Kapitel 10: Departure to Loguetown and Unexpected Gains
Haku's POV
The sun was still low in the sky as we prepared to depart Cocoyashi Village. The day before had been spent cleaning up the chaotic aftermath of the village-wide party. Between the snowball fight, the drinking contest, and Luffy demolishing Arlong's tower, it had taken everyone's combined effort to restore some sense of order. Even with Zoro's grumbling and Luffy constantly trying to sneak away, we managed to patch things up, replacing broken furniture, rebuilding damaged rooftops, and apologising (mostly Nami's job) to the villagers for the mess we'd made. In the end, the village looked better than ever, with a sense of renewed energy and hope in the air (again).
As I sat by the shoreline, waiting for the last of our preparations to be completed, Chibi quietly napped on my head. I pulled out a ledger where I'd been tracking my finances. Between the rewards from the bounties I'd collected and my share of the gold looted from Arlong's tower, I'd amassed a small fortune. However, refurbishing the village twice had taken a sizeable chunk out of my savings. My rough calculations left me with about 100 million beli—not bad by any means, but enough to make me cautious about future expenses.
I planned to go on a bit of a shopping spree when we reached Loguetown: visiting the black market for some log-poses, sea-stone cuffs, steel needles, and getting some weighted clothes for training and then mix of normal seasonal ones. During the last three years, I visited that place a few times. You'd be surprised of the variety of services the black market provided, at least I was. Although, for the price of quality and convenience, majority of the items are sold over their market value. But I'd need new gear for the Grand Line, and though it would dent my funds, being prepared was the priority
Still, 100 million was more than enough for supplies and a few emergencies along the way. I glanced at the Straw Hat crew, who were busy loading the ship with provisions. Except for Nami, they didn't seem to worry much about money or logistics—Luffy, in particular, seemed to live entirely in the moment. It was both admirable and terrifying at the same time.
I continued sitting with my ledger, as Nojiko approached me from behind, her expression contemplative. Apart from an occasional tease every now ad then, she had been quiet since the night of the party, clearly wrestling with her decision to leave the village. As she came to sit beside me, the sea breeze gently tousling her blue hair, I sensed it was time for the conversation we'd been avoiding.
"Still not sure about leaving?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Nojiko smiled softly, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "I've thought about it a lot. This village… it's home. But I've seen what's out there now, through you and the Straw Hats. And after everything that's happened, I think I'm ready to see more of the world."
Her words carried a calm resolve, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I've spent my whole life here, taking care of everyone… But it's time for me to take care of myself. And maybe… discover who I am outside of Cocoyashi."
I nodded, understanding her sentiment deeply. "You'll always have a place here," I said gently. "But out there… it's dangerous. The Grand Line isn't like the East Blue."
"I know," she replied, her voice steady. "But I'm not scared. Besides," she smiled, giving me a playful nudge, "I'll have you to protect me, won't I?"
I felt my face heat up slightly at her teasing, and I coughed to cover my embarrassment. "I'll do my best."
We sat there for a moment longer, watching the waves. Then, she turned to me, her expression more serious. "I'm going with you, Haku. I made my decision."
I smiled, relief washing over me. "I'm glad."
By mid-morning, the Going Merry was nearly packed and ready to set sail. As we gathered on deck, Nami went over the navigation charts one last time. "We'll need to make a stop at Loguetown for supplies before heading to the Grand Line. It's the last town before we enter dangerous waters."
The crew nodded, but there was an undeniable excitement in the air. The Grand Line—our next great adventure—was so close now, just beyond the horizon.
I stood with Nojiko, watching the crew prepare for departure. Though we weren't joining them as pirates, we'd still be sailing with them for the time being. Nojiko and I had agreed that we wouldn't officially join the Straw Hat crew—we had no intention of becoming pirates—but travelling with them was the safest and most efficient way to reach the Grand Line. And truth be told, I felt a growing sense of camaraderie with them, even if I couldn't admit it aloud.
"You two ready?" Nami called out, glancing at us from the helm.
