Luffy paid no heed to Buggy's warning. He walked briskly toward the base of the platform, his straw hat casting a soft shadow across a smile that knew no fear. When he reached the bottom, he paused for a heartbeat and looked up, his eyes alight with reckless wonder.
"Stop! I'm serious—this isn't the time for sightseeing!" Buggy shouted. But his plea dissolved into the hum of the crowd, unheard.
Without hesitation, Luffy seized the wooden railing and began to climb. The steps creaked beneath his hands, dry wood groaning against the weight of his resolve. Around him, the murmuring grew—curious voices rising, heads turning to witness the strange boy who dared to scale the execution platform as if it were nothing more than a flight of stairs.
Buggy pressed a hand to his face and sighed. "This kid's gonna be the death of me…"
Higher and higher, Luffy climbed—unaware, or perhaps unconcerned, that the square below had fallen into a hush.
"Hey! That guy's climbing the platform!"
"Is he out of his mind? That's where the Pirate King was executed!"
The words rippled through the crowd like a sudden wind, stirring disbelief, awe, and something unspoken. Every gaze turned upward to the wooden tower that loomed over Loguetown's heart.
And there—at its peak—stood a boy alone. The wind tore through his hair and tugged at his vest, but he stood unshaken, arms spread wide, face lifted toward the sky.
Monkey D. Luffy had reached the top.
The salty air swirled around him. The sunlight glinted against the brim of his hat. For an instant, he seemed impossibly still—a figure carved from defiance and dream. Then, with a voice that cut through the silence like the cry of a gull, he shouted:
"I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates!!"
The square erupted. Gasps burst forth like cannon fire. Some recoiled in shock; others stared in wonder. The air thickened with disbelief, but beneath it all ran a pulse—wild, electric, alive.
Below, Buggy's jaw dropped as color drained from his already pale face. "YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!!"
He scrambled up the steps two at a time, eyes wide with panic. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOT?!"
Reaching the top, Buggy grabbed Luffy by the collar and yanked him down hard. "You wanna get yourself executed?! That platform isn't just some stage—it's where dreams die, you fool!"
But Luffy, still grinning, just laughed. "I had to say it. I dunno why... but it just felt right."
Buggy scowled, his teeth grinding. "You're gonna give me a heart attack one day."
Down below, the murmurs hadn't stopped. And neither had the consequences.
...
Across the square, Captain Smoker was just rounding a corner when the echo of the bold declaration reached his ears.
His boots halted mid-step. His eyes narrowed beneath his marine cap. He turned, and headed at the direction of the execution platform.
Before long, a marine officer rushed up to him, slightly out of breath. "Sir! Someone just shouted from the execution platform—said he wanted to become the Pirate King!"
Smoker's jaw clenched. "Did you catch a name?"
The officer nodded quickly. "Only part of it, sir. Something like... Monkey D. Something. The rest wasn't clear."
That was all Smoker needed.
He ground his lit cigar under his heel, the ember snuffing out with a hiss.
"Monkey D… Zino," he growled.
The name rolled off his tongue like a challenge. Smoke began to rise from his shoulders, curling around him like a storm brewing.
"So you've finally come."
Without another word, Smoker turned and began striding across the square, his long coat billowing behind him like a war banner. His boots hit the cobbled streets with heavy purpose. His target was in sight—or so he thought.
He didn't know that he was chasing the wrong D.
...
Somewhere across the busy streets of Loguetown, Zino and Kaya arrived in front of a quaint, wooden shop with a faded sign that read *"Herbs & Remedies"*. The air outside was thick with the scent of dried flowers and roots. Just as Zino reached for the door handle—
*"Achoo!"*
He sneezed suddenly, covering his nose.
"Tch. Who's talking about me behind my back?" he muttered, rubbing his nose and glancing around cautiously.
The street was calm, with only a few passersby minding their own business. Nothing seemed out of place.
"Zino?" Kaya called from just inside the doorway. "You coming?"
Zino gave a half-smile. "Yeah, yeah. Just got some dust up my nose."
