Orange Town's central square, filled with rubble and lingering smoke from Buggy's earlier explosion.
---
The townspeople watched from the shadows, trembling as Buggy's maniacal laughter echoed across the square. His brightly colored outfit, oversized shoes, and red nose gave him the look of a clown, but the aura of danger surrounding him was impossible to ignore.
"So, you're the little upstart who thinks he can challenge me?" Buggy sneered, his grin revealing sharp teeth. "I'll tear you apart and make an example of you!"
Luffy stood his ground, his straw hat tilted forward. "You're pretty loud for someone who's about to lose."
Behind him, Zoro and the orange-haired woman—who had reluctantly decided to stick around—watched the standoff.
"Is this guy always this confident?" the woman asked Zoro.
"Always," Zoro replied, crossing his arms. "But he can back it up."
---
The Fight Begins
Buggy wasted no time, lunging forward with a wicked laugh. "You'll pay for your arrogance!"
He swung his massive knife at Luffy, but Luffy ducked effortlessly, his Observation Haki warning him of the attack. "Too slow," Luffy taunted, leaping backward.
"Split! Chop-Chop Festival!" Buggy roared. His torso detached from his legs, his arms flying toward Luffy like projectiles.
Luffy's eyes widened as Buggy's hands grabbed him by the shoulders, holding him in place. "What the—?"
Buggy's upper body floated closer, his knife gleaming in the sunlight. "Surprised? I ate the Chop-Chop Fruit! No one can touch me!"
Before Buggy could strike, Luffy's body tensed, and with a burst of Armament Haki, he broke free of Buggy's grip. "Haki works on Devil Fruit users like you," Luffy said with a grin. "So, you're not untouchable after all."
Buggy growled. "You're smarter than you look, brat. But you'll regret messing with me!"
---
Buggy's Barrage
Buggy reassembled himself midair, then launched a barrage of attacks. His hands and feet flew in every direction, cutting through the air with deadly precision. Luffy dodged and weaved, his Observation Haki keeping him one step ahead of Buggy's strikes.
"Stand still!" Buggy roared in frustration, his face red with anger.
Luffy smirked, suddenly closing the distance between them. "Why would I?"
With a swift punch, Luffy landed a Haki-infused blow to Buggy's chest, sending him flying into a nearby building. The impact shook the square, and the crowd of onlookers gasped.
---
Nami's Decision
As the fight raged on, the orange-haired woman—Nami—watched with growing interest. She had initially written Luffy off as another reckless fool, but his strength and determination were undeniable.
"Who are these guys?" she muttered, glancing at Zoro.
"Luffy's a pirate," Zoro replied simply. "He's gonna be King of the Pirates."
Nami scoffed. "King of the Pirates? That's ridiculous. You know what pirates do, don't you? They destroy lives."
"Not him," Zoro said, his voice firm. "He's different."
Nami frowned but said nothing, her attention returning to the battle.
---
Buggy's Secret Weapon
Buggy emerged from the rubble, his face contorted with rage. "You think you've won? Think again!"
He reached into his coat and pulled out a cannonball painted in vibrant colors. "This is my Buggy Bomb! One blast will turn this whole square into dust!"
The townspeople screamed and scrambled for cover, and even Nami's expression darkened.
Luffy's grin faded. "You'd hurt all these people just to win?"
Buggy cackled. "Who cares about them? All that matters is my revenge!"
With a sinister laugh, Buggy hurled the Buggy Bomb directly at Luffy.
---
Luffy's Counterattack
Luffy moved instantly, leaping into the air to intercept the bomb. Coating his hands in Armament Haki, he grabbed the cannonball mid-flight.
"Nice try," Luffy said, his voice calm but serious.
Buggy's eyes widened. "What—?!"
With a powerful throw, Luffy launched the Buggy Bomb skyward. It exploded harmlessly in the sky, the shockwave rattling the square but leaving everyone unharmed.
Luffy landed gracefully, his hat shadowing his eyes. "You're done, Buggy."
---
The Final Blow
Buggy roared in frustration and launched himself at Luffy in one final, desperate attack. His body parts flew in all directions, trying to overwhelm Luffy with sheer chaos.
But Luffy stood firm, his Observation Haki allowing him to anticipate every move. As Buggy's torso flew toward him, knife raised, Luffy sidestepped and delivered a devastating punch to Buggy's face.
The force of the blow sent Buggy's body parts scattering across the square. His head landed in a barrel, groaning in defeat.
---
Aftermath
The square fell silent as the townspeople cautiously emerged from their hiding places. They stared at Luffy in awe, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
Nami approached, her expression unreadable. "You… you really are strong," she admitted.
Luffy grinned. "Told you."
Zoro sheathed his swords, nodding approvingly. "Not bad, Captain."
Nami hesitated, then crossed her arms. "Alright, I'll make you a deal. I'll help you with your ship and navigation—for a price. But don't think for a second I trust you."
Luffy's grin widened. "That's fine with me. Welcome to the crew!"
---
End of Chapter.