"Finally here!"
Nami cheered excitedly, kicking her mop and broom to the side as she was the first to step onto the dock.
She looked around curiously. "So this is Logue Town? It's actually pretty bustling!"
As someone from the East Blue, she had heard of Logue Town's reputation.
This was the birthplace of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, where he was executed. It was also the place where the Great Pirate Era began.
Given its fame, the town was naturally not small. Streets were lined with shops on both sides, offering a dazzling array of goods.
People flowed through the streets, creating a lively atmosphere.
"That's where Roger was executed?"
Kuina gazed toward the town square where the execution platform stood tall. Even several streets away, it was visible from the dock.
Originally, this was meant as a deterrent by the World Government against pirates.
But after the Great Pirate Era began, Logue Town gradually became a popular sightseeing spot for pirates.
Especially for pirates leaving the East Blue for the Grand Line—if they didn't come see it, they wouldn't really count as true East Blue sailors.
"Everyone, split up and explore," Shanu instructed. "A lot of pirates come here for pilgrimage, but with a Navy base here, even if disputes arise, people generally won't get out of hand. So the town's security is decent."
He glanced at the clock above the bank. "Two hours from now is lunch. Let's meet back at the square then."
"Understood, Captain!!!"
Everyone responded in unison, then scattered, eager to explore the streets and alleys.
After drifting alone at sea for half a month due to previous detours, they were excited to finally reach a commercially developed town.
Gin followed Zeff enthusiastically to buy strawberry milk, while Kuina decided to browse nearby bookstores and weapon shops.
Meanwhile, Nojiko dragged Nami along to the streets full of clothing and jewelry shops.
The girl had snuck out from home with few belongings and had been wearing the same clothes for days—she needed new ones.
"Want a tattoo, you two lovely ladies?" The tattoo shop owner grinned at the street entrance.
"No thanks."
...
Elsewhere.
Shanu wandered through the streets with no particular destination, taking things as they came.
He remembered that Logue Town had several named characters from the manga.
If he got lucky, maybe he could profit from them; if not, no big deal.
His true target, naturally, was…
Shanu looked toward the execution platform.
Witnessing the death of the Pirate King, and the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, surely it was valuable, right?
It was just too crowded. The plaza was full of visitors and Navy soldiers were on the watchtowers. Making something disappear in plain sight would cause quite a stir.
Perhaps it would be better to act at midnight when no one was around.
While musing, a tall youth with green hair, wearing ear and nose rings, walked straight ahead, colliding squarely with Shanu.
"Argh! That hurts!!"
The delinquent grimaced in pain, nose bleeding heavily as he hastily wiped it with the back of his hand.
What's on this guy's chest? It felt like he had slammed into a steel plate—stars danced in his vision, he felt dizzy, almost fainting.
"Sorry about that." Shanu handed him a tissue with a smile. "Here, wipe it off."
"Watch where you're going next time!"
The green-haired delinquent glared fiercely, hands in his pockets, and swaggered into a nearby alley.
Once in the alley, he burst out laughing. Gone was the scowling expression from before. He flicked his wrist, proudly producing a wallet from between his fingers.
"I say, Barto, you're now a small-time gang leader controlling a few streets. If you can't even collect protection fees, why are you still doing petty theft?"
A girl's teasing voice came from behind.
"You wouldn't understand, Dezaya."
Bartolomeo snorted. "It's about staying true to my roots. Stealing that little money doesn't matter—it's about feeling the fun I had as a bottom-tier delinquent."
"Guess how much is inside…"
He turned and shook the wallet at his childhood friend. "Fifty thousand? A hundred thousand?"
Wait…
Something felt off. Bartolomeo instinctively checked the wallet's compartments—empty.
"Zero!"
Dezaya laughed uproariously. "Making it look all dramatic, I thought you got rich—but not a single bill in there!"
"Damn it! How is this possible!"
Bartolomeo turned the wallet upside down, not a single coin in sight. Frustrated, he muttered, "That kid doesn't even look poor—how are his pockets cleaner than his face?"
Oh well, everyone misjudges sometimes.
"Never mind that. You came at the right time, Dezaya. I liked the bracelet you gave me last time. I usually keep it close, not wearing it, so I made you a little gift…"
He reached into his chest, grinning. Then his expression froze.
In the alley, his anguished scream echoed—"MY WALLET!!!!"
...
[You sacrificed Bartolomeo's shell necklace and gained 60 points.]
[You sacrificed Dezaya's plastic bracelet and gained 40 points.]
"Five hundred thousand Berries, 100 points. Not much, but given they came to me, not bad."
Shanu chuckled, putting the wallet in his pocket.
Local gangs were extremely impolite.
Stealing at first sight, what skills or level? And they dared to provoke him?
Whistling, he continued walking down the street, feeling light and cheerful.
...
Inside the bookstore.
"Justice Germa manga, Chapter 24 is out!!"
"Wow, really? Grab me a copy too!"
"Hey, little brats! Don't just look if you've got no money! You've got five minutes—buy it or scram!"
"Excuse me, coming through."
Kuina stepped over the kids crouched reading manga and stretched on tiptoe toward the top shelf for Swordsmithing Notes.
At almost the same time, another pale, slender hand reached for the same book. Their index fingers touched the spine simultaneously—they were nearly shoulder to shoulder.
"Oh, sorry!"
Kuina immediately turned, smiling apologetically. "If you need it, go ahead. I'll look at something else."
The girl across from her, identical in appearance, returned the same apologetic expression.
Hmm? A mirror?
Kuina pushed up her glasses to get a better look.
The girl across did the same. As they leaned forward, their cold noses touched…
The unbelievably real sensation made both of them widen their eyes. They stared at each other for four or five seconds before shouting in unison:
"Eh——!!!"