The execution platform collapsed.
Struck by a sudden bolt of lightning, it crumbled in an instant. The thunder's roar was followed by the clatter of debris, and in the eerie silence that followed, all eyes were fixed on the wreckage.
A charred Buggy thudded to the ground, seemingly unconscious.
Moments later, a straw hat fluttered down.
Luffy strolled over, picked it up with his right hand, and plopped it on his head. His unchanged grin lit up as he laughed.
"Shishishi! Still alive—what a steal!"
Rain began to fall on Loguetown.
The stunned crowd stood frozen, gaping at Luffy's unscathed, cheerful figure—a stark contrast to the fainted Buggy. No one could move or speak, the deafening silence broken only by Luffy's carefree laughter.
Kiri, the first to feel heartfelt relief, dropped to her knees. The exhaustion flooding her body came from the release of intense tension. Her softened, almost childlike smile betrayed her mental state.
"Phew… that was bad for my heart," she muttered, shoulders slumping.
Nearby enemies—Buggy's lieutenants—remained motionless, too shocked to act.
Smoker, watching from the lookout post, was the first after Kiri to regain clarity. Seeing Luffy alive shifted his expression. He barked orders to his men, his voice sharper than usual.
"Deploy the standby troops now! Don't let that man escape!"
"Y-Yes, sir!" A trembling marine dashed off.
Shock rippled through the marines. Everyone thought Luffy was done for, yet a miracle had saved him. Many paled, grappling with the reality. Smoker, visibly agitated, caught Tashigi's concern.
"Smoker-san, are you okay? You look—"
"He laughed," Smoker cut in.
"Huh?"
"I saw it as a kid, twenty-two years ago. Gold Roger, on that same platform, laughed in the face of death… just like him!"
Smoker's composure cracked, his voice rough with unease.
"We can't let him escape. We'll capture him at all costs!"
"Yes, sir!" Tashigi replied.
Smoker led her out of the lookout post, the room buzzing with frantic activity.
The plaza stirred again as marines, weapons drawn, surged in to apprehend the pirates. The pirates fought back, escalating the chaos as townsfolk fled in panic. No one could control the scene.
The air shifted.
Luffy joined Kiri, grinning casually. "You okay, Kiri? Getting wet's bad for you, right?"
"Yeah, but I can manage if we're just running."
"Alright, let's bolt!"
"Yep…" Kiri sighed. "But still."
Leaning on Luffy's shoulder, she stood, shooting him a sulky glare before pinching his cheek. "Why'd you have to say that, you idiot?"
"Shishishi! It's fine, I'm alive, aren't I?"
"That's not the point… ugh, whatever. It's getting dangerous. Let's move."
"Right!" Luffy nodded.
Kiri stood on her own, rain-soaked and weakened, unable to fight but able to move. She swayed but didn't fall. Luffy, seeing her resolve, let go without fuss. If she said she was fine, she was.
Amid the chaos, Zoro and Sanji reached them. Zoro rewrapped his bandana around his arm, while Sanji stubbed out his cigarette in a portable ashtray. Both sighed heavily.
"You guys believe in gods?" Sanji asked.
"No time for dumb questions. The navy's here. We gotta move," Zoro said.
"Let's go! Next stop: Grand Line!" Luffy declared.
The four prepared to run. The plaza's uproar—clashing pirates and marines—distracted their pursuers. Escape seemed within reach.
As they moved, voices called from behind. Turning, they saw the three lieutenants Kiri had fought. Their interruption halted the group, especially Sanji, whose eyes lit up at Alvida, though her glare suggested escape wouldn't be easy.
"Wait, Luffy! Think you can run from me?" Alvida snapped.
"My beautiful lady from before!" Sanji swooned.
"Alvida, huh? Trouble—Kiri can't fight anymore," Luffy said.
"Ignore 'em. Keep moving. Oi, dumb cook, wanna play shield? Go for it," Zoro taunted.
They tried to flee, but Eldrago opened his mouth, inhaling deeply for an attack.
"No escape, thieves! Give me back my gold!" he roared.
"Crap, that attack again!" Kiri muttered, defenseless.
Eldrago unleashed a dazzling beam. The four braced to dodge, but someone intervened.
A stranger, back to them, faced the beam, crossing his arms and intertwining his fingers oddly. The light hit an invisible barrier and vanished. He'd stepped in to protect them.
A muscular young man with a distinctive rooster-like hairstyle, unfamiliar to them, turned slowly, revealing his face.
