Chapter 5: East Blue Arc: A Terrifying Mysterious Power! Captain Buggy, the Clown Pirate!

"What's the explosion?" Zoro asked, both him and Sasha having docked after following the sea bird that had carried Luffy away earlier.

"One of Buggy-sama's beloved Buggy Balls." one of the pirates the pair had saved replied.

"Buggy Balls?" Zoro echoed.

"Taku," Sasha sighed. "I really hope aniki doesn't get caught up in that. But knowing like I do..." she shook her head.

"Die flashily!" three of Buggy's pirate subordinates closed in on Nami who had diffused the lit cannon with her hands.

"Hey, now..." Zoro chided, blocking out the attack on Nami. "How many of you are taking on a girl at once?"

"Zoro!" the caged Luffy beamed at his rescuer.

"Really," Sasha tsked. "I keep my eyes off you for one second... Are you hurt?" she knelt down by Nami.

"No, I'm fine." Nami replied.

"Whew, what a relief." Luffy breathed. "How'd you two find us? Hurry and get me outta here."

"What do you keep playing around for?" Zoro scolded. "First, some bird runs off with you and now you're inside a cage?"

"It's pretty interesting, really." Luffy noted.

"I swear..." Sasha muttered. "Ex-quip!" at her command, the sapphire around her neck started glowing brightly. "Guardian Tsunami Armor!" she donned on a tight-fitting steel-blue armor with teal trimming. "Reflective Water Slicer!" she sent three scythe-like water blades flying towards the cage, two of the water blades cutting through the cage bars neatly while the third sliced through the ropes that bound Luffy.

"Zoro?" the Buggy's crew gaped. "That's what he just called him, right?"

"So, you're Zoro?" Buggy inquired. "What do you want? Are you here to take me head or something?"

"Nope, not interested." Zoro replied. "I gave up pirate-hunting."

"I'm interested, though." Buggy grinned. "Killing you will increase my name."

"I wouldn't try it." Zoro warned. "You'll die."

"Oh?" Buggy smirked, twirling his dagger. "Is that so?"

"Guess words aren't enough for you." Zoro snorted as he readied for battle, Buggy's crew urging their captain on.

"Die flashily!" Buggy jumped at Zoro, knives in hand.

"He had no resistance to him at all." Zoro remarked, ending the fight with a slash.

"Whoa, he's weak." Luffy blinked, climbing out of the demolished cage.

"No way..." Nami gaped.

"What's with them?" Luffy wondered when Buggy's crew started laughing.

"Their captain's been killed..." even Nami was puzzled. "But they're laughing."

"Hey, what's so damn funny?" Zoro demanded when suddenly, Buggy's body floated up, his severed arm holding a knife that stabbed Zoro from behind.

"What's that arm?" Nami gasped in shock.

"What the hell?" Zoro turned.

"The Chop-Chop Fruit." Buggy stated, reattaching his limb. "That's the name of the Devil Fruit I ate. I'm a chop-chop person who cant be cut."

"His body reattached itself." Nami was stunned. "I thought the Devil Fruits were only a rumor."

"A chop-chop guy?" Luffy echoed. "You mean he's a monster?"

"You ate the Gum-Gum Fruit, aniki." Sasha deathpanned. "You can't talk."

"I didn't hit any vital points." Buggy assured. "But it's a pretty serious wound. I win!"

Crap! Nami cursed. The tables are turned. If I don't do something quick, me and these guys are dead.

"That one hurt a bit..." Zoro hissed.

"Stabbing him from behind is unfair!" Luffy protested. "Big Nose!"

You idiot! Nami panicked. Don't call him that!

"Who's got a big nose?" Buggy glared and tossed his knife at the sibling pair.

"Buggy!" Luffy grinned, Sasha deflecting the blade off. "I will kick your ass!"

"Kick me ass?" Buggy mocked. "You're a real riot. All four of you are gonna die here, you know. How should I have my ass kicked in this situation?"

"I refuse to die!" Luffy burst out laughing. "Run, Zoro!" he shouted.

"Wait, he came here to save you!" Nami reminded. "What're you gonna do?"

"Understood." Zoro smirked.

"Imprudent fool!" Buggy roared, jumping in to engage Zoro. "As if I'd let you escape!" his flurry of attacks forced Zoro backwards towards the sibling duo. Slicing through Buggy's wait, Zoro took the opening to run.

"Fool!" Buggy taunted. "Your Three-Sword style has no effect on... Hey!" he shouted at the running Zoro. "Listen when people are talking!"

"Hiding in Mist!" Sasha conjured up a thick fog to hide the quartet from Buggy's view.

"We're outta here!" Luffy declared, the sibling pair jumping off the roof. Zoro, having grabbed Nami, followed suit.