章 90: "Echoes of Loguetown: Challenges and Champions"

The Going Merry had finally docked in Loguetown, the "Town of the Beginning and the End." The Straw Hat Pirates were buzzing with excitement, each eager to explore the town where Gold Roger had taken his last breath. Everyone split up to pursue their own interests, but Raja chose to stay aboard the ship. Luffy, however, took off immediately, with his usual energy to explore.

Before the others left, Raja discreetly created a few clones, sending them along with each crewmate as a protective measure. He kept one clone on the ship and left with his true self off on a mysterious task.

As Luffy strolled through Loguetown, he stopped by a small bar and struck up a conversation with an old bartender who had witnessed Gold Roger's last days. Listening intently, Luffy's eyes sparkled as he imagined the Pirate King himself once walking the same streets. As he finished his drink, he bid farewell to the bartender and stepped outside, just as Marine Captain Smoker entered the bar. Smoker was already on the hunt for Luffy after hearing of his arrival, and now he had confirmed his target's presence in the town.

Meanwhile, Raja, wandering through the bustling marketplace, sensed Luffy's position and directed his clone near him to keep watch. From afar, he noticed Smoker – and knew an encounter was imminent.

Elsewhere, Zoro ran into a woman with round glasses and a striking resemblance to his old friend Kuina. The woman, Tashigi, was struggling with a few harassers when Zoro, with his straightforward bluntness, stepped in to help. Unfortunately, he accidentally broke her glasses during the scuffle. Apologetic but caught off-guard, he noted the resemblance but kept it to himself.

Tashigi, unaware of his connection to Luffy, ordered him to the Marine base to pay for the broken glasses. Zoro complied but quickly got recognized by some Marines as one of Luffy's crew. Before long, he found himself facing down a handful of Marines. Zoro wasted no time, effortlessly dodging their attacks and disarming them, pocketing their cash for good measure before making his escape.

While browsing a shop, Usopp was eyeing a pair of high-quality goggles when a girl named Carol argued that they were already claimed. After a quick exchange of words, Usopp learned that Carol intended to gift the goggles to her father, Daddy Masterson, a well-known bounty hunter. Usopp's pride got the better of him, and before he knew it, he had challenged Daddy to a duel.

A crowd gathered, and the townsfolk watched as the ten-pace duel commenced. But when it was time to turn and fire, Usopp immediately attempted to flee, drawing boos from the crowd. Just as he dashed away, a bullet shot through his hand, disarming him. Daddy's disappointed gaze silenced the spectators.

Raja, having caught wind of Usopp's dilemma, made his way to the scene. With a calm but serious tone, he approached them both, casually mentioning Yasopp, Usopp's father. Hearing the name, Daddy's demeanor softened as he shared his respect for Yasopp. Daddy recounted his past, explaining how he had crossed paths with Yasopp and had been spared in a duel. Inspired by Yasopp, he'd become a bounty hunter, finding a path that would support his daughter.

Usopp, spurred by his father's reputation, challenged Daddy once again, determined to prove himself. His new task: hit the weather vane on the tower. Usopp took a deep breath, steadied his aim, and fired. The bullet sailed true, striking the vane dead-on. Daddy, impressed, handed over the goggles, while Raja secretly gifted Carol with a beautiful dress and glasses along with a stash of berries as a secret peace offering.

Sanji had also found himself in a showdown of his own. A woman named Carmen, renowned as the best chef in the East Blue, challenged him to a cooking duel. Initially uninterested, Sanji's curiosity piqued when he learned that the prize was a rare blue-finned elephant tuna, a prized ingredient. Raja, sensing the culinary showdown, appeared in time to serve as one of the contest's judges.

The contest began, structured as a bracket competition, with Sanji and Carmen meeting in the final round. Carmen fought fiercely, but as the dishes were presented, it was clear that Sanji's culinary prowess was unmatched. Before the results were even announced, Carmen acknowledged his victory, graciously bowing out. Sanji accepted the elephant tuna as his prize, and Raja awarded Carmen a high-quality cutting knife as a runner-up prize. Raja then personally delivered the tuna to the Going Merry, storing it safely for their next meal.

As Zoro ducked into a nearby sword shop to find new blades, he ran into Raja and, once again, Tashigi. The shop owner was showing off a particularly vicious-looking blade, the Sandai Kitetsu, rumored to be cursed. Raja casually picked it up, eyeing it with interest, and tossed it towards Zoro.

Zoro caught the sword mid-air, letting the blade spin around his arm. As it circled, the blade hovered before falling back into his grip, unharmed. Impressed, the shop owner offered Zoro the sword for free, along with the Yubashiri as a gift for his bravery. Zoro's new swords gleamed as he left the shop, grateful for Raja's involvement.

Raja's clone was barely off the Going Merry before he felt a firm tug on his sleeve. He turned to find Nami grinning up at him, a sparkle of pure mischief in her eyes.

"Raja!" she said, looping her arm around his in a suspiciously friendly way. "Since we're in Loguetown, how about helping me shop? I need someone strong to carry all my stuff, after all."

Raja blinked. "Why me? Get Sanji. I'm pretty sure He'd love to carry… whatever it is you plan on buying."

Nami shook her head, all charm and insistence. "They're off doing their own thing. Besides, Luffy's bound to wander off, and Zoro would get us lost. I need someone reliable."

Realizing he had no choice, Raja sighed. "Fine, let's get this over with."

As they made their way through the busy marketplace, Nami darted from stall to stall with infectious energy. Her eyes lit up at every shiny piece of jewelry, elaborate fabrics, and curious trinkets she could find. Raja, meanwhile, trailed behind her, laden with bags and packages, trying his best to keep up.

"Here, Raja!" Nami called, shoving yet another shopping bag his way. He struggled to hold it all, nearly dropping a small mountain of clothing and baubles. "And don't even think about setting them down!"

"Nami," he grunted, his arms straining, "is all of this really necessary? How much are you planning to buy?"

Nami waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry, I'll put it all to good use. Think of it as an investment! Every good pirate needs to look her best."

An hour later, Raja found himself practically buried beneath countless shopping bags. Nami, completely unbothered, moved on to a jewelry stall, her eyes lighting up at a pair of pearl earrings.

"These are lovely," she said, glancing slyly at Raja, "and they're only 20,000 Berries."

"Only?" he echoed, incredulous.

She gave him a bright smile. "I know you're good for it, Raja."

He opened his mouth to protest, but Nami was already batting her eyelashes. With a long, suffering sigh, Raja dug into his wallet, realizing this "shopping trip" was more expensive than he'd anticipated.

By the end of the spree, Nami was practically glowing with satisfaction. Raja, on the other hand, looked like he'd just lost a battle with a small army.