The rain finally stopped.
Leaving the sea of Sea King corpses behind, the outline of a town broke through the mist ahead. Loguetown.
The ship docked at the bustling pier, the recent downpour failing to wash away the lively atmosphere.
"I'll stay behind for special training."
Zoro gripped his swords and ignored the streets.
He turned around, found an open spot on the deck, and dropped into one-handed handstand push-ups.
The earlier thunderstorm had stirred something in him.
Though he kept quiet, a heavy aura of defiance rolled off him—he refused to let Nami and Carina outdo him.
"Suit yourself." Zaraki waved a hand and stepped off the gangplank. "I'll take a walk around town to confirm a few things."
His target was the local weapons shop.
Since he was in Loguetown, he had every reason to check out those two famous swords, the Yubashiri and the Sandai Kitetsu.
Puddles still coated the street, reflecting the neon shop signs on either side. Zaraki thought about the location of Ippomatsu's shop and picked up his pace.
As he turned a street corner, a hurried figure rushed out from a side alley.
Both reacted fast, stopping right before colliding, but their shoulders still brushed together.
The sharp scent of citrus mixed with gun oil drifted into Zaraki's nose.
"Sorry!"
The stranger was a young woman in a red leather jacket, her short orange hair dotted with water droplets.
She was in a rush.
After stumbling a bit, she didn't stick around, just pushed up the glasses on her nose and tossed out a quick apology.
"I'm in a rush to pick up a rapier at the weapons shop! I'll be on my way!"
Before Zaraki could even get a clear look at her face, the girl splashed through the puddles and hurried off down the street.
Zaraki stood his ground and raised an eyebrow.
Orange hair, red leather jacket, and the stiff posture of a Marine.
'That had to be Smoker's adjutant, Isuka, and she was heading in the exact same direction as him.'
'Checking out weapons too, huh...'
Zaraki watched her retreating figure and followed at a lazy pace.
After a short distance, Isuka noticed the footsteps trailing her.
She stopped in her tracks and glanced back, her gaze locking onto the sword fastened at Zaraki's waist.
Her eyes lingered on his hands—his knuckles thick and scarred, bearing the clear marks of a veteran swordsman.
"You're a swordsman?" She pushed up her glasses.
The urgency in her voice remained, but it now carried a sharp edge of scrutiny.
"Sort of." Zaraki shrugged, his dark gaze passing over her to lock onto the dull shop sign at the end of the street.
"I was already heading to that shop."
"Then keep up if you can," Isuka snapped. "I'm not slowing down for anyone."
She turned and strode back into the puddles with her long legs.
For a Marine lieutenant dealing with a bruised ego and a failed mission, buying a new weapon might lift her spirits a bit.
Zaraki followed her, keeping a casual three steps behind.
The streets of Loguetown were far from peaceful.
Before they even walked two hundred meters, a loud commotion erupted from an alley up ahead.
Several brutish pirates tried to break through a blockade, but wisps of white smoke appeared out of thin air and pinned them hard against the brick wall.
The smoke didn't fade.
Instead, it tightened around the pirates' necks like living snakes until they passed out with their eyes rolling back.
'Smoker's methods are getting more direct,' Zaraki thought, glancing at the hidden Marine soldiers.
That suffocating control proved one thing—even without his physical presence, this town remained trapped in the grip of that man's smoke.
Isuka was used to these scenes and didn't even break her stride. She stomped harder into the puddles, splattering mud that stained her leather boots.
"We're here."
She shoved open the wooden door of the weapons shop, letting out the heavy smell of machine oil and old rust.
The shop sat dim and dusty, its walls lined with cheap swords meant to fool amateur tourists.
Behind the counter, a middle-aged man with an afro and a floral shirt sat with his legs crossed, reading a newspaper.
He glared at them, annoyed by the loud sound of the door opening.
"Boss Ippomatsu!" Isuka slapped the counter. "That handguard rapier we talked about last time—is it still here?"
Ippomatsu lowered his newspaper.
His shrewd little eyes swept over Isuka's damp jacket before locking onto the heavy money pouch resting on the wood.
"Well, if it isn't Lieutenant Isuka," Ippomatsu drawled.
He didn't reach for the pouch, opting to let out a long, exaggerated sigh instead.
"Unfortunately, I've decided to hold onto that sword a little longer. A fine weapon doesn't always go to the first person waving cash..."
"Three million Beli!" Isuka cut off his excuses, her voice tight. "That's all my savings. I need that rapier."
Hearing the amount made Ippomatsu's eye twitch, a flash of raw greed breaking across his face.
But he held back, gritting his teeth and waving his hand to dismiss her.
"It's not about the money, Lieutenant. A Marine like you relies on standard-issue sabers. Handing a fine civilian blade over to you would just be a waste."
"Pitch black like ink, with a chaotic small T-shaped temper line."
Zaraki leaned against the doorframe and broke his silence. His gaze fixed on the polished sword rack behind the counter.
"Light and agile—a real fine blade. A shame to keep it locked up in a damp hole like this."
Ippomatsu froze, eyeing the boy in his casual clothes with clear surprise.
"A connoisseur?"
Isuka shot a look back at Zaraki, astonishment flashing in her eyes.
She didn't expect the guy trailing behind her to actually know his way around swords.
"If you know your stuff, help me persuade the owner." Isuka bit her lip, her desperation showing. "I really want to buy it."
"Not for sale means not for sale!" Ippomatsu snapped, turning away to wipe down his other stock.
"If you want some kitchen-grade iron scrap, pick from the wooden barrel by the door. Fifty thousand Beli each."
Isuka's shoulders slumped.
She stared at the weapon rack sitting so close yet out of reach.
Her fingers dug into the edge of the counter before she let go with a heavy sigh.
The sting of dashed hopes weighed heavy on her mind.
----
"Nailing" Isuka is a Marine that confronted the Spade Pirates during their time of activity.