Chapter 32 : Shiryu of the Rain!!

"Hahahaha, hahahaha!"

Feeling the immense Conqueror's Haki of Buggy's, Bullet withdrew his own and burst into laughter, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

Buggy also withdrew his Conqueror's Haki and grinned. "Surprised?"

"Nope, I'm impressed!" Bullet replied, staring intently at Buggy. "I thought you'd be washed up forever! After all, Shanks, who was your equal back then, has become one of the Four Emperors. I hear his name all the time, even in here!

"But you, Buggy, I never heard your name! I thought you were dead!

"But now, it seems you haven't been idle all these years!"

"I don't hate the strong! On the contrary, the stronger they are, the more I enjoy it!

"Because only then does life become interesting!"

Bullet clenched his fists, his bulging muscles straining against his prison clothes. His blood was boiling with excitement!

After twenty years of silence and pushing his physical limits, it was time for him to set his plan in motion!

Originally, Bullet had planned to start with the destruction of the Buster Call, and then target the Navy and the Four Emperors, step by step, until he reached the pinnacle of this world!

But now, with the upcoming war at Navy Headquarters, he saw a stage grander than the Buster Call!

He, Bullet, would announce his return to the world there!

Buggy smiled. He liked a pure battle maniac like Bullet!

Buggy nudged Mr. 3, who was lying on the ground, paralyzed by the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, signaling it was time for him to work.

Mr. 3, still shaky, struggled to stand and handed a wax key to Buggy with trembling hands.

Buggy tossed the key to Bullet and declared, "Bullet, our next move will be to form an offensive and defensive alliance!"

Bullet, now free from his sea stone shackles, stretched his limbs and stepped out of the cell. He shot Buggy a skeptical look and replied, "Don't get ahead of yourself. Let's hear your plans first! What's your role in this war? If our goals differ, this alliance will remain confined to these prison walls!"

Buggy flashed a knowing smile and said, "Hold on a moment; let's secure this prison first."

"Before that, we need more allies!"

Turning to the prisoners in the neighboring cells, Buggy called out, "You all heard what we just discussed—this is your chance to join the clash between the Navy Headquarters and Whitebeard! Who's in for this grand event?"

Laughter and excitement erupted from the prisoners:

"Hahaha, count me in! I'm going to take Whitebeard's head!"

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! I'll make Whitebeard pay for all the humiliation he's caused me!"

"Whitebeard! Whitebeard! Whitebeard!"

The entire six floors below erupted in fervor!

None of these ambitious individuals wanted to miss the chance to make a name for themselves. Naturally, a few who had connections with Whitebeard or had no interest in the war kept silent.

Buggy signaled to Mr. 3, who quickly fashioned a large key for him. Buggy moved forward, throwing the keys into the cells on either side.

"This is not just an opportunity to kill Whitebeard and gain fame across the seas but also a chance to exact revenge on the Navy and deliver a crushing defeat to them!"

"So, no matter what your motives are, if you want to join the assault on the Navy Headquarters, you can temporarily join our alliance!"

"But remember, danger and opportunity go hand in hand. If you don't want to participate, you can leave on your own once we break out of Impel Down!"

"After all," Buggy declared, "our alliance doesn't welcome those who lack the courage to fight!"

At the same time, Buggy stopped in front of a solitary cell, tossed a key to the emaciated old man inside, and added, "I hope you'll think this through. Those who are old, weak, sick, or disabled should escape and enjoy their remaining years in peace. Life is precious!"

"The old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled? Hmm." The old man, upon receiving the key, didn't immediately free himself from his shackles. Instead, he approached the bars and glared at Buggy with fierce, crimson eyes. "Are you trying to provoke me, kid?"

Buggy grinned and shrugged. "No, Patrick Redfield, I'm not trying to provoke you. You should be able to see that for yourself!" 

The Red Count, Patrick Redfield, was once a renowned powerhouse who could stand toe-to-toe with the Flying Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Roger Pirates all on his own. 

But those days are long gone. The current Red Count is like a withered branch, his strength now a mere fraction of its former glory.

If the Red Count were to face the Navy Headquarters now, he would likely meet the same fate as Whitebeard. Buggy certainly doesn't want to see that happen. 

The Red Count still has a chance to regain his former glory, and losing him now would mean a lot less excitement on the seas in the future.

Buggy looked at the Red Count and said, "What you need is in the ancient town. I'll be waiting for you to rise to the top again!"

With that, Buggy moved on, continuing his search. The Red Count watched Buggy's retreating figure, his gaze softening as he muttered, "Another madman. How interesting!"

Buggy made his way through the cells, dropping keys along the way but keeping the two he needed. He signaled Mr. 3 to keep distributing the keys as he approached the first cell on the sixth basement floor.

Cell No. 1 was a single room, and inside was a tall man dressed in the uniform of the Head Jailer of Impel Down. Unlike the other prisoners, this man remained quiet throughout, even smoking a cigar calmly.

Former Head Jailer of Impel Down, Shiryu of the Rain!

Buggy glanced at Shiryu and asked, "What about you? Are you coming to the gala with me, or are you going to stay in this dull place?"

Shiryu raised an eyebrow, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and replied, "Are you sure that event is worth my time?"

Buggy chuckled, "If you don't find it exciting enough, feel free to take a few swings at me. It'll make things more interesting!"

At Buggy's challenge, Shiryu's lips curved into a smirk, and he felt a thrill in his hands. He extended his hand towards Buggy and said, "In that case, let's go together, Captain Buggy!"

"Hahaha," Buggy laughed heartily as he tossed a key to Shiryu. "I promise, you won't be disappointed!"

Shiryu unlocked his shackles and stepped out of the cell, saying, "I shouldn't need to remind you—if I'm let down, I'll make sure to find a way to turn that disappointment into something more… lethal."

Buggy replied, "Do whatever you like, as long as you make it entertaining!" 

With that, Buggy turned his gaze toward a single room diagonally across from Shiryu's cell. The key he held was meant for the man inside that room!

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