Loguetown - East Blue
It took nearly two weeks to reach Loguetown and it was during that two weeks that the results of the training Luffy had Zoro had put the crew through had started to become visible. Usopp was no longer built like a string bean but had actually started to bulk up his muscles slightly and Gin had regained the weight that he had previously lost due to starvation, the result of which he no longer looked as gaunt and unhealthy.
Johnny and Yozuku had vastly sharpened their skill under Zoro's tutelage. Before the pair of them had the habit of swinging their blades and praying they connected with their target, now however they had learned the value of swinging their sword with purpose and to make every strike count. Nami on the other hand had so far managed to avoid the strenuous training always managing to find some excuse to beg off, something that both Luffy and Zoro were determined to change.
As the port of Loguetown came into view Luffy made his way to the ship's treasure room and and scooping a large amount of money before heading back up to deck and gathering up the crew to begin dishing out their specific assignments.
"Zoro! Here's your share from the bounties we cashed in plus another three million. I want to to get yourself another two swords, and make them decent." Luffy ordered then after a moments thought he added while pointing at Johnny and Yozuku, "Also I'm putting you in charge of getting those two some decent weapons."
Luffy then turned to Sanji and threw him a stack of bills. "Here's a million get whatever supplies and equipment you need, I'm not sure when we'll next have a chance to get any supplies so make sure you stock up." Luffy then turned to look at Gin, "I need you to buy the anything we need to make repairs to the ship. Get pitch, wood, nails and cloth." Gin nodded at this instruction to show he understood. "Usopp here's three million I need you to buy whatever you need for your inventions and thinking. Just do me a favor and check whatever you're buying, this Island's a massive tourist trap and I don't want you getting ripped off."
Seeing everyone being handed money Nami got excited and was almost salivating at the thought of being handed free money especially since she was practically broke after leaving every bit of treasure she had gathered over the years behind so the island could rebuild. Before Luffy could even call her name she was right next to him her body pressed right up against his with one arm around his neck and holding out her other hand ready to receive her money.
"Nami I'm giving you the job of clothes shopping." Nami began to visibly vibrate with excitement at the fact she was being given money to buy herself clothes. "I don't know what kinda weather we're gonna be facing on the grand line but I'd rather we were prepared for anything. Here's five million make sure you buy clothes for everyone, oh and make sure you get all the charting supplies you need it may be your last chance."
Stars were literally shining in Nami's eyes at being handed so much money, thoughts of what she could buy herself racing through her mind.
"Now you've got five million beli and it'd be nice to see change." Turning to address the entire group he added, "Once everyone has gotten what they need to feel free to spend it on whatever you want and have fun, this is supposed to be a tourist town after all so they must have things to do."
"Captain Luffy, Don Krieg never stopped here before we went to the Grand Line because of the marine captain stationed here." Gin warned causing all eyes to turn to him.
Zoro just scoffed at this warning. "What's so special about this marine?"
Gin looked Zoro straight in the eye, "No pirate has gotten past captain Smoker since he was posted here nearly ten years ago." Zoro and Sanji immediately began to look thoughtful at Gin's words whereas Usopp and Nami looked extremely nervous.
"Is that so?" Luffy added thoughtfully scratching his chin and after a moment he continued, "Guys don't sweat it I've got a plan."
When Luffy didn't elaborate Nami began to get impatient. "Well?" she demanded, "Are you gonna tell us what your incredible plan is or what?"
"It's simple if any of you guys get started on by marines then make a lot of noise that'll be a signal to me that you're in trouble. Then I'll make a bigger nuisance of myself than everyone else so they're bound to go after me. Right?"
The straw hats all stared in disbelief at Luffy's simple and naive plan. "Well I suppose it's simple and easy to remember." Gin attempted diplomatically.
"Yeah not even moss head can mess that plan up." Sanji cut in with a smirk aimed at Zoro whose left eye twitched in annoyance at Sanji's dig.
"Can it you perverted love cook!"
"Guys that's enough!" Luffy yelled putting a stop to any further arguments between his swordsman and chef. If one thing had become clear to him over the past few weeks of travelling together was that the two of them did not need an excuse to start scrapping and as soon as it escalated to that point it was all but impossible for anyone to stop. In fact anyone that did try to force them apart when they were fighting usually ended up being dragged into the fight themselves.
"Right we're nearly at Loguetown so bring us into port. Nami I want you to handle the dockmaster."
