As the fight came to an end, Draco, still a bit tipsy, hoisted the battered Buggy over his shoulder and made his way to the medical quarters. He pondered briefly whether he should heal him, normally, but this time he wanted to let Buggy feel the injuries as he had inflicted it on his own. Buggy had accepted the fight, so he had to own up to the aftermath. He decided he'd only intervene if the injuries proved annoying or lethal in the future.
Rayleigh joined him, as he gently hoisted Shanks over his shoulder. They then walked over to the medical quarters, where Crocus was.
Some crewmates cried while others cried out in happiness as they won the bet. Roger on the other hand was dead drunk laughing and dancing with Scopper, who had stayed sober to keep the captain out of trouble.
Rayleigh looked at Buggy before chuckling, "Buggy's grown. He was just a scrawny kid when he joined us, but lately, he's stopped even complaining in the face of danger."
Draco smiled in agreement. "I hope some of my training and principles have rubbed off on him. that's great."
As they walked into the medical room, there was a corner with two medical beds. Placing both of them on the bed, Rayleigh and Draco started talking about what had just perspired in the fight.
Their conversation paused as Crocus entered, looking slightly grumpy. "Well, well, well, the apprentices have certainly shown some guts today," he grinned, nodding approvingly.
Draco and Rayleigh laughed, exchanging glances as Crocus before being shooed out, insisting on peace and quiet to assess the injured. They nodded and headed for the deck, still smiling.
On the way, Rayleigh asked, "Draco, I've been meaning to ask…are you really only eight years old? You don't act like a kid at all."
Draco glanced back, unfazed as they walked. "I actually turned nine a few days ago," he replied with a half-smile. "But…you could say I'm just an old nine-year-old." Rayleigh watched him head off to his "base" before his eyes widened noting how tall Draco had grown, already nearly 5'11".
[Revolutionary Army Base]
Back at the Revolutionary Army base, the meeting had just wrapped up. As most of the commanders filed out, two remained behind: Gordon and Homer. As old friends and former nobles, they shared a close brotherly bond that went back decades. Gordon spoke calmly, "Homer, that Dragon fellow…he's dangerous. Son of a Marine hero. Are you sure you want him with us?"
Homer, stacking papers, glanced up with a thoughtful smile. "Actually... Dragon reached out to me first. He seems…conflicted. He's seen the government's injustices firsthand and seems unsure of his allegiance." Though Homer couldn't fathom how Dragon had found out about his newly created organization, he still accepted to converse with Dragon.
Gordon, after a brief pause, gave a faint smile. "Fair enough." As Gordon began to exit the meeting office, he stopped in his tracks before pondering something. As he looked at his white watch, he smiled.
"Brother Homer, would you like to grab dinner? I'd like you to meet my daughter. which would be considered your niece, I guess"
Homer's eyes brightened. "Of course." He laughed softly, touched by the invitation.
[Oro Jackson]
Back aboard the Oro Jackson, the next morning found Buggy and Shanks arguing in the medical quarters, each nursing fresh injuries and unable to remember the full details of their fight.
After all, Buggy had lost consciousness, but his body's sheer will pushed him to keep fighting, only remembering that Shanks had hit him in the temple and his head went blank. Shanks, meanwhile, had also been knocked out cold after Buggy's final hook to his temple. Neither could recall much of the intense brawl they'd had the day before. Now, both wrapped in casts and laid up in beds placed side-by-side, they wasted no time getting back to their usual bickering. Both sides were not willing to agree on who had winned or not.
Each claimed to have had the upper hand, hurling nearby objects at one another until Crocus stormed in, thumping them both on the head. "You two are tough nuts," he sighed, adjusting his glasses. "You're mostly healed, but you're exhausted. Just rest."
"Phew, I thought I had broken a bone and would be disabled." Said, Buggy
"I thought so too...," said Shanks
"Well just be careful next time, exerting that much in a fight doesn't give any benefits except losing one of your senses" Crocus advised calmly. "I'll head out now but quit your bickering, it's getting loud."
After stepping out of the room, the bickering resumed. Crocus could only sigh as the door closed before walking back out to the exit.
As they bickered, it came to a sudden pause, as Buggy glanced out the window, spotting their destination, Water 7. Eyes lighting up, he yelled, "Water 7! I've always wanted to see this place!"
Shanks peered out the window, squinting before muttering, "Buggy, move that big red nose of yours! I can't see! And why does your side get a window, while mine doesn't?"
Buggy, irritated, gave Shanks a playful kick, nudging him aside. "Fortune favors the winner!" he smirked.
"Fortune my foot!" Shanks retorted, and the two started bickering again. Suddenly, Buggy froze, clutching his face with his cast-wrapped hands. "Wait—ack! I forgot about training!" He scrambled towards the door but tripped and landed face-first.
Meanwhile, up on the deck, Draco awoke from his hammock and took in the breathtaking sight of Water 7, admiring its unusual, Venice-inspired architecture.
"Truly beautiful," he said quietly, moving to the ship's edge for a better view. The Oro Jackson approached the docks, and the crew buzzed with energy, preparing to dock, and securing the ship.
Looking at the Dock number, Draco murmured, "Dock 1", It was where Ice Burg in the anime had based himself. But right now, it seemed to be positioned by the one and only, Tom.
As they docked, Draco heard familiar voices, and some loud complaints, approaching from the stairs up to his base. Sure enough, Shanks and Buggy had escaped the medical quarters. Buggy ran ahead, clutching his side, with Shanks close behind. Buggy dropped to his knees before Draco, and Dogeza in apology for missing training.
"I apologize Draco! I wasn't able to train this morning!" cried Buggy, as he wept and held onto Draco's foot.
Draco raised an eyebrow, amused before pondering a bit and placed a hand on Buggy's shoulder to heal him, then did the same for Shanks. "Don't worry about it today. Go grab Enel; let's go explore Water 7!" he said, smiling, as he strolled toward the dock.
Both Buggy and Shanks watched in amazement, then glanced at each other, realizing they felt completely restored. Buggy stood up and clenched his hands,
"Eeek! I'm healed! Hahahahaa...Yes! Where's that bastard Enel!?!?" Buggy yelled out, grinning ear to ear as he rushed off to find Enel.
Shanks, however, touched his side, still in shock. "What…just happened?" he murmured, feeling healed, but even stronger than before. Sitting down, he muttered to himself, "I could've sworn Draco-san didn't have a Devil Fruit…" His mind raced with questions, baffled by Draco's abilities.