The Going Merry carried the Straw Hat crew onward. Under their navigator Nami's guidance, they finally arrived at the last stop of the East Blue—Loguetown.
"What's going on with all these ships? Did they discover some treasure nearby?"
Even Luffy, usually oblivious, noticed something strange about the harbor. Ships were constantly leaving port, one after another. Crowds of townspeople waved money, desperately trying to secure passage out. There were only ships departing—none arriving.
"This doesn't feel right," Nami said, her tone serious. "Let's resupply quickly and leave."
Her instincts, sharpened by experience, told her Loguetown was no place to linger.
"Sanji and Usopp, go get food and fresh water. Luffy and I will head into town for clothes. Zoro, you stay and watch the ship."
"Got it, Nami-swan!" Sanji replied, hearts practically floating in his eyes.
"Stop messing around, let's go," Usopp urged. "I don't want to run into the Marines… especially not that White Hunter Smoker."
Nami walked ahead with Luffy trailing behind her, his presence giving her a small sense of security. Ever since they stepped onto Loguetown, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that something was about to happen.
With the others gone, Zoro sat alone on the sheep figurehead, bored. He couldn't understand why he had to stay behind—shopping was simple enough for him to handle alone. Not that he'd ever admit he might get lost.
"Hey, pirate! Want to buy some weapons?"
An old man at the harbor called out to him.
"You—the one with the bandana."
Zoro initially ignored him, but the next sentence caught his attention.
"You're a swordsman, right? Need a new blade? I've got plenty of good ones. Name your price."
Despite everything happening, fate still led Zoro to the weapon shop owner, Ipponmatsu. Business had been bad lately with Smoker aggressively arresting pirates. Now, the man was preparing to abandon his shop altogether, packing up everything he could carry.
Zoro glanced around. The surrounding area was filled with people fleeing. With no other pirates nearby, the Going Merry should be safe. He jumped down and walked toward the vendor.
"Finally, a customer," Ipponmatsu said. "Take a look—see if anything catches your eye."
Among the cluttered pile of blades, Zoro, as if guided by fate, found it—the Sandai Kitetsu.
"This one… not bad. I'll take it."
Ipponmatsu hesitated, his conscience getting the better of him.
"That's the Sandai Kitetsu—a cursed blade. Every swordsman who's used it has met a bad end. I'd advise you to choose something else."
The sword had long been left untouched in a corner, avoided by all. He hadn't expected anyone to pick it.
Not far away, Tashigi was maintaining order at the harbor. She had already noticed a pirate crew docking but hadn't intervened since they hadn't caused trouble. However, when she heard the name "Sandai Kitetsu," her interest was immediately piqued.
She had a habit—an obsession, really—of collecting famous swords. Even cursed ones.
"Pirate," she called out as she approached, "you've got some nerve coming to Loguetown. Aren't you afraid to die?"
"Marine…"
Zoro had seen her on the heavenly screen before. Seeing her in person, he couldn't help but notice how much she resembled Kuina. Just looking at her gave him a headache. Under normal circumstances, he might have turned and walked away.
But he couldn't.
As a three-sword-style user, he currently only had one proper blade—Wado Ichimonji. The other two had been destroyed during his clash with Mihawk. Even when fighting Arlong's crew, he had to borrow swords.
He needed this one.
"Let's see if I'm worthy of it," Zoro said calmly. "Or rather… let it choose me."
He tossed the Sandai Kitetsu straight into the air, spreading his arms wide.
If he misjudged even slightly, the cursed blade would sever his arm.
Zoro remained completely still.
But the other two watching were horrified.
The blade fell—
missed his arm—
and stabbed into the ground beside him.
Zoro grinned.
"A fine sword. It chose me."
"You're insane…" Tashigi muttered, still shaken.
Ipponmatsu, however, was deeply moved. As a fellow lover of swords, he admired Zoro's courage. Without another word, he turned and brought out his prized possession, carefully wrapped.
"This is the treasure of my shop—Yubashiri. It deserves a proper owner. Take it, and make your way through the Grand Line."
"Yubashiri? One of the fifty Skillful Grade swords…" Tashigi's eyes lit up with desire. She wanted it badly—so much that she even considered arresting Zoro on the spot to claim both blades.
Zoro, now holding two excellent swords, felt a rare sense of satisfaction.
"I'm Zoro, combatant of the Straw Hat Pirates," he said. "I won't disgrace these blades."
Straw Hat Pirates?
Tashigi froze.
That name—
Wasn't that the crew mentioned on the heavenly screen?
The one said to inherit the will of the Pirate King?
So they really came to Loguetown…
Her expression hardened instantly. She drew her sword.
"Pirate—drop your weapons and surrender. We can't allow the Straw Hats to leave and grow stronger."
Sensing the situation turning bad, Ipponmatsu immediately packed up and fled.
"My name's Ipponmatsu," he called as he left. "I look forward to your future. Be careful of the Marines!"
Zoro watched him go, silently grateful. He had no intention of dragging the man into the coming fight.
Moments later, Tashigi called in over a dozen Marines.
Zoro had no choice.
To protect the Going Merry—
he had to fight.
He clenched Wado Ichimonji in his mouth, gripping Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu in his hands.
He had to end this quickly. Gunfire could damage the ship.
"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique—Dragon Twister!"
"Three-Sword Style—Three Thousand Worlds!"
By the time the others returned, a large group of Marines lay defeated before Zoro—including Tashigi. None of them were killed.
Nami dragged Luffy along, not giving Zoro any chance to explain.
"Everyone, get on the ship! A Marine Admiral is coming—if we don't leave now, we won't get another chance!"
Behind them, Usopp and Sanji came running, panting heavily—one carrying several barrels of fresh water, the other loaded down with supplies.
While shopping for clothes, Nami had noticed something strange. Stores were practically giving things away at massive discounts. She bought plenty for the crew, spending far less than expected.
From the shopkeepers, she learned the reason—
A Marine Admiral was about to arrive at Loguetown.
And Buggy had appeared there as well.
When those two monsters clashed—
ordinary people would be caught in the crossfire.
Anyone who didn't want to die—
was already fleeing the island.