"Morgans. Still itching for Big News?"
"Details, Buggy! You know I live for that headline heat."
"Oh, it'll be more shocking if you watch it live. I'll have Tezoro assist you—two kings of the underworld should be more than enough to handle the broadcast integration across Grandline and the four seas. Any issues?"
"Pfft. No issues. Leave it to me."
"Good."
Click.
Buggy dialed another number. The next voice came through immediately.
"Judge. Did you finish cloning all the Livestream Den Den Mushi I asked for—the ones from the Uta?"
"They're cloned and fully operational. Ready to deploy at your word."
"Perfect. Have them ready. We'll go live once we return from Raftel."
"Huh?! Raftel?!"
"Yeah," Buggy said with a grin that could split his face. "You'll see soon enough."
Click.
Buggy paused for a breath, then dialed one last number. The Den Den Mushi's face morphed into a familiar, carefree smirk.
"Yo. Why's Buggy the Clown calling me at this hour?"
"Shanks. Guess where I am."
The snail's face stiffened. Eyes wide. Mouth agape.
"You… you're not saying what I think you're saying…"
"I am," Buggy said plainly. "I'm on Raftel."
The line went dead silent for a heartbeat.
"I've uncovered the truth behind the Void Century. I know what happened to the Great Kingdom. I know about the Sun God's legacy. And I plan to tell the entire world."
"WHAT?!"
Shanks' voice echoed like thunder. Behind him, his crew burst into confused chaos—cups dropped, jaws unhinged. Benn Beckman even choked on his sake.
"Buggy, are you out of your mind?! Do you know what you're starting?!"
But Buggy ignored the protest and pivoted.
"You're in Elbaf, right?"
"…Yeah," Shanks admitted. "I'm here for peace talks. We were just about to start drinking."
"Perfect," Buggy said, smirking. "Ask them if they'd like to tune in for a little live broadcast. One about the world before the Celestial Dragons. About a kingdom lost to time. About the truth of the void century."
Silence.
Then, at last, a heavy voice came through the line.
"…Buggy. Are you ready for the weight that comes with this?"
"I've been ready," Buggy replied, his voice calm and resolute. "I've been waiting for this moment my whole life."
"…Good," Shanks said firmly. "I'll help make it happen."
"Appreciate it, brother."
A grin tugged at the corners of Buggy's lips.
The rest of the Buggy Pirates—Dragon, Lucci, Crocodile, Bullet, even Blueno—watched in silence. One by one, understanding dawned on their faces.
Their captain wasn't bluffing. He had planned everything.
"Heh." Dragon adjusted his cloak. "If you're going through with this… I'll make some calls. Get a few nations to tune in."
Snap!
Buggy snapped his fingers with a grin.
"Do it. And with that, everything's in place. It's time for the Buggy Pirates… to face the world."
"OOOOHHH!!!"
The ship erupted in cheers. Buggy's crew rallied like madmen before Blueno calmly opened a door through space, leading directly to Pluton. They boarded, and the great vessel soared back toward the Crimson Empire.
The moment they returned, Zephyr was already marching over with a scowl.
"Buggy. Where the hell did you vanish to? All of you ran off at once—I nearly sounded an alarm."
"Oh, y'know. Just took a little detour to Raf... tel," Buggy replied, smug as ever.
"Yeah, Raftel. Got it," Zephyr nodded, not even blinking—then froze mid-step.
"…Wait. What did you just say?!"
Zephyr tore off his glasses, eyes wide. Behind him, Ain, Shuzo, and Binz all stiffened like they'd seen a ghost.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
The entire Buggy Pirates burst into laughter.
Minutes later, after Zephyr recovered from the shock, the old Admiral let out a tired sigh.
"So. Buggy the Clown... Pirate King, huh?"
Buggy grinned ear to ear.
"You got that right."
There was a weight in the air—subtle, yet unmistakable. The expressions on their faces turned complicated, almost reverent.
Is this... the Pirate King?
But Buggy simply chuckled and clapped Zephyr on the shoulder with a familiar boldness.
