|α| "I Quit!"
East Blue Saga - Loguetown Arc: Episodes 48 - 53
Pandora Parker is a diligent officer of the Marines. She sits in her office daily, with papers scattered everywhere with minor personal items around the room. It's not personalised in her office apart from two photos of her family and fiancee and a vase of irises mixing blue, pink, and white. Hard at work, as usual, Pandora looks through the forms and her notebook, trying to account for every Berry spent over the last month, when a knock at her door throws her back into the real world. "Come in," Pandora calls, not looking up from her paperwork, and someone enters the room, walking up to the desk.
"Are you still working?" Tashigi asks, looking at the pinkette dressed in her usual style, a black three-piece suit and high heels.
"I have to finish these before the end of the day," She replies, not looking up at her friend, moving her fallen braid from her shoulder.
"Just take a break, please. Walk around, and get some fresh air." The older woman pleads with her.
"Fine. I do need to get something to eat." The pinkette agrees, moving from her desk, hearing her stomach growl with hunger.
"Good. I need to pick up my sword, I'll walk with you." Tashigi offers, and the women leave the accountant's office.
{ E}
Meanwhile, none of the residents of Loguetown are aware of the pirates boarding their island at that very moment, brazen as can be. "Wow!" Luffy beams, looking around at the busy pier and seeing the town. "What a huge town!"
"The place used to be full of pirates on their way to the Grand Line." Nami explains, looking at the town sign above them. "It has everything you could ever need!"
"All right! I'm gonna go get equipment for our upcoming great adventure!" Usopp announces, glancing around gleefully.
"Looks like I can get some good ingredients here." Sanji smiles, wondering what type of food they have. "Good women, too!" He imagines, not aware of who he will encounter soon enough.
"I got something I wanna buy, too." Zoro ponders, having lost his swords recently.
"Oh? How are you gonna do that? You're flat broke, as I recall!" Nami teases him, a plan for money forming in her mind.
"All right! I'm gonna check out the execution platform!" Luffy announces.
"Huh?" Usopp looks at him.
"I'm gonna see where the King of the Pirates was executed!" He replies, rushing through the crowd.
"Hey, wait!" The sniper calls out to him. "We still haven't decided where to meet up at! Man, that guy…" He watches their Captain disappear down the street before seeing him jump and disappear again.
{ E}
Pandora splits from Tashigi, needing to eat, and heads for the food market, knowing she'll find what she likes there as most merchants know her well enough. Unaware of a blond cook not far behind her, heading in the same direction. "Oh!" Sanji beams, looking around at the many women mingling within the crowded street. "A top-quality aperitif! Oh! Two Poinderine champagne-like beauties! The whole town is brimming with the finest ingredients around! Damn, I can't decide what to go after first!" He looks around with glee before noticing a raven-haired woman leaning against a building. "I just found the main dish!" Pandora stops suddenly, spotting a bookshop and accidentally bumping into someone with her sudden stop.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" Pandora apologises, looking behind her to see a tall blond in a black suit and blue shirt who stares at her in awe.
"A-A…" Sanji stares at her, unable to form words, admiring her bright pink hair tied in a braid that shows her slightly pointed ears and ruby red eyes that seem brighter against her pale porcelain skin.
"Okay. Well, nice meeting you, I guess." She jokes and rushes into the bookshop, ignoring the stuttering blond cook.
"What the hell just happened!" He groans, watching her leave. "What a beauty!" The cook marvels with hearts in his eyes, earning some looks from the passersby.
{ E}
Back at the Marine building, one of the officers receives a report and quickly rushes to the Captain's office, slamming the door open to the smoke-filled space. "Captain Smoker! Terrible news!" He announces, trying to see through the smoke, making out a shadowy figure within the room. "A message from Headquarters! They've received word that a 'Monkey D. Luffy' and his pirate crew are headed here to Loguetown! He just earned a 30 million Berry bounty in the East Blue!"
"30 million… That's worthy of congratulation." Smoker comments, musing as he works out in his office.
"He's an incredibly evil villain who even defeated Don Krieg and Arlong the Fishman!" The officer argues.
"Quiet!" He snaps, and the weights fall to the floor, making the officer flinch as the Marine Captain stands. "Damn, your shouting. You made it fall apart."
"I'm sorry, sir!" The Marine Officer exclaims fearfully.
"It's not good to be tense. I got my own pace I do things at. Isn't that right?" The Captain questions, moving to the closed window.
"Y-Yes, sir!" He stutters, and Smoker opens the window.
"So… What, now?" Smoker asks him.
"Right! A pirate group! Word has it they may show up in town today, yes!" He repeats quickly.
"What're you so flustered for?" The Marine Captain frowns at his subordinate. "Have any pirates who've set foot into this town ever escaped since I took charge here?" He grabs his jacket.
"N-No, sir…" The Officer answers, watching him wear his white jacket lined with fur and cigars.
"Then calm the hell down. You're gonna screw up my pace." Smoker reminds him.
"Yes, sir…" He replies, and another officer races to the open office door.
"Reporting, sir! We have word that pirates have appeared at the port!" The other Officer exclaims in a panic, saluting the Marine Captain. "Please go there at once!"
"It must be Luffy's group! They've definitely set foot into town!" the first Officer adds quickly.
"30 million, huh? I pray he puts up at least a bit of a fight." Smoker comments, walking through them.
"Sir?" They question, looking at them.
"Just talking to myself. Forget it." He replies, walking away, and the second Officer runs after him.
"You're not going to look at this?!" The first Officer shouts after him, holding Luffy's wanted poster.
{ E}
Captain Smoker walks along the street with the second Officer trails behind him, trying to reason with the man. "Captain! Please give each until their orders!"
"No need." Smoker replies.
"But you need to consider how powerful he is!" He pleads with him.
"You're annoying me." The Marine Captain glares over his shoulder at the more petite man, making him flinch away. "Don't tell me what to do!"
"My apologies, sir!" The Officer shouts, saluting.
"Never mind that. Where's Pandora and Tashigi?" Smoker asks.
"Y-Yes." He stutters. "Tashigi mentioned she would be gone this morning but that she'd show up for training. And Pandora went out for a break and said she would return after lunch."
"That dumb girl. Where the hell'd she go?" The Marine Captain questions, thinking of his apprentice. "That woman, she needed a break. She works too hard." He thinks of his pink-haired fiancee. Suddenly, a young girl accidentally knocks into the scary white-haired man, spilling her three scooped ice cream onto his pant leg. The young girl looks up to see the imposing Marine Captain, who looks at her with a deadly look and the girl's father panics, seeing the Captain.
"C-Captain Smoker!" The girl's father shouts, rushing to his daughter's side.
"M-My ice cream…" The girl whimpers.
"I-I'm very sorry about my daughter!" He exclaims. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Smoker moves toward the girl, placing his hand on the girl's head, crouching down to look at the sad little girl.
"Sorry 'bout that. My pants ate your ice cream." Smoker remarks and hands some money to the girl. "Here, buy yourself five scoops." He stands to his feet and leaves. "Let's go."
"Yes, sir!" The Officer exclaims, chasing after him.
"T-Thank you!" The girl's father stutters, running to his child's side.
"Thanks!" The girl says, waving, and Smoker waves back.
{ E}
Nami finishes her shopping in a cheaper shop than the others she was looking around earlier. The lady at the counter begins cashing and packing the clothes the young woman wants into a sack as they talk, and the Navigator gets the lowdown on the town. "Captain Smoker?" Nami repeats.
"Yeah. He's one of the toughest guys from Navy Headquarters," The shopkeeper tells her while packing. "This town used to be a hangout for pirates headed for the Grand Line. But ever since he and Pandora took over, every single pirate who's come into town has wound up in the slammer." She straightens up, looking at her, thinking of the Marine Captain and his fiancee, the Head Marine Accountant. "His strength is extraordinary. He's a monster. I don't know what that sweet woman sees in him sometimes. They even say they have Devil Fruit powers…"
"Devil Fruit powers?!" Nami mutters in surprise, looking at the woman and wondering what kind of trouble they'll get into while in Loguetown with two supposed Devil Fruit users.
