Morning broke with golden light spilling across the streets of Nagagutsu. Ryan woke upto the quiet creak of wood and the faint aroma of baked bread wafting in from the open window. He stretched and sat up, his body no longer aching from their time at sea. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, already dressed in his simple traveling attire. His satchel, carefully packed the night before, rested at the foot of the bed.
He met her in the hallway just after sunrise. Unohana's expression was as composed as ever, her hair neatly tied, her presence calm and collected.
"You rested well?" he asked casually.
"Yes. Ready to move," she replied with a nod, her eyes scanning the hallway as if already assessing their next steps.
They exited the hotel and stepped into the waking city. The streets were beginning to stir—vendors setting up stalls, sailors calling to each other, crates being hauled by dockworkers. Birds fluttered overhead as carts clattered across cobblestones. The city felt alive, yet not overwhelming.
Their first stop was the marketplace. Ryan had one hand resting on the strap of his satchel while the other hung loose at his side. They moved carefully, scanning stalls of fresh produce, weapons, textiles, and maps. They had one goal: preparing for future journey.
They paused by a map seller's stall. Ryan picked up a parchment that displayed the stretch of sea between Nagagutsu and other islands. One was circled in faded ink—a merchant caught his eye.
"That there's Luffren Isle. Not much but a fishing village. Pirates used to roam that way, but the navy cleaned them out recently," the merchant offered.
Ryan gave a thoughtful nod. "Do you have a route to Logue Town?"
The merchant nodded and handed over a rolled parchment. "That's the best route you'll find to Logue Town. Be careful—weather's rough this time of year."
Ryan handed over a few Berries for the map and thanked the man. He were cautious with their spending despite the weight of the Berries in Ryan's satchel. He tucked the money carefully away, never letting it draw attention.
By midday, the sun hung high, and the city buzzed in full swing. Unohana and Ryan found a shaded spot near a fountain where children played, splashing water at one another. They sat briefly, taking in the surroundings.
"We should leave at dawn tomorrow," Ryan said quietly. "The longer we stay, the more eyes we attract."
Unohana looked at him. "Have you chosen the destination?"
He nodded. "I want to reach Logue Town as early as possible. It's not just the next stop—it's the place where everything starts. If I'm going to understand the path ahead, it begins there."
Unohana's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then she offered a firm nod. "I understand." she replied simply, her voice steady.
Her agreement was quiet but unwavering. It gave Ryan a sense of assurance, even as thoughts churned inside his head, tangled with urgency and planning.
Logue Town was where the world shifted. It was the edge of history, the place where legends ended—and sometimes began. For him, it was more than just a town; it was the next step in a trail he didn't fully understand yet but was determined to follow.
As they stood, Unohana's eyes paused on a nearby clothing shop.
"Want to check it out?" Ryan asked.
"Yes," she replied without hesitation.
They made their way across the street together, their steps unhurried. As they neared the shop's entrance, he spoke again.
"You've got an eye for detail," he said, glancing at her. "Figure you'll pick something that fits better than most pirates stocks."
Unohana's lips curved ever so slightly. "I do not intend to attract attention," she said, almost amused. "Merely to blend in more naturally."
The shop was simple but well-kept. Inside, the smell of fabric and cedar oil lingered
She chose a simple dark blue kimono—identical to the one she had worn since her time in the Gotei 13, the shihakushō, paired with a white-colored obi, which involuntarily accentuated her figure, particularly her well-endowed chest. The fabric was clean, well-stitched and without any embellishment yet it carried a quiet authority. Without discussion, she purchased four sets, all of different colors—wore one, packed the others. The shopkeeper didn't ask a question, used to travelers with strange requests. Ryan said nothing, but he watched with a slight smile, recognizing the comfort she found in what was familiar.
They had just exited the shop and were weaving through the thinning crowd of the marketplace when a loud, entitled voice cut through the hum of chatter. Near the edge of the square stood a man of heavyset build, his double chin quivering as he pointed a stubby, jeweled finger directly at Unohana. His short blond hair was slicked back, his face marred by unshaven stubble, and his expensive clothes did little to conceal his vulgarity. "That one!" he shouted to the guards standing rigid beside him. "Bring her to me. She'll make a worthy companion for a man of my standing!"
Ryan's expression hardened at his vulgarity and outburst, but his body remained still, neither hand drifting toward his swords. Unohana's gaze flicked briefly toward the man—her face calm, almost indifferent, as if sizing him up with a single glance.
Unohana then glanced at Ryan. He gave her a nod—barely a motion.
Soon the guards approached, stepping forward with poorly disguised smugness. One pointed at Unohana and spoke, "You there. The lord would like a word. Come with us."
In a blink, the air grew taut. Her feet slid forward in a barely visible motion—graceful, controlled, lethal. Her hand didn't go for a weapon, not at first. Instead, it was her presence that shifted—the weight of someone who had seen battle, not theatrics.
The first guard didn't even register the strike. A blur of motion—her hand had drawn the concealed blade at her waist. Blood blossomed on the guard's chest as he fell, his eyes wide with disbelief. The second tried to raise his weapon, but she was already there—her blade carving a shallow but precise line across his throat and returning the blade to its sheath in one smooth arc
The third ran. She didn't pursue him.
The silence that followed was deafening. People froze. Even the crude lord who had made the demand backed away in sudden, cowardly fear.
Unohana turned back to Ryan, her face untouched by emotion, as though nothing had happened.
Ryan exhaled slowly, the edge of anger uncoiling from his frame. "Well," he said, his voice low, "That's one way to make our exit."
Before he could leave, murmurs from the surrounding crowd reached his ears, he caught wind of a name that turned his attention: Prince Tritobu. Whispers identified the loud, arrogant man as none other than royalty—and from the gossip, someone with no shortage of riches. His thoughts turned sharply to the system's conditions for summoning—25 million Berries and five Devil Fruits. His brows furrowed slightly. That kind of wealth and devil fruit rarity wasn't something one stumbled upon. Ryan's jaw tightened in thought. If anyone in this city could have he needed, it would be this man. A plan began forming in his mind: the mansion of Prince Tritobu would be his next target.