"We're finally here!"
Nami cheered excitedly, kicking the mop and broom aside as she was the first to step onto the dock.
She looked around curiously. "So this is Loguetown? It's actually pretty bustling!"
Being a native of the East Blue, she, like most people from the region, had heard of Loguetown's fame.
This was the birthplace of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and also the place where he was executed. The current era of the Great Pirates had begun from this very town.
With such renown, it was only natural that the town wouldn't be small. Looking around casually, shops lined both sides of the street, tightly packed and full of goods of every kind.
People bustled about, making the place lively and vibrant.
"That's where Roger was executed?"
Kuina gazed off into the distance. At the intersection of the streets stood a tall execution platform, clearly visible even from the dock.
Originally, the World Government had built it to serve as a warning to pirates.
But after the Great Pirate Era began, Loguetown ironically became a popular sightseeing spot for pirates.
Especially those setting out from the East Blue toward the Grand Line — it was almost like a rite of passage to stop by here.
"Let's split up and look around. There are actually a lot of pirates who come here on pilgrimage, but since there's a Marine base, they usually don't act out too much even if trouble brews. So the security is still decent."
Shano glanced at the clock hanging by the bank entrance. "Two hours from now will be lunchtime. Let's meet up at the square in the center."
"Got it, Captain!!!"
Everyone responded enthusiastically and eagerly dispersed into the streets.
After drifting out at sea for nearly half a month — thanks to some detours — they had long been itching to explore a proper town. Now that they were finally in a developed commercial hub, they couldn't wait.
Gin eagerly followed Zeff to go buy some strawberry milk. Kuina decided to browse the nearby bookstores and weapon shops.
Nojiko, on the other hand, dragged Nami to the streets lined with clothing and jewelry shops.
The girl had sneaked out from home with barely anything on her, and had been borrowing Nojiko's clothes all this time. She had to get some new outfits.
"Wanna get a tattoo, ladies?" the tattoo shop owner grinned as she called out from the corner.
"No thanks." Nami and Nojiko instinctively glanced at their smooth arms and turned away with a scoff.
— Proper girls don't get tattoos!
…
Elsewhere.
Shano wandered the streets aimlessly, going with the flow.
He vaguely remembered that Loguetown was home to several named characters from the manga.
If he got lucky and ran into them, great — he'd fleece them a bit. If not, no big deal. None of them were worth much anyway.
His real target, of course, was…
Shano looked up toward the execution platform.
It had witnessed the death of the Pirate King Roger, and also the birth of the Great Pirate Era. No matter how you looked at it, it was definitely valuable.
But it was also huge. The square was packed with visitors snapping photos, and there were Marines guarding the watchtowers on either side. Making something like that disappear in broad daylight would cause a huge commotion.
He'd wait until the dead of night when no one was around. That would be a more suitable time to act.
As he pondered, a tall young man with green hair, earrings, and a nose ring walked straight toward him with his head down — and bumped right into him.
"Damn! That hurts!!"
The punk-like youth winced in pain as blood poured from his nose. He quickly wiped it with the back of his hand.
What the hell did this guy have on his chest? It felt like he'd slammed into a steel wall. His head was spinning, stars danced before his eyes, and he nearly passed out.
"Sorry about that," Shano said with a smile as he handed over a tissue. "Here, wipe up."
"Watch where you're going next time!"
The green-haired punk glared at him fiercely, hands in his pockets, and swaggered into a nearby alley.
Once inside the alley—
He burst out laughing, all trace of anger gone. With a flick of his wrist, a wallet magically appeared between his fingers.
"I gotta say, Bartolomeo," came a teasing voice from behind, "you're already the boss of a few streets now, collecting protection fees and all, and you're still doing petty theft like this?"
"You don't get it, Dezaya."
Bartolomeo snorted. "This is called remembering your roots. The money doesn't matter — I'm just reliving the thrill of being a low-level street punk."
"Take a guess…"
He turned to face his childhood friend and waved the wallet proudly. "How much do you think is in here? Fifty thousand? A hundred thousand berries?"
Wait a sec...
This texture feels wrong. Suspicious, Bartolomeo opened the wallet — and found it completely empty.
"Zero?!"
Dezaya burst out laughing. "You put on such a show I thought you'd snagged a big shot's wallet. Turns out you didn't even get a single note!"
[Latest novel on 69 Book Bar first release!]
"Damn it! How could this happen?!"
Bartolomeo flipped the wallet inside out, but not even a single coin was in there. He was furious. "That guy didn't look poor at all! How could his pockets be emptier than his face!"
Oh well, everyone makes misjudgments now and then.
"Forget that. You showed up at the right time, Dezaya. I really liked the bracelet you gave me last time. I usually keep it close to my chest and can't even bear to wear it. So I made you a little something in return…"
Grinning, he reached into his shirt — and suddenly froze.
"Huh?"
Then the entire alley echoed with a heart-wrenching cry—
"MY WALLET IS GONE!!!!!!"
......
[You sacrificed Bartolomeo's seashell necklace. Gained 60 points.]
[You sacrificed Dezaya's plastic bracelet. Gained 40 points.]
"500,000 berries and 100 points. Not much, but not bad for something delivered to my door."
Shano chuckled and slipped the wallet into his pocket.
These local gangs really had no manners.
Trying to pickpocket him? With that kind of amateur skill?
He whistled cheerfully as he continued down the street.
…
Inside a bookstore—
"The latest Justice Germa manga, chapter 24, is out!!"
"Whoa, really? Get me a copy too!"
"Hey! You brats! If you don't have any money, don't just loiter here reading for free! Five minutes max, then scram if you're not buying!"
"Excuse me, coming through."
Kuina weaved around the kids squatting on the floor reading manga. She stood on her tiptoes and reached up toward the top shelf for a book titled Notes on Sword Forging.
But just as she reached for it, another fair and slender hand stretched out — they both touched the spine at the same time, nearly shoulder to shoulder.
"Ah, sorry!"
Kuina quickly turned with an apologetic smile. "If you want it, please go ahead. I can look at something else."
The black-haired girl across from her — who looked exactly like her — was also smiling apologetically.
Huh?
Is this… a mirror?
She pushed her glasses up for a better look.
The girl across from her did the exact same thing, craning her neck forward — their cold noses suddenly bumped together.
The incredibly real sensation made both girls' eyes widen in shock.
You look at me, I look at you.
After four or five seconds of stunned silence, they finally screamed in unison—
"EHHHHHHHHHH?!!!"