{ E}
Zoro looks at the swords in another shop window, all too expensive for the measly amount Nami loaned him with an extortionate amount of interest attached. A shout cuts him from his inner turmoil as he looks through the crowd to see a scuffle beginning between a girl and two thugs. "'Monster'?! How rude!" Tashigi shouts, earning more onlookers as she hugs her sword, not bothered by the two large men holding swords.
"Aww, shut up! Our boss is behind bars all thanks to him!" Thug 1 snaps angrily at the blue-haired woman.
"Have you still not learned your lesson?!" She retorts calmly and sternly.
"Nope! We ain't happy with things as they are!" Thug 2 smirks, looking down at her.
"We're gonna bring your corpse to him to see!" Thug 1 adds, thinking their plan is foolproof.
"Very well," Tashigi mutters. I will fight you." The thugs laugh, and the crowd looks on in worry for the Marine.
"You will, girlie?!" Thug 2 chuckles.
"Don't make us laugh!" Thug 1 snickers.
"What can a girl possibly do?!" He laughs, and Zoro, seeing them about to attack, clicks his sword as they jump at Tashigi. "Die!"
"Yeah!" the lanky thug shouts, and Zoro steps forward from the crowd, about to draw his sword. He falters when he sees her unravel a sword, unsheathing it and dropping it to the floor before cutting the thugs quickly and precisely. The thugs fall behind her without a fuss, and the crowd looks in wonder at the woman.
"She did it!"
"You're strong, lady!"
"You're amazing!"
{ E}
Sanji stops hunting for the food market as he tries to find the gorgeous pink-haired woman from earlier but isn't having any luck. He comes to another dead end, mistaking a woman for her again. The woman is flattered, but he resents his compliment, moving away when he hears a familiar voice. "Thank you!" He hears Usopp up ahead.
"Sure!" Another voice shouts, and Sanji spots Usopp coming out of a shop.
"Oh! I'll take this, too!" Usopp says, holding something up from outside the shop and showing it to the shopkeeper inside.
"Thank you, sir!" The owner exclaims, and Sanji sees something slingshot past the top of the open street and notices it's Luffy, screaming.
"What are they doing?" Sanji wonders but shrugs it off, heading for the food market to get supplies for the journey to the Grand Line. Unaware behind him is the gorgeous pink-haired woman he seeks, coming out of a bookshop with a large leather-bound book in hand and heading in the same direction again.
{ E}
At the Marine base, Captain Smoker sits in his office chair with four Marine soldiers awaiting orders at the door. "Find Luffy! He must be hiding somewhere here in Loguetown!" A higher Marine officer yells their orders, not wanting the young pirate to slip through their fingers again.
"Yes, sir!" The three soldiers yell back before rushing out of the room.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to shout?" Smoker questions, placing his feet on the desk, covering Luffy's wanted poster. "He won't hide. As long as I'm around he'll show up again."
"Captain Smoker!" Tashigi shouts, rushing into the room, carrying her sword. "Did something happen?!"
"Tashigi! Where the hell'd you go?! Where's Pandora?!" he demands, looking at his apprentice and noticing the time is way past lunchtime.
"C-Captain! We have news!" Two officers stumble into the room a little beaten up after encountering Zoro earlier.
"It's you guys! Thank goodness! You're conscious again!" Tashigi sighs in relief at seeing them awake again.
"I-It was Roronoa Zoro…" The officer announces, stuttering and holding his arm. "We were attacked by Zoro, the pirate hunter!"
"Zoro?" She mutters, wondering how that happened.
"Why would he attack you?" Smoker asks them, sitting in his chair and focusing entirely on the straw-hat-wearing teen. "He will show up."
"Captain Smoker!" Tashigi exclaims, growing frustrated as he sits reading the newspaper. She slams her hands onto his desk. "Is this man named Luffy really still on this island?! We need to hurry and blockade the sea!"
"That won't be necessary," He replies calmly.
"How can you be so easygoing?!" She demands. The sound of officers outside shouting stops her, and suddenly, the door is kicked open, revealing a man carrying several thugs on his shoulders. Smoker notices who it is, placing the newspaper down to see the Bounty Hunter.
"Heya, Smoker," Daddy greets the Captain.
"So it's you, Daddy…" Smoker greets him back, and the Bounty Hunter drops the unconscious men onto the stone floor.
"These are Two-Pistol Pete and the Police-Killer Riley Brothers," He informs them, walking towards the desk.
"All three bounties, huh?" The Marine Captain questions.
"I also dropped one off at the morgue," The Bounty Hunter replies. "I just need your signature and I can get my money today." He hands over a clipboard to the Captain.
"One million Berries for four people? These are all small fries…" Smoker comments, looking at the bounties.
"Wanted men headed for the Grand Line gather in this town," Daddy argues. "I can earn money more efficiently this way, rather than looking high and low for just one big name."
"One of the Navy's most gifted snipers, reduced to bullying weaklings. How you've fallen," He remarks, and Daddy walks away, heading for the door.
"I just don't feel like putting my life in my guns' hands," The Bounty Hunter retorts.
"Because if you die, your daughter'll wind up on the street?" The Captain replies. "Give Carol my regards."
"Yeah. I'll tell her the old smoky man said hello." Daddy says before leaving.
"That was Daddy Masterson, the Bounty Hunter?" Tashigi asks in wonderment.
"Yeah. We joined at the same time, long ago," Smoker tells her. " he was an elite, on the fast track to being a key player at Navy HQ."
"Then why is he doing this now?" She wonders.
{ E}
When a female voice shouts behind him, Sanji walks along the streets, heading for the food market again, not letting any women distract him. "Sanji! I've been looking for you, Sanji!" He turns around. "For ten years!" Sanji looks at the strange woman, who taps her foot against the stone ground, gaining an audience with her outlandish behaviour.
"Her name is Carmen," A voice introduces her from behind.
"She's the No. 1 cook in the East Blue," Another voice adds, appearing from behind her.
"I'm a woman of passion! People call me Fiery Carmen," She declares, and three strangers prance around.
"Ole!" They shout
"And, I'm Carmen-sama's first apprentice, Leo," The sandy blond man introduces himself.
"I'm her second apprentice, Jose!" The man in green adds. Everyone on the street looks at the bizarre act of the three people.
"Wow! How beautiful you are!" Sanji exclaims suddenly, kneeling before the beautiful woman.
"Say what?!" The crowd shouts, falling in disbelief.
"To think that you've looked all over for me…! What a lucky man I am!" He beams, moving towards her, and he takes her hand, kneeling before her happily, upsetting Carmen's apprentices. "I'm honoured to meet you, Carmen-san!" He moves to kiss her hand, angering the apprentices and the woman.
"Don't you dare…!" Carmen shouts, swinging a frying pan at his head.
"What a passionate woman you are…" The Cook smiles, blood flowing from his nose and mouth. "B…But, Carmen-san, have we met befo..?"
"Jose! Leo!" She shouts, swirling backwards to her apprentices. "Explain it to him."
"Yes, Ma'am," The apprentices comply, handing a small stack of photos to Sanji, who looks at it in surprise. "Please have a look at this."
"Hm? What're these?" Sanji asks, looking at the photos of Chefs. "They're all cooks…"
"Yes!" Jose shouts in Sanji's face.
"They're all famous, skilled cooks in the East Blue," Leo explains. "Every single one of them competed against Carmen-sama and lost."
"That's right! I'm the No. 1 cook in the East Blue," Carmen boasts, lightly fanning herself with her giant yellow fan. "Those cooks who challenge me are all disappointing cowards. I thought that I no longer had any rivals in the East Blue. However…! I came across a feature on the Sea Restaurant Baratie from when you still worked there. That cook said that the Sous Chef there is the No. 1 cook in the East Blue. He said that you were an excellent cook and that we were no match for you! Since then, I've kept looking all over for you…searching every nook and cranny of the East Blue… for ten long years…!"
"It's actually been ten days, though…" Jose remarks.
"Carmen-sama likes to exaggerate," Leo adds.
"Keep your big mouths shut!" Carmen shouts, smacking her apprentices away with her frying pan. "I challenge you, Sanji!" She turns and points at the blond man. "Come to the Cooking Championship at the market at one this afternoon! I'll defeat you for sure at that championship! Got that?!" She laughs and spins on her foot too fast, lifting off the ground before disappearing, surprising everyone, but once they look back down, they find her swirling slowly, dizzy and laughing. Jose and Leo catch her, carrying her off down the street.
