Chapter 18: The Navy, Never Surrender!

"Damn it, where did that marine come from?"

Seeing Kabaji injured, Buggy, who had just arrived from the rear, immediately became highly alert.

That marine… something's off about him.

The speed of his blade was so fast that Buggy couldn't even see it, and Kabaji was already injured. If they really fought, would they still have a chance to escape from Loguetown?

As Buggy was thinking this, the next second…

Bang!

With a dull thud, Vivian was sent flying by the lion Richie, crashing heavily into a dessert stall.

Buggy: "…"

Covered in pastries, Vivian staggered to his feet, his face twisted in pain but showing a determined expression.

"I will… I will never let you leave here!"

With that, Vivian raised his military sword and charged at the giant lion Richie with fearless determination.

"Roar——!"

Richie let out a roar.

The next second…

Bang!

Another dull thud, and Vivian was sent flying again, crashing into a fruit stall, smashing watermelons everywhere.

"Damn it… I will never surrender to you!"

Wiping away imaginary blood from the corner of his mouth, Vivian struggled to his feet for the third time.

Bang!

"Kill!!!"

Bang!

"For justice!!!"

Bang!

"The navy will prevail!!!"

…

Constantly getting up, constantly being knocked down.

Richie, seeing Vivian charge at him for the Nth time, felt utterly bewildered.

"Hey, you idiots, what are you doing?"

Watching this absurd scene, Buggy finally couldn't take it anymore. His arms, holding daggers, suddenly detached and shot towards Vivian.

"Chop-Chop Cannon!"

Clang!

The blade grazed Vivian's face, leaving a slight cut.

At the same time…

"Officer, we're here to help you!"

"Follow Officer Vivian, charge!"

"Capture Buggy the Clown!"

Seeing Vivian's "tragic" yet fearless display, the navy soldiers were inspired, grabbing their swords and charging into the battle.

"Good…"

Finally, reinforcements have arrived!

Feigning exhaustion, Vivian glanced at Smoker standing in the crowd.

As long as he's here, the credit for capturing Buggy won't go to me…

Thinking this, Vivian was about to speak when Smoker suddenly pulled up on a motorcycle, shouting, "Vivian, I'll leave this to you. I'm going after the Straw Hat kid!"

Without waiting for a response, Smoker sped off towards the dock.

Vivian watched Smoker disappear down the street, his expression frozen.

"Damn it!"

…

Meanwhile…

"What's wrong, Gambia? Do you know that guy?"

A young man with a grass-green mohawk, wearing a nose ring and looking as fierce as a demon, asked the bald man beside him.

"Of course I know him. He's the marine I told you about a month ago, the one who was intimidated by your reputation, boss."

The bald man, called Gambia, replied.

The green mohawk, known as the boss, was none other than Bartolomeo, the most notorious gang leader in the East Blue, overseeing 150 towns.

At this moment, Bartolomeo had not yet set sail. Occasionally, he would return to his birthplace, Loguetown, to reminisce about his childhood. He never expected to stumble upon such an interesting event.

"No way, I thought he was a coward. I didn't expect him to be so brave, completely different from before…" Gambia muttered.

"Well, he's brave, but compared to Monkey D. Luffy, he's far behind."

Bartolomeo said, recalling Luffy's smile before his near-death experience, which gave him goosebumps.

Is this what it means to be a pirate?

I… I also want to set sail and become a pirate.

He had long grown tired of being the top gang leader in the East Blue.

"I've decided!" Bartolomeo suddenly clenched his fist.

"Boss, what have you decided?" Gambia asked curiously.

"I'm going to set sail and become a pirate, following in Luffy-senpai's footsteps!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Vivian was sent flying and crashed into him.

"Ugh!"

A dry heave.

The intense pain made Bartolomeo see stars. He was about to curse when Vivian got up first, dusted off his pants, raised his military sword, and charged forward again.

"The navy, never surrender!"

Silence.

Bartolomeo frowned.

Strange…

He's been knocked down so many times, yet he doesn't have a single scratch.

And judging by how quickly he gets up, his physical condition seems even better than mine?

"That marine seems a bit off," Bartolomeo said.

"Off? What do you mean?" Gambia asked, puzzled.

"I feel like he's letting those pirates beat him on purpose."

As he finished speaking, Vivian once again approached Buggy, swinging his blade.

"Die, Buggy the Clown!"

"Haha, it's useless. I'm a Chop-Chop Fruit user!"

Buggy laughed wildly, letting Vivian cut his body apart while stabbing at Vivian's abdomen.

But just as the blade was about to touch his skin, Vivian stumbled, dodging the attack perfectly, and headbutted Buggy's red nose.

Splat!

Blood spurted from Buggy's nose like an arrow.

Buggy's segmented body parts fell back, and Vivian took the opportunity to pull out a pair of Seastone handcuffs from his uniform, quickly cuffing himself to Buggy.

"Captain Buggy!"

The Buggy Pirates tried to help, but the enraged navy soldiers kept them at bay.

"Damn marine brat!"

In his fury and weakness, Buggy opened his mouth to bite Vivian's arm.

At that moment, a sudden gust of wind swept everyone into the air.

"Is he finally making a move?"

Without any resistance, letting the wind carry him and Buggy into the sky, Vivian smirked and punched Buggy's jaw hard.