25. Shanks: Interesting, Hawkeye Actually Dueled With A Cat?

While everyone eagerly awaited the upcoming battle, on a mysterious island, Buggy the Star Clown emerged angrily from a pit shaped like a human.

With a scowl on his face, he muttered, "That straw hat kid, I swear I'll get him one day!"

Just as Buggy voiced his frustration, a gruff voice interrupted him from behind, asking, "Hey, little guy, who do you think you are?"

Buggy's forehead bulged with veins as he angrily retorted, "Who are you calling little? I'm the famous clown Buggy!"

"Watch your tongue, or I'll cut it off!"

Buggy felt a chill run down his spine at the threat. Confronted by a group of menacing pirates, he didn't hesitate for a moment before choosing to flee!

However, before he could take more than a few steps, a pirate grabbed hold of him.

"Shorty, whose tongue did you just threaten to cut off?" the pirate demanded.

Buggy trembled with fear, quickly apologizing for his rash words.

Just as Buggy feared for his life, a familiar voice broke through the tension.

"Alright, guys, he's an old acquaintance of mine, let him go."

Buggy opened his eyes to see a man with three scars over his left eye, wearing a warm smile.

"Hey there, Buggy, been a while," the man greeted him.

"Shanks, what are you doing here?" Buggy exclaimed, wide-eyed, as he rushed over to the his side.

Before Shanks could respond, Buggy grabbed him by the collar and vented his frustration.

"It's been ages, and you're still causing trouble wherever you go! I just can't help but want to beat you up!"

Despite Buggy's outburst, Shanks maintained his calm smile and replied, "I'm not quite sure what you're getting at."

"What? You've got some nerve! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this mess!" Buggy retorted angrily.

"Buggy, I really don't understand what you're talking about."

"You brat! Have you forgotten what you did?" Buggy exclaimed.

As Buggy recalled the moment aboard the Oro Jackson when Shanks inadvertently caused him to eat a Devil Fruit, two tears rolled down his cheeks and fell to the ground.

Shanks gave Buggy a reassuring pat on the shoulder and smiled.

"Don't sweat it," he said.

"But I'm curious, how did you end up like this?" Buggy asked, his tone still laced with annoyance.

With a calm demeanor, Shanks listened as Buggy recounted the story of being sent flying by a kid in a straw hat.

As Buggy finished his tale, the eyes of Shanks and his crew lit up with recognition, recalling the little boy they had encountered in Foosha Village.

"Luffy?"

"Has he finally set sail?"

When Buggy realized they knew Luffy, his emotions surged, as if he were itching for a fight.

However, Shanks grabbed Buggy excitedly.

"Come on, let's party!" he exclaimed to his crew.

Caught up in the moment, Buggy found himself pulled along by Shanks to join in the drinking with a bewildered expression on his face.

As they downed a few bowls, Buggy found himself sharing stories and laughter with Shanks, their shoulders pressed together. He recounted the interesting events of the past few years.

Suddenly, the lookout crew members hurriedly approached.

"Captain, we've spotted a pirate ship heading our way."

Shanks brushed it off casually, ready to order his crew to deal with the approaching ship.

But Buggy, filled with excitement, rushed to the shore and shouted out loud:

"Everyone, my old crew's here!"

Upon spotting Buggy, the crew on the pirate ship cheered excitedly. "Captain Buggy!"

After reuniting with his crew, Buggy introduced them enthusiastically to Shanks before settling down to drink with his own crew.

However, a subordinate interrupted, saying, "Captain Buggy, we've located Luffy, the Straw Hat Kid."

Buggy snapped to attention instantly, his excitement evident. "Tell me where that straw hat-wearing brat is! I'm going to take him down myself!"

"He's at the sea restaurant Baratie. Word has it that Hawkeye challenged a talking cat to a duel!" the subordinate replied.

Before Buggy could react, Shanks beside him sprayed Buggy's face with a mouthful of wine.

It sounded like an absurd joke!

The world's greatest swordsman challenging a cat to a duel in the least formidable sea?

"Shanks, you rascal!" Buggy exclaimed, wiping the wine from his face, his anger boiling. "Do you have a death wish, kid?"

"I am furious right now!" he added.

Shanks chuckled to himself, giving Buggy a friendly pat on the shoulder before bursting into laughter.

"Don't you find it hilarious that Hawkeye's dueling a cat?" he remarked, still chuckling.

"Gyahahaha, indeed, quite amusing!" Buggy agreed with a laugh.

Before Buggy could protest, he found himself being dragged onto the boat by Shanks.

"Get ready to set sail, everyone! We need to get to the sea restaurant as fast as we can. I don't want to miss out on such an entertaining spectacle!"

...

Just as everyone anticipated Hawkeye's duel with Tom to commence, a sudden shout pierced through the air, halting the impending clash.

"Hey, who do you think you are, messing with my ship like this?"

"Now I am giving you two choices!"

"Either you compensate me for an identical boat, and then face your demise."

"Or I'll send you to meet your end right now!"

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