Chapter 76 : To Mariejois??

Shanks took a step forward, grabbing Buggy by the collar, and angrily demanded, "You took one of Luffy's legs?! Why would you do that?"

Buggy replied nonchalantly, "Don't get so worked up. I just wanted to teach that brat a lesson—one who doesn't listen, can't read the situation, and only knows how to yell!"

"If he wasn't still of some use, I would've killed him already, ending that foolish hope of yours!"

Shanks gritted his teeth, "Buggy, do you still hold a grudge over what happened in the past? If you have a problem, come at me! Why target Luffy?"

Buggy brushed off Shanks' hand from his collar, chuckling, "Don't get the wrong idea. When I say I want to crush your hope, it has nothing to do with the past. I just wanted to show you how fragile and misguided the path you're on is!"

Shanks, with a dark expression, asked, "And you're certain that the path you're on is the right one?"

Buggy shook his head and replied, "No. There's no such thing as the right path, the only path, or even a proper path. I can only guarantee that every step I take is based on my own will!"

Shanks retorted, "Everything I do is based on my own will too!"

Buggy glanced at Shanks disdainfully, sneering, "Stop fooling yourself. You've placed your future in someone else's hands. What you call your own will is just paving the way for others!"

"To be honest, I'm kind of relieved that it was you who inherited Captain Roger's will, not me. Otherwise, I might have ended up on the same path as you!"

Shanks frowned, "So you think Captain Roger's will is wrong?"

Buggy shook his head, saying, "I still stand by what I said—there's no such thing as an absolutely right path in this world! Not even for Captain Roger!"

"Captain Roger was Captain Roger. You're you, and I'm me. We each have our own path to walk!"

"The funny thing is, you're still following the path laid out by Captain Roger!"

Shanks fell silent. Although Buggy's words didn't shake his faith, they stirred an unfamiliar feeling inside him.

If Captain Roger had chosen Buggy instead of him...

But Buggy had lost interest in continuing the argument with Shanks. His attention was now on the three battleships approaching the shattered shores of Marineford.

Three?

Buggy's brow furrowed. He unleashed his Observation Haki to scan the ships but couldn't sense the presence of Luffy, Ace, Ivankov, or his Okama subordinates.

The ship was being piloted by Mr. 3 and those who had previously gone to take over the control room at Marineford!

"Have they already left?" 

Without hesitation, Buggy waved to his men and said, "Let's go!"

With that, Buggy took the lead and headed towards the location of the three warships.

Shanks did not stop him but merely watched Buggy's departing figure with a dazed expression.

After walking a few steps, Buggy suddenly halted, turned to Shanks, and said, "Hey, Shanks, do you remember what I told you the day we parted ways?"

Shanks was taken aback and did not respond.

Buggy, unbothered, continued, "I'm going to say it again! After this separation, if we meet again on the sea, we'll be enemies!"

Shanks was visibly moved. The last time Buggy had referred to them as "rivals," but this time, he was calling them "enemies!"

Buggy was clearly serious this time.

Turning back around, Buggy resumed walking and continued, "I have strengthened my resolve. This is a path I will follow to the end!"

"Whether my enemy, my friend, my brother, or even my family, anyone who stands in my way will not be spared!"

Having finished speaking, Buggy did not linger any longer. He led the surviving hundreds of Impel Down prisoners onto the warships and set sail towards the distance.

It wasn't until the three warships disappeared beyond the horizon that Shanks let out a sigh of melancholy.

He suddenly had a premonition that he might one day fall to Buggy's hands!

"Captain, it's time for us to leave too!"

Just as Shanks was lost in thought, Ben Beckman appeared beside him, reminding him.

Shanks shook his head slightly, his gaze turning resolute again. "Let's go. The New World is going to be chaotic. We need to get back and prepare!"

Ben Beckman, however, did not move. Instead, he said, "There's one more thing. There are nearly two thousand survivors from the Whitebeard Pirates, including the wounded. Our ship can't accommodate that many people!"

Shanks nodded and turned to the three Admirals of the Navy. "Gentlemen, could you do me a favor and lend us one of your large ships?"

Akainu's forehead twitched in irritation as he gritted his teeth. "Shanks, don't push your luck!"

Shanks chuckled and said, "Akainu, please mind your tone! I'm not speaking to you as a pirate right now!"

With his identity revealed, Shanks decided not to hold back anymore. It was a perfect chance to vent some frustration he'd felt from Buggy!

"You!" Akainu's eyes widened, his voice filled with dissatisfaction. "Just because you say so, does it make it true? Until the Celestial Dragon identity is officially recognized by the World Government, the Navy will not acknowledge it!"

At that moment, a World Government agent approached, carrying a transponder snail in both hands.

Akainu frowned and was about to question what was happening when the World Government agent bypassed him and went straight to Shanks.

The agent bowed deeply to Shanks, respectfully presenting the transponder snail and said, "Lord Shanks, the Five Elders wish to speak with you!"

Shanks furrowed his brow but took the receiver, saying, "Hello, this is Shanks."

"Come to Mariejois immediately!"

A commanding, ancient voice came from the other end of the transponder snail before the call was abruptly ended.

After a moment of contemplation, Shanks placed the receiver back on the transponder snail and exhaled deeply.

The World Government agent, understanding the situation, stepped aside, remaining silent.

Shanks turned back to Akainu with a smile and asked, "Akainu, do you still need to verify my identity?"

Akainu snorted with a grim expression and walked away without a word.

Shanks smiled, not taking offense, and addressed the other two Admirals, "Kizaru, please prepare a ship for the surviving members of the Whitebeard Pirates to leave. Aokiji, please organize a team to search for and assist the injured!"

Kizaru and Aokiji exchanged glances, both reflecting the helplessness they felt.

However, given Shanks' position, they couldn't refuse such requests!

Without further ado, Shanks gave a few quiet instructions to Ben Beckman before heading towards Mariejois with the World Government agent.

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