Loguetown.
"What a huge town!"
Kaya's bright eyes sparkled as she gazed at the bustling street in front of her.
Having been frail and sickly since childhood, she'd rarely left her house, and the furthest she'd ever traveled was just to the outskirts of her village.
"This is the gathering spot for pirates heading to the Grand Line. You can find just about anything you need for the voyage here."
Nami explained with a smile.
"Amazing!" Kaya exclaimed, awestruck.
Even Nojiko's usually composed face showed a hint of anticipation.
Unlike Nami, who often left Cocoyasi Village to seek money to save their home, Nojiko had always remained behind, tending Bellmère's mikan grove.
But now, she was hoping to find a proper rifle that suited her hands.
"Well then, how about we split up for a bit? You all can go buy whatever you want—I want to check out the execution platform where he was put to death."
Ace chuckled as he spoke.
Over the past days, thanks to the rapid growth of their strength within the Domain of Comprehension, the girls could more than handle themselves in the relatively safe East Blue.
And even if something unexpected happened, Ace's Observation Haki could lock onto them in an instant.
Most importantly...
Shopping with women? What a pain.
"That person? You mean the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger?"
Nami paused mid-step, then asked.
"Yeah. Anyway, enjoy yourselves. Don't hold back because of money,"
Ace said, already walking off, waving a hand back at them.
"Ace…"
Kaya instinctively wanted to follow, but Nojiko gently pulled her back.
"Kaya, sometimes a man needs his own space."
Nojiko smiled knowingly.
Kaya blushed a deep red.
"Alright then! Let's shop till we drop!"
Nami cheered, full of excitement.
...
At the Loguetown Marine Base...
Huff, huff, huff...
Inside the commander's office, thick smoke coiled through the air like fog, nearly choking the room with its density.
Bang!
"Colonel Smoker! Cough, cough!"
The door suddenly burst open, and a Marine barged in—only to immediately fall into a fit of coughing.
"Didn't I tell you not to disturb me at a time like this? Damn... another failure,"
Smoker said flatly, exhaling a thick stream of smoke.
Still, even as he complained, he pushed open the window, letting the smoke billow out into the open air.
"What is it?" he asked, taking another slow drag from his cigar.
"Sir! We've received intel from Marine Headquarters. The Fire Fist, Portgas D. Ace, is headed for Loguetown—and he may already be here!"
The Marine stiffened to attention, panic written across his face.
"That's the pirate who took down Arlong and killed Captain Nezumi! He's got a bounty of 35 million berries!"
"35 million?"
Smoker raised an eyebrow at the figure.
In East Blue, where most pirates had bounties in the single-digit millions, such a number was almost unheard of.
Even on the Grand Line, a bounty that high meant the guy wasn't just some nameless rookie.
"Colonel Smoker, the troops are ready and awaiting your command!"
The Marine saluted once more.
"No need. I'll handle this myself."
Smoker picked up his jitte, its tip inlaid with seastone, and turned to leave.
"But sir—!"
The Marine paled. This was a pirate worth 35 million berries!
"I haven't been stationed here long,"
Smoker said, giving the soldier a cool glance,
"But tell me—since I arrived, has any pirate made it from here into the Grand Line?"
"..."
The Marine had no answer.
"Right... Where's that woman, Tashigi?" Smoker asked as he stepped outside.
"Sir! Tashigi—no, I mean Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi—said she was going out to celebrate her promotion and take a walk around town!"
"Sheesh... that airheaded woman,"
Smoker muttered, pressing a palm to his forehead in exasperation.
Probably browsing some sword shop again...
Whatever.
First, let's see what this 35-million berry pirate is really made of.
Smoker headed toward the heart of Loguetown.
...
"Hm hm hmmm~"
On the busy streets of Loguetown, Tashigi walked along humming a cheerful tune.
Why was she in such a good mood?
Well, today she'd been promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer!
Not that she cared much for ranks—but the pay raise that came with it? That was a big deal.
Now she could finally afford to check out some of those famous swords she'd been eyeing for years.
Just the thought of someday owning one of the legendary blades made her giddy.
BAM!
"Oof!"
She suddenly bumped into something hard and heavy, and the impact sent her tumbling backward onto the ground.
"My... my glasses…"
She blinked rapidly, everything a blur. She dropped to her knees, hands fumbling blindly across the cobblestones.
"Here—looking for these?"
A gentle voice called out.
She squinted up to see a blurry figure crouching in front of her, holding out her glasses.
She couldn't see his face clearly, but... there was something warm about his smile.
"Th-thank you so much!"
She hastily took the glasses, slid them on, and stood up to bow.
"No need to thank me—I should be the one apologizing. I wasn't looking where I was going."
Ace gave her a casual grin, his eyes studying her with interest.
Hmm… A swordswoman, huh? Funny thing... I just happen to be short one on my crew.
---
TL/N:
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon: p@treon.com/juanfiction (Replace @ with 'a')