The morning breeze carried the scent of citrus and gunpowder. The Dream Conqueror floated through the calm waters of East Blue, its sails glowing softly in the golden light. From the deck, Vegito stood tall, arms crossed, a faint smirk on his lips as a tiny town came into view on the horizon.
"Orange Town," he said aloud. "Buggy the Clown's little playground."
Behind him, Nami adjusted the strap on her new weather staff while Alvida, now wearing a revealing crimson captain's coat over her smooth skin, leaned against the rail with a sigh.
"You sure about this one?" Alvida asked lazily. "Clowns don't usually make good enemies… or good allies."
"He has a Chop-Chop Fruit," Nami said. "Weird body parts flying everywhere. That's always fun."
Nojiko, now in charge of mapping their route, looked over her compass. "Local rumors say he's taken over the town. Calls himself a 'Circus Emperor.' Has a lion, a tamer, a fire-breathing acrobat…"
"Sounds like a party," Vegito replied, cracking his knuckles. "Let's go ruin it."
Orange Town – Under the Big Top
The crew landed outside the gates of Orange Town without much resistance. The town was mostly abandoned—shuttered windows, empty stalls, broken carts. It reeked of fear.
Until they reached the center plaza.
A massive tent stood where the mayor's building used to be. Carnival music played from a squeaky gramophone, and chained townsfolk sat in bleachers, forced to clap for a one-man show.
In the center ring, Buggy the Clown, red-nosed and flamboyantly dressed in striped pantaloons, juggled three cannonballs while laughing like a maniac.
"Another perfect performance by the great Buggy-sama!"
"Captain! Incoming!" yelled one of his crew, pointing at the new arrivals.
Vegito stepped forward, flanked by Nami and Alvida on either side, Nojiko perched calmly on a nearby rooftop with a sniper scope trained on Buggy's head.
Buggy stopped juggling and frowned.
"Who the hell are you? You don't look like circus fans!"
"I'm not," Vegito said, cracking his neck. "Clowns annoy me. You're just a loud-mouthed weakling with a gimmick. But I hear you've got a decent-looking acrobat in your crew."
Buggy's jaw dropped. "You insult me AND try to seduce my crew?!"
"I multitask."
Mohji's "Assistant" Enters the Ring
Just then, a new figure dropped into the ring—a lithe woman in a fiery leotard with long red hair braided down her back. She flipped once through the air, landing in a graceful crouch beside Buggy.
"Captain," she said, frowning, "this one feels… dangerous."
Name: Lily — Circus Flame DancerRole: Fire Acrobat / SpecialistBounty: 3,000,000 Berries
The system in Vegito's mind beeped.
Waifu Candidate DetectedPotential Crew Role: Entertainment / Pyromancer Combat StyleHarem Compatibility: High
Vegito raised an eyebrow. "Well well… you're definitely not a clown."
Lily narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"
Vegito floated down into the ring, arms spread. "Vegito. King of Fists. Future Pirate King. And your next crewmate—if you've got the guts to walk away from this circus."
Buggy screamed, pulling out his cannon. "You think you can just steal my crew!?"
"Watch me."
Battle Under the Tent
Buggy fired.
Vegito didn't move. The cannonball struck him in the chest and… exploded. Smoke filled the tent.
For a moment, silence.
Then the smoke cleared.
Vegito stood there, shirt slightly torn, completely unscathed.
"…You're kidding," Lily muttered.
"Now it's my turn," Vegito said.
He moved.
Not even Nojiko on her rooftop could follow his motion.
In an instant, Buggy was face-first in the ground, his limbs disassembled and scattered across the plaza like confetti.
His head spun in circles. "M-Monster!!"
Vegito stomped on the clown's midsection with just enough force to crater the earth beneath.
"Sit down."
The rest of Buggy's crew passed out from the Conqueror's Haki wave that erupted seconds later.
A Dance with Fire
Lily stood in the ring, hands raised in surrender.
"…I'm not fighting that."
"Smart," Vegito replied, walking up to her.
She held her chin up. "You said I could walk away."
"I did. But you don't want to."
Lily stared into his eyes—and saw something terrifying.
Not cruelty. Not manipulation. But pure, unshakable confidence. Like the world would bend before him and call it fate.
"…What would I even be to you?"
He stepped closer, brushing his thumb against her cheek.
"An equal. A flame in the dark. And someone I'd gladly burn the world down to protect."
Her breath caught.
"…Gods, you're shameless."
"I'm Saiyan."
Recruitment Confirmed
Lily turned to look at Buggy—unconscious, drooling, half-buried in the ground. Then turned back to Vegito.
"…Fine. I'll join. But only if you can out-dance me."
Vegito blinked. "Dance?"
She grinned, producing two fire batons from her belt. "Test of style, Pirate King."
Ten minutes later, the town square had a new performance: Lily spinning in fire, and Vegito matching her moves perfectly, using Ki-aura flames to choreograph alongside her. The crowd—freed villagers and stunned pirates—cheered as the two ended the dance with a final spin and a dip.
Lily's arms draped around his neck. "Okay… that was hot."
"Join the club."
System Update: New Crew Member Acquired
Third Crew Member: Lily, the Fire DancerRole: Combat / Distraction / Morale SupportBonus Unlocked: Flame Channeling Technique – Ki/Fire FusionAffinity Level: WarmingLoyalty: Voluntary – First Impression SuccessPotential Romantic Route: Yes
Post-Victory Celebration
That evening, the crew hosted a feast in the center plaza, with freed villagers providing food and wine.
Vegito, now slightly buzzed from strong East Blue sake, lounged on a raised seat while Nami, Alvida, Nojiko, and Lily all bickered and flirted around him.
Nami: "Don't let the flame girl steal all the attention."
Lily: "I earned my spot with a dance. What did you do, flirt over tea?"
Alvida: "Please. I practically dared him to tie me up."
Nojiko: "...We're not really doing this in public, are we?"
Vegito just smiled and sipped his drink.
"Ladies. There's enough Saiyan to go around."
World Reaction: The Clown Falls
East Blue News Coo Report
"Buggy the Clown Defeated – Unknown Pirate Destroys Another Threat""Mysterious Ship Spotted Again – Flying Vessel with Pirate King Candidate Sighted""Town Saved by Strange Man with a Tail – Who is Vegito?"
Marine HQ: Tension Rises
At Marine HQ, Fleet Admiral Sengoku slammed his hand on the table.
"Another one?!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head. "He's picking off pirates like flies—and recruiting their women. Arlong, Alvida, Buggy… gone or joined."
Kizaru leaned back lazily. "My, my… sounds like someone's building quite the harem."
"Bastard's making us look like fools," Akainu growled.
Sengoku sighed. "Put a bounty on him."
System Alert: Bounty Unlocked
Current Bounty: 77,000,000 BerriesNickname: "King Fist" VegitoStatus: Rising Threat to World Order