I nodded. "We'll stick with you until Loguetown and through the start of the Grand Line. But after that, we'll see."
"Good," Nami replied. "We're going to need all the help we can get with the unpredictable weather ahead. I can't imagine doing this without another capable pair of hands."
The truth was, the Grand Line was unlike anything any of us had experienced. Its climates were chaotic, changing in the blink of an eye, and the dangers lurking within were legendary. Nami's skill as a navigator would be critical to our survival.
As the final preparations were completed, the villagers gathered at the dock to see us off. Nami stood at the bow of the Going Merry, grinning as she waved goodbye to the crowd. Then, in true Nami fashion, she bolted from the ship and ran through the crowd, deftly swiping wallets and purses from unsuspecting villagers as she weaved between them. She reached the dock again, her pockets stuffed with money, and jumped back onto the ship, landing gracefully next to us.
"Nami!" I exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"What?" She shrugged innocently. "They owe me for cleaning up the mess."
Nojiko snickered, and even Zoro looked amused. As for the villagers, they didn't even seem to notice their missing wallets, too busy waving and cheering us off.
With that, the sails were set, and the Going Merry slowly drifted from the dock. Cocoyashi Village grew smaller in the distance, and soon, the open sea stretched out before us.
------
The Going Merry sailed smoothly across the gentle waters of the East Blue, with the crew still basking in the glow of recent victories. I'd learned that despite my presence, the Straw Hats had followed the general timeline of events. They had still defeated the Krieg Pirates, Zoro had lost to Mihawk, and he'd made his legendary promise to Luffy. I was honestly relieved. My arrival hadn't caused too many deviations from the canon—at least not yet. That gave me some breathing room to take advantage of my foreknowledge before the inevitable butterfly effect kicked in.
As Cocoyashi Village disappeared on the horizon, my mind shifted to the future. The Grand Line was no ordinary sea, and we weren't ready. Not yet.
I gathered the crew on the deck, standing at the helm with the vast ocean stretching out in all directions. The usual lively chatter of the Straw Hats died down as they sensed the seriousness in my voice. They all looked up, their attention fixed on me. The journey ahead was about to take a darker turn, and they needed to know what to expect.
"We need to talk," I began, standing at the helm with the vast ocean stretching in all directions. "I'll be blunt: we're still weak. The Grand Line isn't like the East Blue. The pirates there are on another level—stronger, more dangerous, and much more experienced. They call the first half of the Grand Line 'Paradise,' but it's a cruel joke. Even in Paradise, the dangers will kill us if we aren't ready."
Luffy, always brimming with excitement at the prospect of new challenges, grinned wide, eager for the adventure ahead. But even he could feel the weight behind my words. This wasn't about excitement anymore; this was about survival.
"To even the odds, I've been working on something," I said, pulling out a stack of papers from my bag. "These are training manuals I put together back in Cocoyashi Village. They cover two techniques: Soru and Observation Haki. I've also added some other body-strengthening exercises you might find useful."
"Soru?" Usopp leaned in curiously.
"Haki?" Luffy echoed, just as confused.
I chuckled. "I'll start with Soru then, also known as Shave. It's a high-speed movement technique. It allows you to move so fast it looks like you disappear, covering vast distances in an instant. It's all about moving your feet multiple times in the blink of an eye." I paused, gauging their reactions. "It's one of the techniques from the Marine's Six-styles, a series of incredibly powerful and versatile moves, and the only one I know how to use. It took me a year to derive it from one of my village's techniques—Shunshin. It requires extreme physical conditioning and precision to pull off."
Without warning, I used Soru. My body blurred out of sight, and in the next moment, I reappeared behind them. The crew whipped around, startled by how quickly I'd vanished and reappeared.
Zoro's hand instinctively went to his sword, and Sanji nodded in approval. "That'll be useful," he remarked.
"But it's not easy to learn," I cautioned. "It'll take discipline and intense training. With enough effort, though, each of you can master it."
