Chapter 73: Studying Buggy the Clown

[Sand Escape Bloodline Boundary Training Method: It can transform true energy into the power of Sand Escape Bloodline Boundary, allowing control over all sand and the transformation of soil and gravel into sand. The hardness of the sand depends on the energy of the Sand Escape Bloodline Boundary ...….]

A vast amount of information about sand manipulation flooded Chiba's mind.

A mysterious circuit of true qi formed within his body, completing a cycle almost instantly. A large amount of qi transformed into the power of the Sand Escape Bloodline Boundary.

Chiba released a small portion and directed it towards the seastone beneath his feet. Instantly, the seastone turned into gravel.

Seeing this, Chiba was overjoyed.

The power of this Sand Escape Bloodline Boundary was astonishing. Even seastone—a substance known to neutralize Devil Fruit abilities—could be transformed into sand. This alone was a terrifying ability that would make anyone envious.

If Crocodile, also known as "Lao Sha," learned this technique, he'd probably wake up smiling in his dreams. However, Chiba had no intention of teaching this ability to Crocodile.

Afterwards, Crocodile was returned to his cell, and Chiba left with Magellan.

Crocodile looked at the spot where Chiba had been standing and noticed that the seastone beneath Chiba's feet had turned to sand.

Crocodile's pupils shrank. "Sand? How could this seastone turn into sand?"

"Could it be… him?"

Crocodile was aware of Chiba's reputation—a famous Marine officer known for developing the Haki training method, allowing regular Marines to practice Haki, as well as inventing techniques, potions, and the Foundation Establishment Pill. Each of these developments had shaken the world. Recently, Magellan's chronic poisoning issues had also been cured, thanks to Chiba.

If someone as capable as Chiba had studied him, it seemed inevitable that he would achieve results.

Seeing the seastone turned to sand, Crocodile was struck by realization. "Could it be that, in just three days, he's deciphered the mystery of the Sand-Sand Fruit and can even transform seastone into sand?"

"I can turn many things into sand, but seastone was always the exception."

"If I could learn to transform seastone, I'd never have to fear it again. The power to affect seastone would surpass my current abilities."

"If I mastered this, combined with the strength of my Sand-Sand Fruit, even a Marine Admiral wouldn't stand a chance against me."

With this in mind, Crocodile called out excitedly, "Master Chiba, wait! Please wait!"

Chiba had already walked a fair distance away, but hearing Crocodile's shout, he stopped, turned, and looked back. "What is it?"

"Master Chiba, I'm willing to follow you," Crocodile said, his eyes burning with determination. He had to acquire the technique that could transform seastone into sand.

"That depends on your performance," Chiba replied, intentionally leaving the sand behind as bait. He recognized that Crocodile was an equal match for him in many ways and could be a valuable asset.

Chiba had been uncertain if Crocodile would pick up on the clues. Now it seemed his instincts were sharp. But to earn Crocodile's full loyalty, he'd have to be carefully molded.

"My performance…? What does Master Chiba want me to do?" Crocodile asked eagerly.

Magellan also turned to Chiba, wondering, "What's his plan? Isn't he just studying Crocodile?"

"Why is Crocodile suddenly pledging loyalty to him?"

"And what does Master Chiba want Crocodile to do? Could it be to help break Ace out of prison?"

Magellan dismissed the thought—Crocodile was hardly capable of freeing himself, let alone rescuing someone else.

Chiba glanced back, then said, "You'll know in due time."

Magellan: ((OO))o?

What does he mean by 'in due time'?

Magellan's mind spun in confusion, but he couldn't piece it together.

Meanwhile, Crocodile, with his cunning mind, pondered Chiba's words. As the former president of Baroque Works, he understood shady dealings. He knew what Chiba meant: he would have to wait patiently for an opportunity.

Magellan, unable to comprehend the situation, asked directly, "Master Chiba, what did you mean by 'in due time'?"

Chiba laughed, "I was just messing with him."

"Messing with him?" Magellan stared in disbelief. "Are you messing with me too?!"

Magellan suddenly felt a creeping sense of dread, as if caught in a vast conspiracy. But he couldn't grasp its nature, which only deepened his anxiety.

"Master Chiba… you're not planning a prison break, are you?" Magellan ventured, voicing his suspicion.

