After arriving in Loguetown, Eli Winters decided to let his crew explore freely. This was one of the safest ports in East Blue no one here could pose a real threat to them.
Eli, however, went off on his own. His destination was the site of the Pirate King's execution the very place where Gol D. Roger had faced his end.
The wooden platform still stood tall and solemn, its aged timbers weathered but unbroken. The execution scaffold at its center, though unused since that fateful day, remained as a haunting reminder of the moment that changed the world.
With a light step, Eli leapt upward and landed smoothly atop the ten-meter-high platform.
Passersby who had been going about their day suddenly froze. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they saw someone standing upon the forbidden stage the same place where the Pirate King had once met his fate. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, a mix of awe and fear.
"Young man!" an elderly woman called out kindly from below. "That's not a place to be playing around! Come down quickly before the Marines catch you!"
Eli smiled faintly and replied, "Don't worry, ma'am. I know a few Marines."
The old woman sighed helplessly. "Another Roger worshipper," she muttered, shaking her head before hurrying off.
The townsfolk quickly scattered like startled rabbits. Over the years, many fools had tried to climb that stage, calling themselves followers of the Pirate King. Every one of them ended up in a Marine cell. Not wanting to share their fate, the people quickened their pace, eager to leave the scene.
Eli ignored the commotion below. His gaze drifted toward the distant horizon the direction of the Grand Line's final destination. He tried to imagine what Roger had felt as he stood here that day. Surely, the man must have known peace in his final moments.
After all, the Pirate King had been the one to open the Age of Great Pirates the man whose death reshaped the seas forever.
Eli closed his eyes, and for a moment, he could almost hear that thunderous laughter that once echoed through the square. "Why did you laugh, Roger?" he murmured to himself. "Was it relief after reaching the end? Or anticipation for the new era your death would bring?"
A sea breeze swept through, stirring his coat. Eli opened his eyes, realizing something. Maybe Roger had already foreseen it all. Maybe he knew his death would ignite a storm that countless dreamers would set sail in search of freedom and destiny.
"So that was your choice," Eli whispered softly. "You used your death to shatter this decaying world."
Then, his tone darkened. "But I still can't agree with you. Because of that same dream, countless innocents lost their homes, their families. Maybe your death hastened the downfall of the corrupt powers above but it also gave birth to oceans of blood."
The wind brushed against his face, cool and silent. A spark of resolve lit within his eyes. He felt that his own journey his own role in this vast sea was only just beginning.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew had split into groups.
Big Pan and the fishman brothers roamed the town, sampling all kinds of local food. Though many people stared curiously at the fishmen, few dared to comment Loguetown was a hub of travelers from every corner of the world, and strange faces were common enough.
Felina and Fiona, on the other hand, were browsing through weapon shops. Fiona was eager to find ten high-grade blades she could already imagine the sight of ten swords drawn at once, gleaming in perfect unison.
Unfortunately, despite the number of shops, none carried weapons that met her standards until they entered a small, somewhat shabby shop tucked away on a side street.
The shopkeeper, a short, balding man in his forties, quickly approached with a polite smile. "Welcome, ladies! What kind of weapons are you looking for today?"
It was none other than Ipponmatsu the very man who would one day sell the swords "Sandai Kitetsu" and "Yubashiri" to Zoro.
"Got any famous blades?" Fiona asked bluntly.
The man laughed nervously. "Ah, famous blades are rare treasures, miss. But please, take a look at what we do have. Fine craftsmanship, good balance and very affordable! For example, this one here was forged from refined steel a hundred times over. Not a named blade, but an excellent weapon nonetheless." He handed her a pristine white katana.
Fiona examined it, flicking the blade lightly with her finger before shaking her head. "No. I'm looking for something at least on par with a Grade Blade. This one doesn't come close. Got anything better?"
"That's the finest sword in my shop," Ipponmatsu said, his voice steady. He did have better but he only sold such blades to those he deemed worthy. This young woman didn't seem to fit that image.
Disappointed, Fiona sighed and turned to leave with Felina.
"Dear, don't you still have that one sword upstairs?" came a voice from above a woman's voice, sharp but curious.