I saw the spark of interest in Zoro's eyes, and Luffy had already begun flipping through the manual like an excited kid. Though, knowing Luffy, I wasn't sure how much he'd retain. He was more of a hands-on learner.
"Now, when it comes to Haki, it gets a bit trickier. In simple terms, it's the manifestation of a persons will, and everyone has the potential to unlock it. You'll understand better if I show you," I said, stepping back. I made sure to take off my mask for the demonstration and then close my eyes. "Luffy, come at me with everything you've got."
Luffy's grin widened, and he eagerly cracked his knuckles. "You sure about this? I won't hold back!"
"I wouldn't want you to," I replied with a smile, my eyes still closed.
In an instant, Luffy lunged at me, his rubbery arm stretching back for a powerful punch. But as soon as he moved, I felt it—the shift in his energy, the intent behind his attack. Through Observation Haki, I could sense his movement before he even made it. I felt the world around me seemed to slow down, and I effortlessly stepped to the side, dodging his punch by a hair's breadth.
Luffy's fist hit nothing but air, and he stumbled forward, blinking in surprise. "Whoa! How'd you dodge that?"
"Observation Haki," I said simply, while opening my eyes and straightening up. "It allows me to sense the presence, emotions, and intent of others. I knew where you were going to punch before you even moved."
"That's a dangerous ability," Ussop commented, his arms crossed, while the gleamed in betrayed his keen interest.
"It is," I agreed. "In battle, Observation Haki can give you a huge advantage. You can dodge attacks even from enemies you can't see. It's one of the essential skills you'll need in the Grand Line. When developed to it's full potential, you could even predict the future to some extent. But you don't need to worry yourselves with that for now."
Sanji took a thoughtful drag from his cigarette. "But that's just one type of Haki, right?"
I nodded. "Yes, the other main type is Armament Haki. It allows you to coat your body or weapons with an invisible armour, bolstering your offensive and defensive capabilities. It also gives you the ability to hit Logia-type Devil Fruit users—like myself."
I didn't bother informing them about Conquerors Haki at this point, as I myself still didn't quite understand how it worked.
"Logia?" Usopp asked, his eyes widening with worry.
"Logia users can turn into elements, like smoke, fire, or sand, making them nearly impossible to hit. But with Armament Haki, you can bypass their intangibility and strike their real bodies." I paused, scratching the back of my neck. "I haven't fully mastered Armament Haki yet, but I have something else that gives me an edge—my Snow-Snow Fruit."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Your Devil Fruit lets you fight Logia users?"
"In a way," I explained. "With the Snow-Snow Fruit, I can manipulate the density and temperature of snow, which can suppress certain elements. I can also create constructs that might contain a Logia user temporarily. It's not a perfect solution, but it gives me a chance to slow them down."
I paused, giving them a moment to absorb everything. My thoughts flickered to the challenges ahead—especially the stronger foes waiting for us in the Grand Line. I turned to Chibi, who had been sitting silently on my shoulder. Her tiny eyes were locked onto the manuals, filled with determination. I chuckled, scratching her head.
"Don't worry, I won't let you fall behind," I whispered. Chibi chirped back enthusiastically, "Sir, yes sir!"
After everyone settled down, I moved on to the next topic, my tone becoming more serious. "Our next stop is Loguetown. It's the last major town before we enter the Grand Line, and it's also a Marine stronghold. We'll need to keep a low profile."
"Marines, huh?" Zoro grumbled. "Just our luck."
"And not just any Marines," I added. "The captain stationed there is Smoker. He's a Logia user—he ate the Plume-Plume Fruit, which allows him to turn into smoke. He's incredibly troublesome to deal with."
Luffy tilted his head. "So, we can't hit him?"
"Not without Haki," I confirmed. "Right now, I'm the only one who can fight him effectively. With my Observation Haki and my Snow-Snow Fruit, I can counter his smoke to some degree. But even then, it won't be easy. I'm confident in running away from him unscathed, but beating him is a different matter altogether. "
Usopp gulped. "So… what do we do if we run into him?"
