35. An Alliance Forms

CHAPTER 35: AN ALLIANCE FORMS

The island of Narukami rose out of the calm waters of the East Blue, its tall cliffs draped with thick green jungles and hidden coves. Despite its picturesque beauty, few ships ventured near. The locals believed the island was cursed, its shores scattered with the wrecks of countless pirate ships lured by promises of riches only to disappear, their crews never seen again. It was the perfect place for two infamous pirates to meet—though neither of them had planned it.

The first was Buggy the Clown, a loud and colorful menace who had once again found himself stranded, this time without his crew. Buggy was fuming as he stomped through the jungle underbrush, his heavy boots crunching the dry leaves beneath him. His goal was simple: regroup with his crew and get back to what he did best—raising havoc and gathering treasure.

"Those idiots better not be slacking off while I'm stuck on this forsaken rock," Buggy growled, his oversized red nose twitching in frustration. His clown-like features made him seem almost ridiculous, but anyone who knew Buggy understood the real danger that lay beneath his silly exterior. His Bara Bara no Mi ability had made him a force to be reckoned with, and his unpredictable temper only heightened the danger.

As he marched, Buggy's sharp eyes caught movement in the dense foliage. A figure stepped out, moving with an elegance that contrasted sharply with the pirate's brute-like demeanor. It was a woman, her form gliding through the jungle as if she were the wind itself. Her face was as smooth as porcelain, untouched by blemish or imperfection—a gift from the Sube Sube no Mi, which had turned her skin into something like silk.

This was Alvida, the Iron Mace, feared for her ruthlessness and her newfound beauty. Since consuming the Smooth-Smooth Fruit, Alvida had transformed from a brute into a sleek and dangerous woman, but her heart had only grown colder. She swung her iron club casually over her shoulder, the massive weapon looking as light as a twig in her hand.

Buggy's eyes narrowed as he stepped out of the shadows. "Well, well, if it isn't the smoothest criminal in the East Blue," he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

Alvida's eyes flickered in his direction, but she didn't seem fazed by Buggy's taunt. "And if it isn't the clown who can't keep his crew together," she replied smoothly, her lips curling into a smirk. "Shouldn't you be chasing after your lost underlings instead of playing hide-and-seek on this island?"

Buggy's face twisted in annoyance. "Watch it, you greasy witch! I'm here for important business. You think you can waltz around with that oversized club and talk down to me? I'll have you know—"

Alvida stepped forward, her footfall so light it barely disturbed the leaves. "What? You'll what, Buggy? Try to take me down?" She laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in the thick jungle air. "Go ahead. You'll be on your back before you can throw one of those stupid knives."

Buggy bristled at the insult, his gloved hand twitching toward his collection of daggers. But something held him back. Alvida's confidence wasn't an empty threat. She'd changed since the last time he'd crossed paths with her, and though Buggy loved a good fight, he wasn't stupid.

"Look," Buggy growled, lowering his hand, "I don't have time for this. I've got a crew to find, treasure to claim. I'm not interested in wasting time smacking you around when there are better things to do."

Alvida raised an eyebrow. "Treasure, you say? I'm listening."

Buggy's instinct for survival and greed clicked into place. He had been separated from his crew, yes, but he could already smell an opportunity brewing. This island was crawling with dangers—monsters, traps, and rumors of long-forgotten pirate gold. But what if he didn't have to face it alone? He sized up Alvida and smirked.

"Yeah, treasure. And not just any treasure." Buggy leaned in, his grin widening. "This island is said to hold some of the best-kept secrets of the old pirate captains who roamed the East Blue. Whoever gets their hands on it will be rich beyond their wildest dreams."

Alvida's grip on her club tightened. "And I suppose you've got a plan, Buggy?"

"Of course I do!" Buggy puffed out his chest. "The legendary Captain John's treasure could be on this island. But it's too dangerous to go alone… for anyone else." Buggy paused for dramatic effect. "What if, for now, we pool our resources? Find the treasure first and then… split it."

