VROOM—
The roar of an engine tore through the quiet streets of Loguetown.
The sound of the motor was deafening like a rolling thunder.
Buildings on either side of the street swayed in the gusting wind as dust swirled into the air.
The three-wheeled motorcycle charged forward like a wild stallion, leaving a storm of wind in its wake.
As if chasing after that untamable freedom.
"Woo-hoo~"
"Awesome!"
Mike's hair fluttered in the wind like ribbons.
His face tilted slightly upward, eyes closed, savoring the power of the rushing wind.
The scenery around him blurred past like streaks of light, the roar of the motorcycle engine vibrating in his ears.
Indeed, motorcycles would always remain one of man's greatest romances!
Not just for the speed, but for that sense of absolute freedom, that thrill of racing against the world itself.
"Screech—"
A sharp braking sound cut through the air as the three-wheeled motorcycle executed a perfect emergency stop.
The tires screeched against the pavement before coming to a steady halt in front of an enormous motorcycle dealership.
As Mike dismounted, his eyes fell upon a lavishly decorated, uniquely designed motorcycle showroom.
Sunlight reflected off the glass windows, while dazzling interior lighting made every displayed motorcycle gleam brilliantly.
The dealership's sign was crafted from metal, adorned with intricate patterns—it looked like a modern-day 'Motorcycle Shop'.
An intense urge to splurge welled up inside him.
"Well now~"
Mike narrowed his eyes slightly as he surveyed the luxurious facilities, curiosity flashing in his gaze.
"Smoker, what's the deal bringing me here?"
Was Smoker planning to play top salesman of Loguetown and sell him a motorcycle?
Mike chuckled inwardly.
The wind-whipped exhilaration he'd just experienced had given him a taste of unprecedented thrill.
Especially when the motorcycle had raced through the streets—that sensation of flying free had almost made him feel one with the wind.
How much more exciting would it be to personally take the driver's seat and experience that accelerating rush?
His eyes unconsciously wandered over the surrounding motorcycles.
Though these three-wheelers weren't speed-racing two-wheel models, their unique designs, particularly the amphibious three-wheelers capable of skimming across the sea, held their own distinctive charm.
For him, the allure of such novel experiences spoke for itself.
"Honestly, buying one wouldn't be such a big deal," Mike mused silently.
After all, he'd never been stingy about spending on things that brought him joy.
Money was meant to be spent—why not seize the pleasure at hand?
Buy, buy, buy!
"Enough chatter."
Smoker waved his hand dismissively, signaling Mike to follow.
"Come with me."
"Welcome, honored guests!"
At that moment, the dealership owner and several staff members emerged to greet them.
The owner, dressed in a crisp uniform, wore a professional smile brimming with confidence.
His eyes flickered with curiosity and enthusiasm upon seeing Mike—clearly this VIP guest had been expected.
This was today's biggest client, the man whom Loguetown's famous "White Hunter"—Captain Smoker—was personally bankrolling to please.
"Gentlemen, please follow me. All models are available for selection—today's transaction is guaranteed to satisfy."
The owner's voice was warm and kind.
Mike's gaze swept across the dazzling array of motorcycles, their polished bodies reflecting dazzling light.
"Pick one out. My treat!"
Smoker exhaled a smoke ring and waved grandly.
"..."
Mike scanned the surroundings, taking in the wide variety of motorcycles—from classic models to custom builds—each one exuding a sense of raw power.
His gaze wandered uncertainly before finally settling on Smoker.
"I get to pick? And you're footing the bill?"
"Smokey, have you lost your damn mind?"
"Cut the crap. Any model, any style—your choice!"
"And the absolute top-tier configuration, no compromises!"
Smoker's tone brimmed with confidence.
"If you've got special requests, the owner can customize it. I've already paid the deposit."
He'd spent half his life savings today.
Right now, he and Mike were the kings of this motorcycle shop!
Thanks to Kuzan's influence, even though he was stationed in the East Blue, his benefits and treatment had always been on par with Marine HQ's standards.
Aside from his love for cigars, his only other hobby was hunting pirates.
Over the years, his accumulated salary and bounties had grown quite substantial.
Today, he was going to blow half of it—on a top-tier, custom-built motorcycle for Mike.
"Oh?"
A playful glint flashed in Mike's eyes.
For Smoker to splurge like this, he must be after something.
A gift practically delivered on its own—it'd be a crime not to take it!
Even if the favor turned out to be complicated or troublesome, there was always Kizaru to fall back on~
He tilted his head slightly toward the shop owner.
"Custom-built, top-tier motorcycle?"
"Absolutely!"
The owner nodded eagerly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Clearly, he was well-prepared for a big order like this.
"Whatever top-tier model you want, we can fulfill all your customization requests."
"Can I pick the color?"
"Of course!"
"What if I want the main body in red, with gold accents?"
"No problem!"
"Then slap two red flags on the back—make it look more domineering."
"Easy!"
"And wrap the front with a gold five-star decal!"
"Consider it done!"
Mike nodded in satisfaction before lighting a cigar, smoke curling between his fingers.
He turned to Smoker with a grin.
"Smokey!"
"We're bros, right? Spit it out!"
"Whatever you need from your little bro Mike, I'll handle it nice and tidy for ya!"
"Hmph."
Smoker snorted.
'So now he's 'little bro Mike,' huh? This damn kid.'
A sly glint flickered in his eyes.
"Tashigi and I are heading to HQ. We'll hitch a ride back with you on your ship."
He paused, then added, "And along the way, I'd like to pick your brain on how to get stronger."
"Hitch a ride to HQ?"
Mike blinked, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Ask me… how to get stronger?"
"Yeah."
Smoker nodded, his expression turning serious.
"You're this strong at such a young age—you've gotta have some unique training methods."
"I even pulled an all-nighter going through the records of those Marines who held off the storm. You're not just some ordinary guy."
"The former pirate 'Black Cat' Kuro—before his bounty was revoked, he was one of the East Blue's most wanted," Smoker continued with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"But the Kuro from back then couldn't have possibly held off Dragon's storms. You've definitely got your own secrets."
"My unique training methods?"
Mike froze for a second, feeling a wave of helplessness.
His eyes flickered as he muttered under his breath, "I'm just a cheater…"
"But…" Mike glanced down at the motorcycle he had chosen, a thoughtful expression crossing his mind.
Helping Smoker grow stronger wasn't too big of an issue.
Though the combination of [Demon God Conduit] and [Senzu Bean] might not be the most suitable for Smoker, he had other system items at his disposal.
Thinking this, the corners of his lips curled slightly as he settled on a plan.
"No problem," he replied casually. "But our next stop is Alabasta."
Smoker nodded calmly before cracking a faint smile.
"Alabasta?"
"Yeah, I plan to make some pocket money there first."