"We avoid him if possible," I said firmly. "Smoker also carries a weapon called a Jitte. It's made from sea-prism stone, which can nullify Devil Fruit abilities. If he hits Luffy, or anyone with Devil Fruit powers, you'll be powerless."
Nami, who had been listening intently, frowned. "So what's the plan?"
"We'll gather supplies and stock up in Loguetown," I explained. "But we keep a low profile. If we run into Smoker, let me handle him. The last thing we want is a fight with the Marines before we even reach the Grand Line."
Zoro smirked. "Low profile, huh? With Luffy? Good luck with that."
I chuckled. "Yeah, we'll have to manage."
Just then, a familiar bird appeared in the sky, a News Coo flapping its wings as it approached the ship.
Nami paid the bird (after trying and failing to haggle), and as she flipped through the pages, her eyes widened.
"Oh no… guys…" she muttered. "They've published your bounties."
We all gathered around as she read the front page.
"Monkey D. Luffy: 25 million beli."
I couldn't help but muse to myself. "Huh, by this point Luffy's bounty would be 30 million berri. I guess my early intervention with Arlong did affect the story ever so slightly."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Look at me!" He grinned at his poster, posing dramatically for the crew.
Sanji whistled. "Not bad, captain."
Usopp mumbled something about wanting his own bounty, his envy poorly concealed.
Nami, however, looked horrified. "Great. Just great. You guys have ruined any chance we had of keeping a low profile in Loguetown!"
She glared at me, her eyes pleading. "Haku, why can't you take all the blame? You're the strongest one here! Why don't you get the bounty?"
Nojiko chuckled, used to her sister's dramatic antics. I smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'm not a pirate, remember? I've been trying to stay under the navy's radar since, well, forever."
Nami crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. "Yeah, right. 'The Prettiest Devil of East Blue,' wiping out pirates left and right, defeating Arlong, and basically blackmailing the Marines. Sure, Haku, you're totally staying under the radar. And don't forget, you're travelling with Luffy now."
As if to prove her point, Luffy struck another ridiculous pose with his wanted poster, oblivious to the chaos he'd just caused.
I sighed. Yeah, she had a point. Staying unnoticed was going to be much harder than I thought. But as I looked around at the Straw Hats, their laughter filling the deck, I knew one thing: whatever dangers the Grand Line threw at us, we'd face them together.
------
A day later.
As the Going Merry docked at Loguetown, I took in the sight of the bustling streets, the towering buildings, and the unmistakable Execution Platform looming in the distance. Loguetown… the place where Gol D. Roger met his end. There was a weight to this town, something almost tangible in the air.
I glanced around at the crew. Everyone was excited for their own reasons. Luffy, with his usual enthusiasm, was practically vibrating at the thought of seeing the place where Roger had been executed. Zoro looked eager, probably thinking about getting new swords. Usopp was already making lists of supplies, and Sanji—well, he was probably already thinking about the local cuisine and charming every woman he could find. Nami and Nojiko stood off to the side, discussing something about maps and shopping for the journey.
For once, I wasn't wearing my mask. It had become more of a symbol lately, and in a place like this, standing out wasn't exactly ideal. So, I opted for something simpler—a hooded cloak and sunglasses to keep a low profile. At least, that was the plan. I would still bring the mask with me, though, in case something unexpected happens.
"Alright, everyone," I said, calling the crew's attention. "Stick to your plans, but remember we need to keep a low profile. Loguetown is a Marine stronghold, so it will be teaming with them." My voice was calm, but I made sure the message was clear.
Luffy gave me his usual carefree grin. "Yeah, yeah! I got it! I'm gonna go see the platform!"
Zoro nodded. "I'm off to find new swords."
"I'll gather supplies for the ship," Usopp chimed in, adjusting his goggles.
"I'll be checking out the local cuisine, see what I can restock the fridge with," Sanji added with a smirk, already looking like he had plans.
Nami smiled. "Nojiko and I will check out the shops."
As they all prepared to head out, I noticed Nojiko looking at me. She blinked a few times, her eyes lingering on my face before she quickly glanced away, trying—and failing—to hide the small blush creeping onto her cheeks. I felt my lips twitch into a slight smile, amused by how easily she got flustered sometimes.