Alvida crossed her arms, considering the offer. "A partnership with you? Please. I wouldn't trust you to divide a loaf of bread fairly."

Buggy scowled but pressed on. "What if I said there's more than treasure at stake?" His voice dropped lower, baiting her in. "What if we used this to finally get back at the one person we both hate more than anything?"

Alvida's smirk disappeared, replaced by cold fury. She knew exactly who he was talking about.

"Straw Hat Goku!"

The name hung in the air between them, filled with years of resentment. Goku—the pirate who had humiliated both of them in their first encounters with him—was still out there, sailing freely, growing stronger, while they had been forced to rebuild themselves in his wake.

Buggy's eyes gleamed with malice. "We take the treasure, we form an armada, and we hunt down Straw Hat once and for all. Together, we'll have the strength to crush him, no matter how strong he's gotten. Think about it, Alvida—your beauty, my genius… an unstoppable force."

Alvida was silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she thought it over. She hated Buggy's arrogance, but the idea of an alliance—if only temporary—appealed to her. With Buggy's chaotic fighting style and her iron club, they could stand a chance. And if things went south, well… Buggy wasn't exactly hard to double-cross.

"Fine," Alvida finally said, lowering her club. "But don't think this makes us friends, Buggy. Once we find the treasure and take down Straw Hat, we go our separate ways."

Buggy laughed, clapping his hands together. "Deal!" He extended his hand to her, though Alvida looked at it as if it were a dead fish. She didn't shake it, but her silence was enough of an agreement.

As the two pirates made their way through the dense jungle, the sound of rustling leaves and distant birds filled the air. Each step brought them closer to an inevitable showdown with the island's dangers—and eventually, with the pirate they both despised.

In the distance, on the far side of Narukami Island, Buggy's crew huddled around their campfire, unaware that their captain was already forming an alliance that could change the fate of the East Blue.

Together, Buggy the Clown and Iron Club Alvida would become a force to be reckoned with—a pirate armada, fueled by hatred and ambition, destined to clash with Straw Hat Goku and anyone else who stood in their way.

And on the horizon, their path would soon cross with someone even more dangerous: Smoker

---

Buggy and Alvida trekked through the jungle, the oppressive heat of Narukami Island doing little to soothe their growing tempers. They made their way toward the island's interior, Buggy still fuming about the separation from his crew and Alvida keeping a watchful eye on him, her iron club never far from reach. Their alliance was fragile at best, but both pirates knew it served their goals—for now.

As they moved deeper into the island, the terrain shifted. The lush greenery gave way to jagged rocks and uneven ground, the ominous cliffs looming ahead. Alvida's patience was wearing thin, and every now and then she would throw a sidelong glance at Buggy, wondering if teaming up with him was a mistake. But each time the thought crossed her mind, the image of Goku's smiling face—so carefree, so infuriating—drove her forward. She had been humiliated once, and she would never let it happen again.

Buggy, on the other hand, was thinking less about Goku and more about the treasure he was after. He had always been obsessed with riches, and the possibility of finding Captain John's fabled treasure was enough to keep him moving, even if it meant working alongside someone as dangerous as Alvida.

"I hope you know where you're going," Alvida finally muttered, swinging her iron club to clear a path through the dense underbrush.

"Of course I do!" Buggy snapped, trying to maintain control. In truth, he was following his gut more than any actual map. He had overheard rumors from various taverns and docks that this island held something valuable, but details were scarce. "We just need to get through this part of the jungle, and then we'll be at the ruins. That's where the real treasure is."

Alvida's eyes narrowed, but she didn't press the issue. She would play along for now.

After what felt like hours of hiking, they finally emerged into a clearing. Before them stood the remnants of an ancient temple, its stone walls overgrown with vines and moss. Broken pillars jutted out of the ground, and the entrance was flanked by two enormous statues of long-forgotten pirate captains, their features weathered by time.

"This must be it," Buggy said, his voice filled with awe and greed.