"And just how am I supposed to do that captain?" Nami asked incredulously.
"I want you to use your beauty and natural charm to bamboozle him so we can dock for free."
"Seriously?" Nami's screeching voice was by this point almost reaching the point where only canines would be able to hear her.
"Well yeah, it's either that or you can pay the docking fee out of the money I gave you."
"No, no it's fine I can wow any dockmaster with my charms," Nami's one hundred and eighty degree in change of opinion almost gave a few people whiplash. Luffy however chuckled as knew how deep Nami's greed ran and so wasn't surprised that she was so eager to save some of her money.
Luffy looked upon the large sprawling city that was Loguetown from his vantage point on the ship's figurehead. While the Goa kingdom was slightly bigger Loguetown definitely had far more citizens, in fact Luffy had never seen so many people in one place. It was also from this vantage point that he watched as Nami successfully used her charms on the poor unsuspecting dockmaster allowing the Merry to dock for free.
"Now listen up everyone! You all have your jobs and you know what you need to do if you need help so get out there and have fun!" Luffy commanded with authority before jumping over the side the Merry and strolling into the town.
The rest of the crew just looked at one another and rolled their eyes in fond exasperation. In the absence of Luffy it was Zoro's responsibility as first mate to issue orders and knowing he spoke up "Come on we might as well get going."
Nami made a beeline straight for the high Street, she had five million beli burning a hole in her pocket and she was ready to treat herself. As she made her way to the first expensive clothing shop she could see she passed a jewellery store and the display in the window caught her eye.
In the window was a traditional gold pocket watch, a pocket watch whose outer case was covered in silver filigree in a pattern that reminded Nami of Luffy's lightning as the filigree seemed to arc across the gold face. Smiling slightly to herself Nami entered the shop to enquire about the watch.
Exiting the shop four hundred thousand beli lighter Nami returned to her clothes shopping duty. She quickly rattled off all the clothes purchases for rest of the crew in just over half an hour. After all all she had to do was buy Sanji a few more black suits and a few shirts, she then got Zoro, Johnny and Yozuku got a few more loose fitting pants and baggy t-shirts in their usual style as well as, just for a laugh, a ridiculous Aloha shirts. For Usopp she got a few more overalls as well a few pairs of shorts and t-shirts. All this along with a thick winter coat each.
However she spent more time picking out clothes for Luffy than she did the rest of the crew put together. She ended up getting him several silk shirts, a rather fetching red cardigan with flared sleeves that she thought would look great on him. She then made sure to get him several pairs of pants and if she got them a size tighter than necessary...well no harm done. However the purchase she was most proud of was the captains coat she bought for him, while she thought the one he currently wore looked good on him this one was styled to look exactly like the one Gold Roger wore.
It was shopping for herself that Nami's passion truly came into play and with three million beli of her budget remaining she was planning on truly splurging on herself. In the middle of a high end retailer she tried on bikini after bikini, outfit after outfit the pile of clothes growing ever higher along with the shoes to complete each outfit.
"Excellent choices miss...would you like me to ring up your purchases?" The excited shopkeeper asked eager for Nami to pay as this particular sale would let him close the shop for the rest of the year.
"That depends," at the shopkeepers nervous look she continued, "How much are you gonna charge me to deliver this to my ship."
"Oh ho there will be no charge whatsoever miss," the shopkeeper said relieved that she did indeed intend to pay for her selection. "Now that will be one million, four hundred and sixty nine thousand beli."
Nami handed over the required money with literal tears in her eyes. It was just after she had paid that Nami felt the air pressure drop significantly. "Excuse me can you deliver my purchases in waterproof bags please there's going to be a storm soon."
Zoro lead Johnny and Yozuku down one of the many streets of Loguetown searching for an appropriate weapon shop, they had already passed a few shops that had once sold weapons but they had been boarded up. Obviously the success of the local marine captain in apprehending pirates had had an affect of the local businesses.
As they were making their way to a shop one of the townspeople had directed them to they cam upon a large crowd that was standing by while a young woman was being harassed by two pirates.
"It's all your fault our boss got locked up, yours and that monster," one of the pirates said menacingly however to the woman's credit she didn't flinch or even bat an eye at their attempt at intimidation.
"Yeah now our dreams of conquering the grand line are over," the two pirates then began closing in on the woman obviously intending to do her harm. "And that monster ain't here right now to save you."
Zoro was about to intervene on her behalf, he may not be a hero but he had never been nor would he ever be the type of person that would stand by while a young woman was harmed by two pirates, especially not with the look in their eyes that they had.