"H-Haku, you're really going without the mask today?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though the slight stammer in her voice gave her away.
I shrugged, adjusting the hood of my cloak. "Yeah. The mask stands out too much now. Figured I'd blend in better without it."
Chibi, perched on my shoulder, decided to chime in with a chirp that mimicked my voice, but with a cheeky tone: "Look at me! I'm so handsome, I don't even need a mask anymore!"
I shot the little bird a look, but Nojiko chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her amusement. "Chibi's got a point, you know," she teased, her smirk widening. "You're not exactly low-key, even with the hood."
I frowned slightly, genuinely confused by their amusement. "I'm just trying to keep a low profile."
"Sure, low profile," she muttered, rolling her eyes. But I noticed how her gaze kept darting toward me, and how people passing by were already casting glances in my direction.
Before I could respond, I saw a group of women walking past, whispering and giggling to each other as they cast lingering looks my way. One of them stepped forward, clearly intending to start a conversation.
"Hey there," she said with a bright smile. "You're not from around here, are you?"
I shifted uncomfortably, not entirely sure how to handle the sudden attention. "Uh, no. But we're in a bit of a hurry—"
Before I could finish, Nojiko smoothly stepped in, linking her arm with mine in a casual but almost possessive way. She flashed the group of women a polite but firm smile. "Sorry, ladies, but we've got things to do. Busy day ahead."
The women pouted, but with one last glance at me, they reluctantly backed off. Nojiko sighed, tugging me along as we walked away from the scene.
"You're hopeless, you know that?" she muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.
"What did I do?" I asked, genuinely perplexed. Chibi let out another trill, which sounded suspiciously like Luffy's laughter, and Nojiko just shook her head, muttering something under her breath about "pretty boys."
We walked in silence for a moment, weaving through the crowd, before Nojiko spoke again.
"Hey," she said, her tone more thoughtful now. "Remember that party back in Cocoyashi Village? The one where everyone was flirting with you?"
I glanced at her, unsure of where this was going. Now that I think about it, besides Nojiko, that night I was getting attention from pretty much everyone in the village. But with how drunk I was… I felt like a pig at a slaughterhouse. Damn alcohol. I'm never drinking again!
(AN: ...Sure, buddy.)
I let out a deep sigh. "Yeah, I remember. But I also remember someone in particular being the one who flirted with me the most. Dangerously so, I might add," I teased, giving her a knowing look.
Nojiko blinked in surprise, then shot me a sidelong glance, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Oh? And who might that have been?" she asked innocently, though I could see the spark of mischief in her eyes.
I chuckled, shaking my head. "You know who. You weren't exactly subtle."
Her cheeks flushed just slightly, but she laughed, her tone still teasing. "Well, someone had to make you blush. You were too busy acting cool the whole time."
"Cool? I was struggling to stay upright after the drinking contest with Zoro and Genzo," I shot back, remembering how the world had spun around me that night.
Nojiko grinned. "And yet, you still managed to look good while doing it. Guess you've got that pretty-boy charm going for you, huh?"
I rolled my eyes, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "I'm not trying to charm anyone."
"Could've fooled me," she teased, nudging me with her elbow. "But you know, maybe I wasn't just teasing."
Her words caught me off guard, and I looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? So, what you're saying is… there was something real in all that?"
She smirked, her gaze playful but with a hint of something deeper. "Maybe. What would you do if there was?"
I wasn't sure how to answer that. This was new territory for both of us, and as much as I liked teasing her, there was a part of me that wasn't quite sure what to make of these feelings. So, I did what came naturally—I deflected.
"I guess I'll have to watch my back, then. Wouldn't want to get caught in any more dangerous situations," I said, grinning as I teased her back.
Nojiko chuckled, but her eyes lingered on mine for a moment, a softness in her gaze. "Yeah, you'd better. Especially if you keep looking like that without the mask."
