The plaza fell completely silent.
The atmosphere was oppressive—heavy enough to suffocate.
Dark storm clouds pressed down from above. Though it was still midday, the sky looked as black as night.
People stared at one another in fear. Some of the more timid had sweat beading on their foreheads, their legs trembling.
"D-Did he just say… Pirate King?"
"Doesn't he know the Pirate King died right here in Loguetown?"
"Is he suicidal?"
Buggy the Clown let out a sharp laugh.
"How childish. Well then—since you've said your piece, it's time to die."
He raised his blade, preparing to cut Luffy down.
Suddenly, a shout rang across the plaza.
"Buggy—STOP!"
Buggy turned his head and sneered when he saw Zoro and Sanji in the distance.
"So it's the bounty hunter Zoro. But you're too late—even you can't save Straw Hat now."
Without waiting for orders, the Buggy Pirates charged toward Zoro and Sanji.
"Perfect timing," Buggy laughed cruelly.
"I'll let you watch as your captain dies by my blade."
Zoro's expression tightened.
Buggy was right. The distance was too far—even he might not make it in time.
Then a name flashed through his mind.
There was only one person who could save Luffy.
Zoro threw his head back and roared:
"Logan! Come out! Luffy's going to die!"
Sanji froze for half a second—then joined in.
The two of them shouted together, their voices echoing across the plaza.
Every single person heard it.
"Who's Logan?"
"Is he strong?"
"I've never heard of him—another Straw Hat crewmate?"
High above, on a nearby building—
Tashigi had already positioned Marine snipers, planning to arrest Buggy's crew once Luffy was dead.
But when she heard that name—
Logan—
Her expression changed instantly.
"All units, stand down," she ordered.
"Lower your rifles. Wait and observe. No one fires without my command."
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the plaza—
Logan sat calmly, unmoving, with no intention of intervening.
Unlike everyone else, he knew exactly how this would end.
Luffy was not dying here.
Not today.
Logan could feel it—the abnormal pressure in the air, the unnatural storm.
The man he was waiting for had already arrived.
As long as that man was on this island, it didn't matter if Buggy tried to kill Luffy—
Even if a Yonko showed up, Luffy would still survive.
On the execution platform—
Buggy ignored the shouting.
He lifted his blade high, laughing wildly, and brought it down.
Luffy stopped struggling.
He looked at Zoro and Sanji still fighting desperately and grinned.
"Zoro… Sanji… Nami… Usopp… sorry."
"I think… I'm gonna die."
At that very instant—
Thunder exploded.
The dark sky was torn open by blinding light.
A bolt of lightning crashed down from the heavens, striking the tip of Buggy's blade.
Time froze.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Buggy collapsed instantly, unconscious.
The execution platform shattered apart in a roaring explosion, flames erupting everywhere.
Even Logan was stunned.
Saving your son like that…
In the entire world, only Dragon would do it this way.
Logan immediately closed his eyes and focused.
He had to find him.
If he missed this chance, there might never be another.
The moment he locked onto that presence, Logan launched himself forward at full speed.
Behind him—
Luffy picked up his fallen straw hat and laughed brightly.
"I didn't die! Hahaha—today's a win!"
Sanji stared in shock.
"Zoro… do you believe in gods?"
"Shut up," Zoro snapped.
"Move! We're getting out of here!"
On the rooftop—
"Officer! The Straw Hat crew is escaping!" a Marine shouted.
Even though Tashigi wanted to delay, she couldn't ignore this.
"Advance," she ordered.
"But no gunfire. Too many civilians—don't risk collateral damage."
The Marines surged forward like a tide.
Heavy rain poured down.
Following Dragon's trail, Logan turned into a narrow, deserted street.
Rainwater rushed along the stone road like small rivers.
Ahead—
A man in a gray cloak stood quietly in the storm.
Wind howled. Rain lashed down.
Yet none of it seemed able to touch him.
Logan slowed his steps.
He noticed me…?
The cloaked man turned his head slightly, speaking as if to himself.
"The inherited will of generations…
the tides of history…
and the dreams of individuals…"
"As long as people continue to pursue freedom,
it will inevitably arrive."
And then—
He vanished.
Instantly, an overwhelming pressure crashed down.
The air itself became heavy, crushing, suffocating.
Logan's expression sharpened.
With a thought, the Sea-Stone Greatsword emerged from his spatial ring.
Nichirin Blade in his left hand.
Sea-Stone Greatsword in his right.
His breathing shifted—
Water Breathing activated.
The pressure surged even higher.
The gray-cloaked man reappeared directly in front of him.
He stepped forward—
And threw a single punch.
It felt as though the power of heaven and earth had gathered into that fist.
Logan gritted his teeth.
Instead of retreating, he advanced.
The Sea-Stone blade darkened instantly, coated in Armament Haki.
Rain roared around him as he brought the sword down in a devastating arc.
"Armament Haki — Water Breathing — Sea-Severing Slash!"
Fist and blade collided.
For a split second—
All rain within a hundred meters evaporated.
The street exploded outward.
Windows shattered on both sides.
Logan was blasted backward, skidding dozens of steps before stopping.
His entire arm was numb.
So strong…
That single slash—
It was the result of ten years of relentless training.
At Marine Headquarters, he had honed only two techniques.
With Armament Haki and Water Breathing layered on top, he had been confident.
But against this man—
He was still lacking.
The gray-cloaked figure hadn't moved an inch.
Lightning flashed.
The man smiled faintly, eyes filled with approval.
"Logan… I didn't expect you to reach this level already."
"Even Sabo wouldn't be able to take that punch."
He looked straight at Logan.
"Come with me."
"I'll give you the position of Army Commander in the Revolutionary Army."
"…What do you say?"
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