Ipponmatsu's face stiffened. "You don't know what you're talking about, dear! Ahem, sorry, miss there's nothing else here."
Fiona stopped mid-step, then turned back toward him. "Please, sell it to me," she said seriously. "I'll pay whatever it's worth."
"I told you, I don't"
"Oh, come on," his wife interrupted from the stairs. "That sword's been gathering dust for years. Selling it could actually help us live better!"
"You…" Ipponmatsu began, but the look his wife gave him silenced him immediately.
Fiona could tell now he did have a blade worth seeing. "I'm a swordswoman," she said calmly. "You can trust me. I'll treat that sword with the respect it deserves."
Ipponmatsu hesitated, then finally sighed and disappeared upstairs. Moments later, he returned with a long, polished box. Opening it gently, he revealed a gleaming blade of elegant craftsmanship.
"This sword," he said, voice low, "is called Yubashiri. It's one of the fifty Skillful Grade Blades. I've been waiting for someone worthy to wield it. If you truly are a swordswoman… then I'll entrust it to you. Make it famous."
Fiona bowed slightly and accepted the weapon with care. "I will," she promised. "How much do I owe you?"
"Take it," he said, shaking his head. "No charge. Just wield it with honor."
His wife, however, looked ready to explode. Before she could speak, Ipponmatsu stood firm perhaps the bravest he'd ever been in his marriage. He would surely pay for it later, likely by spending the night on the washing board.
Fiona smiled and thanked them, placing five million berries on the counter before leaving. "A fine sword deserves its worth," she said simply.
Elsewhere, Chiyo and Reiju Vinsmoke were shopping for spices their supplies on the ship were running low.
"Chiyo, come here! This one smells amazing!" Reiju called excitedly.
Chiyo took a pinch of the spice and sniffed it. Her eyes brightened. "This… this is Ikko Bell!"
"What's that? Isn't it just seasoning?" Reiju asked curiously.
"It's a rare bell-shaped spice," Chiyo explained. "Used to balance strong flavors and soften sharp heat. It's uncommon and not widely used more of a secret ingredient, really."
As the two continued browsing happily, a sleazy voice interrupted. "Well, well, two pretty girls shopping for spices? Why don't you come to my place instead? I've got plenty of flavor for you to try."
They turned to see a tall, greasy-haired man with a smirk that made their skin crawl.
"Get lost," Reiju said coldly.
The man only grinned wider. "Fiesty, huh? I like that. Stick with me, and you'll live easy eat well, drink better."
Reiju's eyes narrowed. She was just about to unleash her poison when a loud voice cut through the air.
"Daniel! You idiot! You've got some nerve causing trouble on my turf!"
Everyone turned to see a young man swaggering down the street, a cocky grin plastered across his face Bartolomeo.
Daniel scowled. "Bartolomeo! Don't think I'm scared of you just because you caught me off guard yesterday. You're still just a punk!"
Bartolomeo chuckled, baring his sharp teeth. "I'll even fight you with one hand, trash."
Daniel hesitated. Bartolomeo might've been young, but his strength was no joke the man had beaten him senseless just the day before. Still, pride made him bark back, "Don't push me! I could team up with Brown and wipe your little club off the map!"
Bartolomeo snorted. "You? Don't make me laugh."
Before Daniel could react, Bartolomeo's hand shot forward a translucent barrier forming instantly before him.
"Barrier Impact!" he roared.
The invisible wall launched forward like a battering ram, slamming into Daniel's chest. The man flew backward, blood spraying, his body crumpling lifelessly to the ground.
Bartolomeo glanced at the corpse and smirked. "Don't worry. Your turf and Brown's now belong to me."
With that, he dragged the body away before the Marines could arrive. Even in a town this wild, open killings weren't tolerated.
Chiyo and Reiju, left standing amid the stunned silence, exchanged glances.
"Well," Reiju said dryly, "that was… entertaining."
Chiyo sighed, shaking her head. "Let's just buy what we need and get out of here."
They finished their shopping quickly and decided to meet up with Felina and the others after all, a stroll through the streets was far safer than getting caught up in another of Loguetown's dramas.
The storm that once began here still echoes and soon, Eli Winters' name will be whispered among legends once more.
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