Before I could respond, another group of women glanced my way, their interest clear. I sighed inwardly, already dreading the attention. But before they could approach, Nojiko shot them a sharp look, a mix of protectiveness and irritation flashing in her eyes.
"Why do I get the feeling you're going to be my personal bodyguard today?" I joked, casting her a sideways glance.
She shrugged, though her expression softened with a hint of a smile. "Someone's got to keep the vultures away from you. Besides, I think I'm the only one who knows how clueless you really are."
I laughed at that, the tension easing between us. "Clueless? Maybe. But I've got you looking out for me, right?"
She shot me a mock glare. "Don't get too cocky."
We walked in comfortable silence for a few more minutes before Nojiko finally stopped. "I'm heading with Nami to check out the shops. You going to be alright on your own?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I've got to pick up a few supplies. Maybe check out the black market while I'm at it."
She raised an eyebrow. "Anything I need to know about?"
"Just the usual. Some log poses, steel needles, maybe some seastone cuffs if I can find them."
Nojiko gave me one last smirk before turning to leave. "Try not to get yourself into too much trouble, pretty boy."
I chuckled, watching her walk away before turning toward my own path. As I blended into the crowd, I couldn't help but think about our conversation.
------
Loguetown's market buzzed with activity as I made my way through the winding alleys. The vibrant stalls offered everything from exotic spices to stolen treasures, and while most of it was useless to me, I had a clear goal in mind—log poses, steel needles, and seastone accessories. These things weren't easy to come by, but if there was a place to find rare and useful items, it was the black market here.
The narrow passage led me to a secluded stall. The merchant, an older man with greying hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes, leaned forward as I approached. His booth was cluttered, yet among the chaos, I noticed a few items that caught my interest.
"I'm looking for some specific gear," I said quietly, keeping my voice low. "Log poses, steel needles, and anything with seastone. You got anything?"
The merchant scratched his beard, thinking for a moment before reaching under the counter. He pulled out a few log poses, "These should serve you well," he said, his voice raspy. "As for seastone…" He paused before pulling out a small container. Inside was a ring, sleek and unassuming, but unmistakably made of seastone.
I raised an eyebrow, inspecting the item. It wasn't the seastone cuffs I'd hoped for, but the ring could be useful for training my resistance to seastone. "Where'd you get this?" I asked.
"Found it in the wreckage of a noble's sunken ship," the merchant replied. "It's rare to find something like this intact. I've kept it in this container so it's safe to handle. You interested?"
I nodded, taking the log poses, steel needles, and the ring. "I'll take them. Throw in two pairs of weighted clothes for training and some normal seasonal ones for travelling."
The merchant nodded, gathering the items. "Anything else, my friend?"
I paused for a moment, considering my options. I hadn't planned on it, but curiosity got the better of me. "Do you happen to have eternal log poses?"
The merchant's grin widened, revealing crooked teeth. He glanced around as if checking for prying eyes, then bent down behind his stall. "Not something I advertise to just anyone," he muttered. After a moment, he emerged with a small, weathered box. Carefully, he opened it, revealing four eternal log poses resting inside, each etched with the name of a location.
"Let's see…" he mused, pointing at each one in turn. "Alabasta, Jaya Island, Long Ring Long Land, and… Nanimonai Island. These are the only ones I've got. Eternal poses aren't easy to come by."
I studied the log poses, each pointing eternally to its destination, regardless of the seas' whims. Alabasta and Jaya immediately caught my attention—Alabasta with its deep history and Jaya with its proximity to Sky Island and the mysteries surrounding it. The other two are just point to the most weird and useless places, I'm amazed that eternal poses for them even exist.
"How much?" I asked, my voice steady while I pointed at the first two eternal poses.
The merchant scratched his beard, his gaze flicking between me and the log poses. "These ain't cheap, kid. Each one's at least 10 million beri. Alabasta and Jaya, being as useful as they are… 15 million each."
I kept my expression neutral, though I could feel the weight of that price. "That's steep," I said, leaning in. "How about you knock it down to 10 million for each? I'm already buying a good bit from you."
