If you talk about Loguetown's most famous landmark, it's undoubtedly the execution platform of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Years ago, after turning himself in, Roger was publicly executed here. His death sparked the Great Pirate Era. Over the years, countless people of all identities and races have visited Loguetown just to see the spot where Roger met his end. It's practically a tourist hotspot.
Reno glanced at it as he passed by but left without interest. The guy's been dead for years—what's there to see?
After wandering the streets for another two hours, his stomach growled. Reno slipped into some inconspicuous alleys. From experience, these backstreets often hid hole-in-the-wall eateries. They might lack fame, but their food rivaled the fanciest restaurants.
Following the faint aroma of wine in the air, Reno stepped into a tavern. The moment he entered, the hunched-over owner greeted him warmly.
"Welcome, sir! What can I get you?"
"Bring out your signature dishes and best wine," Reno said, settling into a random seat.
"Right away!" The owner nodded and hustled to the kitchen.
Reno glanced around. The tavern was nearly empty, with only a few scattered patrons—a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside.
Calculating the time, he'd been wandering for about three hours. After eating, it'd be time to track down the glasses girl. He wondered if Tashigi was at the Navy base.
Soon, the owner returned with a steaming plate of food. Before the dish even hit the table, Reno raised an eyebrow.
The tavern door swung open, and Smoker strode in, three cigars clamped in his mouth. His gaze locked onto Reno, his voice cold. "Finally found you, captain of the Reno Pirates, Reno…"
A powerful aura surged from Smoker, thick white smoke billowing from his body. A confident smirk curled his lips. "Reno, your pirating days end here."
His confidence wasn't baseless. Smoker's weapon, the Jitte, had a Sea Prism Stone tip—a natural counter to Logia-Type Devil Fruit users. Reno had no such advantage. In other words, none of Reno's attacks could truly harm him. The fight was in Smoker's favor.
The tavern's atmosphere turned tense with Smoker's arrival.
"Is that so?" Reno chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't think so."
"Hmph, big talk," Smoker scoffed dismissively. He wasn't here to trade words—time to take him down.
"Gentlemen, this is a small business, please!" the tavern owner pleaded, clasping his hands nervously.
"Outside," Smoker said, his lower body turning to white smoke as he swiftly floated out of the tavern. Having found Reno, he wasn't worried about him slipping away.
Reno smirked, left some Berries on the table, and followed.
They stepped out of the alley into an open area. Smoker didn't waste a second, launching his attack. He needed to take Reno down before Nami could arrive to back him up.
White Smoke Launcher!!
In an instant, Smoker's body dissolved into rolling clouds of smoke, enveloping Reno like a mobile cage, cutting off all escape routes.
With Observation Haki locked onto Smoker's true body, Reno laughed lightly. "Logia Fruits are rare, but a Logia as weak as yours? Even rarer."
Tempest Kick!!
Reno's right foot lashed out, unleashing a vacuum slash. Boom! The kick, imbued with Armament Haki, struck Smoker's body with pinpoint accuracy.
"Argh!" A bloodied gash appeared across Smoker's chest, and he was sent flying, crashing to the ground.
"Cough, cough!" Smoker struggled to his feet, staring at Reno in disbelief. "Armament Haki?!"
In the East Blue, where Haki was virtually unheard of, someone had mastered Armament Haki? Back at Navy Headquarters, his teacher Zephyr had taught them about Haki. But Smoker hadn't taken it seriously—after all, in the East Blue, the concept of Haki was practically nonexistent. Yet today, he'd fallen to Reno's hands.
"Captain Smoker!!"
A frantic voice called from the distance. Tashigi, the glasses-wearing girl, rushed over. While patrolling the streets, she'd stumbled upon the scene of Smoker being blasted away by Reno.
"Don't come closer, Tashigi!" Smoker shouted urgently. If he couldn't handle Reno, Tashigi was just walking into a trap.
Reno grinned, eyeing the flustered girl whose chest bounced noticeably as she ran. Talk about finding a treasure without even looking. He'd planned to visit the Navy base to find her, but here she was, saving him the trip.
"Captain Smoker, are you okay?!" Tashigi asked, reaching his side, her voice full of concern.
"Idiot, I told you to leave!" Smoker snapped. Did they both have to get taken down?
"Smoker, she's worried about you, and this is how you act?" Reno said, his face turning cold.
Tashigi: ???Is this pirate defending me? Something's off.
"Don't come any closer!" Tashigi adjusted her slipping glasses, panicking as she drew Shigure.
"Relax, I won't hurt you," Reno said with a gentle smile. Looking at her earnestly, he declared, "As the captain of the Reno Pirates, I'm officially informing you: you're now a member of my crew."
Tashigi froze, glancing behind her. No one.
"No need to look—it's you." "Glasses girl, Tashigi."
Tashigi: Who're you calling glasses girl?!
"No way! I'm a Navy officer—there's no chance I'd become a pirate!" she shot back, resolute. She'd rather die than join pirates. Absolutely not!
…