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"So this is where Roger died?"
In the middle of Loguetown square, Luffy looked up at the towering execution platform, his heart stirring with emotion.
He wanted to become the Pirate King—so of course, he was interested in the previous one.
"Boss, I think that's him—Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy."
What Luffy didn't know was that at the same time, Bartolomeo and his crew had found him.
"That's Straw Hat Luffy, huh?"
Bartolomeo stood not far from Luffy, eyeing the so-called ruler of East Blue up and down.
Something didn't quite add up. This guy seems kinda… slow in the head?
Just as Bartolomeo was wondering what felt off, Luffy suddenly turned and looked at him with a confused face.
"Hey, rooster-head, you need something?"
Rooster-head?!
Bartolomeo was stunned. He was a mafia boss! Who the hell dared call him that?
But then, a new thought hit him.
Wait, how did he spot me so fast?
He was sure he was standing in Luffy's blind spot.
Any seasoned Grand Line fighter would know the answer: Observation Haki.
Even though Luffy had just awakened it, the distance between them wasn't far. He could easily sense Bartolomeo's stare.
"I'm Bartolomeo. I came to check out the new ruler of East Blue."
Since he couldn't figure it out, Bartolomeo just walked up to Luffy and introduced himself confidently.
"Oh, gotcha!"
Luffy slapped his palm with understanding. "So… who's this ruler guy you're talking about?"
"It's YOU, you dumbass!!!" Bartolomeo snapped.
At this point, he was pretty convinced—this guy really was kind of an idiot.
"Wait, seriously? I'm the ruler?!"
Luffy looked genuinely shocked and pointed to himself like he'd just heard the wildest thing ever.
Yup, Bartolomeo thought, this guy's definitely a moron.
"Well, anyway,"
Luffy quickly accepted it and started introducing himself.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy. I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"
Hearing that, Bartolomeo's face instantly fell.
Great, another guy talking big.
But before he could say anything, Luffy spoke again.
"I'm gonna go up there and check it out. You coming, Rooster-head?"
His tone was so serious that Bartolomeo started to reply without thinking.
"Up there? Don't joke around, that place is off-limits. If you dare to—"
Halfway through, he suddenly realized something was wrong.
He turned into a rage monster and shouted:
"DUDE!! Who are you calling Rooster-head?! I told you my name just now!!!"
But Luffy didn't care. He was already focused on getting up there.
"You're not coming? Then I'll go by myself."
As he said that, he started swinging his arm.
"Damn it! Stop calling me that! Are you even listening to me?!"
"I said that place is off-limits! If you know what's good for you—"
[Gomu Gomu no… Pistol!!!]
While Bartolomeo was still yelling, Luffy had already stretched his arm, grabbing the wooden beam at the top of the platform.
And in the next second, to Bartolomeo's shock, Luffy shot into the air and landed firmly on the execution stand.
"A Devil Fruit user, huh?"
Bartolomeo muttered. Between that and Luffy spotting him earlier, he now had a rough idea of Luffy's strength.
Meanwhile, people in the square had also noticed Luffy standing on the execution platform.
"Whoa, seriously? Someone's still dumb enough to climb up there?"
"He looks like a kid. Maybe he went up there by accident?"
"Hold on a sec…" someone suddenly recognized him.
"Isn't that the pirate with a 60 million bounty—"
"Straw Hat Luffy!!"
As the crowd grew, the Marines finally arrived on the scene.
Rows of soldiers lined up beneath the execution platform, rifles aimed straight at Luffy.
The squad leader shouted:
"Straw Hat Luffy! You're surrounded! Get down from the platform now! Don't resist!"
But instead of obeying, Luffy plopped down cross-legged, grinning like he owned the place.
Just like Roger once did.
With a laugh, he said, "C'mon, don't be so uptight, Mr. Marine."
Then he looked around, taking in the view from above.
Arms wide open, letting the breeze wash over him, he said:
"So this is what the Pirate King saw back then?"
Luffy's smile grew wider. "Yeah… this is pretty awesome."
In the square, Bartolomeo watched as Luffy sat there, completely surrounded but totally unfazed, even enjoying the scenery.
For the first time, Bartolomeo felt something stir inside him.
This guy… he's different.
"Straw Hat!"
Suddenly, a voice called out from above.
Smoker had arrived.
He leapt from the building behind the platform, fist ready to end this fast.
But just as he came down, Luffy said four calm words without even looking up:
"I saw that coming."
He tilted his head slightly—and dodged Smoker's White Blow.
Then with a blur, Luffy jumped up into the air—right above Smoker—and swung a punch down hard.
"Damn it!" Smoker cursed.
He was too high up to maneuver, so he had to turn into smoke.
But in the very next moment—
WHAM!!!
Even in smoke form, Smoker got slammed by Luffy's punch, crashing down onto the platform.
The hit was so strong, the platform shook violently.
Lying on the ground, Smoker's mind was racing.
Just recently, Luffy hadn't even known what Haki was.
Now… he'd awakened both Observation Haki and Armament Haki.
Still rough around the edges—but there was no doubt. He had them.
"You've gotta be kidding me…"
Smoker swore out loud.
Years of his hard-earned experience—blown away by Luffy in one punch.
That sealed it for him.
He had to catch these guys here and now.
No way could he let them enter the Grand Line.
Gripping his jitte tightly, he waited for Luffy to land—and then struck.
He even slowed down the stab slightly.
And Luffy, not sensing any big threat, casually reached out to grab the weapon.
And then—
His body suddenly went limp, collapsing on the platform.
Luffy… defeated?!!
"....."