Brushing it off, he stepped into the shop.
The inside was warm and cozy. Wooden shelves lined the walls, filled with bottles, jars, and bundles of herbs. The air was thick with the scent of camphor, eucalyptus, and dried lavender.
A kind-looking woman behind the counter greeted them with a smile. "Welcome! Looking for something to ease a cold, or maybe a tonic for fatigue?"
Zino didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small, jingling pouch—gold coins clinking softly inside.
Kaya blinked in surprise. "Wait... where did you get that?"
Zino leaned in close and whispered, "Shhh. It's mine. From before. Don't tell Nami."
Kaya raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
Zino approached the counter and placed the pouch down with a soft *thud*. "We'll take everything useful—herbs, potions, balms, anything that might help with treating injuries or fatigue."
The shopkeeper's eyes sparkled as she peeked inside the pouch. "My, my... This is more than generous!"
Zino smiled faintly. "Just pack it up. We might be at sea for a while."
Delighted, the shopkeeper got to work gathering supplies. She handed Zino and Kaya several small boxes, each filled with neatly packed bundles of herbs, vials, and salves. As she moved about, she paused and looked back.
"With this much generosity, if there's anything else I can help you with, just say the word."
Kaya stepped forward, curious. "Do you have any books on medicine? Herbal treatments or marine injuries, maybe?"
The shopkeeper beamed. "Of course! My late husband was a traveling doctor—I've kept all his collections safe."
She led them through a curtained archway into a backroom where old shelves held dozens of worn books. The room had a quiet, respectful air to it, as if the wisdom of years past lingered in the pages.
Zino stood back as Kaya's eyes lit up. She reached out reverently and pulled down a thick tome titled *"Healing by Nature: A Guide to Herbal Remedies."*
"Take your time," the shopkeeper said kindly. "I'll finish preparing the rest of your order."
As Kaya browsed the collection with a sense of wonder, Zino leaned quietly against the doorframe, watching her with a small smile. This stop had turned out better than expected—quiet, peaceful… and oddly refreshing.
But somewhere deep down, he still felt a faint tickle in his nose… and a sense that something, or someone was talking behind his back.
...
Back at the Silent Orca, the ship gently rocked in the secluded dock where it had been hidden from prying eyes. The sun was starting to dip lower, casting golden rays over the deck. A few seagulls circled above, cawing softly as the breeze picked up.
The first to return were Nami, Nojiko, and Gin.
Gin trailed behind the two women, carrying several crates and sacks stacked so high he could barely see over them. His expression was unreadable as he carefully walked the narrow plank onto the deck.
"Careful there," Nojiko teased, glancing back. "Don't fall overboard, Gin."
Gin grunted. "Easy for you to say—you're not carrying half the market."
They boarded the ship and began unloading. For a moment, the deck was quiet—until footsteps echoed from down the dock.
"Yo!" came a familiar voice. Sanji strolled up confidently, a large bundle of supplies under one arm and an enormous fish slung over his shoulder. Beside him, Alvida walked without a care, not holding anything.
Nami blinked at the sight. "Where did you get that monster of a fish?"
Sanji flashed a grin, setting the fish down with a thud. "Won it. There was a cooking contest going on near the market—thought I'd give it a shot while we were out. First place prize."
"Of course you entered a cooking contest," Gin muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
Alvida said, "He wouldn't let me carry a single thing. Said it would ruin his 'gentleman image.'"
Sanji adjusted hia posture, acting like a gentleman. "A lady shouldn't have to lift a finger."
Shortly after, the next group appeared—Zoro and Usopp.
Zoro had two new swords strapped at his side. The familiar gleam of the Sandai Kitetsu and the elegant Yubashiri made even Gin raise an eyebrow.
Usopp was excitedly holding up a shiny new set of binoculars, practically hopping with excitement.
"Check these out!" Usopp announced. "Military-grade! I can spot a seagull from a mile away!"
Zoro just gave a small nod and walked toward the mast. "Finally found some decent swords."
Sanji glanced at them. "Took you long enough."
