The White Beret captain's face hardened at Buggy's mocking words, his men wearing equally grim expressions.
"You've committed obstruction of duty!" the captain barked. "That's a Level Five crime. You'll be sentenced to the punishment of Cloud Drifting!"
He knew the fight was unavoidable. All he could do now was stall Buggy's crew until the Priests arrived.
"Seize them!"
At his command, the soldiers drew back their bows. The gathered citizens scattered in panic.
"Fire! Arrows of the Clouds!"
The archers loosed their shots, and the arrowheads—tipped with special Dials—spewed thick smoke. In midair, the smoke solidified into towering pillars that streaked toward Buggy's group.
Buggy-eyed eyed the strange phenomenon with mild curiosity. Another of those Sky Island shells, huh…
But he and his crew easily sidestepped the attack.
The White Berets then strapped on their special skates, gripping their weapons, and slid rapidly down the smoke pillars toward their targets.
Buggy smirked at the comical tactic but didn't bother moving. Instead, Weevil charged forward, guandao in hand.
The result was a massacre. With each swing of his massive blade, the smoke pillars were cleaved apart, and the soldiers lost their footing, tumbling helplessly. Weevil cut them down one after another, showing no mercy. Within moments, the street was littered with bodies, the White Beret squad annihilated.
Only the captain remained, standing frozen in shock. His body trembled uncontrollably as he stared at the bloodied blade in Weevil's hand.
"Impossible…! Blue Sea people should be weakened here. You shouldn't be this strong!"
Weevil stepped toward him, weapon dripping crimson. The captain's knees buckled, his face a mask of despair.
But Buggy raised a hand. "Hold it. I still need answers."
The captain exhaled shakily, relief flooding his face as though he'd just heard the voice of an angel.
Buggy stepped closer. "Whose orders were you following? Which Sky Island higher-ups are here right now?"
He already suspected the Four Priests, but he wanted confirmation.
"It… it was the Four Priests!" the captain stammered. "They commanded us to track you down and alert them the moment we saw you. They're already here on the island! My men have gone to inform them!"
Buggy's eyes gleamed. His suspicions were confirmed. Enel hadn't appeared yet, which disappointed him slightly, but with all four Priests gathered, it was only a matter of time before their "god" came.
"Take us to them," Buggy ordered.
The captain blinked, surprised—but also secretly elated. So I live for now… and if they walk into the Priests' hands, they'll surely be slaughtered. I'll survive this yet.
"Yes, sir. Right away!"
He turned to lead the way—when suddenly a blazing column of fire erupted from the sky, engulfing him instantly.
"Traitors die!"
The voice thundered from above. A massive bird-like beast swooped down, flames still licking from its beak. Standing upon its back was a man with a pair of sharp mustaches and tinted goggles: Shura, Priest of the Trial of Strings.
Buggy recognized him at once. Shura fought with flame-spewing Dials and commanded a bird capable of the same.
Ignoring Buggy's crew for the moment, Shura sneered down at the burning corpse of the White Beret captain, eyes glinting with cruelty.
Buggy didn't attack immediately. He could feel other powerful presences drawing near. If he struck Shura down too quickly, the rest might scatter, ruining his plans. Better to wait, let them all arrive.
Shura finally turned his gaze on Buggy and his men. At the sight of Buggy's youthful face, he smirked with disdain.
"So, you're the brat who dares declare war on us? You even ignored Heaven's laws and refused the entry fee."
His tone was mocking, as though he were speaking to prey already trapped.
Buggy grinned, voice steady and defiant. "That's right. We came here to fight—to crush you four weaklings and your so-called god, Enel, the Devil Fruit user."
The bluntness of his words made his crew smirk. These Priests were nothing to them—Buggy didn't even bother with politeness.
Shura's mustache twitched violently as rage overtook him. Hahaha… good! Very good! You insolent brat—I'll make sure you die in the most miserable way imaginable!