"Director Magellan, be careful, or I'll accuse you of slander." Chiba replied with a straight face, making Magellan grimace.

"Master Chiba, please… don't keep me in suspense. What are you up to?"

"If you won't tell me, then I'll assist in your research on every prisoner in Impel Down."

Chiba took out a small bottle, smiling. "This solution is much purer, ten times the strength of what I gave you before. With this, there's a good chance you'll reach Admiral rank."

Magellan's eyes lit up, his grim expression melting into a smile. "Master Chiba, I was just joking earlier."

"Master Chiba, could I perhaps sample this new medicine?"

If this potion was truly that powerful, he would have a clear path to Admiral rank. At that point, no conspiracy could faze him.

Chiba tossed him the bottle. Magellan took a sip and felt a rush of heat spreading through his body, accelerating his physical transformation.

Overjoyed, Magellan put the potion away. "Master Chiba, feel free to research any prisoner here. I'll cooperate fully."

As Magellan said this, he wondered who Chiba would study next.

Chiba nodded, satisfied. "I've heard about a guy here named Buggy the Clown. He can separate his body parts. Bring him to me."

Magellan felt a wave of relief; he'd feared it would be another high-profile inmate. Buggy was a minor figure by comparison.

"Certainly. Hannyabal, bring the clown to Master Chiba's lab."

"Yes, sir!" Hannyabal responded and left to fetch Buggy.

Chiba headed to the research lab, and after a short wait, Buggy was brought in.

Chiba looked him over—Buggy was just as he remembered, standing slightly shorter than himself, around 1.9 meters tall. He was dressed as a clown, with a skull painted on his forehead, blue marks slanting across his eyes, a large red nose, red lipstick, and a clown hat. His eyes darted around suspiciously.

Despite his clownish appearance, his eyes held a certain depth.

"Hey, Buggy the Clown. I hear you were close with Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors," Chiba said with a smile.

Buggy froze. "Who is this guy? How does he know about me and Shanks?"

But Buggy forced a grin and laughed, "Hahahaha! Four Emperors' Shanks? I'm just a lowly clown. Why would I have connections with someone that powerful? Hahaha!"

"Right, a small fry like you is hardly worth comparing to Shanks," Chiba replied dismissively, using Observation Haki to monitor Buggy's reaction.

Buggy's mood shifted slightly, but he quickly hid it. He laughed nervously, "You're absolutely right, my lord! Wise and insightful as always!"

"Me, compared to Shanks? That's an insult to him. Only someone as mighty as you, my lord, could rival Shanks. No, surpass him! One day, I'm sure you'll be the one to catch Shanks. I'm already celebrating your future success!" Buggy laughed, laying on the flattery.

Chiba had to admit, Buggy's shamelessness and adaptability were impressive. "Not bad. You've got a clever tongue."

"Clever like madness?" Buggy felt a chill. "Who is this guy?"

Still keeping up his act, Buggy replied, "If you say I'm mad, then I must be mad!"

Buggy continued switching between looking wise and acting deranged, making Hannyabal laugh, and even drawing a smirk from Magellan.

"Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's get down to business." At Chiba's signal, Hannyabal removed Buggy's seastone cuffs. Buggy, reading the situation, chose not to resist.

When Chiba asked him to lie down, he complied immediately. If Chiba needed to slice his organs, Buggy offered up his heart and liver with a grin, even asking if one slice was enough, or if Chiba needed two.

Chiba couldn't help but be impressed. Buggy's shamelessness was almost a superpower in itself. It was no wonder he had a loyal following of criminals.

---

Five Days Later

[You have conducted extensive research on Buggy the Clown's body and analyzed his Devil Fruit ability in depth. Combining your past experience, you have developed the advanced destructive magic technique: The Art of Shattering.]

[•———•———•———•]

𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼:

• 𝙅𝙘𝟭𝟮𝟬𝟮

• 𝘼𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙝

• 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗼𝗲𝗲

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟭𝟴𝟱+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!

👉 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬: 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

💬 𝘼𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝘼𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙩! 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 $30—𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 10% 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩! 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙙𝙚: 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥.

𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙂𝙋𝙏 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙩, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣-𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮, 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨, 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!

👉𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽: 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧/𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙥