"That guy Aramaki's ability is truly perverted."
The once obese Queen had turned into a skin-and-bones figure, making Buggy click his tongue in amazement.
Just what did that guy suck out... Thinking about it still feels a bit disgusting.
"It's a bit like your dehydration ability, Crocodile." Mr. 3 recalled those who had been drained of their body's moisture by Crocodile; he had experienced that sensation himself.
"It's different. My ability only absorbs moisture; they can return to normal by rehydrating later. These guys look like they've suffered a massive loss of vitality and will need a long time to recover." Crocodile checked them over. "Captain Buggy, are you going to take them in?"
"Save me..." The skeletal Queen struggled to raise his hand. "I am Queen, the Plague of Kaido's crew. I can join your Pirate Crew. Not only am I strong in combat, but I am also one of the world's strongest scientists."
Queen was trying his best to demonstrate his value.
"I can take in the others, but you're the only exception." Buggy looked at Queen with a hint of disgust.
"Why..." Queen hadn't expected this answer.
"You should know what you've done. Spreading the 'Ice Oni' plague without distinguishing between friend and foe—more subordinates died by your hand than by the enemy's." Buggy sneered. "My Pirate Crew has no need for trash like you."
"They... were just a bunch of useless trash... Combined, they aren't as useful as I am..." Queen didn't know how this information had leaked, but he still tried to explain.
"My philosophy is different from yours. As a Captain, one should cherish their comrades. Someone like you, no matter how strong your ability is, would only tarnish my Pirate Crew."
"So, be on your way."
A bolt of lightning pierced through Queen's skull.
One of the Lead Performers of the Beasts Pirates, one of the 'Three Disasters', 'Queen the Plague', was dead.
"Well done, Captain Buggy."
Gekko Moriah was the first to speak. "A fellow who doesn't value the lives of his comrades deserves to die."
It was precisely because he didn't want to lose any more comrades that he had created the immortal zombie army.
Unfortunately, one of his few remaining comrades had still died at the hands of Blackbeard.
Is this the tradition of the Roger Pirates? It seems Captain Buggy is much like that Red Hair fellow. A faint, imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Hawkeye's mouth.
Staying in a Pirate Crew like this is actually somewhat interesting.
"Big Brother Queen... you damn bastard!"
Seeing Queen's death, a guy with a mouth full of jagged, serrated teeth couldn't help but curse loudly. "If I weren't so weak right now, I'd slaughter you."
"Shut up, Jack!" King the Conflagration, who had white hair, brown skin, and black wings, and whose handsome features were visible even in his emaciated state, spoke up to stop him.
"Queen got what he deserved. Few Pirate Crews could tolerate his behavior."
"Big Brother King..." Jack the Drought, though unwilling, obediently shut his mouth.
"You are the Buggy Pirates?" King looked at Buggy with difficulty; the guy in front of him did indeed bear some resemblance to Clown Buggy.
"Captain Buggy is now one of the new Four Emperors," Mr. 3 introduced from the side.
"Have the new Four Emperors been chosen? The other one must be the Straw Hat kid? Truly ridiculous..."
King recalled the battle on Onigashima and still found it hard to believe.
The invincible Captain Kaido had knocked down the Straw Hat kid time and again, only for the Straw Hat kid to stand back up every single time.
Captain Kaido had done his best, but the enemy seemed to possess infinite vitality... Is this the Joy Boy that Captain Kaido had been waiting for? In the end, he failed to change the world.
"It is quite ridiculous. Kaido's defeat was a bit unfair." Buggy shared the sentiment.
"Captain Buggy, can you save the others? Their behavior isn't as atrocious as Queen's; they're just a bit dim-witted." King said weakly. "In exchange, you can hand me over to the World Government."
"I am the last survivor of the legendary Lunarian tribe. The World Government will give you a satisfactory price." King pointed to his black wings.
"That might not be possible. Compared to you, the World Government probably hates me even more," Buggy said.
"However, I am going to occupy Wano Country now. Once I've taken it, I'll need some labor, and you Zoan-type ability users are perfect for that."
"You want us as laborers? I can agree on their behalf. Wano Country has many weapon factories; we can start them up again." King said. "Please treat them; they don't have vitality like mine."
Captain Kaido had already failed, and King felt somewhat despondent, but he still wanted to preserve the lives of the others in the Beasts Pirates. This could be considered proof that the Beasts Pirates once existed.
Compared to being captured by the World Government and sent to Impel Down, this outcome was probably better.
"One more thing... reporting my existence to the World Government can directly net one hundred million Berries. Not many people can withstand such temptation." King knew his race had been exposed, which would be a major problem.
"You don't need to worry about that. My Pirate Crew won't have people who abandon righteousness for profit. If there are, I will handle them personally," Buggy said.
Most of the Buggy Pirates' crew members were personal fans of Buggy, and their devotion was extremely pure, almost reaching the level of religious faith.
There shouldn't be many who would betray the crew for profit.
"Unshackle their Sea Stone chains," Buggy ordered.
The Buggy Pirates didn't have any highly skilled doctors, only a few ordinary medics who could bandage wounds.
King and the others were likely malnourished, and the Sea Stone chains on them restricted their Devil Fruit abilities.
If the Sea Stone chains were removed, with the recovery power of Zoan-type fruits, their bodies should improve significantly after eating something.
Mr. 3 used his wax ability to manifest keys and unlock the Sea Stone chains one by one.
After the Sea Stone chains were removed, King's spirit immediately recovered somewhat.
"Isn't Captain Buggy afraid we'll cause trouble once we regain our normal strength?" King hadn't expected Buggy to unlock their shackles.
"Actually, I could place restrictions on you to control your life and death, but that would be boring," Buggy said.
Aramaki's spore bombs gave Buggy an idea; he could also implant hair into others' bodies. As long as they were within a two-hundred-meter range, he could trigger a fission explosion.
The power would be no less than Aramaki's spore bombs.
"This is an era lacking in morality, but there are still some who believe in such outdated things, and I am one of them. Since we have agreed, I believe you will keep your word."
If they were to break the agreement, Buggy could also send them to hell.
Buggy's words left King momentarily stunned.
"I will keep them in line. I will personally deal with any dishonest fellows. This is a man's promise," King said solemnly.
Buggy had the Kuja Pirates' ship go and capture a few Sea Kings. In terms of hunting, the Kuja Pirates were experts.
Buggy simply held a banquet, letting everyone eat and drink to their heart's content.
After gorging themselves, the former members of the Beasts Pirates recovered significantly.
The Beasts Pirates had vanished; they were now external personnel of the Buggy Pirates.
If they performed well, Buggy would formally induct them into the Buggy Pirates.
After the banquet, Buggy had just returned to the Captain's quarters when a knock sounded at the door.
"Captain Buggy, may I come in?"
---
A/N: Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded. Please Check It Out. It will really help me out and will keep me motivated to continue.
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San