Chapter 75 : Bet on Leg!!

"The Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors of the New World, is a Celestial Dragon…"

"How can that be?! The Celestial Dragons are world nobles! How could one of them become a pirate?"

"Exactly! Celestial Dragons have everything they could ever want. What would be the point of becoming a pirate?"

…

When Blackbeard speculated about Shanks' identity, he didn't lower his voice. On the contrary, whether it was intentional or simply because he was too shocked to realize it, Blackbeard raised his volume when he spoke!

This caused most of the people on the battlefield, which had just returned to calm, to hear the news!

But when everyone heard about Shanks' identity, their reaction was one of disbelief—pure disbelief!

After all, in their understanding, the status of the Celestial Dragons in this world is akin to that of gods!

Who in their right mind would give up being a god to lower themselves to become a pirate?

But what was even more bizarre was that Shanks, the man in question, remained silent. He neither confirmed nor denied the claim!

Given Shanks' current status, not denying it was as good as admitting it!

"Zehahaha," Blackbeard laughed as he looked at Shanks, whose expression was now as dark as a stormy sea. "Shanks, from your expression, it seems I was right after all!"

"No wonder I've always found you irritating. So, you're a Celestial Dragon, huh? Zehahaha…"

Ignoring Blackbeard, Shanks turned to Buggy and asked in a deep voice, "Buggy, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Buggy shrugged and smiled. "What do you mean, what am I trying to do? I haven't done anything. Teach figured it out all on his own!"

Seeing the playful grin on Buggy's face, Shanks snapped in anger, "Be serious! I'm not joking around!"

Shanks knew that Buggy understood what he meant, but Buggy was pretending not to get it!

This infuriated Shanks, who was eager to figure out what Buggy was really up to!

Buggy continued to smile, but his tone turned much colder as he replied, "I've always been serious!"

Shanks roared, "Then tell me what you're really after! And how did you find out about my identity?"

Buggy responded coolly, "And why should I tell you just because you want to know? Back then, you didn't tell me anything, did you?"

Shanks was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Although Buggy didn't explicitly mention the time or the event, Shanks instantly understood what Buggy was referring to.

Before Shanks could respond, Buggy continued, "On the day Captain Roger was executed, you told me you didn't want to go to Laugh Tale anymore. You gave up on becoming the 'King'! At that time, I thought you had betrayed Captain Roger's will!"

"But in reality, this is the will you inherited from Captain Roger, isn't it?"

"And yet, you—none of you—ever told me anything!"

The anger in Shanks' eyes faded, and with a hint of apology, he explained, "It wasn't like that! It's just that back then, your only ambition was treasure hunting, and knowing these things wouldn't have done you any good!"

"So you chose to let me be a blissfully ignorant fool, huh?" Buggy sneered. "Yes, my ambition back then was indeed to find treasure, but you have to understand, Laugh Tale is the greatest treasure in the world!"

"Shanks, do you think I gave up on my biggest dream back then just because of a treasure map? Do you really think that's all you owe me?"

Shanks lowered his head in silence, unsure of what to say.

It was true—they had kept some things from Buggy for his own good. But they had never asked for his opinion, treating him as an outsider. That was indeed unfair to Buggy!

Meanwhile, the others around them were quietly observing, sensing that today might bring more shocking revelations.

After a long silence, Shanks looked up at Buggy and asked solemnly, "So, after learning the truth, did you seek revenge on us? Is that why you did all of this?"

Buggy sneered at this, "Is that really how little you think of me? Just a petty clown driven by spite?"

Hearing this, Shanks breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed things hadn't escalated to the worst possible outcome!

If their secrecy from years ago had driven Buggy to such extremes, Shanks would be filled with regret beyond measure!

But now it seemed that Buggy had come to terms with the events of the past.

However, Shanks was still unsure of what Buggy was truly thinking.

With this in mind, Shanks spoke again, "Buggy, as a friend, can you tell me what exactly it is you want to do now?"

Buggy spoke calmly, "There's nothing I can't say! You and Captain Roger are both waiting for the wind to move the windmill, but I've realized from your secrecy that I need to control my own destiny! I want to be the wind that moves the windmill!"

"I've already found my own path!"

Shanks understood what Buggy meant but still frowned, reminding him, "Buggy, you don't get it. Some things can only be done by certain people at certain times! No one else can take their place!"

Buggy sneered, "Are you talking about Joy Boy or Straw Hat Luffy?"

Shanks' expression changed. He opened his mouth as if to say something but, seeing that there were too many people around, decided to stay silent. He resolved to talk to Buggy later once the situation here was over.

However, Buggy had no such reservations and continued, "You people are truly pathetic! You'd rather believe in those vague legends and someone who's already failed than take a chance yourselves!"

"Perhaps you don't know, but just a few days ago, Luffy stormed Marineford alone to save Ace, didn't he?"

Shanks' pupils contracted at this. He really didn't know!

Due to Garp's influence, Sengoku had suppressed news of Luffy's assault on Marineford, and it hadn't spread to the outside world! 

Not even Shanks knew, and barely anyone within the Navy or the World Government was aware of it!

Shanks had a rough estimate of Luffy's current strength and knew that with his current power, going to Marineford was nothing short of suicide!

Shanks couldn't help but ask urgently, "How is Luffy now? Where is he?"

Buggy replied calmly, "Don't worry, after being captured, he was imprisoned in Impel Down, but he's already escaped!"

Hearing this, Shanks let out a sigh of relief. As long as Luffy was alive, that was all that mattered!

Buggy paused before adding, "However, didn't you once bet an arm on Luffy? This time, I bet a leg on him!"

Shanks was taken aback, instinctively glancing at Buggy's intact legs.

Buggy snorted and clarified, "Don't misunderstand, I didn't bet my leg—I bet Luffy's leg!"

Shanks: "???" 

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