Chapter 21: Gathering Monsters Across the Entire Screen

Unlike the low-grade solid cannonballs used by ordinary pirates, Buggy Shells were high-explosive rounds meticulously crafted by the clown Buggy himself. When fired, nothing stood a chance—everything was shattered instantly.

With one shot, Buggy blasted apart the crucial main mast of the Steel Blade Pirates’ ship. The searing flames ignited by the explosive spread ferociously across the wooden vessel, quickly burning through the neglected fireproof coating and reducing the main, fore, and aft sails to ash. Now, the Steel Blade Pirates had completely lost the ability to escape, forced to remain stationary as sitting ducks for Buggy’s grand cannon.

“Keep firing!”

Buggy, brimming with pride, waved his war blade and ordered his underlings to continue the bombardment. The Steel Blade Pirates’ ship, clearly not forged from iron or steel, was no match for the destructive power of Buggy Shells. With its sails incinerated, it was doomed.

It didn’t take long before the sizable vessel was split into two burning fragments, drifting lifelessly on the sea.

“Hahaha…”

Buggy laughed, drunk on his triumph. “Move the ship closer, boys!”

“Give the Steel Blade Pirates a proper burial!”

“Yes, Master Buggy!”

The henchmen shouted enthusiastically, eager for this effortless, one-sided victory—their favorite kind of battle.

Buggy’s ship drew rapidly toward the shattered remains of the Steel Blade Pirates’ vessel, the debris floating on the water growing ever denser.

“Why haven’t we found any bodies yet?” Chief Officer Cabaji felt a growing sense of unease. The Steel Blade Pirates had dozens of crew members; there should have been casualties after such a barrage.

“Haha!” Buggy laughed loudly, unshaken. “Seems my Buggy Shells were too powerful—they blasted them all to bits!”

His brash laughter had barely begun when the sea ahead stirred. Three figures suddenly emerged from beneath the water, scrambling onto a large chunk of wreckage.

One was Wallace, the reporter, hair disheveled and clothes askew, clutching a waterproof box containing his beloved camera and interview notes.

Another was Nami, her soaked clothes clinging to her, revealing a tantalizing silhouette. She didn’t bother to cover herself, focusing instead on protecting a waterproof case containing the “ten million Berries” gifted personally by Lord Steel Blade.

In stark contrast to the bedraggled Wallace and Nami, Garen’s resplendent armor, shining even more brilliantly after being washed by the crystal-clear seawater, made him appear all the more dazzling.

“Master Buggy…” Cabaji murmured in surprise, “They don’t look like the Steel Blade Pirates.”

A cultured man in a suit, a young, beautiful maiden, a knight radiating righteousness… This picture was entirely different from the bare-chested, tattooed ruffians of the Steel Blade Pirates.

But Buggy offered no response. He stared intently at the armored, sword-wielding Garen.

“Master Buggy?” Cabaji pressed, “What should we do now?”

“What should we do?” Buggy’s eyes gleamed with barely suppressed greed.

“Who cares if they’re the Steel Blade Pirates or not!”

“That tin can’s gear is worth a fortune! Let’s grab it first!”

His pirates immediately grew excited, seeing Garen in his golden armor and greatsword as a walking treasure chest.

But before they could act, their intended target made the first move.

Garen used his sword as an oar, propelling himself through the water with tireless strength—his digitized body running at full power, never faltering. With him rowing, the makeshift raft beneath the three became a speedboat, rapidly closing the distance to the pirate ship.

“Fire!” Buggy shouted, “Sink that piece of wood!”

The henchmen hurriedly adjusted the cannon, firing without time to aim. The accuracy was pitiful, not even coming close to Garen and his companions.

At last, Garen’s manpower-powered speedboat reached the enemy ship’s side. He leaped from the raft, landing steadily on the deck of Buggy’s pirate ship, then glared fiercely at the crowd of pirates before him.

“Was it you who sank my ship?”

“That’s right!” Buggy, proud of his handiwork, laughed loudly. “The one who defeated you is the great Master Buggy!”

“Buggy?” Hearing this familiar name, Garen paused for a moment.

He focused his gaze on the clownish man, unable to resist mentioning his most prominent feature.

“The Red-Nosed Buggy?”

“You!!” Buggy, like a powder keg, exploded instantly. “Who are you calling red-nosed?!”

“Uh…” Garen was momentarily embarrassed, forgetting that Buggy hated having his conspicuous red nose mentioned.

But the awkwardness vanished quickly—he’d nearly been blown to pieces by Buggy’s cannon, so why indulge the man?

Thus, Garen boldly taunted, “Yes, I’m talking about you, you red-nosed clown!”

“Huff—huff—” Buggy’s breathing grew rough and heavy, like bellows, until he roared in fury, “Damn it! Kill them!”

The brief exchange of insults ended abruptly, and the henchmen, swords and knives in hand, surged forward.

Pirate captains often had a bad habit: they rarely fought themselves, preferring to send their underlings and officers to deal with threats. Whether to train their subordinates, wear down their opponents, test their enemies’ strength, or simply assert their own status, the reasons were known only to them.

Buggy chose the same strategy. He sounded the horn of battle, then leisurely settled into his wide captain’s chair, watching his crew perform from above.

His chief officer Cabaji and deputy captain Mohji also played along, halting their own attack and driving the lowliest