[U.T] Ch 18: Firing Buggy Ball at Buggy

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"Wait, your name is Luen? You… you're that 'Sky King' Luen?!"

Buggy's expression instantly shifted.

Lately, the hottest news on the seas came from the World Economy News' report about a rising new king in the East Blue.

The name? 'Sky King' Luen.

"Y-Yeah, Captain Buggy, that's him! That guy is the 'Sky King' Luen!"

"And the green-haired one next to him is the 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro!"

One of Buggy's crew members pulled out a newspaper, comparing Luen's face to the printed image, gulping hard.

"A user of Conqueror's Haki..."

Even Buggy was sweating a bit now.

'Pirate Hunter' Zoro had some solid fame in the East Blue, sure, but Buggy wasn't too worried about swordsmen — not when he had the power of the Chop-Chop Fruit.

But Conqueror's Haki was a whole different beast.

As someone who once sailed under the Pirate King himself, Buggy had nearly travelled the world with the Roger Pirates — only missing the final trip to Laugh Tale due to a sudden illness.

If there was anyone in the East Blue who understood what Conqueror's Haki truly meant, it was Buggy.

It was the mark of a King.

Anyone who awakened that power was considered a force to be reckoned with, even in the New World.

And now, such a man had appeared in the East Blue.

Wait a second!

Buggy's eyes widened as he glanced at Luffy, still locked up in the cage.

That guy, Luen... he's just that kid's crewmate?!

Could the title 'Sky King' be some kind of counter to Rayleigh's 'Dark King' title?

Was this guy, a user of Conqueror's Haki, actually acknowledging this brat as someone who could become the Pirate King?!

Are you freaking kidding me?!

There's a big difference between some loudmouth kid claiming he'll be Pirate King and someone strong enough to earn the respect of a Conqueror's Haki user.

But why?! Why would someone like that acknowledge this kid?!

Buggy's eyes were bloodshot.

"'Sky King'... Luen?"

Nami whispered the name, staring at Luen in disbelief.

She'd been so focused on mapping the Grand Line lately, she hadn't had time to buy a newspaper.

But just the way Buggy — a pirate with a 15 million bounty and solid rep in the East Blue — reacted to Luen's name, said everything.

And while Zoro's name also had weight, Buggy only showed mild surprise at that one. When he heard Luen's name, though? He tensed up, clearly shaken.

Just a name, and it made someone like Buggy nervous?

Was this man really that strong?

Nami stared blankly at Luen, who stood protectively in front of her.

[Conqueror's Haki strength enhanced.]

A faint screen flashed before Luen.

He caught the subtle sweat on Buggy's forehead and Nami's wide-eyed gaze behind him. A slight smirk curled on his lips.

Random thugs reacting to his name didn't do much anymore.

But important story characters like Buggy and Nami? Their reactions actually fed into his 'spirit,' boosting his Conqueror's Haki.

In the One Piece world, power-ups were like raising a poisonous bug — growing stronger through enemies' blood and defeat.

A pirate's fame was built the same way.

So to keep leveling up his Haki, Luen needed to make his name louder and louder — to draw more fear, more respect.

That's why bounties mattered so much. It wasn't just pride. It was power.

Of course, there were faster, more direct ways to grow stronger — like the golden trait tag Buggy had: "Born of the Sea (Super Gold)".

"You—!"

Woooooom!

Just as Buggy opened his mouth, Luen's eyes suddenly flashed red and black.

BOOM!

A terrifying aura exploded from him, sweeping through the Buggy Pirates.

"..."

All the thugs around froze for a moment — then their eyes rolled back, and they dropped to the ground, unconscious.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Buggy's crew collapsed like dominoes.

Conqueror's Haki — unleashed!

The weak couldn't even stay conscious in the presence of a true king.

"That's what I'm talking about! Luen!!"

Luffy shouted from the cage, grinning wide, full of admiration.

"Impressive."

Zoro sheathed his sword, genuinely impressed.

No matter how many times he saw it, that kind of power always felt unreal.

"W-What just happened?"

Nami couldn't believe her eyes.

Judging by Luffy and Zoro's reactions, Luen was the one who did that.

But… he didn't even move. He just looked, and Buggy's whole crew dropped?!

What kind of power was that?!

Arlong had been terrifying, sure — but at least his strength was something you could see and touch.

This? This was completely beyond Nami's understanding.

She stared at Luen, who stood there with a confident, almost royal smirk.

"Conqueror's… Haki..."

Sweat poured down Buggy's forehead.

He'd known Luen had that power, but actually feeling it? Totally different story.

If he hadn't gotten used to it back in the Roger Pirates — experienced the insane clashes between Roger and Whitebeard firsthand — he probably would've fainted too.

The fact that Luen could control his Conqueror's Haki so precisely?

A guy like that, showing up in the East Blue, and choosing that brat as his captain?!

What kind of cosmic joke was this?!

"Tch. Guess you didn't pass out, huh."

Luen looked at Buggy, slightly disappointed.

Still, considering Buggy had survived being around legends like Roger and Whitebeard, it wasn't that surprising.

Even if he hadn't awakened his own Conqueror's Haki, knocking him out with just that wouldn't be easy.

Which meant… they'd have to go with a different plan.

Time to knock him out the old-fashioned way.

"Zoro."

Luen turned to Zoro.

"Got it!"

Zoro instantly dashed toward one of the unused cannons nearby.

Before they came here, Luen had already warned Zoro: Buggy's Chop-Chop powers made swords useless against him.

"Haaaah!"

Under Buggy's horrified gaze, Zoro spun the cannon around, pointing it directly at him.

"W-Wait! Don't! That one's loaded with a Buggy Ball!!"

Buggy screamed in panic.

BOOM!

A flash of fire lit up the deck as the Buggy Ball exploded at Buggy's feet.

A huge burst of flames erupted into the sky.

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