One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 451: On the Road of Chasing Dreams

After wrapping up the discussion with his two vice-captains in the ship's cabin, Buggy stepped out with Mihawk and Crocodile following behind.

Buggy strode at the front, glowing with pride—his smug expression utterly unrestrained.

To the many pirates who had joined the Buggy Pirates, this could only mean one thing: under Lord Buggy's leadership, the crew was heading toward even greater glory.

"Lord Buggy!"

"Lord Buggy!"

As soon as he emerged, countless pirates on deck cheered loudly.

With the deafening shouts echoing in his ears, Buggy beamed and waved enthusiastically to the crowd.

The more he waved, the louder they cheered.

Watching all this, Mihawk and Crocodile couldn't help but frown.

Especially Crocodile.

The only reason he joined the Buggy Pirates was to build his own power—but damn it, Buggy just had to stand there, and crowds naturally rallied to him. His reputation was annoyingly untouchable.

"Kuro! How's the fleet? Are we stocked on food?" Buggy turned to ask.

This Kuro was none other than the future Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates—a man once said to rival Ben Beckman in intellect.

Kuro adjusted his glasses, standing amid the crowd as Buggy basked in admiration.

"Captain, while our Buggy Pirates have numbers on our side, management is chaotic. Everyone acts independently, and many of our ships were damaged after climbing Reverse Mountain. We'll need repairs before large-scale operations."

Since joining, Kuro had used his cunning and polished demeanor to earn Buggy's trust. All logistical responsibilities had been handed over to him.

Though his ultimate goal was to usurp Buggy's power, the sheer amount of daily chores buried that dream—for now.

Still, Kuro took pleasure in it. He believed one day the entire fleet would be his.

He would make the name of the Black Cat resound across the world.

"Good! If we need to rest, is there anywhere suitable?" Buggy asked with satisfaction.

"Whiskey Peak. Most ships that emerge from Reverse Mountain head there for repairs."

Kuro pushed up his glasses and replied like a seasoned strategist.

"Perfect! Set course for Whiskey Peak!"

Buggy gave the command without hesitation.

With his order, the vast fleet of the Buggy Pirates began moving toward Whiskey Peak.

---

Meanwhile, far behind them, a small, unremarkable Marine ship trailed the Buggy Pirates.

"Vice Admiral Garp, the Buggy Pirates have entered the Grand Line," the adjutant reported while peering through a telescope.

But there was no reply for a long while.

He turned—and found Garp snoring on a beach chair, donut in hand, a bubble rising from his nose.

With a sigh, the adjutant shouted, "Vice Admiral Garp!"

Startled awake, Garp sprang up.

"What? What? Pirates attacking!?"

He looked around, flustered.

"Sir, should we pursue the Buggy Pirates?"

"Pursue what? I pushed them into the Grand Line. Let Sengoku worry about it!"

Garp waved dismissively.

"You're just going to let them escape?"

"Escape? I'm helping with Marine strategy, okay? HQ wants all pirates pushed into the New World. I'm just doing my part."

The adjutant frowned. "But he's a former Roger Pirate… and they're calling him a Supernova."

Garp shrugged. "Then you go chase him! I'm heading back to HQ."

He flopped back into his chair and resumed eating donuts.

The adjutant sighed again.

Chasing a ten-thousand-man pirate crew alone? That was suicide. One spit from each and he'd drown.

Shaking his head, he ordered the ship to return to HQ.

---

At Marine Headquarters—

Fleet Admiral Kong sat in deep thought, holding a report from the Grand Line.

"Is this confirmed?"

He looked at the intelligence officer.

"Yes, sir. Eyewitness confirmed. Red Count Patrick Redfield was spotted in the first half of the Grand Line. Purpose unknown, but he appears to be searching for something."

Kong waved the man off.

Alone in his office, he pondered.

The sudden reappearance of the Red Count was no small matter. As a powerful pirate once active in the New World, his presence in the Grand Line was like dropping a meteor into calm waters.

"Sengoku is stationed in the South Sea. Garp's clearing the East. Our only high-level force left at HQ is Zephyr… but even he…"

Kong sighed.

When it came to Zephyr, there wasn't much else to say.

He stood, donning the Justice cape, and strode out of the office.

With the current situation, he alone had to respond.

He informed Vice Admiral Tsuru to manage HQ in his absence and to contact Zephyr if needed.

Then he boarded a warship and set sail toward the last known location of Patrick Redfield.

Little did he know—this journey would nearly cost him his life.

---

On a small island in the Grand Line…

Red Count Redfield walked the streets of a quiet town.

His eyes scanned familiar streets.

He had been here as a child.

Back then, the Rumbar Pirates had visited this place too.

This was where he had first met them.

"So nostalgic…"

Redfield murmured as he looked around.

"Too bad everything's changed."

He brushed his long hair back—streaks of white now ran through it.

"Old… I'm getting old."

Ever since his defeat by Charlotte Rockefeller, Redfield had been depressed for an entire year—wandering aimlessly in the New World, listless and spent.

His body deteriorated. His hair turned white.

But after Roger's execution, Redfield began to reflect.

He was already over fifty.

Time was short.

It was time to pursue his dream.

Revived, the Red Count began tracking down the Rumbar Pirates.

A ridiculous goal, perhaps.

But he needed a purpose—a direction.

Even if it was impossible, it was something to chase.

He had come full circle.

"Well then… from this moment forward, let me follow the trail of the Rumbar Pirates."

His eyes lit up with conviction.

---

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