Kaito, sitting at the table, cleaned his ears, frustrated that he couldn't even enjoy a meal in peace.
"Ah, I'm full now," he said, standing up and wiping his mouth with a white cloth. His plate was empty, the steak devoured.
Everyone was cheering, waiting for the "fireworks show," but Kaito suddenly interjected, making everyone turn their attention to him.
"Huh? You're full?"
"Perfect, then you can light the fuse, Kaito," Buggy said, revealing a sinister smile. Kaito continued wiping his mouth, unfazed.
"What's wrong? Afraid?"
Kaito set the cloth down and smiled. "Why would I be afraid?"
He walked over to the cannon and took the torch. The three shook their heads, pleading with Kaito not to light the fuse, but he showed no mercy in his eyes and ignited it.
Seeing this, the three stopped struggling, at least ready to face death with dignity.
Kaito glanced at the long fuse, wondering who had designed it; they must have been quite clever.
As Kaito lit the fuse, the crowd began to cheer again.
He felt more certain now: not all pirates were like Luffy and his friends. Some pirates were willing to take lives for fun. He hoped he would never become one of those people.
...
The crowd cheered, waiting for the cannon to fire, eager to see a grand "firework display."
But Kaito's next move left them speechless.
As the fuse burned down to a fifth of its length, Kaito kicked the cannon, rotating it until the dark cannon mouth was aimed directly at Buggy and his crew, the fuse still burning.
"!!!!"
The cheering faces instantly turned to panic.
"What are you doing, Kaito?!"
Kaito shrugged and shook his head. "Just to clarify, it's not that I discriminate against you. I just really dislike big red noses."
Buggy's eyes widened, caught between anger and fear.
With Kaito's words echoing in the air, a loud bang sounded as the cannon fired, sending a hot blast towards Buggy and his crew.
"Get down!!"
Ultimately, fear triumphed over anger, and Buggy shouted, being the first to duck down.
The cannonball exploded, filling the air with thick smoke, and two-thirds of the Buggy Pirates lost their fighting ability in an instant.
From within the smoke, Buggy slowly stood up, panic gone, replaced by fury.
"Kill him!!!"
Buggy shouted, his voice becoming shrill.
Cabaji, acting quickly, rolled in on a unicycle, rushing toward Kaito.
The sound of blades clashing echoed as Cabaji suddenly appeared behind Kaito, swiftly slicing down.
"Ha ha... wait!"
Buggy wanted to laugh, thinking Kaito was a big shot, but the sight before him made him realize something was off. Kaito had been cut in half without spilling a drop of blood. Impossible! Wasn't that just like his own ability to dismember?
"Cabaji!"
Buggy yelled.
Cabaji turned on cue, spewing forth a stream of flames.