After several days of sailing, Cheng Xiaoyu and his group arrived at Loguetown.
In Loguetown, the execution platform towered into the clouds like a sharp spike piercing the sky.
The square was bustling with people, and the air was filled with excitement and agitation.
Today marked the 22nd anniversary of Pirate King Gol D. Roger's execution.
However, Loguetown this year was less boisterous than in previous years.
Ever since Marine Captain Smoker was stationed here, the number of pirates in Loguetown had sharply decreased; almost all pirates who dared to cause trouble here became Smoker's prisoners.
At this moment, inside a clothing store in Loguetown, Nami was trying on a red dress in front of a mirror.
The light fabric outlined her graceful figure, and the vibrant color accentuated her fair skin, making her look like a blooming rose, delicate and alluring.
"This one... this one... and this one..." Nami pointed at several outfits, her eyes sparkling with excitement, but as soon as she thought of the price, she hesitated again, "Still... forget it, it's too expensive..."
"I don't want any of these!"
"Boss, I'll take all of these. How much?" A low voice came from behind.
Nami turned around in surprise, only to see Cheng Xiaoyu leaning against the doorway, casually tossing 500,000 Berries to the clothing store owner.
500,000 Berries! Nami gasped, this was no small sum!
"Isn't it every man's honor to pay for a beautiful woman?" Cheng Xiaoyu chuckled softly, "Especially for you."
Nami's cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered, "Thank you..."
This was the first time a man had bought clothes for her! A strange feeling rippled through her heart.
"I hope we can continue to cooperate in the future." As they walked out of the clothing store side by side, Cheng Xiaoyu spoke directly and to the point.
His gaze fell on Nami's swaying skirt, its red as vibrant as if stained with blood.
Nami paused for a moment, then reacted, asking tentatively, "Continue to cooperate, you mean... will you kill all the other pirates we encounter in the future?"
When she said the words "kill all," her voice noticeably lowered, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
Cheng Xiaoyu stopped, turned, and looked at Nami, "That's right. You just need to quickly get Luffy away from the battlefield. I just don't want him to stop me."
Nami bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Won't that... be too cruel?"
Although she craved money, such a bloody collaboration still made her somewhat difficult to accept.
"Cruel?" Cheng Xiaoyu chuckled lightly, "In this world, it's the law of the jungle; it's either you die or I die. Which pirate, for instance, doesn't have blood on their hands?"
"But..."
"10 million Berries each time."
"Deal!" Nami agreed almost without hesitation.
Cheng Xiaoyu nodded in satisfaction, then turned and walked into a barbershop.
After several months without a trim, his hair was a bit messy; it was time for a haircut.
"Master, a haircut!" Cheng Xiaoyu entered the barbershop, casually found a seat, and closed his eyes.
He was accustomed to closing his eyes to rest during a haircut, letting the barber work on his head.
"How much here?"
"39,800 Berries," the barber replied with a smile.
Cheng Xiaoyu suspected he had misheard, "How much?! What kind of haircut costs 39,800?!"
"Wash, cut, and blow-dry."
"How much is a wash here?" Cheng Xiaoyu asked, enunciating each word.
"3,000 Berries."
"And a cut?"
"6,800."
"Then... oh..." Cheng Xiaoyu instantly understood. 3,000 plus 6,800, that only leaves 30,000! This was not a legitimate barbershop!
"Who's doing the blow-dry?"
"I am."
"Holy crap!" Cheng Xiaoyu finally couldn't help but curse.
He then opened his eyes and carefully scrutinized the barber in front of him: heavily made-up, wearing exaggerated clothing...
This was clearly a disciple of Ivankov, the Queen of Queers!
"Um, the blow-dry isn't necessary."
"Oh, no, customer, if you think it's too expensive, we can lower the price! My service is very good, ho ho ho~"
"Get away from me!"
Cheng Xiaoyu quickly got up to leave but was blocked by the barber. Having no choice but not wanting to alert him, he could only give 39,800 Berries, finally barely escaping.
You know what, you really know what.
Cheng Xiaoyu, walking out of the barbershop, truly looked like a changed man; he seemed much more energetic.
The technique was indeed not bad!
...
Meanwhile, in the Marine branch office, Smoker was listening to his subordinate's report.
"Report, Captain Smoker, according to intelligence, the Straw Hat Pirates may have arrived in Loguetown! And... the whereabouts of the Shadow Pirates are unknown, they might also be..."
"What a troublesome bunch," Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke, a hint of impatience in his tone.
"One has a bounty of 30 million, the other 60 million! It seems Loguetown this year is destined not to be peaceful."
He put on his justice cloak, picked up his Jitte, and walked out of the office.
Smoker went directly to patrol the docks, and the sight before him greatly astonished him.
A dozen pirate ships were docked around the pier, yet there was not a sound; a deathly silence enveloped the entire dock.
An ominous premonition rose in Smoker's heart. He leaped onto a pirate ship, and a strong smell of blood assailed him.
The sight before him made his pupils contract sharply. Bodies lay scattered across the deck, each face bearing an expression of terror, as if they had seen something horrifying.
Blood stained the wooden planks, and the air was thick with the heavy smell of blood.
These pirates were all dead!
"Damn it, this must be that guy's doing!" Smoker's face was grim. He looked around, and a chilling killing intent permeated the air.
He knew this was Cheng Xiaoyu's doing.
There weren't many people in the East Blue capable of committing such atrocities, and only Cheng Xiaoyu had a track record of massacring other pirate crews.
Like a god of slaughter, he not only steals all your wealth but also takes your life.
...
Cheng Xiaoyu pushed open the slightly dilapidated wooden door, and a strong smell of alcohol mixed with sweat assailed him.
Gol D. Roger's Tavern, once the liveliest place in Loguetown, was now very deserted.
This was one of the popular check-in spots, the tavern Pirate King Roger used to frequent the most.
Ever since Captain Smoker was permanently stationed in Loguetown, business here had plummeted; after all, no one wanted to be arrested by the Marine for a prison meal halfway through drinking.
The tavern owner was an old man, idly wiping glasses behind the bar with a rag.
When he saw Cheng Xiaoyu enter, he was first startled; this man's aura was completely different from ordinary people.
That innate, powerful oppressive feeling made him unconsciously swallow his saliva.
"Boss, a glass of the rum Roger loved most in his lifetime."