Before he could so much as draw his sword the young woman had dashed forwards drawing her blade and slashing both pirates in one fluid motion. As fluid as she was in downing the pirates that had been threatening her she wasn't as graceful when she came to a stop as she fell face forwards, her glasses flying off as she fell garnering laughs from the bystanders.
Attempting to be the gentleman he knew he wasn't Zoro went to help her up offering her his hand while Johnny picked up her glasses. Zoro froze in shock when he saw her face up close though as she was the spitting image of his childhood friend and rival Kuina.
The young woman let out a slight gasp of pain as Zoro's hand clenched around hers. "Sssorry it's just you reminded me of someone I knew many years ago, the resemblance is uncanny." Zoro hastily explained.
"It's fine don't worry about, my name's Tashigi."
"Good to meet you Miss Tashigi," both Johnny and Yozuku spoke up in perfect unison.
Wanting to be away from the ghost of his past Zoro attempted to make their excuses to leave. "Well we'll just be on our way we need to get to Cutting Edge Blades."
"Oh what a coincidence I'm heading there too, I left my sword there to be cleaned and polished and I need to pick it up."
Inwardly sighing at his misforfortune Zoro gestured for Tashigi to lead the way. Johnny and Yozuku immediately stepped up beside her, one on either side of her as they began to talk her ears off while Zoro brought up the rear lost in his memories of Kuina.
So lost in his memories was Zoro that he didn't notice when they arrived at the shop until Johnny quite literally pulled him out of his reverie and into the shop. Snapped out of his maudlin he walked up to the shopkeeper.
"I need to two swords for myself in a similar style to my Wado Ichimonji, a sabre for my friend and whatever dumb and dumber over there pick out."
At the sight of the famous Wado Ichimonji the shopkeeper and Tashigi began to salivate however the shopkeeper forced a neutral expression onto his face. "May I see that sword," he carefully examined the sword. "If you'd like I could offer you three hundred thousand for this sword," the shopkeeper said attempting to play it cool.
Sadly for him that was blown by Tashigi when she blurted out in excitement that the sword was easily worth over one million.
"Tch it's not for sale anyway, this sword right here is a symbol of the promise I made to a friend. A promise to become the greatest swordsman in the world."
Tashigi's eyes teared slightly at hearing that and she was happy that for once it seemed that one of the great grade swords was not being used for evil purposes.
"Tch, you came in for your Shigure correct? Well take it and get out. I should ban you for loss of business," the shopkeeper grumbled after throwing her the sword which she then dropped knocking over dozens of swords when she did so.
As Johnny and Yozuku were examined the various swords on display Zoro felt a presence at the back of his mind, it was the same feeling some enemies give off during a fight and it got Zoro curious. Heading towards where the feeling of what could only be described as bloodlust was coming from Zoro pulled out a beautiful katana from the reduced to clear bin.
Seeing that sword Tashigi gasped. "That's Sandai Kitetsu it's one of the graded swords it's easily worth over one million beli," she gushed in absolute awe at the sword.
The grunt from the shopkeeper made her frown however. "Not for sale."
"What do you mean it ain't for sale? This is a shop ain't it?" Yozuku demanded seeming to take great offence to the shopkeeper refusing to sell any sword to Zoro.
However it was not the shopkeeper that responded to Yozuku it was Zoro as he maintained his stare at the sword as if transfixed. "This sword...this sword is cursed."
"Hhhow...how did you know?" There was a pause as the shopkeeper seemed to consider something before he shook his head as if to clear it of those treacherous thoughts. "No! I will not sell a cursed blade, I will not be responsible for the sword claiming the life of yet another of it's wielders."
"I see then let's see what's stronger, my luck as a swordsman or this swords curse," after that statement Zoro threw Sandai high into the air and held out his arm.
"What are you doing you fool that swords the real deal you're going to lose an arm!" Tashigi screeched at him, despite this Zoro held his concentration and didn't waver as the sword came down towards his arm. Everyone watched as the blade missed his arm as it arched around in before embedding itself in the floor.
Zoro grinned like a loon at his good fortune. "Good sword," he mumbled under his breath however due to the complete silence of the shop it was heard by everyone. Looking at the shopkeeper Square in the eye he continued, "I'll take it."
