Onboard Buggy the Clown's Pirate Ship
"What's your name?!"
Buggy's commanding voice echoed across the deck.
"Juvia."
Juvia responded calmly.
"Heh~"
"So, why have you come to me? What's your purpose?!"
Buggy, satisfied with her answer, smirked and continued interrogating her.
"Hmm... I'm looking for my missing companions..."
"They said you're one of the most powerful pirates around here—someone with true influence."
"If it's you, then surely you can help me find the ones who've gone missing..."
After a brief pause, Juvia answered sincerely.
She then looked at Buggy, who was kneeling before her, and asked: "So, I'll leave the task of finding my companions to you. That's fine, isn't it, Mister Buggy...?"
"Of course!"
Buggy, face bruised and battered, knelt on one knee and responded loudly: "Just as Lady Juvia said! There's no one more familiar with the East Blue than me! If your companions are somewhere in the East Blue, then leave it to me. I guarantee I'll complete the mission."
"That's a relief."
Juvia let out a small sigh of relief at his enthusiastic response.
"Such a simple woman..."
"But her power is overwhelming."
"If used properly, she could help me obtain more treasure... maybe even expand my influence further."
As Juvia began to place her trust in Buggy...
Buggy kept his head lowered, mind racing with schemes to use her power for his own gain.
Meanwhile, Buggy's henchmen lay sprawled across the deck, beaten and groaning, watching in awe as Buggy 'conversed' confidently with Juvia.
In their hearts, they thought: "That's our Boss Buggy! So calm and composed even in front of a monster woman with terrifying power. Truly amazing!"
"Is that really the case...?"
However, Mohji and Cabaji—who had known Buggy for years—exchanged puzzled glances. They knew Buggy too well. He wasn't calm at all. In fact, he was so scared he couldn't even stand straight.
"It's okay. You can stand up now."
Juvia, feeling slightly sorry for Buggy still kneeling before her, gently motioned for him to rise.
"It's fine. Let me stay like this a little longer!"
"After all, it was my subordinates who offended you..."
"As their boss, I must take full responsibility."
Buggy replied righteously.
Truthfully? His legs were so weak he couldn't stand.
"Boss Buggy!!"
"We'll follow you for life!"
But to his henchmen, Buggy's words were full of charisma and loyalty. They were even more determined to follow him to the ends of the earth.
"Buggy, do you have any ideas on how to find my missing companions?"
Juvia asked eagerly.
"First, we need to expand our information network. Relying on just a few small towns won't be enough to get leads on your friends."
"So, here's the plan—we'll take down other powerful pirate crews around the East Blue and use their networks to help us search."
As Buggy spoke, his ambitions started to show.
"Oh... That makes sense."
Juvia, ever so naïve, nodded in agreement. Truthfully, Buggy's reasoning didn't sound wrong at all.
"So, let's start by taking out Krieg!"
"That guy's just a rookie, yet he dared defy me—he's gotten too arrogant..."
"And the Arlong Pirates too!"
"I heard Arlong was already defeated, but with his strength, I doubt it's true. It was probably exaggerated news."
"Anyway, we're going to sweep the entire East Blue and create the greatest pirate crew in history, then head for the Grand Line..."
By the time Buggy got to this point, he had stood up, shouting boldly to his crew:
"Boys! This isn't like the old days! Now we have Lady Juvia with us! It's time to set sail for the Grand Line—and even the New World!"
"Yeahhh!!"
The entire deck erupted in cheers, his pirates shouting in excitement:
"Long live Boss Buggy! Long live Lady Juvia!"
"Eh?!"
"Wait, hold on a minute...!"
Juvia panicked, waving her hands as if to say she never intended to form a pirate crew.
"Lady Juvia, once your name becomes famous enough, I'm sure your lost companions will come to find you."
Buggy offered some comforting words.
And in fact, he wasn't wrong. His thinking was quite in line with Eden's.
But at the core of it, Buggy just wanted to use Juvia as free labor.
"I see. I understand now."
Juvia, after thinking about it seriously, nodded in agreement. As far as she was concerned, finding her missing friends was worth any price.
"Got her."
"This kind of simple girl is so easy to trick."
Buggy chuckled to himself, imagining a glorious future where he and Juvia built the 'Buggy Kingdom.'
"Boys, throw a party!"
"Let's welcome Lady Juvia to the crew!"
Seeing the moment was right, Buggy ordered his men to prepare a long-awaited feast in Juvia's honor.
"A party...?"
Juvia lightly pursed her lips.
It reminded her a little of the Fairy Tail Guild.
Laughter and joy filled the deck.
But just as the party began...
A guest arrived, uninvited.
"Lady Juvia, listen!"
"Once we become the strongest pirate crew in the East Blue, we'll definitely find your friends easily. You'll see!"
At that moment, Buggy was still busy boasting to Juvia about their future greatness.