"Don't look so serious. Thinking about Raftel? I'll bring you along."
"Eh?!"
Ain's eyes lit up instantly, like a child hearing tales of Elbaf legends for the first time. He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"Buggy! Can we come too?"
"Of course you can," Buggy replied with a smirk. "Raftel won't be a secret much longer anyway."
He paused, then added with a casual shrug:
"But once you've seen it, I recommend staying within the Crimson Empire for now. You never know when the Marines or the World Government will start knocking."
"…Hm?"
Zephyr's brow furrowed. He caught the scent of something deeper.
"Buggy," he said carefully, "What exactly are you planning?"
"What do you think about…"
Buggy didn't even try to deny it. Instead, he laid it all bare, as if he'd been waiting for someone to ask.
Zephyr and the other three—Ain, Shuzo, and Binz—fell silent, eyes widening at the sheer audacity of his words. Moments passed before they could react. Eventually, they could only shake their heads, marveling at the scale of his vision.
"So you're preparing to go head-to-head with the World Government," Zephyr said, his voice low and steady. "You're ready to throw the Crimson Empire into another war?"
Buggy met his gaze evenly.
"Zephyr... do you honestly believe the World Government hasn't already set their sights on me?"
He continued, voice calm but carrying the full weight of his resolve:
"The moment my ideals began to spread, they started planning countermeasures. The only reason they haven't acted yet is that I'm stronger than they expected. But it's inevitable. War is coming—whether tomorrow or ten days from now."
He took a step forward, eyes sharp.
"If I win, I'll rebuild this world. But if they win, freedom and equality die with us. This empire—prosperous, growing, alive—it'll be burned to the ground. So tell me, Zephyr… would you rather wait for that, or stand ready?"
Silence followed his words.
The kind of silence that demanded thought demanded a choice.
Zephyr had spent his life wearing a Marine's coat, but in this moment, the weight of history bore down heavier than any justice he once believed in.
Crack!
The sound of breaking glass echoed through the hall. Zephyr had crushed his glasses in one hand.
"…Good," he said, voice firm, unwavering. "You're the head of the Crimson Empire. The captain of the Buggy Pirates. The strongest man in the world today."
He took a breath and declared:
"If you're willing to bet everything… then this old man's willing to go mad with you. I'll serve as the empire's military coordinator. If the World Government makes the first move… I'll make sure they regret it."
His words rang with power.
The crew around them broke into grins, proud and ready. Buggy clapped him on the shoulder again, this time with genuine respect.
"Relax. You know me, Zephyr—I never walk into a fight unprepared."
His grin widened.
"If the World Government wants a large-scale war, then we'll welcome it. Unlike the Whitebeard Pirates… the Buggy Pirates don't fear mass combat. I thrive in it."
Zephyr raised a brow, recalling the stories. And then—he remembered.
The Mori Mori no mi.
The overwhelming force Buggy had shown during the Wano campaign. The lush forests that had grown overnight in the Crimson Empire. And the massive, towering tree at its heart.
That tree…
With a fruit like that—one that manipulated the battlefield so effectively—it was no wonder Buggy feared no army.
Zephyr exhaled slowly, then cracked a smile.
"In that case, I'll have Ain, Shuzo, and Binz oversee the elite forces. I'll focus on maintaining internal security."
"Perfect." Buggy nodded.
"And we'll use those who surrendered to us wisely. Denjiro, Ashura Dōji, Kawamatsu, Kikunojo—every one of them has earned a reputation. Let them take command positions. They'll help stabilize the nation and serve as strong front-line commanders when needed."
Zephyr gave a nod, sharp and decisive.
"Understood."
With Zephyr gone, Buggy wasted no time. He sent Blueno to fetch Uta.
She arrived not long after, but her expression was less than pleasant. Arms crossed, lower lip jutted out, she was clearly in the middle of a full-blown pout.
While she'd been preparing the broadcast equipment as instructed, Buggy and the others had already departed for Raftel. The moment she found out, she exploded with fury. Going to Raftel—RAFTEL—without her? The nerve!