The shopkeeper staggered back in shock at what he had just witnessed then disappeared to the back area of the shop only to return holding a beautiful sword in a black sheath. "This is Yubashiri, it's one of the fifty skillful grade sword. It's the best sword in my shop and I want you to have it."
Zoro took the sword from him and examined it, looking past the swords beauty and examining it's strength. "How much?"
"No charge, that sword belongs in the hands of a true swordsman."
Zoro nodded his thanks, turning to look at the duo he tossed them some money to pay for their purchases before deciding to get his captain a new sabre while he was here. Zoro had noticed after the fight against Arlong that the sword had been chipped and even had a hairline crack running through it. Since they were sailing to the Grand Line it made sense to Zoro to make sure his captain had the best equipment they could get.
Examining the various sabres on offer at the shop with Tashigi looking over his shoulder the entire time Zoro eventually found what he believed to be the perfect sword for his captain. It had a black blade with a silver guard and soft white leather wrapped around the grip, completing the sword were a line of sapphires that ran the length of the guard. For Zoro this sword seemed perfect as not only was it dangerous but it was incredibly flashy and a bit over the top...just like his captain.
Tashigi who was still looking over Zoro's shoulder with no concept of personal space whispered in his ear, "You should definitely buy that, it's Gambit and one of the fifty skillful grade swords."
Her proximity to him had rendered Zoro speechless and he could only nod slightly, not trusting his voice around the lookalike of his childhood crush.
"This too!"
All the purchases complete the group was two million beli lighter. After a speech from Tashigi on how she planned to take every graded sword from the hands of the undeserving, the trio left the shop. Zoro was happy with his two swords and his two disciples, as they had taken to calling themselves, were cradling their new blades. They had both opted to dual wield carrying a katana in one hand and a shorter tanto style blade in their off hand.
"Here take this and go enjoy yourselves." Zoro then tossed them what was left of their spending money, "I'm off to find the captain."
A short jig of happiness later and Johnny and Yozuku were skipping down the street arm in arm and planning out all the ways they could spend the money.
At the same time Zoro had paid for his swords Usopp had already found what he felt were some incredible finds and some that served as a source of inspiration for more ammunition as well as some materials for a weapon he been designing for Nami.
However Usopp was most proud of a pair of goggles he'd bought, they were meant to be used as an aid for aiming but Usopp thought he would get more use out of them when he was tinkering with his inventions.
It was as he was walking down the street, looking for another shop he could find a treasure in, that he was grabbed by the shoulder. Tensing immediately, believing that the marines had found him, he spun around pulling out one of his pistols and levelling it at the head of his attacker...only to come face to face with Nami.
Usopp let a sigh of relief and holstered his pistol. "Hey what's up Nami?"
"You're good at drawing aren't you?" Nami asked which only served to confuse Usopp who only gave a slight nod. "Can you do me a favor and pick these up?" Nami handed Usopp a piece of paper which he then quickly scanned.
"Err sure...but why?" Usopp asked no less perplexed than he was when Nami asked her first question.
"It's a surprise." Nami said mysteriously with a smile on her face.
With a shopping list in hand Usopp left to get the equipment Nami had asked him to while Nami wondered off deep in thought thinking about various designs.
"Don't take too long there's a storm coming in!" Nami shouted after the retreating Usopp who waved over his shoulder to acknowledge that he'd heard her.
From the time that he had left the ship Luffy had been trying to find the execution platform where Gold Roger had been executed. He had gotten slightly turned around when he'd been forced to duck into an alley to avoid some marines.
Wandering down an alleyway he came across a bar that was actually named after Gold Roger. Not wanting to waste this oppertunity he headed into the bar, only to be slightly disappointed as it looked as if it was going out of business.
"Don't bother lad the place is closed. I'm closing this place down for good."
Luffy looked over to where the voice had come from and behind the bar he saw a really old man wearing a purple beanie and strange shades.
"How come old timer, you going under?"
"Not going under, I'm retiring. Not much point in this bar being open anymore, there isn't any real pirates out there anymore," sadness was clear in the old man's voice.
"I was looking for the execution platform and got turned around and lost." Shrugging Luffy turned around to leave but spotted something that caught his eye. "Hey old timer what's that?"
The old man's attitude suddenly did a complete flip, going from morose to overly excited in less than a second. "That's the skull of Killer Giant who was one of the most fearsome villains to sail the seas, he sent hundreds of pirates to their deaths over the years. He was taken down by Gold Roger in a single blow. A single blow and with lightning speed and with his dying breath he said 'Gold Roger I take my hat off to you, you will forever be king of the pirates'."
