Chapter 15: A Not-So-Smooth Search!

Chapter 15: A Not-So-Smooth Search!

Sailing alone on the seas of the Grand Line, it had to be said that compared to the various harsh conditions of the New World sea remembered from his memories, the first half of the Grand Line was indeed like a paradise. Even though Buggy was sailing alone relying only on the original Buggy's memories, he didn't encounter any extraordinary dangers along the way.

Ten days later, following the compass's guidance, Buggy finally saw land.

Stepping onto an island that hadn't appeared in either of his two sets of memories, Buggy first sensed his surroundings slightly, then looked at the exceptionally hot summer island before him with a somewhat strange expression.

However, immediately after, Buggy seemed to think of something, and then, with a slightly regretful look in his eyes, he continued forward.

Taking out the compass, Buggy stopped thinking about anything else and simply followed its guidance.

More than half a day later, Buggy passed through the dense jungle on the island's periphery and arrived at the central part of the island. Seeing the scenery before him, Buggy felt a bit of a headache, because in front of him was a low-lying lava zone. The fiery red color illuminated the sky above with a red glow even in broad daylight.

Seeing such scenery, Buggy finally understood what was causing the island's strange temperature.

Without directly stepping into the lava zone, Buggy took out a pair of binoculars, jumped up, and shot into the air. After ascending to a height of nearly a hundred meters, Buggy carefully scanned the lava zone with the binoculars.

Ten minutes later, in the central area of the lava zone, Buggy saw a tree the same color as the lava. At that moment, a Devil Fruit with a skin covered in patterns like rising clouds or mist was hanging on the tree.

Following the compass's guidance to this island, Buggy's purpose was indeed the Devil Fruit he saw. However, more than the Devil Fruit itself, Buggy actually wanted to see the future owner of that Devil Fruit.

Evidently, the information in his memory was insufficient, and he was searching too early, so he couldn't meet his real target yet.

Should he leave the fruit in place and wait for that person's arrival? Buggy shook his head at the thought. Although his plan was to find that person, it wasn't absolutely necessary for it to be that specific individual. On the contrary, finding this fruit before meeting the person could even be considered a good thing. This way, the fruit could be given to someone else. Since fate didn't intend for him to meet this person, he might as well not look for him. Thinking of this, Buggy glided towards the center of the lava zone.

After picking the Devil Fruit, Buggy returned the way he came.

Tossing it into a small wooden box, Buggy then dived into the jungle to collect storable supplies. A day later, having made adequate preparations, Buggy once again jumped onto his small boat and set sail towards his next destination.

Confirming the target in his heart and looking at the compass which finally settled after spinning countless times, Buggy set sail once more.

More than ten days later, when Buggy could see the silhouette of the Red Line from his small boat in the distance, he felt a bit troubled.

Watching the compass still pointing forward, Buggy was currently considering whether to cross the Red Line again. He had gained some confidence since crossing the Red Line before, but Buggy ultimately shook his head at the thought of just crossing it like that.

Buggy had no doubt about his ability to cross the Red Line, but this wouldn't do; he had to find another way. Most importantly, Buggy couldn't be sure if the target he was looking for was in the New World beyond the Red Line.

Also, if there was no land or ships below after crossing the Red Line, that would be a big problem. After some consideration, Buggy chose to change his direction and headed straight for the entrance to the New World, the Sabaody Archipelago.

A day later, seeing the island with the tall mangrove trees, Buggy felt a little excited.

After all, there was a special person on the Sabaody Archipelago. Buggy didn't hesitate at all about whether to meet that former senior, as Buggy still had some questions about Haki training that he wanted to ask him. After adjusting his mood, Buggy immediately sailed towards the Sabaody Archipelago.

As soon as he landed on the Sabaody Archipelago, Buggy eagerly used his Observation Haki to sense his surroundings. Just as he thought, he didn't find that particularly powerful aura.

Of course, this didn't prove that the person Buggy was looking for wasn't on the island; rather, it proved that there were indeed techniques in Haki training that could conceal one's aura. Unfortunately, Buggy, being self-taught, didn't know them. This was one of the answers Buggy wanted to get from that senior.

For an ordinary person to find a super expert on a densely populated island would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, Buggy had his magical compass; otherwise, he could only go to Shakky's Rip-Off Bar and wait slowly.

Following the compass's guidance, Buggy moved quickly in one direction. After moving only a few kilometers, he found that the compass's needle began to change direction rapidly.

Clearly, his inability to hide his aura had been detected by that senior. Not wanting to cause a commotion, that senior naturally started to move.

Pausing for a moment on the rooftop of a hotel, Buggy began to give his all, chasing after him through the air, guided by the compass.

On the other side, a blond middle-aged man who was having a great time at a certain casino suddenly sensed something. Out of caution, the man quickly left the casino and headed towards the amusement park. However, after walking for less than two minutes, the man let out a surprised "Huh?" his eyes showing considerable astonishment.

After stroking his slightly silver-streaked beard, he turned around and headed in another direction. But a few minutes later, the man stopped again, a look of surprise on his face. He stopped, pondered on the spot for a while, closed his eyes to sense his surroundings, and then quickly moved in one direction. After knocking out an unlucky fellow closest to him and taking a saber in hand, the man stopped moving and waited where he was.

Soon, when a hint of light blue appeared in the man's vision, his slightly squinted eyes suddenly opened a little wider. And when he clearly saw the glaring red amidst the light blue, the man's eyes were now filled with disbelief and shock.

"Uncle Rayleigh, it's been a long time," Buggy said, arriving in front of the man and taking a deep breath before speaking to him.

"Buggy, it really is Buggy! Hahahahaha! I thought of countless possibilities, but I never imagined it would be you appearing here. This is truly surprising and delightful! Buggy, you've changed so much I almost don't recognize you," Rayleigh replied with a hearty laugh after a moment of stunned silence.

(End of this chapter)