At the same time, Mohji, now unarmed, crept up behind Davy Jones, crouching low, ready to grab him by the waist in a bear hug.

But even in that split-second moment, Davy Jones remained utterly composed.

He tilted his head to the side, effortlessly dodging Cabaji's fire breath, then twisted his body — his right arm's twin tentacles instantly shot out and wrapped around Mohji's neck, lifting him clean off the ground.

Mohji's eyes widened in shock. He clawed at the slick tentacles choking him, legs kicking helplessly in the air.

BAM!

Davy Jones hurled him like a sack of meat — straight into the oncoming Cabaji!

The two crashed into each other and collapsed in a heap, with Cabaji's unicycle skidding away and tumbling into a nearby flowerbed.

"Looks like you two are just begging to die," Davy Jones said coldly.

He drew the pistol at his waist and aimed it directly at the heads of the entangled duo.

"Allow me to oblige."

BANG!

The gun fired — but there was no smoke or recoil.

Before fear could even fully register on Mohji and Cabaji's faces, the bullet formed from raw terror pierced through Mohji's skull, then blasted straight into Cabaji's forehead.

One shot. Two kills.

They collapsed together in a growing pool of blood, eyes wide open in death.

From the sidelines, the lion Richie howled in fear, turned tail, and bolted at full speed — vanishing from sight within moments.

Hidden behind a wall, Mayor Boodle had witnessed the entire scene, trembling in horror.

He watched the once-overbearing Mohji and Cabaji fall lifeless, their blood spreading like crimson flowers on the pavement. Swallowing hard, he bit his lip and dared not make a sound.

Please don't let him notice me… Please don't let him notice me…

Boodle silently prayed.

What he didn't know was that Davy Jones had already caught sight of him in the corner of his vision — but simply deemed him too weak to be worth the trouble.

Still crouched, Boodle gripped his spear tightly and cautiously watched the situation unfold.

At that moment, a hulking woman as broad as a bear descended from the black ship, climbing down via a mesh rope. In her hand was a freshly forged spiked mace.

This woman was none other than Alvida, Davy Jones's new guide.

Her original mace had been destroyed — the one she now held was crafted from the wreckage consumed by the Terror Ghost, molded by the ship's strange powers.

Alvida glanced nervously at the corpses of Mohji and Cabaji before forcing a flattering smile.

"M-Mighty Captain Davy Jones! Are you satisfied with the target of this voyage?"

"It'll do," Davy Jones replied, tucking the pistol — formerly Alvida's — back into his belt. "At least the Terror Ghost has had a decent meal."

"I'm so honored to hear that, Captain," Alvida said quickly, having learned to flatter him over their day and night together aboard the haunted ship.

Davy Jones stroked the writhing tendrils beneath his cephalopod-like head as if stroking a beard.

"I recall you mentioned this was the territory of a pirate crew — the Buggy Pirates?"

"Yes, that's right." Alvida, face full of pockmarks, nodded quickly. "Those two just now were their first mate and strategist. The ship you devoured belonged to their crew."

Davy Jones seemed unsurprised. After a pause, he asked:

"Where are the rest of them?"

"Their base should be somewhere in Orange Town." Alvida, no stranger to looting towns, pointed toward the streets. "Allow me to lead the way."

With that, Davy Jones and Alvida walked deeper into the heart of Orange Town.

Back at the corner, Mayor Boodle finally dared to emerge. He stared at the corpses, sweat pouring down his face.

Who are these people? Why did they target the Buggy Pirates?

He shook his head. There was no point overthinking it.

What matters is—they avenged us! And they're not stopping at just Mohji and Cabaji!

I need to get back to the camp and tell the others the good news!

Spear in hand, the mayor scrambled away.

---

At that very moment, atop the Buggy Pirates' base — a tavern in Orange Town — heavy rain pounded the rooftop.

A man with clown makeup and a round, bright-red nose pulled his coat tighter and sat back on a lounge chair beneath the eaves, staring up at the dark sky in annoyance.

"It was clear skies a minute ago... What's with this sudden storm?"

This was Captain Buggy, user of the Chop-Chop Fruit and leader of the Buggy Pirates.

A crewman approached and reported:

"Captain Buggy, we've brought the prisoner."

Buggy adjusted his hat and looked over.

"Let me go!" a fiery young woman with short orange hair was being dragged forward by two pirates, one holding each arm.

Her voice was fierce, her tone indignant.

"You've got the wrong person!"

Buggy waved a hand.

"Let her go."

The pirates released her.

The girl — Nami — rubbed her sore arms, glanced around at the thuggish crew, and quickly softened her expression. Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.

"You… You're all so cruel… bullying a helpless woman like me…"

But the pirates weren't buying it. They just sneered.

Nami's heart sank. She frowned for a moment, then turned her attention to Buggy, trying a different tactic.

"Captain, sir… I really don't know anything about the map you're talking about. There's got to be some mistake."

Her cheeks flushed slightly. She lifted the corner of her shirt suggestively and added:

"If you don't believe me, Captain… You're welcome to search me yourself."

As she spoke, one hand subtly reached behind her — toward a hidden baton tucked into her clothing. A sly smirk crept across her mind.

Sure enough, the surrounding pirates started leering.

After all, they'd been at sea for a long time…

But then, Buggy's eyes narrowed, and his expression turned dangerous. He suddenly pulled out a dagger and stabbed it into the table beside him with a clang, making everyone jump.

Even Nami stiffened. She gripped the baton behind her back tightly, nervous that her plan had been seen through.

This guy… is sharper than I thought…

Then Buggy shrieked:

"Who are you calling red-nosed?! Who said my nose looks fake?!"

"Huh?!"

Nami was dumbfounded. When did I say that?!

But Buggy was already fuming, his face twisted in rage.

"Damn wench! How dare you mock me?! Bring out the cannon! I'll blast her to pieces with my Buggy Ball!"

At that, the crew understood what was going on.

It had happened again…

Captain Buggy was notoriously sensitive about his nose. He was convinced people were always mocking him behind his back — sometimes even hearing voices that weren't there.

He clearly thought Nami had been one of them.

The pirates, knowing better than to challenge him, quickly wheeled out a cannon, aiming it directly at her.

Nami panicked. There was no way her baton could block a cannonball!

She immediately withdrew her hand from behind her back and forced a sweet smile.

"C-Captain! You misheard! I never said that—"

Tap, tap, tap—

Suddenly, footsteps echoed up the stairs.

A pirate burst onto the rooftop, gasping for breath, and collapsed to his knees before Buggy, interrupting the scene.

"C-Captain Buggy!"

Buggy glared at him.

"Didn't I order you to guard the ship?! What are you doing here?!"

"We've got a major problem, Captain!" the pirate cried, recounting everything in one breath. "Our ship's been eaten by a black vessel! Mohji and Cabaji are dead, and Richie ran away!"

"WHAT?!"

Buggy jumped up from his lounge chair in shock.

The pirates around him gasped in disbelief.

The news was too outrageous.

Their ship — eaten?

Mohji and Cabaji — dead?

Richie — fled?

Anyone would think this was a joke.

PS: Access advance chapters at

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