The temple was exactly the kind of place a pirate like Captain John would hide his treasure—isolated, dangerous, and difficult to reach. Buggy's excitement grew as he imagined the mountains of gold waiting inside, but Alvida was less impressed. She had seen her fair share of pirate legends turn into disappointments. Still, if there was even a chance that treasure and power awaited them, she wasn't going to let Buggy get the upper hand.

"Let's make this quick," she said, gripping her iron club tighter. "I'm not in the mood for traps."

Buggy smirked. "Don't worry, I'll let you take the lead."

They cautiously approached the entrance of the temple, the air inside cool and damp compared to the oppressive heat of the jungle. Shadows danced along the stone walls as they stepped into the main chamber. It was massive, with towering ceilings and walls covered in ancient carvings depicting long-forgotten battles between pirates and marine forces. The floor was littered with skeletons, some wearing the tattered remains of pirate garb, others clearly former treasure hunters who had met unfortunate ends.

Buggy looked around, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is it! The treasure's gotta be somewhere around here!"

Alvida, however, wasn't convinced. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the details, looking for traps. "Don't get too comfortable, Buggy. We're not the first ones here, and these fools didn't make it out."

As if on cue, there was a loud creaking sound from above. Both pirates froze and looked up just in time to see a massive stone block dislodging from the ceiling. It plummeted toward them, and with a quick, precise movement, Alvida dodged to the side, her body effortlessly gliding away thanks to her Smooth-Smooth Fruit powers. Buggy, on the other hand, panicked and split his body apart, his limbs and head detaching in every direction as the block smashed into the ground where he had stood.

"That was close!" Buggy's disembodied head floated in the air, his eyes wide with shock.

Alvida glanced at him, unimpressed. "Maybe you should pay more attention."

Buggy reassembled himself, grumbling under his breath. He hated being outclassed, even momentarily, but he wasn't about to let it show. "Just a minor setback! Let's keep moving!"

They pressed on, carefully making their way deeper into the temple. The halls twisted and turned, each corner hiding another potential trap. Yet, they managed to avoid most of the dangers—Alvida with her smooth skin sliding away from attacks, and Buggy using his Bara Bara no Mi ability to detach and maneuver through the smallest openings. For all their bluster, they made an effective team, though neither would admit it aloud.

Eventually, they reached the heart of the temple—a grand hall with a massive stone chest at its center. The walls were adorned with carvings of pirates kneeling before a great treasure, and the air was thick with the scent of history and danger. This was it. The legendary treasure of Captain John.

Buggy practically drooled as he approached the chest, his fingers twitching with excitement. "We're rich! Finally, all my hard work is about to pay off!"

Alvida, however, remained cautious. "Don't touch it yet. There's no way it's this easy."

Buggy waved her off. "You worry too much! This is the moment we've been waiting for!"

With a dramatic flourish, Buggy opened the chest—only to find it empty.

"What?!" Buggy's voice echoed through the chamber, filled with disbelief and rage. "Where's the treasure?! This can't be right!"

The pirates left the ancient temple behind, the thick canopy of trees rustling in the distance as they made their way back toward the coast of Narukami Island. Buggy marched forward with a confident strut, despite the frustration of finding no treasure in the chest. Beside him, Alvida swung her iron club over her shoulder, a dangerous glint in her eye. Though they hadn't found the legendary riches of Captain John, Buggy's mind was spinning with a new plan—one that would bring them something far more satisfying: revenge.

As they walked, the sound of snapping branches and muffled footsteps grew louder behind them. Buggy's ears twitched, and he turned just in time to see his first mate, Cabaji, crash through the underbrush, his acrobatic form leaping into view.

"Captain Buggy!" Cabaji shouted, landing in front of his captain with a flamboyant flourish. "We've been searching for you everywhere!"

Buggy's frown deepened. "About time, you idiots! You've been lazing around while I've been stuck dealing with this island's traps and this hag!" He jerked his thumb toward Alvida, who rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

Mohji appeared next, with Richie the lion trailing behind him, the massive beast growling softly. Several of Buggy's other crew members followed, each one relieved to have finally found their captain.