"Well, then! We'll see you later!" The apprentices shout.
"Ah, Carmen-san… What a passionate woman she is!" Sanji muses, liking her fire, but his mind still falls to that pink-haired woman he bumped into earlier.
"Young man, are you going to participate in the competition?" A local asks him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Huh? No, I'm not interested in things like that, so…" He declines and walks away, not realising he's missed Pandora as she walks down the next street to get to the food market.
{ E}
Sanji finally arrives at the food market, seeing everything from fruits & veg to meat displayed everywhere. "A market, huh?" He mutters, looking around in awe. He moves towards the fish near the dock, seeing all the different types of fish he hasn't seen before, and one catches his eye. "Whoa! Just as you'd expect from Loguetown! They have far better quality and more kinds of seafood than other places!" He walks over, seeing something else he doesn't recognise. "Hm? This is premium!" He catches the attention of the stall owner.
"You have a good eye, young man!" He remarks, looking at the young cook. "Those're coastal fish caught just this morning."
"Coastal fish?" Sanji questions, picking up the large green fish. "It's true that they're firm and fresh, but I've never seen fish like this before. Were they really caught in the East Blue?"
"Hmm… You're really knowledgeable," Sapi comments, standing up and looking at the man. "As you noticed, these're fish that you can catch only in the West Blue. It's just expected that East Blue people don't know this fish."
"West Blue? Why do you call them coastal fish then?" He asks.
"Young man, I bet you've never been here before," The stall owner remarks, looking at him.
"Huh? Yeah…" The Ship Cook replies.
"It may be because Loguetown is the closest town to the Grand Line, but we can sometimes catch fish from the other seas, in addition to the East Blue." Sapi explains.
"From the other seas…?" Sanji mutters, looking at the West Blue native fish.
"That's right. They probably get mixed in crossing ocean currents. That's something that often happens here," He adds, and there's a commotion behind them, drawing their attention. "Oh… sounds like they caught something. Wanna go see it?" They move away from the stall, joining the large crowd of onlookers. "What's going on?!" He asks but freaks out when he sees the large catch. "Wha…?! This is…!" Sanji pushes to the front and sees the giant Elephant Bluefin Tuna lying on the ground. "Amazing! That's an Elephant Bluefin Tuna!"
"That's right!" The fisherman exclaims. "It probably got mixed in from the southern ocean. I caught it with a pole and line!"
"Elephant Bluefin Tuna…" Sanji mutters in awe as he looks at it and thinks of an old memory. "Ah!" He remembers his time on the ship before Zeff, what the cooks would talk about, and the first time he heard about the All Blue. "All Blue…"
"Okay, then, haul it away," The fisherman tells his friends.
"Okay," They agree, moving to pick up the large fish.
"H-Hold on a second!" Sanji calls, stopping them. "How much is it?! Sell it to me!"
"What?!" The fisherman questions, looking at the young chef.
"I've got money! Let me buy it! Please!" he pleads, drawing some attention from the crowd.
"No, you can't! This isn't for sale!" The man argues. "It's been decided just now that this is going to be a prize. Sorry."
"A prize…?" The blond cook questions, feeling disappointed.
"That's right," Sapi confirms, moving towards his friend. "The annual Cooking Championship will be starting a little later today. Cooks from all over the East Blue gather for this competition. This'll be given to the winner."
"After all, this is an Elephant Bluefin Tuna. It's exactly what a champion deserves. So we decided to give it as a prize," The fisherman explains.
"If you really want it, you should participate," He suggests. "You're a cook, aren't you?"
"Y-Yeah…" Sanji agrees.
"The registration is over there. If you're interested, go register," The stall owner tells him, and the men carry the fish away. "Hurry up or it'll close soon, young man. See ya!" He walks away, and Sanji thinks about it, smiling.
"A cooking competition, huh? All right, then!" Sanji smirks and walks away, but stops. "Huh…? Wait a second…" He remembers his encounter with Carmen but brushes him off. "Oh, well…"
{ E}
Pandora looks around the marketplace, smiling at all the delicious-looking food, when someone she recognises walks towards her. "Sapi-chan, hey, what's going on? You look excited?" She asks him, seeing the big grin on his face.
"The annual Cooking Championship is looking good this year, and with you here like you promised to be one of the judges and the Elephant Bluefin Tuna they caught for the prize. It is turning out to be an interesting competition this year," Sapi tells her, making her look at him in surprise.
"That's today?" She questions.
"You forgot, didn't you?" He asks, and she nods.
"I'm really sorry, Sapi. But I haven't eaten all day. I am so up for eating right now. Especially if there's cupcakes for dessert," The pink-haired accountant replies, smiling, showing her little pointed canines.
"Great!" The stall owner exclaims. "It's starting soon, let's go!"
{ E}
The blue sky brightens up with small fireworks, signalling the beginning of the annual Cooking Championship as a large crowd gathers in the docks with a stage holding the prize, two fully equipped kitchens, and every possible ingredient for the contestants and to the side is the leader board and on the other side is the table with the judges. "Now, the annual Cooking Championship festivities are about to start!" Sapi announces through the microphone. "We have famous cooks from around the East Blue gathered here!"
"What a crowd!" Nami comments, having joined the people, wondering what has everyone so excited. "I wonder what's going on…?"
"This year's prize is an Elephant Bluefin Tuna!" He adds, making everyone look at the giant fish on the platform above the stage. "It's a treasure of the ocean and miracle food! Who will earn the 'East Blue's No. 1' title and win the Elephant Bluefin Tuna?!" Sanji sits at the table in the waiting area of the participation room with the other cooks, hearing a familiar laugh as he enjoys his smoke.
"That will be me!" Carmen says, drawing his attention. "I'm glad you came instead of running away, Sanji!" He looks over to see her sitting with her two apprentices on her own chair. "But the East Blue's No. 1 title will be mine! This time I'll finally prove my real abilities!" Sanji moves swiftly, kneeling before her.
"Oh, Carmen-san! I'm excited to see you again!" Sanji beams, about to kiss her hand again. "Here's a kiss for our reunion!" She swings at him again with a frying pan.
"Don't you dare!" She shouts, smacking him in the face, making him bleed from his nose and mouth.
"You haven't changed… How passionate…" He mutters. Meanwhile, Nami walks through the crowd to get a better look; she spots someone familiar.
"Hey!" Nami calls Usopp, who trails behind her because of the big bag of clothes. "Hold on a sec! Look! Look at that!" She points towards the participant's tent, seeing Sanji being shooed away from Carmen by Jose and Leo, with the other cooks looking on.
"That's Sanji!" Usopp exclaims, watching the blond cook backing away and blowing kisses at Carmen.
"Yeah!" Nami beams.
"Hey! Hey!" He shouts, trying to get Sanji's attention. "Sanji!"
"Sanji-kun!" She shouts, immediately gaining the chef's attention.
"Nami-san!" Sanji shouts, leaping towards her. "You came to give me your support?!"
"Not really. I was just passing by," The Navigator argues.
"But why in the heck are you participating in a competition like this?" Usopp asks him, making the cook look at him for the first time.
"Oh, Usopp. I didn't realise you were here," Sanji retorts.
"I was the one who called out to you first!" He snaps angrily at his crewmate.
"Now it's time to start the championship!" Sapi announces. "These're the judges!" He gestures to the judges, two cooks, two fishermen, Pandora, and a drunken citizen of Loguetown. "Also, to be fair, we asked Sam-san, a member of the general audience on his way home from a wedding party, to join the judges!"
"Where am i?" Sam questions, looking nervously around.
"Are you ready, Sam-san?!" He asks. "Sam-san?!"
"Let's go!" He shouts.
"And our celebrity guest this year! Our very own lover of all things sweet! Pandora-chan!" Sapi exclaims, making everyone cheer. Sanji looks away from Nami and Usopp, looking at the judges' table, and blushes bright red as he looks at the pink-haired woman as she stands, waving at the crowd with a warm smile.
"Let's get cooking!" Pandora beams before sitting back down.
"Yeah…" Sanji mutters, his eyes never wavering from the beautiful Marine Accountant.
