Last time, we left off with Moqi riding Riki to claim Zoro's head, as the three pirates Zoro and Luffy had let go returned to the tavern to report to Buggy.
"You're telling me that Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro and a guy with a straw hat came to town?"
"Yeah, Captain! They're incredibly strong, we got all these injuries from them!! Buggy Captain!"
While Buggy was hosting a banquet, this news arrived, and his mood immediately soured.
Kaito Sakamoto, on the other hand, didn't mind much. Finally, those two had made it ashore, and once they were done eating, they could leave.
"What about the treasure?"
Buggy's gaze turned deadly, causing the three pirates to shudder in fear.
"B-Buggy Captain, we were tricked by a woman! She even caused us to fall into the sea! If it wasn't for getting on Roronoa Zoro's ship, we'd have died out there!"
The three pirates were too scared to speak and could only respond truthfully.
"Was it her?"
Buggy held up a picture of Nami and glared at the three.
They immediately nodded. "Yes, it's her! It's her!!"
Buggy turned to look at Kaito Sakamoto, who was enjoying his steak. Kaito shook his head, signaling that he didn't know anything about the treasure.
Buggy's forehead was now twitching with anger.
"Damn that filthy woman!!"
"Who am I?!"
Buggy shouted. His subordinates instantly stood to attention and replied in unison, as if triggered by a mechanism.
"Pirate!! Pirate Clown Buggy-sama!!"
"Right! Hahaha!!"
"I'm Buggy the Clown! How dare that thief woman run wild on my turf?!"
"And also! Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro! If I kill him, my reputation will rise again!!"
"Let's put on a beast show!!"
Buggy spread his arms and shouted.
"Are you calling for me, Buggy Captain?"
Moqi rode Riki over, his expression cold as if he were some big shot.
But Kaito knew better. He was just here to deliver food. It was a good opportunity for Moqi to lead Luffy and the others to him, so Kaito wouldn't have to do anything.
"Well, dealing with these guys first wouldn't be a problem."
Back to Luffy and his crew, Moqi and Riki approached, just as Kaito expected. They were only here to deliver food.
"Take my head? Heh."
Zoro chuckled. It seemed his reputation wasn't enough; he was still being underestimated.
"Treasure?! What treasure? I don't know!!"
"Is this also what Kaito Sakamoto told you?"
Nami quickly denied it. "Treasure? Anything I get is mine now, so there's no treasure here that belongs to you."
"Kaito Sakamoto?" *2
Luffy and Zoro immediately shouted in unison.
"Ha, so you two are Kaito's partners!"
Nami replied. So, she had been right. Had she really pissed off these three?!
"What does that mean?"
"You know Kaito Sakamoto too?!"
Moqi asked, confused. How did everyone know Kaito?
Luffy and Zoro turned to him. "What do you mean? You know Kaito?"
"Of course! He's a new member of the Buggy Pirates."
Moqi replied.
"What?!"
Luffy's mouth dropped open in disbelief. He couldn't believe Kaito had betrayed him.
"Even though I don't like the guy, he shouldn't be the type to do something like this," Zoro said.
Luffy nodded. Zoro had only known Kaito for a short time, but he had grown up with him and should trust him!
"Yeah! Kaito's not like that!"
"We need to check this out!"
Moqi was furious at being ignored, and Xiuxiu, who had wrecked the shop, was equally mad.
"Bastard! Ignoring me, huh? Riki!"
"Woof!!!"
Riki, a giant lion, and Xiuxiu both charged forward. It was clear who would win, but Xiuxiu had Luffy and Zoro behind her.
Boom!!
In an instant.
Luffy threw a punch, and Zoro swung his swords.
Luffy stretched his arm and smashed Moqi's face, sending him flying.
Zoro crossed his swords and struck Riki in the belly as it pounced.
As expected, these two were just here to deliver a head.
Nami was once again shocked. She remembered Kaito talking about sailing together to make money, which didn't sound too bad.
As long as she saw it as a partnership and not becoming a pirate, she could deal with that.
"Woman, you know where their base is, right? Lead me there… please!"
Zoro said.
The mayor, who was being held down by Luffy and narrowly avoided Riki's claws, struggled to raise his head, two clear streams of blood dripping from his nose.
"I... I know!"
Under Nami and the mayor's guidance, the group arrived at the tavern where Buggy had set up camp.
There, they found Kaito Sakamoto, casually leaning against the roof, holding a cocktail and looking down at them with a relaxed smile.
"Kaito!"
Luffy shouted.
Kaito slightly nodded. "You're a little late."