Chapter 25: The Difference Between a Shipwright and an Expert!
"Of course, it matters. If you're not an ability user, I will invite you to join my pirate crew. If you are, then I don't plan to ask," Buggy said as if it were a matter of course.
"Get lost!"
Quite furious, Daz Bonez thought Buggy was purely toying with him. If it weren't for the oppressive aura he sensed from Buggy, Daz Bonez wouldn't be talking right now but would have directly attacked with his fists.
"I think you've misunderstood. I am very sincere." After speaking, Buggy took a large step forward, coming close to Daz Bonez, his aura surging forth.
It was as if a man-eating beast had appeared beside him, causing Daz Bonez's entire body to tense up.
Ignoring Daz Bonez, who was on guard and ready to strike at any moment, Buggy took another step forward, then raised his fist and slammed it fiercely onto the ground in front of him.
Not quite understanding what Buggy intended to do, Daz Bonez's guard did not relax in the slightest.
In the next second, as a rumbling sound echoed, Daz Bonez witnessed a scene he would never forget for the rest of his life.
Two enormous fissures extended infinitely in both directions from Buggy's fist. The vibrations, along with the roaring sound, created a scene like a great catastrophe.
A few seconds later, the vibrations stopped, and the roaring sound also disappeared.
Daz Bonez, behind Buggy, took a small step forward with feet that could barely move, then turned his head to look to both sides.
He saw a fissure over a meter wide running through the entire island, forcibly splitting the originally whole island in two. The turbulent seawater below was furiously pouring into the fissure.
"Can you answer me now?"
Turning around, Buggy's smile remained, but that smile, no matter how Daz Bonez looked at it, resembled the savage grin on a demon's face.
"I am not an ability user. I just received news that there's an auction recently with a Devil Fruit for sale. I was preparing to go take a look but hadn't left yet when you found me."
Clearly, Buggy's strength had made Daz Bonez considerably more talkative.
"Hehe, very good. Then, before I invite you, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Buggy, a former apprentice crew member on the Roger Pirates. May I ask, Mr. Daz Bonez, would you join my pirate crew and take on the role of shipwright?"
After hearing Buggy's words, Daz Bonez took a sharp intake of cold air.
"Roger Pirates? The Pirate King's crew? But why shipwright? I don't even know how to repair ships; I only know how to kill." Daz Bonez, with his Shaolin martial monk-like face, was extremely shocked and surprised by Buggy's words.
He was shocked by Buggy's background – it was huge! He was surprised by the position offered after inviting him to join – damn it, don't I look fierce enough? How did I get linked with a shipwright?
"Of course, it's the Pirate King's crew. But let me clarify first, I don't know the whereabouts of ONE PIECE. Shanks and I were only apprentices for a period, and that was before the captain's final voyage."
Pausing here, Buggy continued, "As for why shipwright, it's because I want to train you into an expert, a true expert, the kind who can contend with Marine Admirals in the future."
"But I still don't understand the difference between a shipwright and an expert." Although Daz Bonez was very interested in Buggy's words, he truly didn't understand the connection.
"It's simple. Because I will find an exceptionally powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit for the shipwright. And I hope that while he enhances his abilities with this Devil Fruit, he can also pursue a side job, for example, using this ability to create an extraordinary warship. Understand now?"
Still not quite understanding the relationship between a Logia fruit and shipbuilding, Daz Bonez nevertheless knew he couldn't refuse a powerful Logia Devil Fruit.
"But why me?" This was the point Daz Bonez understood the least in this whole affair.
Especially after hearing that the shipwright would be equipped with a Logia Devil Fruit, he understood even less. Daz Bonez wasn't stupid; he knew very well that anyone who obtained a Logia Devil Fruit could dominate a region. So, rather than choosing himself, who didn't know shipbuilding, why not choose someone else with some skills? After all, shipwrights were as common as crucian carp crossing a river.
I've watched One Piece, I know your performance in it, especially that unbetraying spirit which moved me. Also, I like your Shaolin martial monk look. That's why I chose you.
The above was Buggy's heartfelt thought. Of course, it was impossible to say this out loud, so the words that came out became the following.
"My companion doesn't need to know the skills initially. As long as he's willing to learn, I can find the best teacher for him. But he absolutely must have the aptitude of a strong person. The desire to become stronger, the perseverance to not shrink back from difficulties, the principle of sharing fortunes and misfortunes, and the basic quality of a man – keeping promises."
After Buggy finished speaking, Daz Bonez's eyes lit up, clearly agreeing very much with Buggy's definition of a strong person.
"Now tell me, Daz Bonez, are you willing to join my pirate crew and swear not to betray it?" Buggy asked Daz Bonez with a serious expression.
"I am willing, and I can swear to the heavens that I will never betray Captain Buggy's pirate crew. By the way, Captain, what's the name of our pirate crew?" Daz Bonez replied with a solemn face.
Daz Bonez's casual question, however, made it difficult for Buggy to answer, because he still hadn't decided on a name for his pirate crew.
"That hasn't been decided yet, and there's no rush. Anyway, the pirate crew isn't officially formed yet. When I've gathered all the companions, and you've built the warship, I will choose a special day to let the whole world know of our pirate crew's formation." When Buggy said this, a rare look of anticipation was on his face.
Seeing Buggy's anticipation, Daz Bonez also said with great expectation, "I look forward to that day."
"Then let's go now! We'll set off to get the Devil Fruit I promised you."
"You already have it?"
"Of course not. But for me, it's just sitting there waiting for me to pick it when I need it. Follow me; I believe that Devil Fruit will give you a pleasant surprise."
"Alright! By the way, Captain, how many companions have you found?" As if his curiosity had been unleashed, Daz Bonez was extremely curious at this moment.
"One vice-captain, but that fellow hasn't agreed yet. He said he wants to give me a test to see if I can become his captain. One cook, currently diligently training; you can absolutely look forward to the food she makes. One secretary for captain's benefits, currently undergoing combat training. A navigator... we'll talk about that later. And then there's you, the shipwright who needs to go for advanced training."
(End of this chapter)