Captain, you don't need to look so down, do you? That guy called Yasopp already agreed, didn't he? He said once he has a son, he'll come aboard with us! Tiffany tried to comfort Fang Yi kindly after they left Syrup Village, noticing his low spirits.
Fang Yi waved his hand, showing it was no big deal.
Right now, they were sailing toward Loguetown. They had purposely stayed in the East Blue until the Navy forces departed. Only then did they head for Loguetown—after all, it was the place where Captain Roger had been executed, and they wanted to pay their respects.
Before long, the Dragon Wolf once again reached Loguetown. Led by Fang Yi, the group went straight to the execution plaza.
Because this was the place where the Pirate King Roger was executed, the Navy had preserved it, intending to use it as a symbol of deterrence against pirates.
Unfortunately, the Navy never understood—this "deterrence" had no real effect. Instead of scaring anyone, it only fueled ordinary people's fascination with pirates.
"You guys… do you think it was worth it? For Captain Roger to use his own life to do this…" Fang Yi suddenly asked while standing beneath the execution platform.
Barrett simply stared at the execution stage in silence, not answering. Shanks thought for a moment before replying:
"If it weren't for Captain's illness, it wouldn't have ended this way."
"Yeah… so Captain just went with the flow," Fang Yi nodded softly. His tone was quiet, as if speaking to Shanks, but also perhaps to himself.
Then, Fang Yi pulled out a wine bottle, opened it, and poured it onto the ground in front of the platform, a libation in memory of Captain Roger.
"Hey, you there! This isn't a place where you can mess around!"
Just as Fang Yi was pouring the wine, a squad of marines happened to pass by. Seeing his actions, they rushed over to stop him.
But Fang Yi ignored them, still pouring the wine while murmuring under his breath.
"Hey! I'm talking to you—ugh!"
The squad captain had just stepped up when Barrett grabbed him by the neck, choking him silent in an instant.
"L-let go of our captain!"
"Who the hell are you people?!"
The Marines tensed immediately at Barrett's move.
But by then, Fang Yi had already emptied the bottle.
"Let's go." He turned without even glancing at the nervous Marines.
"Hmph… worthless." Barrett snorted and tossed the squad leader aside like trash.
Only after Fang Yi and his crew left did the nearby residents begin whispering among themselves:
"Who were those people? They looked so young…"
"Young? Didn't you see? That leader didn't even take the Navy seriously! I'd bet they're pirates from the Grand Line. Didn't you notice what he was doing just now? He was paying respects to the Pirate King!"
"Ever since the Pirate King was executed here, Loguetown hasn't known peace."
"Exactly… Who knows what kind of people will show up here in the future? Best we keep our heads down."
The disturbance Fang Yi and his crew caused at the execution square quickly reached the local Navy branch.
"Since they've already left, let them go," said Commander Rohel, the highest-ranking officer of the Loguetown Marine Base.
"But… sir, those were pirates!" an officer said hesitantly.
Rohel gave a bitter smile. "Do you think I don't know they're pirates? But even we Marines must act within our limits. Because Roger was executed here, many pirates come to this place—including vicious ones from the Grand Line. If they cause trouble… this little Loguetown could never withstand it."
"Yes, Commander Rohel!" The officer saluted.
"Stand down. If they leave peacefully, let them go. But if they dare make trouble… then we'll show them that even in the East Blue, this isn't a place for them to run wild!" Rohel said sternly.
"Yes, sir!" The officer replied, his tone filled with resolve.
Meanwhile, Fang Yi and his crew returned to the Dragon Wolf. After purchasing supplies at the port, they prepared to set off—this time officially heading for the Grand Line.
"Captain, where to next?" Shanks asked, carrying a huge barrel of liquor.
"There are two places I want to go," Fang Yi thought aloud. "One is Water 7, and the other… is Skypiea."
"Skypiea? What's that?" Tiffany tilted her head curiously.
"An island in the sky," Fang Yi replied with a smile.