"The rules are simple," Sapi explains. "First, each cook will compete against another. Whoever receives a higher total score from the judges wins. And whoever remains undefeated through all the matches will be the East Blue's glorious No. 1 cook! Well then, we'll now start the first round! The first match is Shoo the Lizard from the easternmost extremity versus Eoccoli, representing Loguetown!" He announces the first two competitors. "Now, ready… Start!" He bangs a ladle on a big pot to signal the beginning of the match.
"What, Sanji?" Usopp asks, looking at the blushing blond. "You're interested in becoming the East Blue's No.1?"
"Don't be stupid," Sanji replies. "It's nothing like that." He turns, facing them. "I just want to cook that fish," He points at the giant fish.
"Fish?" He wonders, looking at it.
"Oh yeah, that fish does look different from others," Nami comments, smiling.
"Though that fish's secret can't be obtained so easily…" Sanji remarks, confusing his crewmates.
The match between Shoo and Eoccoli finishes with Eoccoli as the winner. Next is Sanji, who easily wins, impressing the judges. More cooks go up against each other, with Carmen winning hers next. And it soon comes to the last match. "And at last, the final match!" Sapi announces, earning a big cheer from the crowd.
"Hey, people're really excited," Usopp comments, looking into the crowd.
"Yeah," Nami agrees.
"With his remarkable cooking sense and skills, Sanji won through to the final! With her gorgeous dance and cooking skills, Carmen has kept crushing others! Which one will win the glorious Elephant Bluefin Tuna?!" Sanji looks at her, waving, but not as aggressively as before. Carmen looks at him before huffing and turning away, and his attention turns to the pink-haired judge waving frantically at her. Pandora looks at him and softly waves back at him. "The anticipated final match starts now!" He hits the pot, signalling the beginning of the final match. Carmen quickly starts, grabbing a carrot and beginning prepping.
"Rinsing!" Carmen shouts, washing it before laughing and peeling the carrots quickly and dramatically.
"There she goes! Carmen's cooking looks showy at first glance, but what she's actually doing is quite simple. Also, her opponents get confused by those two in front and lose their pace," He looks down at Jose and Leo as they wave their red flags around. Everyone looks at Sanji, seeing him calmly prepping a fish, "but how is Sanji doing?!" Sanji skillfully and quickly cuts the fish in half before moving on to the next. "He's not affected! Far from that, he's exhibiting amazing knife skills!" Usopp and Nami beam with excitement as they watch their cook. Carmen loses her cool as she fills a pot with water, glaring angrily at Sanji as he cleans his knife and sharpens it. "Contender Sanji is silently proceeding with the preparation at his own pace!" He cracks two eggs into a bowl before whisking them and then walks away, making everyone gasp as they watch him closely. He expertly chops an onion as he thinks about his past.
"I know… Theoretically it's impossible," Sanji ponders as he focuses dutifully as he cooks. "I know that much…due to the Red Line Contient that runs from north to south and the ocean current in the Grand Line which extends from east to west. A sea where you can find all the fish from those four seas…should be impossible… It definitely exists! That's right. Otherwise how do you explain those West Blue fish and the Elephant Bluefin Tuna?" He pours wine into the pot on the stove. "The possibility that the damn geezer was talking about may refer to this. If that's the case, I have no choice but to look for it in the Grand Line after all! The legendary sea…" He smiles to himself. "All Blue!" He lights the skillet on fire, making Carmen turn to him in shock as everyone watches on in worry.
"Now it looks like Sanji is starting to finish up!" Sapi announces as Sanji places a lip on the frying pan and takes a ladle for his next dish. Carmen begins setting the plates down on the table, starting her final touches. "Carmen is also close to the end! The decision…will be made soon!" Sanji catches the food on his plate as everyone cheers. "He did it!" The food is all placed on their plates on the table. "Contender Sanji completed it! And here is Contender Carmen! Looks like she's completed it, too!" The crowd cheers as the two cooks step away. "The dishes are all completed now! Who will win the crown?!" The judges take bites out of each meal and begin discussing amongst themselves.
"Well then, here goes," Pandora announces, standing up with a slip of paper with the winner on. "The winner of this year's Cooking Championship is… San…"
"Wait!" Carmen shouts, interrupting the pink-haired woman. Everyone turns to look at her as the two contenders sit at their tables enjoying some wine while the judges discuss their thoughts. Carmen stands and looks at Sanji, who looks back at her in surprise, and she walks towards him. "I can't forgive…" She says, confusing him. "I can't forgive myself!"
"What?!" The crowd wonders.
"I always wanted to compete against you some day. So I've trained like crazy!" She explains. "I wanted to be on a level with you… But ten years later…your dream hasn't changed! I can't forgive myself for being stupid enough to think that I could defeat you. You win… Your dishes are delicious. You're the No.1 cook in the East Blue, Sanji." Pandora smiles, putting the paper down with a smile.
"Oh… To think that Carmen-san is giving me such a compliment…" Sanji beams happily. "I'm so happy!" Leo jumps in, hitting him with a frying pan before he can move in.
"Don't you dare!" Leo shouts, and Sanji quickly grows angry and kicks the blue apprentice away.
"What'd you do that for?!" Sanji snaps. Pandora watches, giggling at the interaction.
"I'll withdraw for now, but be prepared when we meet next time!" Carmen declares. "I definitely won't lose."
"Yeah, if it's a challenge from you, I'll happily accept it any time," He replies happily.
"The winner is…contender Sanji!" Sapi announces, and the crowd loudly cheers for the blond cook.
{ E}
Pandora smiles as she enters her office again after the annual Cooking Championship. She thinks about the blond cook, who won the whole festival as she sits at her desk, starting on the mountain of paperwork again. As she looks through a few forms, she notices something strange. She looks through more and begins finding a pattern. She takes a few notes about everything she's found in her black notebook. The irregularities in payments and strange-looking accounts she's never seen before. She writes a note before sending it off to Marine HQ for confirmation and returns to her paperwork as she waits for a reply.
{ E}
Nami leads Usopp and Sanji on a massive haul towards the ship to return their things before heading back to find the others. "Ah! That was fun! I don't know why but today was a day of face-offs," Nami comments, not realising how right she is.
"Hey, why am I carrying the heavier part?!" Usopp complains, glaring behind him at Sanji, who is carrying the end half of the Elephant Bluefin Tuna.
"Well… an Elephant Bluefin Tuna, huh?" Sanji ignores the Sniper, wondering what he will do with the fish. "I wonder what it tastes like… Looks like I can use the fins for making stock. What can I use the ear areas for? Ahhh! I can't wait to cook it!" Nami stops suddenly, feeling a change in the atmosphere.
"What's the matter, Nami?" He asks her, stopping beside her.
"The air has changed…" Nami replies, looking up.
"Air?" The Sniper questions, looking up at the sky, too.
"It'll rain," She tells them.
"Huh? When the weather is nice like this?" Usopp wonders, seeing the clear blue sky.
"There's no doubt about it. Let's hurry," The Navigator tells them, rushing ahead.
"Huh? Hey…!" He yells, chasing after her towards the ship.
{ E}
Luffy's hat lands on the ground, and he picks it up quickly. "Phew! Good! My hat!" Luffy exclaims, placing it back on his head. He finally notices where he is, in the central plaza again, noticing the execution platform before the government building. "Ahh… I'm here!" He smiles. "Lucky!" He runs towards the platform, unaware he's been spotted by several people.
"Found him! This way!" Cabaji announces to his Captain in an alleyway off the main plaza.
"What?! Really?!" Buggy exclaims, turning to look at the man.
{ E}
An officer informs Captain Smoker about Luffy's reappearance in the central plaza inside the Marine HQ. "He showed up?" Smoker asks, looking at the nervous officer.
"Yes! We were watching the square like you told us," The officer replies, "and the man on the wanted poster appeared just now…"
"Okay," He says, standing from his desk chair.
{ E}
Buggy and Cabaji race through the alleyway, heading for the exit with the rest of their crew. "Let's go flashily." He moves quickly. "Finally… Finally the time for revenge has come. Just wait, you damn Straw Hat!"
{ E}
"So he just walked right up… Just wait, you brat," Smoker growls as he walks across the building to the vantage point, passing Pandora's office. She receives a reply from Navy HQ, and it's not a good one as she tears it up and goes running to her desk. "He finally showed up… Took him long enough."