"Had to test them first," Zoro replied.
Then he paused, looking around. "Where's the captain?"
Nami replied. "Still not back."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "You don't think… he got lost?"
Everyone on the Silent Orca turned to stare at Zoro.
"If anyone would get lost, it's definitely you," Alvida said dryly, crossing her arms.
"Geh—shut up," Zoro grunted, looking away in mild embarrassment.
The others chuckled, already used to the swordsman's notoriously poor sense of direction.
...
Meanwhile, deeper in Loguetown, Zino and Kaya were walking side by side down a quiet cobbled street. The buzz of the marketplace was fading behind them as they strolled through a less crowded area of town, still chatting casually.
Both of them carried no bags or crates. Kaya, curious, glanced at Zino's empty hands. "So… where did all the stuff go?"
Zino smirked. "I've got a place to keep things."
Kaya tilted her head. "A place? Like a backpack?"
"Nope," Zino said, tapping his chest. "More like… a devil fruit ability."
Kaya blinked. "Devil fruit?"
Zino realized she was unfamiliar with the term. "Right, you're new to this. Devil fruits are rare fruits that give people strange powers. Mine is the Nomu Nomu no Mi—the Swallow Swallow Fruit."
"Swallow…?" Kaya echoed.
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "It lets me swallow and control certain elemental substances—like air or medicine. But I made some improvements. Now, I can swallow objects too—like supplies or weapons—and store them safely inside myself."
Kaya looked amazed. "That's incredible… like a walking storage room."
Zino chuckled. "Exactly. It comes in handy."
As they continued walking, their conversation faded as a man in a white marine coat came into view, heading toward them from the opposite direction. He was broad-shouldered, walking calmly, flanked by drifting trails of white smoke.
Zino's eyes sharpened immediately.
Captain Smoker.
The marine was casually puffing on two cigars, hands in his pockets. He seemed to be minding his own business—until his eyes landed on Zino.
They passed each other in silence—just a few steps apart.
Then both of them stopped simultaneously.
The air grew tense.
Zino slowly turned his head, and so did Smoker. Their gazes locked.
Zino's mind raced. He recognized the Marine captain from his memories of watching and reading the anime and manga One Piece. A formidable opponent—and, more importantly, he is a logia fruit user! Someone who definitely knew how to deal with pirates.
Smoker, meanwhile, stared at Zino with narrowed eyes.
The face was familiar. Too familiar.
The same dark hair, confident eyes, and a strong presence… exactly like the wanted poster he had seen earlier.
Monkey D. Zino.
The captain's cigar crackled as he took a long drag. The smoke curled upward, thick and heavy between them.
Kaya, sensing the shift, looked between them in confusion. "Zino…?"
Zino didn't answer.
Neither did Smoker.
Then, without taking his eyes off Smoker, Zino finally spoke.
"Miss," he said, his voice low but firm, "please go back on your own."
Kaya blinked. "What?"
She was about to question him—but before she could speak again, a strange whispering wind brushed past her ear.
"Run."
It was Zino's voice—but not spoken aloud. She realized in that moment that he had used his *Air Elemental Ability* to carry the message directly to her.
Her breath caught.
There was hesitation in her steps, her eyes still fixed on him with worry and confusion. But something in his expression told her not to argue.
She turned, slowly at first—then broke into a run, clutching her satchel as she disappeared down the narrow street behind them.
Both men glanced, watching her go.
Smoker raised an eyebrow. "Who was that?"
"Just a civilian," Zino replied calmly, still looking at the direction where Kaya run off to.
After a moment, Zino turned to look back at Smoker.
"So…" he said quietly, "you here to arrest me?"
Smoker's eyes narrowed. The smoke from his cigars swirled as if reacting to his rising tension.
"Of course," he said, simply.
Zino gave a small, lopsided grin. "I see. Then come—if you think you can."
A moment of stillness fell between them.
No one moved.
No words were spoken.
Then—without warning—both lunged forward, fists clenched, powers flaring.
The silent street exploded into chaos.