The merchant chuckled, shaking his head. "I like your style, but these are eternal log poses. If I drop the price that low, I'll be the one losing out."
I crossed my arms, feigning indifference. "You're already making a fortune off this transaction. It's not like these sell every day."
He eyed me for a moment, clearly weighing his options. After a long pause, he sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll let you have the Alabasta and Jaya log poses for 12 million each. But that's as low as I go."
I nodded, satisfied with the compromise. "Deal."
I handed him the money, and the merchant carefully wrapped the two eternal log poses and passed them over. "Pleasure doing business with you," he said, grinning as he handed over the items.
After the exchange, I slipped the ring's container into my bag and hefted the new clothes over my shoulder. The merchant grinned, pleased with the deal, and I left the stall with a nod of thanks.
With my shopping done and almost 25 million beri lighter, I realized I still had time before meeting up with the crew. Nojiko and the others were likely still busy in the markets, so I decided to take this opportunity to practice with Chibi's Sound-Sound Fruit abilities.
"Alright, Chibi," I said as I walked down a quieter alley. "Let's work on your sound pinpointing."
Chibi chirped in response, hopping from my shoulder to a nearby roof. I concentrated, feeling the sparrow's devil fruit powers resonate with me as we tried to focus on specific sounds in the area. It wasn't just about hearing everything at once; it was about isolating and relaying specific conversations or noises, be it from a distance or while she's next to me.
Just like that, we walked around the streets while I pointed at spots for Chibi to focus on. Be it buildings, shops, banter between friends sitting in a far corner of a nearby cafe, Chibi was able to relay all their voices and conversations as if I was standing right there in those places. Truly, the best mobile friendly-neighbourhood spy-gadget ever! I was fully engrossed in the feeling, until I noticed a building that caught my attention.
"Focus on that tavern over there," I directed Chibi. "Let's see if you can catch anything useful."
As we passed by a run-down bar, the infamous one where Gol D. Roger was said to have had his last drink, Chibi's head tilted, his feathers ruffling. His tiny beak opened, and suddenly, I could hear voices from inside the tavern, crystal clear. There were murmurs about the Revolutionary Army, whispers about resistance, but one voice in particular stood out, calm and commanding.
"...It's only a matter of time before the world realises what's truly at stake."
I stopped, eyes narrowing. That voice—it was familiar, though I couldn't place where I'd heard it before. I moved closer to the tavern, listening intently as Chibi relayed more of the conversation.
"The Marines will tighten their grip, but they won't stop what's coming."
I glanced at Chibi, then back at the tavern door. This wasn't just some random conversation. Whoever was talking knew something important—something dangerous.
"I'm going in," I murmured to Chibi. Without hesitation, I pulled my mask from my bag and slipped it on, hiding my face. My identity wasn't known to many, but I didn't want to risk it in this situation.
Entering the tavern, I spotted a man sitting alone at the bar, a heavy cloak covering most of his features. His demeanour was calm, but there was a quiet power about him. The tavern owner, a grizzled old man, exchanged a few words with him before retreating to the back.
I walked to the bar, sitting down beside the cloaked figure. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air was thick with tension, though the rest of the tavern's patrons seemed oblivious to it.
"You're awfully quiet," the man said, his voice the same calm tone I'd heard earlier.
I turned my head slightly, catching a glimpse of his face beneath the hood. My eyes widened ever so slightly. Monkey D. Dragon. I quickly collected myself, my brain working in overdrive, trying to come up steps to make the most of this encounter. I sat there for a few seconds in silence.
"You're not exactly subtle either," I finally spoke, my voice low, though I knew he'd understand my implication.
Dragon's gaze turned toward me, sharp and scrutinising. "...And who might you be?"
I didn't answer immediately, instead letting the silence hang between us for a moment. "I've seen you before," I said finally. "Not in person, but your reputation precedes you. The leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon."
At the mention of his name, I felt a wave of pressure—his Conqueror's Haki flaring, subtle but powerful. It wasn't enough to overwhelm me, but I could feel its weight. He was testing me.