Needless to say, she wasn't giving Buggy a warm welcome.
Buggy just laughed, unfazed, and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Didn't I tell you to prep the live broadcast gear at home?" he said, a grin tugging at his lips. "Raftel's ours now, Uta. You can go anytime you like."
He winked.
"You and Robin are going to broadcast it to the world. You'll have plenty of time to admire it."
"Eh?!"
Uta gasped, eyes wide. "We're livestreaming Raftel?! Are you sure that's allowed?!"
"What's there to be unsure about?"
Buggy's smirk widened, eyes gleaming with that familiar, reckless spark.
"I've wanted to do this forever. This broken era—it's over. Time to start something new. A world where freedom doesn't need to hide."
He looked at her with that same infectious energy that had once turned a circus clown into the most unpredictable force in the seas.
"Uta, isn't this your dream too? So? What do you say? Will you help me bring in the new era?"
Uta's eyes shimmered. She gave a firm nod, lips curling into a radiant smile.
"Mm! I'm in!"
"Ahem."
Robin cleared her throat from the side, one eyebrow arching with amused exasperation.
"Honestly, the way you two talk… It sounds more like a marriage proposal than a revolution."
Swish!
Instantly, Uta's face turned redder than a beet. She stomped her foot, puffing up in embarrassment—and naturally, Law became the nearest target of her redirected temper.
Buggy sat back and enjoyed the chaos for a moment. Beauty, music, and mayhem—what more could a man want?
But then, a den den mushi on the table began to ring.
"Judge is calling," Kalifa announced.
At once, the tension shifted. Uta and Robin stopped bickering, quickly straightened their clothes, and moved with practiced precision. They knew the plan. Everyone did.
The time had come.
Robin adjusted her glasses. Uta took a deep breath and stepped toward the camera.
The live broadcast was about to begin, streaming directly from atop the sacred Tree of Adam.
The stage was set. Atop the towering God Tree, Adam, only the most trusted members of the Buggy Pirates and the highest-ranking officers of the Crimson Empire had been invited.
Even the surviving members of the Red Scabbards were present.
From Fish-Man Island, the Mink Tribe, and Amazon Lily, dignitaries and leaders had gathered as well. No one knew what to expect, but the tension in the air was palpable. All of them sat quietly on the sidelines, uncertain, curious, perhaps even anxious.
Then, at the center of the platform, Uta stepped into view, framed by sunlight and the leaves of the sacred tree. She looked directly at the camera, a bright smile on her lips.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the world," she announced, "this global broadcast begins with a song from me—Uta. A song for a new tomorrow. Please enjoy… 'New Era.'"
As her voice rang out, the world held its breath.
Her melody rose and fell with grace, each note soaked in the power of her Devil Fruit. The Uta Uta no Mi's magic traveled through the transmission waves of the den den mushi, casting an invisible shield over the entire broadcast.
This—this was why Buggy needed her.
No Marine jammer, no Cipher Pol agent, no government technician could cut the feed as long as Uta's voice remained steady. Hesound waves disrupted interception signals, buying precious time for their message to reach every corner of the Grand Line.
So long as she remained conscious, the world would hear.
Robin stepped in next, her voice calm and steady, offering explanations, context, and truths long buried. The camera feed began to pan over Raftel itself.
Stone by stone, truth by truth—the hidden history of the world was laid bare.
The red Poneglyphs.
The legacy of the Sun God Kingdom.
Buggy's plan was unfolding without a hitch. The new era had already begun. And it began not with a bang, but with a song.
Ten minutes later.
As the final notes of her second song faded into the sky, Uta smiled warmly at the camera, her voice as bright as her expression.
"Everyone," she said sweetly, "that's it for my performance—for now. But don't go anywhere. Today, I've brought some friends along. It's time to introduce them to you."
She gestured grandly toward the wings of the stage.
"Please welcome—the friends of the Crimson Empire!"
The camera panned smoothly to the left, revealing the seated members of the Buggy Pirates along one side of the open-air auditorium. Their presence alone was enough to stir excitement in viewers across the globe.