{ E}
In the main plaza, Alvida walks calmly through the citizens with her iron club towards the execution platform as Luffy makes it to the top. "Wow! So this is the scenery that the King of the Pirates saw…" Luffy marvels as he looks out at the town. "And he died here…"
{ E}
Captain Smoker exits the Marine HQ when Tashigi finally reaches him, wanting to join him. "Please wait… Captain Smoker!"
"Come with me, Tashigi," Smoker replies.
"Yes, sir," She agrees firmly, and in the distance, the sound of loud rumbling from the sky comes closer, meaning Nami is right.
{ E}
In the central plaza, people begin noticing Luffy atop the execution platform, making noise. "Hey, someone's on the execution platform!"
"Who the heck is that?"
"That old man said that it was 22 years ago that the King of the Pirates died here…" Luffy beams as he looks at the scene before him, wondering if Gol.D Roger saw something similar that day.
"Hey you over there!" A man shouts with a bullhorn towards the young Pirate Captain. "Come down right away!"
"Why?!" He asks, not wanting to move.
"That's a special execution platform under control of the World Government!" The Police officer explains. "Come down right now!"
"Well, you don't have to be so strict, officer," Straw Hat replies.
"If you don't come down, I'll just arrest you. I'm coming up now!" He replies, stepping towards Luffy, but a spiked iron club swings at his head, smacking him to the ground, and everyone gasps as they look at the gorgeous raven-haired woman who assaulted the officer.
"Hmph! Now's not the time for small fries," Alvida remarks, confusing Luffy, who doesn't recognise the woman. "I've been looking for you, Luffy. Long time no see…" He still doesn't recognise her. "Don't tell me you forgot my face…" The men and women around her look at her in lust as they marvel at her beauty.
"How beautiful…"
"She's so pretty!"
"She is a woman of unrivalled beauty!"
"Her skin looks very smooth."
"I don't know anyone like you," Luffy argues. "Who the heck are you?"
"I'll never forget you…because you're the first man who hit me," Alvida explains.
"What? I hit you?" He questions, thinking about it, and the crowd gasps at the fact in displeasure.
"When your passionate fist hit me that time…" she replies, stroking her stomach. "Oh, it felt good…" Luffy looks at her, unsure about the woman and a little uncomfortable. "You guys…what's the most beautiful thing in the East Blue?"
"That'd be you!" The crowd exclaims, pointing at the woman in the centre of the group.
"That's right. It's me," Alvida agrees. "There's no man in this world that doesn't bow before my beauty. And I like strong men. I'll make you mine, Luffy."
"Shut up! No way! Who the heck are you?" Luffy asks her, still not recognising her.
"You still haven't figured it out?" She asks, and more police officers arrive at the plaza with guns.
"This is the police!" They shout. "Hey, woman, come quietly!"
{ E}
Pandora writes in her black notebook and then looks at the shredded piece of paper in anger, so she decides to find where all the money is going because a large sum seems to be going somewhere every month. She first noticed it when she started as the Head Accountant at Navy HQ, but it was only small amounts, then it got bigger. Pandora only moved to Loguetown because she made a big fuss at Navy HQ and was advised to take a break away from all the pressure from her superiors. She listened, but she still found the irregularities in the money, and it wasn't always coming from big Marine bases. Looking through the books, she sees it Daisy-chaining through small Marine bases and then to bigger ones before moving to Navy HQ and disappearing as if it was never there.
Over time, Pandora just keeps dubious notes of everything she finds, but she knows if she makes a fuss again, they will send her somewhere else or, worse, fire her. Pandora can't help but think about everything as she files away all the paperwork about to send it off to the accounting office at Marine HQ, but stops, grabs a bag, puts it inside and takes a piece of paper, writing to Smoker, who she knows is too loyal to the Marines and not her as she once tried talking to him about it, but he dismissed her theories. Pandora takes off her engagement ring and places it on the note before taking the photo of her family and heading out of her office and down to her bedroom, which she shares with Smoker.
{ E}
"The atmospheric pressure is dropping abnormally," Nami states, looking at her atmospheric-detecting device with worry. "I've never seen such a bizarre drop before."
"Now that you mention it, I feel a strange wind…" Sanji comments as the loud rumble comes from overhead.
"A storm is coming…to this island!" She announces.
"A-A storm?" Usopp questions.
"We'd better hurry back to the ship or we'll be in trouble," The Navigator tells them.
"Is it a pretty big one?" He asks nervously.
"Hey…!" Zoro calls to his crewmates, making them look at the Swordsman.
"Zoro?" Nami gasps.
"Have you seen him?" He asks them.
"You mean Luffy?" Usopp questions.
"Yeah… We got separated," The Swordsman explains. "I also feel something strange…like…something terrible is about to happen…" The storm grows more prominent as it approaches the town with its dark clouds as it tumbles closer.
"Pirates're here!" People shout.
"Run!"
"It's Buggy the Clown!" A crowd runs from the main plaza, gaining everyone's attention.
"What?!" Nami gasps.
"Buggy the Clown!" Zoro mutters in shock.
{ E}
Captain Smoker moves to higher ground with his team and apprentice behind him. "What? Then…" He asks, looking at the soldier.
"Y-Yes! In addition to Straw Hat Luffy, Buggy the Clown and Iron Club Alvida," The soldier informs him, "all notorious pirates in the East Blue are taking over the square!"
"Right under my nose…" Smoker growls. "What impudent jerks…"
"What should we do, Captain Smoker?" He asks.
"Send Unit #1 to the sea," The Marine Captain instructs him. "Unit #2 is to secretly surround the square from the streets. That's all."
"Yes, sir!" The soldier salutes and goes to leave, but Smoker stops him.
"Give this order to Unit #1," Smoker tells him.
"Yes, sir?" He questions.
"'Crush any pirate ships as soon as they see them. Don't let any pirates off of this island. Not even one pirate,'" The Captain orders as the storm almost covers the whole of Loguetown.
{ E}
"An execution!"
"An execution will start!"
"Buggy the Clown will be executing Straw Hat Luffy!" People shout, running from the square.
"Luffy's gonna be executed?!" Usopp exclaims.
"That idiot!" Nami snaps.
"Let's go!" Zoro shouts, running with Sanji joining him.
"Take care of this!" Sanji says, leaving Usopp to carry the large fish alone, struggling with the sudden weight.
"S-S-S-Sanji!" Usopp shouts after him.
"Treat it like a lady! Got that?!" He replies, and Usopp nearly bumps into Nami.
"We have to hurry, too!" Nami announces, dragging him away.
"Hey! Hey, Nami!" Usopp yells. "Where're we going?!"
"The harbour, of course!" She replies urgently.
"H-Harbour? Oh yeah, of course!" He agrees.
{ E}
"Captain Smoker! Please come here!" An officer says. "Things are getting weird." He hands him the binoculars, and Smoker looks through to see Buggy standing over Luffy, who is in stock on top of the execution platform.
"Hm? Wha…! Th-That kid… What's he doing?" Smoker wonders.
"Monkey D. Luffy. This can't be! Looks like he's about to be killed!" Tashigi remarks, looking through her own binoculars.
"How pathetic that kid looks!" Smoker comments and thinks about his first encounter with the boy. "He was somehow different from the others. He caught my attention… So I thought, but… Does this mean that he's just another pirate after all?"
"Captain, are we swooping in right away?" A soldier asks.
"Idiot. Don't be hasty," He replies.
"But if we don't hurry…" Another officer argues.
"I'm the one in command here!" The Captain snarls at him darkly.
"Y-Yes, sir!" He replies, hanging his head.
"A pirate is about to kill another pirate. This is great. They're saving us the trouble," Smoker retorts and faces his men. "Listen! Once that Straw Hat's head falls, surround Buggy, Alvida and their gangs! Don't give them time to think!" He orders, and a lightning bolt hits behind him as the storm settles above Loguetown.
"Smoker!" Pandora calls, joining them. "I need to talk to you."
{ E}
In the main square, Buggy laughs over Luffy, who lies in the wooden stocks as he thinks he's won. "Pirate Monkey D. Luffy, the criminal is to be flashily executed for the crime of getting me angry by becoming stuck up!" Buggy declares, making his crew shout and cheer below. "Live it up flashily!" The crew fire their pistols into the air, scaring some citizens who haven't left the central plaza.
"This is my first time seeing an execution," Luffy comments, looking down at the men below, happily unaware that it is his execution.