"Wow! You got any more stories about Gold Roger old timer!"
"My name's Raoul not old timer dammit!" Grumbling under his breath about the impertinence of youth he motioned for Luffy to take a seat.
"Eric Dowd, the man known as king; Silvers Silver, the world's greatest gunman; the giant Grounds brothers, they were all famous for their strength, indestructible demons and feared by everybody, but not Gold Roger," he said with a sigh before looking down. "Bah nobody wants to hear my stories anymore," depression evident clear in his voice not noticing Luffy's huge grin and eyes sparkling with excitement.
"So cool! Don't say that I want to hear them! You got anymore stories old timer!" Luffy said excitedly his demeanor reminiscent of that of a child.
"Don't rush me dammit," he then poured both himself and Luffy a glass of whiskey each. "Gold Roger is the only man I've ever know to not be afraid of entering the Grand Line." Raoul then stared into his drink as if looking for inspiration before downing the entire drink in one go. "Back then the Grand Line was a mysterious sea that few ever returned from. It was thought to be a sea of evil that so few ever considered sailing. Gold Roger came into this bar the day before he set sail for the Grand Line and he drank the place dry with the Dark King." Raoul looked over to Luffy to check he still held his attention and saw that he was practically vibrating with excitement.
"You know when I heard he had conquered the Grand Line I wasn't surprised in the slightest, I was happy that it had been him to have been to the one to conquer that evil sea. And I was there on that day twenty two years ago when Gold Roger was executed, the same day that it all began the so called great pirate era," he let out a derisive laugh and poured himself another drink. "These days anyone with a boat calls themselves a pirate, but look around this city you won't find a single real pirate here anymore. Nothing but scum and cowards," at this he spat on the floor and poured himself another drink and topped up Luffy's .
"You may have a point old timer," Luffy said agreeing with the old man because after all he may love being a pirate but there were far too few like him that had a dream and being a pirate required having a dream.
"Nobody has the will or the courage to venture into the Grand Line and those that do don't have the strength to succeed, and that's why I'm finally closing the bar."
"I'm going to the Grand Line," Luffy said causing Raoul to spit his drink out in surprise. "I'm gonna sail the entire Grand Line, find the One Piece and become king of the pirates!" Luffy yelled rasing his fists above his head as if celebration.
Roaul for a moment saw the ghost of Gold Roger in place of Luffy before it faded. "Boy those are some pretty big words especially in this bar."
"I meant what I said," Luffy said with a simple shrug causing the old man to let out a loud laugh that filled the bar.
"Well if there's still youngsters like you out there then maybe I should keep the bar open eh?"
With a shrug Luffy answered, "That's up to you old timer, but it may just be me out there that thinks like that."
Raoul just hummed in thought while looking at Luffy over the tip of his shades. "Anyways you were looking for the execution platform right? Well if you head through the back door and take a right, then at the end of the alley take a left it'll be about half a mile in front of you kid."
"Cheers old timer!" Slapping down a few beli bills and ignoring Raouls grumbling about being called old timer Luffy followed the directions he'd been given. Unknown to Luffy captain Smoker entered the bar just a few minutes after he left to drop of the most recent bounty posters.
Finally at the execution platform Luffy was a little underwhelmed at the sight of it, it just seemed so boring. So wanting a different experience than what every other tourist would have Luffy teleported himself on top of the platform to have the same view that Gold Roger had just before he died.
"Hey get down from there! That is property of the World Government," a marine at the base of the platform yelled up at Luffy.
"Oh go suck a cock."
"How dare you! I'm a mar-" That was as far as the unfortunate marine got before he was brained from behind by a large metal club.
"Hey there Luffy, long time no see."
Luffy looked down to see what he could only describe as a smoking hot woman dressed in an outfit that seemed to be a hybrid of pirate and cowgirl. He had to admit she pulled that look off actually. "Erm sorry but do I know you?"
"Aawww how cold, you don't even remember me."
"Look lady I've never seen you before in my life," by this point Luffy was genuinely confused, he was certain he'd never met this woman before and he wasn't the type of guy to ever forget a pretty face.
"Well I do suppose I look a little bit different," she then turned to the crowd that had gathered to watch the unfolding spectacle. "Who's the most beautiful in all the seas?"
Luffy had a sudden realisation. He remembered that weedy kid Coby telling him about how Alvida would always ask the entire crew that question, something he found hilarious as she looked more like a whale than a woman. "Alvida?" Luffy asked his tone conveying equal amounts of surprise and confusion.