I held my ground, meeting his gaze calmly. "I'm not here to fight."
Dragon's eyes narrowed, "...I can tell. You're too week for that," but he eased off the pressure. "Then why are you here? What do you want?"
"I'm connected to your son, Luffy," I said, watching for his reaction. His eyes flickered, just for a moment. "And Garp," I added as a false-truth. A grandpa of a friend is still a connection, right?
"As for recognising your familiar ties, your surnames gave it away, but your reaction just confirmed it." I continued shortly after.
Dragon remained silent, his expression unreadable. Though I could feel a faint waft of killing intent leaking my way.
"Relax," I said, leaning back slightly. "I'm not planning on revealing anything to the Marines. I actually have something to ask of you. But first, hear me out. "
His silence urged me to continue. I took a deep breath, knowing this would be the deciding factor between me coming out of this bar a winner or in a body-bag.
"My dream," I began, "is to live freely in peace in a world where my future children could pursue any dream they want, without the fear—or even the slightest chance—of the World Government or the Celestial Dragons turning them into slaves, or killing them for no reason."
For the first time since I'd entered, Dragon's expression shifted, a hint of surprise crossing his face. It wasn't often people spoke of such ideals, much of the world still unaware of the atrocities their government's committed. But for someone so young, from safest sea, to understand so much and still have such fantastical dream, that oh so happens to fit the ideals of the Revolutionary''s... it definitely must've taken Dragon by surprise. Which is exactly what I was hoping for.
"That's… quite a lofty dream," Dragon said, though there was a note of respect in his voice. "And you think you can bring about that kind of change?"
"I do," I said firmly. "But it's not just about me. It's about Luffy's dream, too. Both of our goals are almost fantastical in nature in day and age. And as his friend, I want us both to succeed. To make that possible, I need to get stronger. Strong enough to help him, myself, and make our envisioned futures a reality."
Dragon leaned back, memories of a distant past flashing through his mind. Soon, he refocused, scrutinising me again. "...And what do you want from me?"
"I want you to teach me the Marine Six Styles and Haki," I said, meeting his gaze directly. "In exchange, I'll help Luffy develop those techniques, and I'll owe you a favour. Assassinations, espionage, infiltration, reconnaissance—those are my specialities. All you need to do is point me to a direction."
Dragon's eyes narrowed once more. "You're asking for a lot. Training like that takes time, and I don't have much of it."
I glanced at Chibi, who chirped in agreement. "You won't need much time," I said. "Chibi can retain and replay sounds. As long as you teach it verbally, we'll be able to remember everything."
Chibi, quick on the uptake, chirped out in Dragon's voice, "Training like that takes time, and I don't have much of it."
Dragon looked at Chibi, then back at me. For a long moment, he was silent, weighing his options. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But when you reach your first island on the Grand Line, you'll contact me using this."
He handed me a small transponder snail, along with a number. "You owe me a favour, kid, and I'll collect when the time is right."
Not even giving me a moment to process the shock of his agreement, Dragon began explaining the basics of the Six Styles and Haki, his words precise and focused. I listened carefully, committing everything to memory with Chibi's help. Time passed quickly as he imparted his knowledge, and soon, we were wrapping up the conversation.
Just as we were about to part ways, Chibi suddenly squawked, mimicking a distant annoyingly-high pitched voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the execution of Monkey D. Luffy!"
My heart skipped a beat. Dragon and I locked eyes, both of us realising what had just happened.
"Luffy…" I muttered, already cursing under my breath. Buggy! How could I forget!
Dragon stood abruptly, his face set in determination. "We don't have time. Let's go."
Without another word, we rushed out of the tavern, our goal clear—reach the execution platform before it was too late.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
Glebby_Boi
Glebby_Boi Yo, this is a long chapter. Honestly, feel both ok with it and slightly not. Need your guys' thoughts on how it's been executed: the info dump and dynamic between the MC and the crew, the progress in Nojiko and MC's relationship, the meeting with Dragon, etc.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein