Chapter 48 : Third Faction??

Buggy observed that the protagonists in these passionate comics are basically people who don't listen to anyone else. 

The prince of the neighboring Konoha Village is a bit better—at least he'll let you finish speaking before using his Talk no Jutsu to brainwash you! 

But Luffy doesn't care what you say at all; he only does what he wants!

However, reality can be harsh. Buggy isn't really Luffy's second uncle, so he won't spoil him!

Ivankov was working hard to stop Luffy's bleeding, but the ship's conditions made it impossible for him to reattach Luffy's legs! Without the necessary skills, Ivankov was sweating with anxiety.

Ignoring Ivankov, Buggy looked at Luffy, who had grown much weaker from blood loss, and said, "I remember you were always shouting about becoming the Pirate King."

Although Buggy's decision would determine whether Luffy lived or died, Luffy's eyes remained resolute as he responded, "I'm the man who will become the Pirate King!"

Buggy nodded, not wanting to dispute that claim, and then asked, "So, what does being the Pirate King mean to you?"

"Freedom!" Luffy answered without hesitation. "The Pirate King is the freest person in the world!"

"Hahahahahahaha..." 

Hearing Luffy's answer, Buggy laughed, his laughter dripping with disdain.

Luffy frowned and asked angrily, "What are you laughing at?"

Luffy had always despised people who belittled his dreams. Even when Buggy had just broken his leg, he hadn't felt such negativity towards him!

Buggy shook his head, not immediately answering Luffy's question. Instead, he pressed on, "What does freedom mean to you?"

Luffy replied firmly, "It means doing whatever you want!"

Buggy continued, "And what happens when your freedom conflicts with the freedom of others?"

Luffy paused, unsure of how to respond. 

Buggy held back a smirk and said coldly, "When two freedoms clash, a conflict naturally arises, and the victor will continue to exercise their freedom."

"But isn't this kind of freedom that overrides the freedom of others no different from those in the World Government?"

"Hahaha, interesting…" Crocodile chuckled suddenly, then added, "Straw Hat Boy, when we were in Alabasta, I placed my freedom above the people of Alabasta, while you placed your freedom above mine. It seems the only difference now is that you won."

Luffy was silent, struggling to find a way to counter the argument.

Buggy continued, "The moment you set sail and defied the World Government's rules to become a pirate, you embraced freedom and became a free man. Freedom cannot be defined by a title! What Pirate King represents is definitely not freedom!"

Luffy's expression hardened as he clenched his teeth and asked, "If Pirate King doesn't represent freedom, then what do you think it represents?"

Instead of answering, Buggy asked, "Do you know the meaning of the word 'king'?"

Luffy simply replied, "No."

Buggy shrugged and continued, "A 'king' is someone who leads their people and makes the rules. Become a pirate, break the rules, and be free!"

"And to become the king, you must rewrite the rules!"

"If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight!"

"To become the Pirate King and have everyone follow your rules, you must first adhere to your own! This is a responsibility!"

"A responsibility to set new rules and usher in a new era!"

"Just like the previous Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, who established the rule that whoever finds the One Piece will be the next Pirate King!"

"So now, anyone who wants to claim the title of Pirate King must follow his rules! Even the Yonko are bound by them!"

Luffy stared at Buggy in shock, his thoughts a whirlwind!

But Buggy ignored Luffy's confusion and continued, "I've told you all this to make one point!"

Luffy asked blankly, "What's that?"

Buggy replied coldly, "Right now, you're nothing! If you want everyone to follow your rules, you'll have to become the Pirate King first!"

After Buggy finished speaking, he flicked his hand, and Luffy's head snapped back into place!

However, the immense impact didn't dissipate, and Luffy's body was flung backward, crashing onto the deck!

Luffy's eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness.

"Straw Hat Boy!"

When Ivankov saw that Luffy's recently bandaged wound was bleeding again, he rushed over in concern.

Buggy, meanwhile, paid no attention to Luffy. His gaze swept over the people below with a sharpness akin to a blade. Calmly, he declared, "Now, let's get back to our earlier discussion!"

Everyone below gulped nervously as they looked up at Buggy floating in the air. 

His presence was so imposing that it felt like a mountain pressing down on their hearts, giving them an almost hallucinatory sense of encountering a 'king.'

"Haha, this is becoming more and more intriguing!" Bullet grinned with excitement, clearly fascinated by what was unfolding. 

Instead of voicing his thoughts directly, he added, "Stop with the small talk! Buggy, just tell us what you're thinking!"

Buggy nodded and said, "We all have different reasons for joining this war. Crocodile and his men are here for Whitebeard's head, but there are many who seek to target the Navy!"

"Of course!" World was the first to rise and declare, "I have no interest in Whitebeard! My target is the Navy, the World Government! I'll make them pay for all the suffering they've caused me!"

"Yes! My crew was wiped out by the Navy. I'm here for revenge against them!" 

"Aokiji! My target is Aokiji! That damned Navy scoundrel froze my dreams! I want revenge!"

"No matter who they are, if they're from the Navy, they deserve to die! I want them dead!"

...

With World leading the charge, a large group of others stood up, clamoring for the elimination of the entire Navy.

Buggy raised his hand to silence the crowd, and immediately, everyone fell quiet.

Buggy nodded in satisfaction and concluded, "So it's clear now. Some of us want to clash with the Whitebeard Pirates, while others are itching for a war with the Marine Headquarters!"

"This means that both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marine Headquarters are our targets!"

"In that case, I propose this!"

"Let's form an alliance!"

"I want Whitebeard's head! I want the Navy's head too!"

"Our goal is to take them all down and secure the final victory in this war!"

"I've said my piece. Who's with me, and who's against?"

**********

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