"Oh so you do remember me. Yes I do look slightly different than the last time we met, you see I ate the smooth smooth fruit which took away my freckles."
"I think it took away more than just your freckles sweetheart," deadpanned Luffy. It was at that moment that Luffy observation haki screamed at him that there was a threat above him. He sidestepped Cabaji who had just landed on the platform with a pair of sea stone stocks before booting him with all his might sending him flying from the platform and into the back of the crowd.
"You flashy bastard!" Buggy yelled as he angrily pulled of a hooded cloak and moved to the front of the crowd to step beside Alvida.
"Oh it's just big nose," Luffy said nonchalantly.
Buggy then started ranting at Luffy which was quickly tuned out as Luffy examined the crowd. Luffy saw several members of his crew in the crowd, ready to aid him if he was to give a signal for help. At the back of the crowd Luffy spotted at least two platoons of marines as well as a captain.
"must die," Buggy said at the end of his rant.
"Huh? Oh were you talking?" He then looked at Alvida, "Hey you, you got a dream."
She smiled widely at being asked that by the man she had spent so much effort tracking down. "Yes as a matter of fact I do. It's my dream to be recognised as the most beautiful woman in the world."
Luffy smiled before once more looking out over the crowd and at the top of his voice so the whole courtyard could hear he shouted out, "I'm Monkey D. Luffy and I'm gonna be king of the pirates."
The entire crowd fell silent at that proclamation and on that particular platform of all places. A moment after Luffy had made his declaration the storm clouds that Nami had predicted would be there suddenly parted slightly and a small beam of sunlight shone down on Luffy. The seeming act of God caused everyone's jaws to drop to flaw, even Luffy's crew were not spared.
With his declaration made Luffy jumped off the platform, landing right in front of Alvida. "Why don't you sail with me and together we can turn this whole world upside down," grinned Luffy.
Alvida could only nod slightly, still shocked at everything she just witnessed. Still grinning Luffy grabbed her hand before throwing her over his shoulder and taking off into a run, making sure to punch Buggy in his big red nose as he ran past.
"Back to the ship!" Luffy yelled to his crew that were dotted throughout the crowd. Realising that he was about to be public enemy number one he threw Alvida to Gin as he ran past him. "She's coming with us, get her back to the Merry!"
"Aye aye captain."
Splitting off Luffy ran down the street taking a roundabout way back to the docks, hearing a loud rumbling noise he looked back to see the marine captain he had spotted earlier approaching him on a motorcycle. A motorcycle that quickly overtook him and cut off his escape route.
"End of the line straw hat."
"That's what you think smokey." Luffy said while flashing Smoker an incredibly childish gesture.
That gesture was almost enough for smoker to lose his cool, whipping out his jute he launched an attack at Luffy's head. Recognising the weapon was sea stone Luffy made sure to keep his distance from it. Ducking under another blow from Smoker Luffy lashed out with an uppercut only to have his fist pass through Smoker.
"That ain't gonna work on me, I ate the smoke smoke fruit so I'm a smoke man."
Realising that he must be a logia user just like he was Luffy coated his foot in haki and brought it up...straight between Smoker's legs. Smoker didn't react to the blow immediatly he just froze and then over the next few seconds his face became redder and redder before starting to turn purple. Without making a sound he dropped to the floor holding his privates.
Not wanting to give Smoker a chance to recover Luffy then kicked him hard in the face knocking him out. Stopping a moment to catch his breath he saw a man in long green cloak in an alleyway just to side. Lightning from the storm that was now picking up briefly illuminated his face and Luffy could make out a red tribal design tattoo on the man's face.
Seeing that the man was making no move to attack him Luffy gave him a big cheesy grin, a grin that returned. Before Luffy could ask the man anything the sound of multiple stampeding boots could be heard and looking back Luffy saw a horde of marines approaching and so not wanting to be caught he toom off running once more.
He made it back to the ship without any further incident only to see a lion unconscious in front of his ship with that wierdo from Orange Town that had been riding it. Shrugging he boarded his ship knowing that his crew would fill him in on their adventures in Loguetown.
"Your orders captain?" Zoro shouted over the now driving rain.
"Weigh anchor and release the sails!"
The entire crew including Alvida, who was getting a few looks from the rest of the crew and not just Sanji, all chorussed, "Aye aye sir!"