"We ran into some trouble on the way, Captain," Mohji explained, panting slightly. "But we've gathered supplies, and the ship is ready to set sail."

Buggy's frown turned into a manic grin. "Perfect! Then let's get off this cursed island and get back to business!" He waved his hands dramatically. "Raise the anchor! Hoist the sails! We've got plans to make!"

Alvida stood back, watching Buggy's over-the-top display with a bemused smile. She wasn't fond of his theatrics, but she recognized that he had a talent for rallying his crew, no matter how incompetent they seemed at times.

As they made their way to the beach, Buggy's eyes gleamed with a mixture of greed and hatred. "We're going to form the greatest pirate armada the East Blue has ever seen!" he proclaimed. "We'll pillage every town, sink every ship, and gather every pirate we can find to join us."

Alvida smirked, but her tone was sharp when she spoke. "Ships and men aren't hard to find, Buggy. But if you want an armada, you need more than that. Pirates only follow strength—and you've got to prove you've got it."

Buggy's grin twisted into something darker. "Oh, we'll prove it, alright. And once we've gathered enough power, we'll hunt down the one person who's humiliated us more than anyone else…"

Alvida's expression hardened. She knew exactly who Buggy meant. "Straw Hat Goku."

Buggy's eyes narrowed, his hatred for Goku flaring up like a firestorm. His memories of the last time they met still burned in his mind. Goku, with his annoyingly cheerful demeanor, had made a fool of him in front of his entire crew. Even worse, Goku hadn't taken him seriously, like he was nothing more than a joke.

"Goku thought he could humiliate me!" Buggy snarled, his voice rising. "He thinks his strength means he can mock me and walk away unscathed. But we're going to show him just how wrong he is. This time, it's going to be my victory!"

Alvida's lips curled into a cold smile. She, too, had been embarrassed by Goku during their last encounter. His seemingly carefree nature and overwhelming power had left her seething with frustration. Like Buggy, she craved payback.

"That little brat won't know what hit him," Alvida said, her grip tightening on her iron club. "We'll crush him, together."

Buggy's grin stretched wide, his eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "We'll gather our forces, sail to Logue Town, and we'll take him by surprise. Goku won't stand a chance against us when we've got an entire armada at our back!"

As the group reached the beach, Buggy's ship, the Big Top, came into view. Its red-and-white-striped sails fluttered in the breeze, and the garish clown figurehead seemed to grin down at them, mirroring Buggy's own expression. His crew hurried aboard, making preparations for their departure. Buggy, eager to set sail, practically bounced onto the deck.

Cabaji approached him, bowing slightly. "Captain, where do we sail first?"

Buggy's eyes narrowed as he looked out at the horizon. "We sail for Logue Town," he said, his voice cold with determination. "It's the perfect place to start recruiting pirates. And that's where we'll find Goku."

Alvida boarded the ship behind him, her iron club resting on her shoulder. "I'll sail with you for now, Buggy. But remember, once we've taken down Goku, we go our separate ways."

Buggy waved her off. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. As long as we get our revenge, I don't care what happens after."

The Big Top began to pull away from the shore, cutting through the waves as it headed toward the open sea. Buggy stood proudly at the helm, his arms spread wide as he imagined the glorious victories to come. Alvida leaned against the railing, watching the horizon with a cold, calculating gaze.

Buggy could already see it in his mind—Goku, beaten and humiliated before him, begging for mercy. Buggy would finally have his revenge, and he would make sure the entire world knew it.

"Get ready, Goku!" Buggy shouted into the wind, his voice echoing across the sea. "I'm coming for you, and this time, I'm going to crush you!"

The Big Top sailed toward Logue Town, carrying with it a dangerous alliance fueled by hatred and ambition. Soon, Buggy and Alvida's armada would begin to grow, and the entire East Blue would tremble in the wake of their combined fury.

But on the horizon, beyond even the armada's reach, a new and even greater power awaited. As Buggy dreamed of revenge, rumors spread across the seas—rumors of a pirate with unparalleled strength, wearing a straw hat.

Straw Hat Goku.

[A/N: Read 20 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]