"You think I'm an idiot? How could there be an island in the sky?" Tiffany said, completely unconvinced.
"It's real, Tiffany! Skypiea does exist! Buggy has always wanted to go back there." Shanks' voice grew quieter as he mentioned Buggy.
"You mean… You went to Skypiea?" Tiffany gaped in surprise.
Fang Yi nodded. "Yeah. But last time, we were in a rush and didn't get to see much before leaving. I want to go again. And besides… there's a lot of gold up there. According to the clues I've tracked, it might even be the ruins of the Golden City, Shandora!"
"The Golden City?!" Tiffany's jaw dropped even further. That legend had been told for countless years across the seas, but no one had ever found it.
"Then let's go to Skypiea first," Shanks shrugged. "If you look at the route, going there first and then to Water 7 makes sense."
"But the matter in Water 7 is urgent! If we go to Skypiea first, I'm afraid we won't make it in time," Fang Yi frowned.
"Wait—Water 7, that's the island with the famous shipwrights, right? Captain, do you mean… You want to find us a shipwright crewmate? But the Dragon Wolf is in perfect shape!" Tiffany's eyes lit up.
Fang Yi shook his head. "No, not that. I don't have a shipwright in mind yet. But the one who built our ship, Tom… he might be in trouble soon. I want to help him."
At the mention of Tom, Shanks and Barrett immediately paid attention. Both held Tom in high regard.
"Because of shipbuilding?" Barrett asked after some thought.
He remembered Fang Yi once saying the World Government might target Tom under the excuse that he built Roger's ship.
"Exactly. Tom also has something in his hands that the Government wants badly. They'll use Roger's ship as an excuse to seize it. And let's not forget—the Dragon Wolf was also Tom's handiwork. That's a debt we can't ignore." Fang Yi explained firmly.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's set sail for Water 7 now!" Shanks said without hesitation.
"Agreed. Besides, I'd like to test myself against the World Government again. Last time, they sent some strong ones." Barrett's eyes flashed coldly as he recalled being besieged at Mary Geoise.
"Heh… Perfect. I missed the chance to fight CP9 before—I won't let it slip by again. Since it's decided, we'll head for Water 7!" Fang Yi narrowed his eyes with determination.
After finishing preparations, the Dragon Wolf set sail toward Reverse Mountain.
When they reached Twin Cape, they stopped for a day. Fang Yi asked Brook once more if he wanted to join them.
But Brook's heart lay with Laboon. He thanked Fang Yi sincerely, but still declined.
"Well then, Crocus, Brook, Laboon—we'll continue our voyage!" Fang Yi and Shanks waved from the ship's stern as they departed.
"Heh… young people are full of energy. But Brook, are you not going? Now that Laboon knows you're alive, he won't be so restless anymore. I recall your crew once dreamed of sailing around the Grand Line, didn't you?" Crocus asked with a chuckle.
"Yohohoho… That's true. But right now, Laboon is what matters most to me," Brook replied with a smile, watching the Dragon Wolf fade into the distance.
The crew pressed on, and before long, they reached Alabasta once more.
"By the way, Barrett—last time you mentioned meeting someone strong here, didn't you?" Shanks asked while helping Tiffany check their supplies.
Barrett hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. There was someone. But I don't know if he's still around."
"Well, we need supplies anyway. Tell me where you saw him. I'll go with you to check," Shanks grinned.
"Fine." Barrett agreed. He, too, wanted to face Crocodile again.
"Then, Captain, we'll leave the supplies to you! And don't lose Tiffany while we're gone!" Shanks called Fang Yi.
"Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you catch some bounty heads while you're at it—we're low on funds!" Fang Yi shook his head helplessly.
As for Crocodile, Fang Yi had no real interest. The man was strong and clever, sure—but not the type who'd ever settle under someone else's command.
Still, if Shanks and Barrett wanted to test him, it was fine. And catching a few bounty targets along the way would help keep their coffers full.