"We're executing you," he reminds the boy, causing the young pirate Captain to look at him in surprise.
"What?! Stop joking!" Straw Hat shouts.
"You stop joking!" The Clown shouts back.
"Take this board off! You bastard!" Luffy shouts.
"Okay! We are now going to start the flashy execution openly!" Buggy announces as Luffy shouts in the background.
"Ahhh! Stop it! Ahhh! I don't wanna die!" He keeps screaming.
{ E}
"I saw a big cumulus cloud in the eastern sky," Nami warns Usopp as they run through the streets towards the docks. "A storm is coming. An unimaginably big storm is… If Buffy, Luffy and the others go crazy, the Navy will come out. We're done for if the ship is washed out to sea when we have to get out of here."
"I see. That really is a big deal!" Usopp agrees, trailing behind her.
"The Navy may have already started taking action. The Going Merry is in danger!" She warns him.
"Th-The Going Merry will be in the Navy's hands?" He questions and speeds up, passing her as he thinks of the gift he got from his dear friend. "H-Hey, Nami! Hurry up!"
"Wait for me!" The Navigator shouts, chasing after him.
{ E}
Back at the main square, everything is quiet before the storm erupts from the heavens. "I'm sorry," Luffy lies, sulkingly at Buggy's feet. "I won't do it again. Please save me."
"Why would I save you, idiot?!" Buggy snaps.
"Hmph!" Cabaji huffs. "This is what happens when someone goes against us."
"I guess this is it for the man I had my eye on…" Alvida comments, both watching from below.
"Since you have a big audience, do you wanna say something before you die?" Buggy asks Luffy. "Well, that's okay," He says when Luffy says nothing as he sulks with Buggy's foot on his head. "Whether you wanna say something or not doesn't matter since you're gonna die." The wind begins picking up as the storm grows closer.
"I'm the man who'll be King of the Pirates!" Luffy shouts wholeheartedly, making everything around him stop in stunned silence.
"Wha…"
"K-King of the Pirates, he said?!"
"In this town, of all places…"
"That's a crazy thing to say…"
"Well then, I guess I'll do it now…" Buggy muses, "you damn piece of rubber."
"Stop…" Zoro demands, running into the square with Sanji, making Buggy look at him.
"...the execution!" Sanji and Zoro shout, and everyone turns to look at them.
"Zoro! Sanji!" Luffy beams, seeing his friends,
"Zoro?!" Tashigi gasps, looking at the man.
"You can't keep ignoring me, Smoker!" Pandora snaps, standing before her fiance at the window. She looks down to see the men, recognising them immediately.
"Shame on you!" Zoro says, looking at his Captain. "There's a limit to how much you can fool around, Luffy."
"If you're starting a sideshow, let me join you," Sanji remarks. "What we have to do for now is drive those damn pirates away?"
"P-Pirate Hunter Zoro!" The crowd spits apart, leaving only the pirates in the middle.
"Sanji! Zoro!" Luffy beams, looking at them.
"So you're here, Zoro! But you are a little too late!" Buggy shouts, raising his cutlass.
"We'll bring down…" "...that execution platform!" The boys shout, racing towards the platform.
"Roronoa Zoro…" Tashigi mutters hatefully as she looks through her binoculars as Sanji and he races through.
"Guys…get them!" Alvida orders the crew.
"We'll get them!" The crew happily agrees. "Big Sis Alvida!" The crew races towards the two men as they face off, though Sanji and Zoro seem to be having an easy time going through the men.
"Out of my way!" Zoro snaps, slicing through the enemy pirates with ease as Sanji kicks them all to the ground.
"Not even Zoro can stop me now!" Buggy laughs. "This is the end of your Captain!"
"Damn, bastard!" Sanji sneers, racing towards the platform. He kicks his way, though, and Zoro slices through them like butter.
"If I cut down the execution platform…" Zoro decides.
"Listen. The moment Monkey D. Luffy's head falls, we'll attack all together," Smoker orders his men. "All units. Get ready for battle."
"Yes, sir!" They reply.
"Smoker, we need to talk!" Pandora snaps.
"I'm busy now," Smoker argues, pushing her away from the window. Pandora looks around, feeling a strange sensation floating through the air.
"Zoro! Sanji!" Luffy shouts. "Usopp! Nami!" He looks up. "Sorry. I'm… dead." He smiles, which shocks everyone into deathly silence.
"Idi…" Zoro snaps.
"Don't say something so stupid!" Sanji shouts.
"He smiled!" Smoker gasps.
"He's the one…" Pandora mutters, racing down the stairs. The sword inches closer to Luffy's neck and crackles with lightning as it strikes the execution platform, destroying it and setting Buggy in blue flames. Everyone stops and stares at the flaming mess as rain begins falling from the sky, and the platform creaks and falls to the ground on its side. Luffy's hat falls to the ground, and he casually picks it up, placing it back on his head and laughing as Buggy lies crispy on the ground.
"I'm still alive after all," Luffy laughs. "I got lucky." He walks towards his crewmates.
"H-Hey, do you believe in God?" Sanji asks Zoro as they look at their Captain.
"Phew, lucky me," He says.
"Stop talking nonsense," Zoro replies. "Let's get out of this town already."
"I was worried what was going to happen for a while," The Straw Hat laughs.
"Another trouble seems to be brewing," He warns, looking up at the shadow of Smoker as he watches the main plaza.
"Now! Corner those pirates!" Smoker orders.
"Yeah!" The Marines shout, coming into the main square surrounding the pirates.
"Here they come!" Sanji announces as the Marines start fighting with Buggy and Alvida's crew.
"Amazing! Amazing! It's somehow gotten crazy!" Luffy laughs. "Amazing! Ahh! Amazing!" He dodges out of the way of flying Clown Pirates when Zoro grabs his Captain, scaring him for a second.
"Hey, Luffy!" Zoro snaps.
"Ahhh… Z-Zoro!" He stutters, looking back.
"This is no time to be excited! We need to get out of here!" The Swordsman reminds him.
"We'd better hurry back to the ship or we'll never be able to leave this island," Sanji warns them. "We won't be able to enter the Grand Line!"
"What?! That's not good!" Luffy agrees, and they race off out of the central plaza.
"The Straw Hat gang is running away!" An officer shouts, alerting everyone. "Capture them!"
"Go after them!" Men appear before them, but the Monster Trio deals with them swiftly, though they quickly use their shotguns. A flash of pink stops them as they see Pandora in her Hybrid Vulture form in front of them, the pink feathered wings on her back that span twice her arms and black talons, sharp as knives. Zoro, Luffy and Sanji stop, hearing the Marines stop and see the woman standing with her back to them. "Accountant Parker!"
"Don't touch them!" Pandora growls, flapping her wings, sending the remaining men flying. "I quit!" She turns to look at the men; Sanji recognises her immediately; hearts appear in his eyes, and Zoro smiles, knowing the woman. Luffy looks at her, surprised, not knowing what to do. "We should go." The wings fold away into her back, showing the bag she's carrying. "Would you be so kind, Zoro?" She holds it up to him, but Sanji happily takes it.
"I would be honoured to help you, milady!" Sanji exclaims, skipping away.
"Why are you doing this, Dora?" Zoro asks her, making her look around.
"We really need to go," Pandora tells him urgently. "Or you won't make it back to your ship."
"Let's go," He agrees, seeing the urgency in her eyes and runs with the others following.
{ E}
"Why did he smile?" Smoker wonders, not noticing Pandora's disappearance. "Did he know he'd be saved? No. At that moment, he seriously thought his life was going to end there. He accepted death and smiled after preparing himself."
"Captain, please go seize the pirates," His men plead.
"Hey… have you seen any pirates who smiled on the execution platform?" He asks, glancing at him.
"N-No way! Even if it's a brave-acting big shot, at the moment of death, he turns pale and dies in despair," The officer replies.
"That straw hat man smiled…" The Captain mutters. "...just like Gold Roger, King of the Pirates, smiled 22 years ago in this town…on that execution platform…" He thinks of that day he witnessed all those years ago.
"Captain…" He gasps.
"Where did the Straw Hat go?" Smoker demands.
"Yes, sir. He's running towards the sea," The officer informs him.
"What's Unit #1 doing? They should've blown up their ship by now," He remarks, walking past him.
