Chapter 17: Diary!
1503 was a very special year because the second king in pirate history was born this year. Born in the same year was Usopp, who would later be called a G.O.D. by some. Of course, none of this had anything to do with Buggy, because Buggy had never planned to poach members from the Straw Hat Pirates.
For Buggy, the significance of 1503 lay in an event that was about to happen.
After more than half a year of training, and undergoing relatively systematic strengthening, Buggy's strength had risen another notch. According to Rayleigh, without using his Devil Fruit powers, he should be able to spar with an average Marine Vice Admiral.
As for the more monstrous ones among the current Marine Vice Admirals, such as Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, and the legendary hero Garp, if he encountered them, he should just run. Needless to say, this applied even more so to Admirals and the Fleet Admiral.
Having finished his training, Buggy, although he had bid farewell to Rayleigh, did not leave the Sabaody Archipelago immediately. Instead, he reached an agreement with a nearby fish shop and started fishing off the coast of the Sabaody Archipelago.
Regarding his future pirate crew members, Buggy had begun screening them after his promise with Shanks. The first one, needless to say, was the vice-captain he had invited back in Loguetown, the future world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk. Of course, for this vice-captain, Buggy could only do his best. After all, Buggy truly had no idea how difficult the trial of the world's greatest swordsman would be.
As for the second candidate for the pirate crew, in Buggy's screening, it definitely wasn't Betty, also known as BABY-5. This little one was never even on Buggy's list of potential crew members. However, as the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes. Since he had encountered her, Buggy saw no need to let her go. One must know that the current Betty's malleability was far greater than BABY-5's. After undergoing the plan Buggy tailor-made for her, she could completely become an indispensable member.
Of course, Buggy also partly intended to recruit a professional cook who could double as a maid.
Not leaving the Sabaody Archipelago, but fishing off its coast, Buggy was actually waiting for someone from his candidate list to arrive.
The only event in 1503 that held meaning for Buggy was that the three Hancock sisters were about to be abducted by human traffickers and taken to the Holy Land. Regarding these three sisters from the land of female warriors, it wasn't that Buggy was particularly interested in Hancock for her unparalleled beauty, but rather that Buggy felt all three sisters possessed quite good aptitude. Hancock, needless to say, was not only stunningly beautiful but also possessed the aptitude for Conqueror's Haki, making her a fairly good candidate.
Her two younger sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, also had good aptitude. In Kuja Castle on Amazon Lily, only the most outstanding female warriors could become members of the Kuja Pirates. To be able to become a member of the Kuja Pirates along with Hancock at an age younger than 12 showed that these two should have awakened Haki by that age; otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to go out to sea with the crew.
If these three sisters hadn't been abducted, even if Hancock ultimately didn't obtain the Mero Mero no Mi ability, she would sooner or later become known to the world. Perhaps this would even happen sooner. One must know that these three sisters endured several years of hellish life after becoming slaves of the Celestial Dragons. If they hadn't wasted these years in the Holy Land but had continued to train under the guidance of Kuja elders, passing through their golden stage of growth, their strength improvement couldn't be measured quantitatively.
By not leaving the Sabaody Archipelago, Buggy's purpose was to wait and rescue these three sisters. Even if he couldn't get the three sisters to join his pirate crew as he wished, Buggy wouldn't regret it. After all, Buggy couldn't just watch the goddesses in his heart be defiled by the pig-like claws of the Celestial Dragons.
It was precisely because of this decision that Buggy waited on the outskirts of the Sabaody Archipelago every day for the arrival of the abducted three sisters.
Sitting on a small boat, idly holding a fishing rod, Buggy's mind was on the compass in his right hand.
It's already April, and damn it, the direction on this compass hasn't moved at all. How much longer do I have to wait for the event to be triggered?
Shaking his head, seeing that the situation likely wouldn't change today, Buggy once again put on his waterproof wetsuit, tied a rope, and after blowing a bubble helmet for himself, jumped into the sea and began his training.
The waiting time was incredibly slow. Even with training to pass the time, Buggy felt like each day was as long as a year.
After another agonizing month, just as Buggy's patience was about to run out, the needle of the compass in his hand finally showed a slight shift. Seeing this, Buggy was so excited he almost cried. The three sisters have finally set sail! This wait has been truly unbearable!
Of course, excitement aside, Buggy knew that he would probably have to wait a while longer to see these three sisters. After all, even an Admiral-level existence probably couldn't sneak onto the Kuja Pirates' ship while they were sailing and take the three sisters away without a sound. According to Buggy's analysis, the most likely scenario was that the Kuja Pirates left the three sisters to guard the ship when they landed on an island to plunder, and then human traffickers found an opportunity.
Sea Circle Calendar 1502, November 15th, Weather: Sunny
Today was a really happy day! Sandersonia, Marigold, and I finally defeated that darn sabertooth tiger! Grandma Mina was very happy when she saw us dragging the sabertooth tiger back and praised us. We've finally become warriors recognized by Grandma Mina! Tiger meat is delicious. Tomorrow, I want to go hunting with Sandersonia and Marigold again. Hmm, tomorrow we'll look for that one-eyed bear. I hear bear meat is also very good...
Sea Circle Calendar 1503, January 27th, Weather: Light Rain
Today is a special day. Mother in heaven, you should be proud of us, because the three of us were finally chosen to become members of the pirate crew! Next time, we can sit on the Yuda's head and go out to sea!
Sea Circle Calendar 1503, May 3rd, Weather: Sunny
After waiting for several months, the pirate crew is finally setting sail! I'm so excited! Sandersonia and Marigold are also very excited. What kind of future awaits us? Mother in heaven, I really hope to receive your blessing.
Sea Circle Calendar 1503, May 13th, Weather: Overcast
We left the island. Today, we finally saw land! Unlike Kuja Castle, the island not far away is a sheet of silver white. It's so beautiful! It's just a bit cold. The older sisters have given us an important task: to take care of the ship with the Yuda and wait for their victorious return. It's so boring, I want to fight with them too! But the older sisters promised me that I must participate in the battle on the next island. I'm really looking forward to it! Suddenly, I heard my sister call out. I have to go out...
(End of this chapter)