Uta took center stage again and began introducing each member one by one, starting, of course, with their flamboyant, larger-than-life captain.
Buggy sat cross-legged on a gold-trimmed throne, arms spread arrogantly over the backrest, grinning like a man who already knew history was watching.
As Uta rattled off names and titles, a creeping sense began to take root in the minds of viewers.
Something about this broadcast… wasn't going to be simple entertainment.
Once she finished presenting the Buggy Pirates, Uta turned with a flourish to begin naming the high officials of the Crimson Empire.
And then—boom—a name dropped like a cannonball into the global sea of public consciousness.
Zephyr.
Former Marine Admiral.
Now… Supreme Commander of the Crimson Empire's navy.
For a moment, the world collectively paused. From merchant stalls in the East Blue to war rooms in Mariejois, jaws dropped and eyes widened.
The man once hailed as a hero of justice now stood beneath Buggy's banner?
And yet, for many who had been tuning in to Uta's regular broadcasts these past few months, it somehow… made sense.
The Crimson Empire, presented through Uta's lens, had become a symbol of hope. A place of wealth, peace, and flourishing culture. She'd toured every corner of it with her music, showing the bustling ports, the lush cities, the thriving schools and industries. For many across the seas, it seemed too good to be true.
But then came the merchants.
From Dressrosa to Water 7, traders returned home with stories—not of conquest, but of opportunity. Of safety. Of prosperity.
The Crimson Empire wasn't just an idea. It was real.
And at the heart of it all stood Buggy the God Slayer, now the founding sovereign of the most mysterious rising power on the Grand Line.
His ideals—brash, ridiculous, impossible—had not only taken root. They were growing. Thriving. Blossoming into something tangible.
That was why the "Buggy Program," once a joke among tavern drunkards and bounty board banter, had now become a genuine global movement.
Because for the first time… it was working.
And it was only just beginning.
The broadcast resumed. Uta now introduced other notable figures: a Fish-Man general with glistening scales; a towering Mink noble; a Giant chieftain in ceremonial garb; the queen of the Kuja, seated with arms folded in calm observation. Faces and names that stirred curiosity and wonder.
But just as it seemed this was merely a celebratory introduction of the Crimson Empire's diversity, Uta suddenly reached out.
From behind the curtain, she pulled someone into view with a teasing tug.
A graceful silhouette emerged into the spotlight—Nico Robin.
Uta beamed. "Everyone, this is one of the survivors of Ohara, Robin! She just returned from a very special place... Raftel!"
The audience, both in-person and worldwide, went still.
"She traveled there," Uta continued brightly, "with our empire's leader—well, the captain of the Buggy Pirates."
She leaned conspiratorially into the camera. "As you all know, Blueno is a Door-Door Fruit user. If he's been somewhere once, he can return there anytime."
Her voice turned pouty. "I missed out the first time... but not again!"
She pointed to Blueno, who merely nodded with stoic calm.
"So I asked Uncle Blueno to take us again, ten times if he has to! And since there are so many ancient texts on the island, I invited Miss Robin to guide us."
Robin gave a small wave, already thumbing through a pocket-sized notebook.
"She'll help me—and all of you—understand the ancient writings on Raftel."
Uta's voice turned playful again. "So, what do you think? Do you like the live broadcast content Uta's prepared for you this time?"
With a cheeky grin, she raised her right hand and flashed a peace sign. The screen froze for a moment on her smiling face, framed by sunlight and flower petals.
But to some viewers—those watching closely—her smile seemed to take on a devilish edge. As if two tiny horns had sprouted from her head.
At first, most people didn't register the name Raftel. They were caught up in the usual excitement, the singing, the spectacle.
But for those who know, with power and knowledge, like Morgans, Tesoro, and the leaders of the Underworld, the name struck like lightning.
Raftel.
The Final Island. The end of the Grand Line.
The truth of the world was about to be laid bare—live, in real time, by Buggy and his chosen emissaries.
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