Chapter 56: Apology!

Chapter 56: Apology!

Golden October is the season of harvest. Victor, as the sole port of the Duchy of Destin, was exceptionally vibrant during this unique season.

The faces of the workers moving between the fishing boats and the docks were overflowing with the joy of a bountiful harvest. From their expressions, it was not hard to see that this year was another good one.

As the sun set, the afterglow bathed the entire dock in a golden light, as if it had put on a coat of abundance.

Just as the workers were discussing whether to go to the tavern for a drink after finishing work, three figures slowly approached from the main road in the distance.

"Hey, you three guests, you're too late! The passenger ship leaving Destin already departed this afternoon. There won't be another ship until noon tomorrow. If you don't mind, would you like to stay at my inn tonight?"

As soon as they entered the town of Victor, Buggy was called out to by the owner of a roadside inn.

"Hehe, thank you for your kindness, but we have already booked a ship to leave. It will be here shortly, so we won't be able to patronize your business. Well then, farewell until we meet again." Waving at the owner, Buggy, without any hesitation, continued walking towards the docks with the two people beside him.

"I say, have you been scammed? I've run this inn in Victor for decades, and I've never heard of a ship leaving the port tonight."

"Old man, just because no ships are leaving the port, does that mean everything? Couldn't another ship arrive at the port and then leave?" Not appreciating the owner's kindness, Law turned his head and shot him a glance, then said in a cold tone.

After speaking, Law turned his head and asked Buggy in a passive-aggressive tone, "Captain, it seems the ship isn't here yet. Don't tell me that Rear Admiral Daz Bonez isn't coming?"

"Law, what are you in such a hurry for? You've waited eight years, can't you wait a few more days? And what's with your tone just now? Apologize to Brother Buggy." Hancock rapped Law sharply on the head and scolded him unceremoniously.

"He doesn't need to apologize to me, but he does need to say something to Bonez when he arrives," Buggy turned his head and said seriously to Law.

"Hmph!" Law turned his head away, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Ever since Captain Roger sacrificed himself in Loguetown in 1498 to usher in the Great Pirate Era, Shanks and I have each set out to sea to find our own companions. I am different from Shanks; I don't gather companions based on mutual temperament. If that were the case, I could have formed a pirate crew and roamed the four seas a decade ago. For me, companions are family. Within a family, you can have small squabbles, you can joke around, but sarcastic taunts and betrayal are absolutely not tolerated.

You and Bonez haven't met yet, but once you do, you will understand that he is a man of his word. When he promises me something, it's just like when I promise you something. A promise is a man's code; once given, it must be fulfilled even unto death. He is that kind of person, I am that kind of person, and in my eyes, you, setting aside your hatred, are that kind of person. I consider you family, which is why I don't want you to be blinded by hatred. Don't let me down, okay?"

Looking at Buggy's extremely serious expression, a strange light flashed in Law's eyes.

"If he doesn't arrive tonight, don't expect me to apologize to him tomorrow. You should know, the arrival time he gave was today," Law turned his head and replied huffily.

"Hahahaha, it looks like you'll definitely have to say you're sorry. Look, what's that black dot on the horizon? He's here!" Buggy pointed to the distant sea horizon and said with a loud laugh.

And with Buggy's voice, the black dot that had just appeared rapidly grew larger. In just a few seconds, the silhouette of a warship was already vaguely visible.

So fast!

Having stayed at Twin Capes for several years, Law had seen plenty of ships entering the Grand Line leave Twin Capes, then turn into a black dot on the horizon before finally disappearing from sight.

But Law had never seen a single ship that had even a tenth of the speed of the approaching vessel.

Is this the new warship the captain was talking about? Setting everything else aside, this speed alone can be said to be unmatched in the world.

"Let's go!" After speaking, Buggy suddenly accelerated from a standstill and dashed directly towards the docks.

Hancock immediately followed, and Law, after a moment's hesitation, also used the "Shave" he had learned over the past few years to rush out.

Soon, the three of them rushed onto the docks and reached the seashore, but Buggy's speed didn't decrease in the slightest. Instead, he took a direct step forward and continued onward using "Moonwalk."

Hancock and Law were a short distance behind, but they also followed closely behind Buggy.

The approaching warship seemed to have spotted the three people rushing out from the docks. While reducing its speed, it performed a drift on the sea, directly turning its bow in the opposite direction, and then slowly decelerated to await their arrival.

A few minutes later, the three of them landed on the metallic deck.

"Captain, long time no see! Sorry, I ran into a storm on the way, so I was delayed a bit. Glad I made it in time." A figure walked out of the cockpit.

"Hahahaha, just in time. Actually, we just arrived at the port of Victor ourselves," Buggy said with a happy laugh.

"Captain, why didn't you let me dock at the port just now?" Bonez didn't waste time on pleasantries and asked as soon as he came up.

"Didn't want to cause a commotion, you know? The appearance of this warship is far different from ordinary ships. By the way, do the Marines know you've left?" Buggy was very concerned about this question.

"They probably don't know yet. After I had the Seastone installed at Marine Headquarters, I immediately took my men back to the South Blue. I returned my subordinates of several years to She-Cut Town, and only after resupplying did I leave in the middle of the night to find you. The Marines in the South Blue are probably searching for me right now, rather than suspecting anything," Daz Bonez could roughly guess the Marines' reaction after his desertion.

"What about Paula? Isn't she with you?" Not seeing Paula, Buggy asked, a little surprised.

"That woman finished her mission a few months before I did. She took out the guy who had been disgusting her for years, so she definitely couldn't wait for me to get to Marineford. I heard from Elder Nyon that she returned to Kuja City a few months ago. Captain, are we heading to Kuja City now?" Daz Bonez continued to ask.

"Don't be in a hurry! Let me make some introductions. You've known Hancock for a long time, but her status is now my fiancée. This sullen-faced kid is Law, our ship's doctor and an Op-Op Fruit user. Hmm, he happens to have something to say to you. Law, this is our ship's master shipwright and the user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Daz Bonez."

After Buggy finished speaking, he looked at Law.

(End of Chapter)