Buggy ignored the grateful looks the villagers cast his way and quietly followed Lafitte as he left the village.
Not long after walking out of the village, Lafitte noticed someone tailing him.
He turned around to see who it was and was shocked to find that it was Buggy.
His expression immediately darkened with anger and unease.
He assumed Buggy had come to finish him off—perhaps this would be where his life ended.
Escape? Lafitte didn't even consider the idea.
Against someone like Buggy, who could take him down in just a few slashes, running was completely futile.
"Why are you following me?
You already forced me out of the village—what more do you want?"
Lafitte's voice was filled with hostility.
But Buggy wasn't fazed.
He understood the reason behind Lafitte's anger and simply responded calmly:
"Now that you've left the village, where do you plan to go?"
Lafitte blinked in confusion.
That wasn't the kind of question he expected.
Was Buggy not here to settle a score?
"Why do you care where I go? That's none of your business."
Lafitte didn't understand Buggy's intent, and he certainly didn't think he needed to explain anything to him.
But Buggy continued:
"I know a place that's perfect for someone like you.
There, you'll see sights from across the Four Seas, meet powerful warriors from all over the world—and even become one of those powerful warriors yourself."
Buggy was done setting the stage.
Now it was time to recruit.
Lafitte was stunned.
This wasn't what he expected at all.
Buggy wasn't here to kill or humiliate him—he was offering an opportunity.
"Where is this place you're talking about?
And why would going there make me stronger?"
Lafitte's curiosity was piqued.
He had no destination in mind after being driven out of the village.
If Buggy's offer was real, maybe it was worth considering.
"I want you to join my crew.
I'll teach you swordsmanship, combat techniques, and even how to use Haki."
With that, Buggy unsheathed his flaming blade, Yanyang, slashing the ground.
Then he launched a Rankyaku (Tempest Kick) with his leg, followed by activating Armament Haki, coating his body, and striking the ground with a single punch.
The results were immediate—two long cracks and a massive crater formed on the road.
He wanted Lafitte to see the power of what he was offering—to make the right decision.
At first, Lafitte was unimpressed.
He was still bitter over being ousted, and even if Buggy taught him swordsmanship, he believed he could reach that level on his own someday.
As for the other skills, he didn't understand them, especially Haki, which he had never even heard of.
But after seeing the devastating impact of Buggy's techniques, Lafitte's heart began to race.
This wasn't something he could achieve on his own.
These powers… they could kill me in a second…
He stared silently at the ruined ground, eyes wide with awe.
His mind was already leaning toward the decision, but Buggy gave it one final push.
He explained what Haki was, and its vital role in the New World, how it was a power that defined the strong, especially against Devil Fruit users.
"You'll teach me all of that? What do I have to give in return?"
Lafitte was tempted—but cautious.
Nothing came free in this world, and he wanted to know the cost.
Buggy answered honestly:
"I'm forming a pirate crew, and I want you to join it.
That's all. You won't have to give anything else."
Lafitte fell into deep thought.
This wasn't a small decision.
It could very well determine his entire future.
But soon, determination filled his eyes.
He looked up at Buggy and replied:
"Alright. I'll join."
Becoming strong was worth everything.
Lafitte knew what choice to make.
He didn't have any other destination.
This might be the best—and only—option.
And honestly, he feared what would happen if he refused.
Buggy smiled, eyes full of appreciation.
This guy truly has the makings of a future Blackbeard commander.
He knows how to make the right decision when it counts.
"Welcome aboard."
Buggy held out his hand.
Lafitte took it, and with that handshake, he officially joined Buggy's crew.
With Lafitte now recruited, Buggy led him back toward the Glory, anchored at the port in Westia.
On the way, he learned that Lafitte's parents were navigators, and he had studied under them for years.
Not only was he passionate about navigation, but he was also extremely knowledgeable and experienced in it, more than capable of being their crew's navigator.
That night, the two returned to the ship.
Buggy introduced Lafitte to Dadi and Kuro, and Lafitte introduced himself in turn.
Dadi and Kuro were thrilled to hear he was a navigator—finally, they wouldn't have to steer the ship anymore.
Now that Lafitte had joined, Buggy had completed one-third of his mission in the West Blue.
Next up—recruiting two more key figures.
They continued sailing across the West Blue.
Along the way, they encountered several groups of pirates, but Buggy wiped them out easily.
Not one of them had a Devil Fruit power—no challenge at all.
Five days later, they arrived on a lush, flower-filled island, home to a small town.
This island was a territory of the Kingdom of Westia, a minor nation not affiliated with the World Government, mostly reliant on farming and relatively underdeveloped.
They came here because three days ago, Buggy had received word that someone linked to his next target had appeared on this island.
That person was said to be a former Rocks Pirate, though not particularly strong herself.
But her son—in the future—would become a storm across the seas.
Her name was Miss Bakkin, and her son was none other than Edward Weevil, the man later known as Whitebeard Jr.—Buggy's next recruitment target.