Loguetown was unusually bustling at noon. Shops lined both sides of the streets, hawkers' cries filled the air, and streams of people flowed through doorways and alleys like a river.
As the town closest to the entrance of the Grand Line in the East Blue, it drew visitors from nearly every island: Pirates, bounty hunters, and Marines alike.
At the town's entrance stood a tall archway. Years of exposure had left its wooden beams mottled and weathered, seeming on the verge of collapse. In the center of the archway hung a sign: "Logue Town."
Beyond the archway stretched a stone-paved street about fifteen meters wide, ending in a large open square.
Five figures paused beneath the archway: three men and two women. It was Rolan's crew, who had stopped in Loguetown for supplies.
Lina's eyes sparkled at the crowded streets. She hooked Nami's arm and shook her excitedly. "Nami, look at all the pretty clothes! Let's go shopping!"
Nami, equally thrilled, had seen many towns since leaving Cocoyasi Village, but few were as lively as this one. She nodded to Rolan and tugged Lina forward.
Watching them leave, Rolan called out, "Hey! Nami!"
Nami turned, puzzled. "What? Are you coming too?"
Rolan shook his head. "There are a lot of Marines here. They may not know your faces, but it's safer to be careful."
Lina raised her fist confidently. "Afraid? We won't lose."
Kuro added calmly, "It's not about fear. Fewer troubles now means we can enter the Grand Line sooner."
Lina made a face at him. "Got it, Uncle Kuro."
Zoro chuckled. "Kuro, I told you to lighten up sometimes, didn't I? Don't be so serious all the time."
Rolan fought back a laugh. Kuro's personality was the perfect contrast to Lina's energy: calm, old-fashioned, always moving in straight lines between the training room, dining room, and lounge. The girls teasingly called him "Uncle."
After taking a few steps, Nami turned back. "Do you guys need money?"
The mention of money made Rolan and the others stiffen.
Ever since Nami had joined, Rolan had entrusted her with the ship's safe, containing all their worldly possessions. Naturally, she had the key.
Zoro scratched his head. "I need some money to buy a sword sheath. The supreme-grade swords Rolan gave me didn't come with one. On the Grand Line, someone will recognize them for sure."
"How much do you need?" Nami asked.
"Fifty thousand Berries," Zoro replied.
Nami's eyes gleamed. She pulled out an abacus and started calculating. "With 60% interest, if repaid in a year… that's one million Berries!"
Zoro froze. "How did you calculate that? That interest… it's insane!"
Nami smirked. "So, will you borrow it or not?"
Gritting his teeth, Zoro said, "I'll borrow it!"
Nami handed him a pre-written IOU and turned to Klock. "Uncle, you're out of hair gel, aren't you?"
After the two women had left, Zoro turned to Rolan. "Giving Nami financial authority was your biggest mistake!"
Kuro, rare as it was, nodded. He had just been extorted two hundred thousand Berries. Rolan, too, had been parted from half a million Berries.
Rolan sighed, shaking his head. "Let's go. I'm heading out."
He adjusted his Kizaru-brand sunglasses and walked toward the square, threading through the crowded streets with calm ease.
The square was quiet compared to the busy streets. At its center stood a tall, rusted steel platform, worn by rain and time.
Rolan looked up. "So this is the execution platform where Pirate King Roger was executed… impressive."
He recalled reading about it in a manga from his previous life. Many fans joked that the Great Pirate Era didn't start because of Roger, but from 'Ask .D. Question'. "Pirate King, where did you hide your treasure?"
Rolan shook his head, slightly bored. "Let's see what else is going on."
A commotion to the north caught his attention. He turned and walked toward the noise.
Zoro was surrounded by a crowd. "I was careful… but somehow, they still saw me," he muttered.
Zoro had intended to find a blacksmith shop but had wandered directly into a meeting of bounty hunters. Their discussion: how to capture Rolan's crew.
Zoro's swords and green hair made him instantly recognizable.
A fifteen million Berries bounty flashed before the hunters' eyes. Their jaws dropped.
They attacked without hesitation, and Zoro tried to escape, only to find the streets swarming with bounty hunters.
Rolan groaned. "Zoro… your talent for attracting trouble really rivals Luffy's."
Zoro looked up and saw Rolan approaching, sunglasses on. "Why didn't you give me a pair?"
Rolan rolled his eyes. "I only have one."
The bounty hunters froze. "Accomplices? Today, you won't escape, Roronoa Zoro!"
"Need my help?" Rolan asked casually.
"Don't worry. This is easy. I can handle them myself," Zoro replied, drawing his Wado Ichimonji.
Rolan nodded, settling in to watch. Suddenly, a bounty hunter lunged at him. "Die!"
Rolan shook his head. Some people just couldn't read the situation.
Zoro, unfazed, re-sheathed his sword. "Is that all?"
With Haki now mastered, the East Blue hunters were no threat.
"Wait! Can I see that sword?" A girl's voice called from behind Zoro, curious and wide-eyed.