"Captain Ryuuto, long time no see!"
Buggy flew over to Ryuuto, deliberately turning his back to his own crew so he could speak discreetly.
He couldn't help but think to himself, *After that brief encounter in Loguetown, I already knew how strong he was. I never imagined that by the time we met again on the Grand Line, he'd have reached a level I can only look up at in awe.*
Ryuuto glanced down at the sea, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at Buggy. "Looks like you're doing pretty well for yourself on the Grand Line," he said slowly. "The number of your underlings has grown quite a bit, hasn't it?"
"I trust you won't hold it against me for destroying your warship?" Ryuuto finished, his eyes fixed on Buggy.
"It was all a misunderstanding! It's our fault for attacking first! It's only right that Captain Ryuuto taught us a lesson!"
"As for these men, they were all so overcome by my greatness that they volunteered to follow me!" Buggy, ever the opportunist, immediately played along. When the topic turned to his sizable crew, a hint of his usual bravado returned, and he began to boast.
"Hmph." Hancock shot him a sideways glance. It was truly her first time encountering someone so utterly shameless.
"Buggy, I remember you!" Nami exclaimed, a long-forgotten memory resurfacing as she stared at the red-nosed pirate.
It was before she had even met Ryuuto, back in Orange Town. To collect the 100 million Beri she needed, she had stolen Buggy's most prized possession: his nautical chart of the Grand Line.
At the time, the Buggy Pirates were the undisputed rulers of Orange Town, and she had suffered greatly in her struggle to get away with the chart. The memories of that ordeal flashed through her mind.
Buggy first glanced at Hancock, then his gaze shifted to Nami.
"You little thief cat!! Give me back my chart!" he roared, the memory hitting him with full force.
"Ah, well…" Nami averted her eyes, a guilty look on her face.
"Hmph. Buggy, have you forgotten your current situation? You're in my hands now," Ryuuto said, his voice low and heavy as a wave of pressure rolled off him.
Buggy's forehead broke out in a cold sweat, feeling as though he'd been targeted by a deadly predator. He was seized by a wave of panic.
"Captain Ryuuto, I know where to find a great treasure!" Buggy blurted out, a sudden stroke of genius born from desperation. As an avid treasure hunter, the only thing he could think to offer as a bargaining chip was what he considered his most valuable asset.
"I'm listening…" Ryuuto's interest was piqued. He wondered if Buggy's incredible luck had actually led him to a truly remarkable discovery.
"Have you ever heard of the City of Gold?"
"I obtained a treasure map that shows the exact location of the lost city!" Buggy grew more animated as he spoke, his face lighting up with excitement.
"The City of Gold? A place filled with gold?" As expected of the money-obsessed Nami, the mere mention of the word "gold" immediately captured her full attention.
Ryuuto, however, instantly understood what Buggy was talking about and lost all interest.
*He's just talking about the City of Gold on Skypiea,* he thought dismissively. *Does he really think he knows it better than I do?*
He turned his gaze back to Buggy and said flatly, "That's nothing but a legend. No one has ever found it. I'm not interested."
"You are now my prisoners. Hand over 200 million Beri, and you'll be free to go."
"What?! Where are we supposed to get 200 million Beri!" Buggy's eyes widened in disbelief.
"If you don't have it, then you can work for me," Ryuuto said with a grin. "You'll be free the moment you've earned 200 million Beri."
This unexpected encounter with Buggy had given Ryuuto a new idea. As the man with the strongest luck in the entire pirate world and a budding genius for business, Buggy possessed two very useful skills.
Nami listened to the exchange between Ryuuto and Buggy, a feeling of deep satisfaction washing over her.
"Can I refuse?" Buggy asked meekly, seeing the non-negotiable look on Ryuuto's face.
"Do you want to find out?"
A flash of steel filled the air as the tip of Yukibashiri was suddenly pressed against Buggy's throat, a chilling killing intent washing over him.
Buggy instantly threw his hands up in surrender.
"Alright, time to meet my new subordinates!"
With the matter settled, Ryuuto's mood brightened. He leaped gracefully onto the deck of the *Sexy Foxy*.
What was that saying again? *Excellent. Your crew is mine now!*
Hancock and Nami followed suit, landing lightly on the deck beside him.
"So beautiful!"
"As divine as a goddess!"
"A radiance that shames the moonlight!"
"More dazzling than any jewel!"
The moment Hancock's tall, elegant figure landed on the *Sexy Foxy*, the surrounding noise died for a second before erupting into a cacophony of praise. The eyes of every pirate present turned into hearts. From Foxy and Porche to the lowest-ranking grunts, no one was immune.
*Truly a weapon of mass seduction,* Ryuuto mused, taking in the scene. Not everyone could resist Hancock's beauty like Luffy and Buggy could.
But Hancock's attention was focused entirely on Ryuuto.
Standing before the combined crews of the Buggy Pirates and the Foxy Pirates, Ryuuto announced that they would now become an affiliated fleet under the Soaring Dragon Pirates.
To his surprise… there wasn't a single voice of protest.
"Does this mean we'll be in the same pirate crew as the goddess?"
"I agree!"
"We'll get to see her every day!"
Ryuuto looked at Hancock, speechless, as a chorus of love-struck cries echoed across the deck.
"No one can resist my charm!" Hancock lifted her chin haughtily, casting a provocative glance at Nami as if to flaunt her victory.
Nami turned her head away, pretending not to see.
Buggy had expected at least some resistance from his men, but to his dismay, not a single one of them, not even Richie the lion, raised any objection. He ground his teeth in frustration.
*So this is the Pirate Empress? One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! The most beautiful woman in the world, whose beauty is a weapon of devastating power!*
Buggy's mind reeled. As someone who kept a close eye on world affairs, he recognized Hancock instantly. What he couldn't possibly understand was why she was at Ryuuto's side, and looking so… obedient.
In an unnamed stretch of sea in the year 1522 of the Sea Calendar, the Buggy Pirates and the Foxy Pirates officially became affiliates of the Soaring Dragon Pirates.
It was an event destined to go unrecorded in the annals of history.
Ryuuto, Hancock, and Nami naturally claimed the three best cabins aboard the *Sexy Foxy*. Mohmoo, finally freed from his duties, plunged happily into the sea below, where a bloody feast was sure to follow. The giant sea cow had been starving for some time.
As for Blackbeard, Ryuuto had his petrified form placed on the main deck. It served two purposes: there was nowhere else to put him, and he made for an excellent deterrent.
The stone statue seemed to broadcast a clear message to all: *See this? This is what happens when you try to run.*