The four frowned, startled. He was sobbing uncontrollably.
"O-oh…! Y-you guys are incredible…!" he cried.
"Who's this guy?" Luffy asked.
"Why's he crying?" Zoro added.
"Crying hard, too. Don't know him," Kiri said.
"I-I'm so moved…! Facing death fearlessly! Your passion to save your crew! That miraculous lightning! It hit me hard. I couldn't let you die here!"
Tears streaming, he spoke fervently. Amid the chaos, the four listened, oddly captivated.
"We're this town's gang, not pirates, but let us help! Leave these guys to me! I won't let them hurt you! A-and… can I call you senpai?"
"Uh, ally?" Kiri ventured.
"Seems harmless. What's the call, Luffy?" Zoro asked.
"Don't care. Oi, what's your name?" Luffy said.
"W-what?! Asking my name?! I'm not worthy! B-but if I don't answer, I'll never get called…! What do I do?!"
"Just say it, man. Annoying," Zoro snapped.
Zoro and Sanji grew impatient, Kiri looked baffled, and Luffy laughed. The stranger, overwhelmed, kept crying. Eldrago fired another beam, but the man's barrier blocked it effortlessly, unharmed despite his casual demeanor.
"M-my name's Bartolomeo!" he sobbed.
"Baru… rome?" Luffy tilted his head.
"Bartolomeo," Kiri whispered.
"Bartolomeo!" Luffy beamed.
Bartolomeo wept harder at hearing his name. "Thank you! I'd say more, but not now! Let's meet again!"
"Y-Yeah!" Luffy replied.
"Let's move. It's getting wild," Zoro urged.
As they ran, Alvida, Eldrago, and Morgan reacted, but Bartolomeo blocked them, his barrier neutralizing their attacks. "Move! I need my gold back!" Eldrago bellowed.
"Shut up! You won't touch Straw Hat Luffy-senpai! He'll be Pirate King!" Bartolomeo roared.
Leaving the fight to Bartolomeo and his gang, the four sprinted. The plaza's chaos deepened with the gang's intervention—whether they'd been there or joined later, they followed Bartolomeo's lead. Pirates, marines, and now gang members clashed, with fleeing townsfolk turning into allies.
The distraction let the four reach the plaza's exit. Kiri, weakened by the rain, was supported as they escaped the chaos. Up ahead, Usopp, Nami, and Silk—having fled their own fight—joined them, relief washing over their faces.
"Luffy!" Usopp cried, tears streaming.
"Usopp! Silk! Nami! You guys okay?" Luffy grinned.
"You jerk! Don't say stuff like that, you idiot! If you're gonna be Pirate King, you can't die yet!" Usopp shouted.
"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry! Thought I was done for," Luffy laughed.
They paused near the chaos, faces meeting. Despite the scare, no one was missing. The crew was whole.
Next was escaping Loguetown. Nami took charge, turning to Kiri. "No time to relax. We need to leave now. That okay, Kiri?"
"Yeah, hurry. But there could be ambushes. Split up and head to the Merry," Kiri said.
"The navy's moving. We don't hurry, the Merry's at risk," Silk added.
Nodding, the crew united in purpose. Danger lingered. They wouldn't be safe until they escaped the town and the storm. With a shared glance, they moved.
Zoro bolted first, aiming to lead, but Silk panicked—his sense of direction was hopeless. She chased after him. "Wait, Zoro! You'll get lost!"
Sanji reached for Silk but gave up, shaking his head and running, calling only to Nami. "Silk-chan! I wanted to protect you, but for that mosshead…! Whatever. Nami-san, this way! I'll keep you safe!"
"Please, Sanji-kun! Don't let frail little me get hurt!" Nami pleaded.
"Got it!" Sanji swooned.
"Wait, Sanji! Protect frail little me too!" Usopp wailed, chasing after them.
Zoro and Silk took the right path, Sanji, Nami, and Usopp the left. Luffy turned to Kiri. "You good? I'll carry you if you need."
"I can run. Thanks for worrying," Kiri said.
"Alright, let's move!"
"The Merry might not be safe. Hope Arlong's group handled things," Kiri added.
Luffy and Kiri dashed down the main street, the chaos fading behind them.
The storm intensified, but the west-blowing wind favored their ship's course to the Grand Line, as if the heavens urged them onward. The sudden storm deepened Loguetown's turmoil.