"Well… They're back for refitting because they couldn't light the powder due to the sudden rain…" The man explains, hanging his head.
"What?!" The Captain snaps.
"A reserve unit is currently getting ready to attack the ship instead," The officer tells him.
"Captain Smoker! If we let them sail out now, they'll enter the Grand Line!" Tashigi warns him.
"The wind is blowing towards the west. It's a tailwind for their ship. Are these all coincidences?" Smoker wonders. "It's as if heaven is trying to let that man live." He looks around, finally noticing that Pandora has disappeared. "Where's Pandora?"
"About that sir…" the officer mutters, looking nervous. "Some of the men reported she helped the straw hat escape…"
"What?!" Tashigi gasps. "No! Cap-" She stops, seeing the rage in Smoker's eyes.
"I am White Hunter Smoker. On my honour as a Navy Headquarters Captain, I won't let that man or traitor leave this island!" Smoker growls.
{ E}
"We'd better hurry or we'll be in trouble!" Zoro snaps as they run, following Pandora.
"We're gonna make it to the Grand Line like this!" Luffy cheers.
"We need to turn right to avoid the Marines!" Pandora warns them, moving towards an alleyway.
{ E}
A man in a green cloak strolls through the strong wind and heavy rain not far from the Monster Trio and Pandora. "Inherited will… The tide of the times… People's dreams… These things cannot be stopped. As long as people seek the answer of freedom, these things will never cease to be!" The man muses to himself. "A pirate, huh? Fine by me."
{ E}
The boys and Pandora emerge from the alleyway and proceed to the next street. "What's with this storm?!" Zoro wonders.
"If we don't leave soon, we'll be stuck here," Sanji replies. "Nami-san was right when she said we should hurry back to the ship!"
"Run! Run! Run!" Luffy shouts, following Pandora.
"Enough talking! We need to get out of here before Smoker realises where we're going!" Pandora reminds them.
{ E}
Ahead of the Monster Trio and Pandora, Nami and Usopp race to the Going Merry. "This is heavy!" Usopp gasps, dragging the fish behind him a little.
"The Going Merry is in danger!" Nami reminds him. "The Navy might be already heading toward it! We have to get out as soon as possible!"
"Nami! Nami! Can't I just ditch this thing?" He asks though he fears what Sanji will do to him.
"No, you can't! Run faster!" She snaps.
"I knew you'd say that!" the Sniper cries.
{ E}
At the docks, where the Going Merry is sitting, Richie and Mohjit try lighting a match in the pouring rain, but they keep failing. "Dammit! What's with this sudden downpour, when we have to burn down this ship?!" Mohji exclaims, and one of the matches lights up but soon goes out due to the rain. "Dammit! This is bad, Richie! We can't get a fire going like this! One more time!" The lion groans, wanting food. "Be patient, Richie! I'll feed you later."
"What're you doing?!" Usopp shouts, coming across the pair trying to light the Going Merry alight.
"Mohji!" Nami gasps, recognising him.
"Oh, it's you, sneak thief woman," Mohji smirks, looking at them and standing. "Go, Richie!" The lion pounces, racing towards the Navigator and Sniper. Usopp panics and grabs an egg into the bag at his side.
"Special Attack: Fresh Egg Star!" Usopp shouts, firing, but it doesn't go far, hitting the ground.
"You…" Nami sneers.
"Damn! The rain made my hand slip!" He exclaims, and Richie notices the raw egg on the ground and begins licking it up.
"Richie! You're such a…!" Mohji snaps at his pet.
"Now! Let's get on the ship!" The Sniper suggests.
"Yeah!" Nami agrees, running toward the ship.
"I'm Mohji, Vice-Captain of the Buggy the Clown Pirates! I won't let you take one step on this…" he declares, and a bullet flies past him, hitting the Going Merry. They all turn to see Marines heading towards them.
"Prepare to fire!"
"The Navy!" Nami gasps.
"This is bad!" Usopp shouts.
"Aim!" The men kneel, aiming their guns at the three pirates and the lion. "Fire!" They shoot as Mohji dramatically dodges. "Contact the cannon unit! We'll capture the pirate ship!"
"Yes, sir!"
"N-N-N-Nami!" He shouts, looking behind her.
"Yeah!" Nami agrees, nodding.
{ E}
"Which direction is the sea?" Zoro asks as they run through the heavy rain, which makes it almost impossible to see. They are all unaware of Captain Smoker closing in on them.
"I can't tell where we're going because of this heavy rain!" Luffy replies, smiling, and they hear Marines chasing after them.
"What persistent bastards! Should we stop and fight?" He asks, looking at the blond cook.
"We don't have time for that," Sanji replies, spotting someone ahead. "Oh? Who's that lady?!"
"Tashigi?" Pandora mutters, looking at her once friend, but she can't trust her anymore.
"I didn't realise you're Roronoa Zoro, and a pirate to boot," Tashigi mutters, hanging her head as they grow closer. "You… You lied to me!" She shouts, and Sanji stops, glaring at Zoro.
"What?! What'd you do to her?!" Sanji snaps at him, getting ready to fight.
"You didn't ask my name. That's all," Zoro replies, stepping towards her. "It's not that I lied to you."
"A rogue like you can't be allowed to own a renowned sword!" Tashigi shouts at him. "I'll collect your sword, the legendary Wado Ichimonji!"
"Try it," he smirks, feeling confident against her. She lunges with her sword, both blades clashing. "I see…"
"You jerk!" Sanji snaps. "How dare you attack a lady!"
"Please don't interfere!" Tashigi orders him.
"What?" He questions, looking at her in surprise.
"This is the fight between Zoro and me! There's no need to step in!" She tells them.
"You heard her. Go on ahead," Zoro adds.
"He's right. They'll be fine," Pandora agrees, looking at Luffy.
"Right. Let's go," Luffy nods, running past them.
"Hey, Zoro!" Sanji snaps, being dragged away by Pandora. "If you hurt the lady, I won't forgive you!"
"I'm sorry, Tashigi," Pandora mutters, jogging back to her and kissing her cheek. "I'll miss you." Tashigi looks at her in shock before returning to Zoro, where her friend leaves with the two pirates.
"Sergeant Major Tashigi!" The Marines call, catching up to them. Zoro moves, grabbing another sword as the two glare and begin striking at each other, and he pushes her back into a wall, hitting her sword out of her hand.
"I can't let you have this sword no matter what," Zoro tells her, placing his swords back.
"Sergeant Major Tashigi lost…" The Marines mutter amongst themselves.
"Well, then… I'm in a hurry, so…" He says, walking away, angering her.
"Why aren't you finishing me off?!" Tashigi shouts after him. "Is it because I'm a woman?! It's humiliating that you won't fight seriously in a game played in earnest just because men're physically stronger than women! I'm sure you don't understand the feeling that I wish I was born a boy! I don't carry a sword for pleasure!" She keeps talking, which reminds Zoro of his past and the former owner of his Wado Ichimonji.
"I don't like your very being!" Zoro snaps, turning around. "Listen! Your face! It looks exactly like my close friend's who died long ago! On top of that, you started saying the same thing she used to say! Don't imitate, you copycat woman!"
"What?!" She growls, stepping up to him. "Stop talking like a child! You're rude! I live the way I am! I don't know what your friend was like, but I'm the one who feels upset! Isn't she the copycat?!"
"Wh-What'd you say?!" He snaps.
{ E}
A little ahead, Luffy, Sanji and Pandora run through the street, almost to the harbour. "I see the exit!" Luffy exclaims. "The harbour is up there!"
"Crap!" Pandora curses, spotting Smoker ahead of them, blocking their path.
"Hey, who is it this time?" Sanji wonders, not recognising the Marine Captain.
"You're finally here…" Smoker says. "Straw Hat Luffy… Pandora…" He glares at his ex-fiancee. "Didn't I tell you that you can't enter the Grand Line unless you beat me first?"
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about it," Luffy replies, smiling.
"You're such an airhead…" He retorts.
"Hey, Luffy…" Sanji mutters, looking at his Captain.
"Sanji, go on ahead. I'll be right there. Take her with you," Straw Hat tells him.
"Well, I don't know about that," Smoker argues. "This is the end for you."
"Luffy, don't do anything stupid," Pandora warns him, knowing what Smoker is capable of. "I can help you."
