Logan sheathed the slender Nichirin Blade and fastened it back at his waist.
He turned around and smiled calmly at the pirate captain, who was trembling in agony.
"Do you submit?"
The pirate didn't even dare scream anymore. He nodded frantically, afraid that even breathing too loudly might cost him his life.
The surrounding crowd watched in stunned silence.
This was a man who used to terrorize the streets—yet today, he was obedient to the point of desperation.
In Loguetown, even with Captain Smoker maintaining order, pirates still existed.
Most crimes happened quickly—kill, then flee. Even Smoker couldn't catch them all.
But today was different.
The entire street fell silent.
Every gaze fixed on the white-haired swordsman.
Then someone in the crowd shouted:
"White-haired swordsman—well done!"
Cheers erupted instantly.
"He looks so upright—must be a Marine!"
"What a fine young man! If I had a daughter, I'd introduce them!"
"If there were more people like him, what would we civilians have to fear?"
Logan ignored the praise.
As he passed the pirate captain, he spoke quietly:
"Leave this island immediately. If I see you again… you know what happens."
The pirate's face drained of color. He didn't even care about the pain anymore—grabbing his severed arm, he fled with his men as fast as they could.
Logan smiled faintly.
No matter who you're talking to, strength is what makes your words matter.
He returned to Smoker, hoisted him onto his back again, and looked ahead.
A tavern stood not far away.
Perfect.
Inside the tavern, Logan sat down and ordered several bottles of wine.
When the patrons noticed Smoker unconscious on his back, the entire room went quiet. No one dared say a word.
After a while, seeing that Smoker was merely asleep and no trouble followed, the atmosphere slowly returned to normal.
Logan drank leisurely, unconcerned with the stares.
Smoker… we could've just shared a drink. You really had to fight me first.
Don't worry—once Luffy leaves town, I'll put you back.
Suddenly—
Bang!
The tavern door was pushed open.
A young woman stepped inside, around eighteen years old. She was tall and elegant, wearing a light beach shirt, pink glasses resting on her nose, a white saber held in her left hand.
She looked gentle and refined—yet there was unmistakable sharpness hidden beneath her calm demeanor.
A drunken pirate tried to stand up and approach her.
Before he could speak, his companion slammed him back down.
"Are you insane? That woman is someone we avoid on sight! And Captain Smoker is here today!"
The drunk pirate sobered up instantly.
Her eyes scanned the tavern—then locked onto one figure.
"Logan!"
Logan turned, momentarily surprised.
"Tashigi? You're not at Marine Headquarters anymore?"
Her face lit up immediately. She hurried over and sat down.
"It really is you! After you left, I was transferred out not long after. I've been stationed with Captain Smoker ever since."
Only then did she notice Smoker slumped over the table.
Her expression changed. She looked at Logan questioningly.
"It's fine, it's fine," Logan said casually.
"We hadn't seen each other in ages, so we drank a little. Didn't expect the Smoke Devil to pass out after just one bottle."
"Honestly—looks tough, but can't hold his liquor."
Tashigi frowned suspiciously. She lightly checked Smoker's pulse, brows knitting together—but she didn't press the issue.
Logan calmly poured her a glass of wine and asked,
"How did you find me?"
Tashigi blushed slightly—then suddenly slammed her glass down, bristling with anger.
"Don't get me started! After training, someone told me Captain Smoker went out with a white-haired swordsman. I guessed it was you."
"But while searching for you, I ran into a green-haired pervert who kept following me!"
She downed her drink in one go.
"The worst part? His swordsmanship is actually impressive—maybe even better than mine! I decided to ignore him and thought I'd have you teach him a lesson."
Logan burst out laughing.
"Green hair… three gold earrings on his left ear?"
"How do you know?!" Tashigi stared at him.
Before Logan could answer—
She suddenly stood up and slammed the table.
"You pervert! If you keep following me, I'll arrest you right now!"
At the doorway stood Zoro, frozen in place, awkward and panicked.
He had come in just to drink—and now didn't know how to explain himself.
Then his eyes widened.
"Logan…?"
Tashigi froze.
The three stared at one another in silence.
Logan gently caught Tashigi's wrist, signaling her to calm down, then waved Zoro over.
"He's Roronoa Zoro, a bounty hunter," Logan said smoothly.
"My friend."
Then, pointedly emphasizing the words:
"And she's Tashigi, a close friend I grew up with at Marine Headquarters."
"Zoro—you mistook her for someone else, didn't you?"
Zoro immediately understood. He bowed deeply.
"My apologies. I was mistaken."
Tashigi felt awkward instead.
Zoro hadn't actually done anything inappropriate.
The duel had been her initiative—and throughout the fight, she could clearly feel that Zoro had been holding back.
That restraint… only made her more frustrated.
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