Chapter 518: The Comic Relief
The next day at noon, on the sea surface about fifty nautical miles away from the Impel Down prison, a pirate ship was floating there.
However, after arriving at this spot, the pirate ship dared not proceed any further.
Because not far ahead of them, a gigantic Sea King burst out from the water, its raised head leaping so high that it almost touched the clouds in the sky. Its fierce and eerie face, along with its sharp fangs, caused the people on the pirate ship to tremble in fear.
Only after the Sea King plunged back into the sea with a loud splash did a trembling voice come from the ship: "We've... we've come all this way, isn't there any other way? Alvida Boss..."
Then a sweet female voice rang out, saying: "Don't count on me! You guys insisted on coming here, and you spent a fortune to get a [Log Pose]. Are you people just throwing money away!?"
Indeed, the red-nosed skull flag fluttering on the mast of this pirate ship indicated that it was none other than the Big Top of the Buggy Pirates. And the people on board at this moment were none other than two executives of the Buggy Pirates: the Beast Tamer Mohji and the Chief of Staff Cabaji, along with the stupid lion Richie.
Standing in front of Mohji and Cabaji was a tall, black-haired beauty. However, the weapon in her hand was completely mismatched with her appearance—a thick, spiked club.
This beauty was Alvida, who had eaten the Smooth-Smooth Fruit and transformed from a burly, fat girl into a beautiful woman...
Hearing Alvida's words, Cabaji, Mohji, and Richie—two humans and one lion—couldn't help rubbing their eyes and wiping away tears as they said: "But... but we have to rescue Captain Buggy, who's been locked up in Impel Down!"
"Hmph!" Alvida rested the spiked club on her shoulder and sneered: "Open your eyes wide and look around. This is the Calm Belt, the lair of monsters and Sea Kings. Do you think this pirate ship can withstand the trouble? This way won't get you to Impel Down... Even if there are other routes, they're currents reserved for the Marines. The [Gate of Justice] won't open for pirates. Impel Down is the world's greatest prison, impossible to break into or escape from. You'd better give up on this idea!"
"No way, Captain Buggy won't die in Impel Down!" The two and the lion knelt on the deck, tears streaming like a fountain as they said: "We will follow Captain Buggy forever, until he fulfills his dream and finds Captain John's treasure..."
"Then suit yourselves!" Alvida turned and walked away, too lazy to watch their pathetic display, saying: "This ship is mine now. You can take a small boat to Impel Down and rescue him yourselves!"
"Huh!?" Cabaji and the others looked up in surprise: "But this ship belongs to Captain Buggy!"
"Isn't he not here?" Alvida said: "Giving the ship to you would be a waste. I'm not going to throw my life away for nothing, so you take the small boat and leave. But I reckon you'll probably die before you even catch sight of Impel Down..."
Hearing this, Cabaji, Mohji, and Richie immediately leaned over the ship's railing, facing the sea, and shouted tearfully: "Captain Buggy... thank you for your care over the years! Your great kindness will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace! Farewell forever!"
"..." Alvida stared speechlessly at these idiots, not expecting them to turn their backs so quickly.
After this farewell, it seemed Cabaji and Mohji felt a bit better, and they started chatting and laughing.
"That female Marine officer who captured Captain Buggy was really beautiful!" Mohji recalled with a lecherous look, saying: "That was the first time I saw such a beautiful woman serving in the Marines..."
"Yeah!" Cabaji nodded in agreement: "I think her name was Kuina. Speaking of which, that woman was really something. Captain Buggy took a punch from her right in the face and got sent flying. His nose should be even redder and bigger now..."
But before they could finish, a spiked club came crashing down with a *thud* right in front of them, smashing a hole in the deck. Alvida glared at them with a dark expression and asked: "Who were you just saying was very beautiful?"
Cabaji and Mohji both swallowed hard and wisely said: "Of... of course it's you, Boss Alvida, who's the most beautiful!"
Alvida showed an expression of "you know what's good for you," nodded, straightened up, and rested the spiked club back on her shoulder.
But just as she straightened up, she seemed to catch sight of something and froze for a moment.
"What's wrong, Boss?" Mohji asked curiously.
"Over there... it looks like a Marine ship!" Alvida pointed at the sea ahead.
The Buggy Pirates crew then followed Alvida's gaze. Sure enough, in the distant mist, a Marine warship was faintly visible, sailing through it.
"That should be heading to Impel Down, right?" Alvida said: "A ship transporting prisoners?"
"They're so far away; they won't come after us, will they?" Cabaji said with some worry.
"Relax!" Mohji said: "We're about to leave here anyway. They won't catch us!"
"Haha, that's right!" The Buggy Pirates crew burst into laughter.
But just as they were enjoying themselves, a voice suddenly came from above: "Whoa! It really is you guys!"
Cabaji and Mohji were stunned. What the hell!? That voice... why does it sound so familiar!?
They looked up and saw Ian hovering in midair, his Flame Wings spread wide!
"Waaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mohji and Cabaji were scared out of their wits, and along with the lion Richie, they scrambled and crawled behind a pile of barrels stacked on the deck.
The other Buggy Pirates crew members were even worse off. After getting a clear look at Ian's appearance, some had already jumped into the sea in terror...
Ian's appearance was like a great white shark diving into a school of sardines, sending the entire Buggy Pirates into a panic.
"Hey, am I really that terrifying!?" Ian landed on the deck of the Big Top with a frustrated look. He hadn't expected such a strong reaction from them.
Only Alvida, who had never met Ian before, found the Buggy Pirates' reaction strange. She turned to Mohji, who was hiding behind the barrels, and asked: "Who is he? Why are you all so afraid of him?"
Mohji stammered: "I... Ian! He's the Shichibukai, Black Dragon Ian!"
At that, even Alvida's face turned pale with fright. Gripping her spiked club, she screamed at Ian: "Wha... what do you want? Don't come near me!"
But Ian ignored them. He looked around and asked curiously: "Huh? Where's Buggy? Isn't he coming out to greet an old friend?"
In fact, Buggy and Ian were indeed old friends, because Ian's first big score when he set sail came from Buggy. So earlier on the Marine ship, when he spotted Buggy's pirate flag through the telescope, he flew over.
But no one answered Ian's question. Even Alvida had run off to hide with Mohji and the others. Seeing this, Ian had to grab Cabaji himself and drag him out.
"B... Captain Buggy has been captured by the Marines!" Cabaji said hurriedly: "He's locked up in Impel Down right now!"
Hearing this, Ian slapped his forehead, remembering the commendation order for Kuina he had seen at Marine Headquarters. She had been promoted to Lieutenant Commander for capturing several notorious pirates, and among them was Buggy. Ian had forgotten about that...
"So what are you all doing here?" Ian asked curiously: "Are you trying to rescue your captain Buggy?"
Cabaji and Mohji exchanged a glance and had no choice but to steel themselves and nod: "Y... yeah!"
Heaven knows, they had actually given up on rescuing Buggy just moments ago, but now in front of Ian, they had to use this as an excuse...
The next moment, Ian said something that made them regret it instantly.
"I see! In that case, come with me. We're also heading to Impel Down to rescue someone. With your help, we'll have more hands!"
:.:chaptererror;
(37 Chinese)