"Go!" Luffy tells them, and Sanji grabs her gently, leading her away.
{ E}
At the Going Merry, Nami and Usopp run from Navy Unit #1 as they fire at the ship and them. They jump over the side onto the vessel as the Marines prepare cannons to fire at the Going Merry. Cannons shoot at them, getting close to the Going Merry, rocking the ship violently, making Nami and Usopp fly around the deck. "If we stay here any longer, the Going Merry will be sunk!" Nami concludes and quickly decides to leave, raising the anchor.
"A-Are you going to set sail? Luffy and the others aren't here yet!" Usopp argues, growing worried about the others.
"We don't have any other choice! It's better than getting sunk here!" She retorts, unfurling the sails. "Right rudder full!" The Going Merry sails off, leaving Richie and Mohji behind to face the Marines.
"So what're we going to do about Luffy and the others?" He asks her.
"We'll pick them up somehow," The red-haired woman tells him, and the Marines watch, panicking that they'll get away.
"Nami-san!" Sanji shouts as he and Pandora run towards the ship.
"Sanji-kun!" Nami calls, seeing the cook.
"Sanji!" Usopp shouts.
"Nami-san, I'm back!" As they run across the coast, Sanji shouts, making Pandora look at him strangely.
"Where's Luffy and Zoro? And who is she?!" Nami asks.
"Can we collect those damn idiots?" He questions, and Usopp and Nami run to the back of the ship as the Marines close in on Pandora and Sanji.
"Sanji-kun!" She shouts.
"Behind you!" Usopp warns them. Sanji turns around and kicks them quickly, and Pandora puts on her knuckle dusters, swinging at the men and punching them to the ground.
"Dammit! This is endless!" Sanji curses, looking around as the Marines keep appearing.
"I'll cover their backs! Get closer!" Usopp suggests, looking at Nami.
"No! We can't head back to land because of the strong current," Nami argues.
"Ahh, dammit!" He curses, jumping into the water.
"Usopp!" she shouts after him, and Usopp uses his slingshot to hit the Marines in the back. Pandora and Sanji keep fighting the Marines, but more are coming. "Usopp! Sanji-kun!"
{ E}
At the harbour entrance, Luffy and Smoker face off against each other. "I'll beat you and enter the Grand Line," Luffy tells him. "I'm the man who'll be King of the Pirates!"
"Enough of your idle talk!" Smoker growls, still feeling the betrayal of Pandora, leaving him for the pirate, and attacks.
{ E}
Pandora stops, feeling a strange sensation as if nature is warning her. "We need to go!" She shouts as a strong wind pushes her into the air, sending everything and everyone flying away. Pandora sits up under some rubble, moving it away, and sees Zoro not far from her. "Th-This is…" Zoro mutters, and she walks over to him.
"Wh-What just happened?" Luffy asks, sitting up next to Usopp.
"Luffy!" Nami shouts as the Going Merry sails out into open water. "Luffy!"
"Nami!" He shouts back.
"We'd better hurry up or the ship will be swept away!" Sanji warns him.
"Okay!" Luffy agrees, running in the opposite direction.
"What is he doing?" Pandora asks, morphing her arms into wings and flapping them high into the air, grabbing Zoro.
"Who cares, as long as it's not me," Zoro mutters as they fly over the water towards the ship.
"Gum-Gum…" Luffy shouts, leaping to a step of railings and stretching his arms, making Sanji and Usopp realise what's happening.
"Wha?!" Usopp gasps, looking at their Captain.
"W-Wait!" Sanji stutters, knowing what's coming.
"... Rocket!" Luffy shouts, shooting towards the Cook and Sniper, who try to outrun him. They don't make it as they fly onto the ship's deck before Zoro and Pandora, who softly land. Pandora lands, changing her arms back and looking at the Straw Hat with confusion.
"Everyone…" Nami beams.
"We need to get as far away as possible," Pandora warns the Navigator, who looks at her and does not know who she is.
{ E}
Smoker and his Marines stand at the harbour entrance after the sudden gust of wind, looking out at the ocean as the Going Merry sails away into the distance, heading for the Grand Line. "That man… What was that sudden gust?" Smoker wonders, looking out at the water. "He appeared and disappeared like lightning on the same day that Gold Roger was executed 22 years ago. What on earth…" He thinks about what Luffy said on the execution platform before everyone not long ago.
"If that's your decision, then go!" Dragon shouts from above, laughing happily.
"Why? Why did you help that man… Dragon?" The Marine Captain asks him.
"What reason would there be to interfere with a man's departure?" He questions, looking out at the ocean with a smile.
"Set sait!" Smoker orders. "We'll go after Straw Hat!"
"What?"
"We'll enter the Grand Line," He informs his men.
"B-But, Captain! This island is in your jurisdiction," An officer argues.
"Tell them I said, 'Don't give me orders.'" The Captain retorts.
"I'll come with you!" Tashigi offers.
{ E}
"Look at that light!" Nami announces, smiling.
"Is that a lighthouse of the island?" Usopp asks, hugging the mast.
"It's a 'guiding light,'" Pandora explains. "The entrance to the Grand Line lies ahead of that light."
"The Grand Line is ahead of that light…" Luffy mutters in awe, looking at the light as he approaches his dream.
"What do you wanna do?" Nami asks him.
"B-But there's no reason to enter during a storm like this…" Usopp argues. Luffy looks at his crew, and Zoro nods. He agrees to head into the Grand Line with Sanji, who gives him the thumbs up.
"Okay, then!" Sanji says.
"Wait!" Nami says, making everyone look at her, and she points to Pandora, who is leaning against the railing away from them. "Who is she and why is she here?"
"I'm Pandora Parker, Former Head Accountant of the Marines," she introduces herself, moving towards them. "And I helped your Captain get out of the main square after he was nearly killed by Buggy the Clown."
"What are you doing here?" The Navigator asks her.
"She's joining our crew!" Luffy exclaims, making everyone look at him.
"I never said that," Pandora argues, shaking her head. "Just get me to the first island of the Grand Line and I can make it back home."
"I would say you have a choice, but you don't, Dora," Zoro tells her, making her frown.
"Why me?" She asks, looking at Luffy.
"Because you helped us. And I don't know, you seem like a nice person," Luffy replies, making her laugh.
"That's the reason?" The pink-haired woman questions. "And what would I do around here?"
"I don't know," He tells her. "What can you do?"
"I was the Head Accountant. I can fight as a former Marine. I know the Grand Line pretty well, having lived there most of my life," Pandora explains.
"Then you can be our accountant," The Captain confirms.
"Wait! I look after the money!" Nami complains.
"Maybe this will help," Pandora says, showing the bag she's still carrying with her clothes and other items. She moves a shirt away, revealing many gems and money.
"Wow! Can I hold it?!" She asks, beaming.
"Sure!" The Accountant agrees, handing the bag over. "Be careful." Nami takes the bag, hugging it.
"I've never seen gems like this!" The Navigator gushes, looking at them.
"They're from my hometown," Pandora replies. "So, I guess I'm staying. Captain."
"Great!" Luffy beams. "Welcome aboard!"
"Nice having you, Soul Sister!" Nami exclaims.
"Shall we hold a launching ceremony for setting sail on the great ocean?" Sanji asks, looking around at the growing crew.
"Hey!" Usopp exclaims, almost falling.
"Sure!" Luffy agrees.
"Let's do it!" Nami nods, and Sanji walks over to a barrel and places his foot on the top.
"In order to find the All Blue!" Sanji says, and Luffy joins him, placing his foot on top, too.
"In order to be King of the Pirates!" Luffy exclaims, and Zoro adds his foot next.
"In order to become a Master Swordsman!" Zoro declares, and Nami adds hers afterwards.
"In order to draw a world map!" Nami adds. Usopp joins in, adding his foot.
"I-In order…to become a brave warrior of the sea!" Usopp stutters and everyone looks at Pandora, who places her foot between Sanji and Zoro.
"In order to uncover the secrets of the World Government," Pandora declares, "And to become the richest woman alive." She smirks, and they all look at their feet happily.
"We're going…to the Grand Line!" Luffy exclaims, and they raise their legs.
"Yeah!" Everyone shouts, smashing their legs down on the barrel, breaking it as they set sail for the Grand Line.