Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
Rogue Town
The members of the Straw Hat Pirates were scattered across Rogue Town, exploring the town's streets in search of supplies, weapons, or simply indulging their curiosities.
As usual, after asking for directions, Luffy managed to get himself hopelessly lost.
Meanwhile, Zoro wandered into a weapons shop. There, he purchased his third sword, the [Sandai Kitetsu], a cursed blade with a dark reputation. While examining his new sword, Zoro crossed paths with Tashigi, a Marine swordswoman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his late childhood friend, Kuina.
Having previously seen Kuina appear to him in the form of a sword spirit, Zoro was better prepared for the emotional impact of meeting Tashigi. This time, he managed to keep his composure, avoiding the blunder of breaking her glasses in his surprise.
Despite this, Tashigi was still drawn to Zoro—specifically to the two legendary swords he carried: the Wado Ichimonji and the Kuina, a blade she didn't recognize but was clearly of extraordinary quality.
Tashigi, a self-proclaimed sword fanatic, couldn't resist her curiosity. "That sword on your waist... What's it called?" she asked, gesturing toward Kuina.
Zoro hesitated for a moment before answering, "It's Kuina."
"Kuina? I've never heard of it... But judging by its craftsmanship, it must be comparable to the Great Grade swords," Tashigi said, her eyes gleaming with admiration. She turned her gaze back to Zoro, noting his possession of not just one, but two famed blades. "What... exactly do you do?"
After a moment of thought, Zoro replied, "I'm part of the Private Marines."
"Private Marines?" Tashigi tilted her head. "Is that... a branch of the Marine organization?"
Zoro gave her a small grin and explained, "Private Marines fight for the people's rights. We're not bound by the World Government."
Hearing this, Tashigi seemed to relax. To her, the idea of such powerful swords falling into the hands of criminals was unthinkable. If Zoro was aligned with justice, she wouldn't have to worry—yet.
"Private Marines, huh? That's an admirable ideal," Tashigi said after a moment's reflection. "Just promise me one thing—stay on the right path. If you become a pirate, I'll risk my life to reclaim those swords from you."
Zoro smirked, his confidence unshaken. "We'll see if you have the strength to back that up."
At the same time, Sanji found himself unexpectedly participating in an East Blue chef competition. Initially, he had no intention of entering, but his plans changed the moment he learned of the prize: a rare elephant tuna from the South Blue.
This was no ordinary fish—it held special significance for Sanji's dream of finding All Blue, the legendary sea said to contain ingredients from all four oceans. The fact that a South Blue elephant tuna could be found in Rogue Town gave him hope that All Blue might be real.
"This fish will mark the beginning of my journey to find All Blue," Sanji declared, his determination set. Winning the competition became a matter of pride—and necessity.
The competition, while billed as a grand event for chefs across the East Blue, was dominated by local talent from Rogue Town. Against Sanji's unparalleled culinary skills, the other participants stood little chance. He breezed through the rounds, defeating every opponent with ease, and ultimately claimed victory.
As Sanji, Usopp, and the others wandered Rogue Town, enjoying their victory and planning their next move, Nami's voice called them back to reality.
"Everyone, return to the ship!" she ordered firmly.
"Why? What's the rush?" Usopp asked, confused.
Nami's eyes scanned the darkening skies. "The weather is changing. There's going to be a storm soon—we need to leave now."
The crew of the Going Merry was making their way back to the ship when a commotion erupted in the distance.
"There's a fight at the execution platform!" someone shouted.
"Pirates are involved!" added another voice.
"Really? Let's go check it out!" a bystander suggested eagerly.
"No way, it's too dangerous," another cautioned.
Hearing the conversation, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji immediately thought of Luffy.
Nami frowned. "It's got to be Luffy... Only he'd manage to get into trouble like this."
Sanji sighed and handed the prized elephant tuna to Nami and Usopp. "You two head back to the ship. I'll go find Luffy—and maybe Ikki too."
Without waiting for a reply, Sanji sprinted off toward the source of the commotion.
At the Execution Platform Square
Luffy stood atop the execution platform, grinning despite the dire situation. Below him were Buggy, Alvida, and their assembled pirate crew, all glaring up at him.
Buggy pointed a dramatic finger at Luffy. "Straw Hat! You don't know what I've been through! After Orange Town, I had to endure humiliation, escape from Marine clutches, and rescue my crew singlehandedly! And now, it's time for revenge!"
Luffy tilted his head in confusion. "Who are you again? Porky? Boogie? Basie? Wait... Nose?"
Buggy's face turned beet red, his veins bulging. "WHAT?! It's Buggy! Buggy the Clown! Stop pretending not to know me!"
The surrounding crowd, intrigued by the spectacle, gasped as Buggy's name echoed through the square.
"Buggy?! The Buggy Pirates are here!" one shouted.
"We're doomed! Someone, call the Marines!" another yelled as the bystanders scrambled for safety.
Luffy scratched his head. "Oh yeah... It's you, Buggy!"
Before he could say anything else, Kabaji, Buggy's acrobat, leaped from the shadows and clamped sea prism stone shackles onto Luffy's wrists and neck.
"Straw Hat, you wanted to see the execution platform, right? Well, now you'll get to experience it firsthand!" Kabaji sneered.
Buggy climbed onto the platform with a gleaming machete in hand, his face twisted in vengeful glee. "This is the end for you, Straw Hat!"
The fleeing onlookers paused at a safe distance, too curious to turn away completely. They whispered and pointed, unsure whether to feel terror or anticipation.
Unbeknownst to Buggy, Marines had surrounded the square, hidden among the crowd. Smoker had planned the operation in advance, stationing soldiers to monitor the pirates.
Among the hidden observers were Smoker and Ikki, watching as the events unfolded.
Ikki clenched his fists, visibly agitated. He whispered, "I can't just stand by and let this happen."
Smoker raised an eyebrow. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Saving him, of course!" Ikki replied bluntly. "He's my captain—and the Fleet Admiral of the Private Marines. It's my duty!"
Smoker blinked, stunned. "Fleet Admiral of the Private Marines?!"
Ikki shook off Smoker's hand and bolted toward the platform, leaving Smoker staring after him in disbelief. "This guy… turns out to be a pirate too!" Smoker muttered angrily.
At the same time, Zoro and Sanji arrived at the square, their expressions tense as they saw Luffy shackled on the execution platform.
"Damn it! We've got to save him!" Zoro growled, unsheathing his swords.
"We can't get close with Buggy's men in the way," Sanji muttered, eyeing the pirates blocking their path.
Above them, Buggy raised his machete high, ready to strike. "Say goodbye, Straw Hat!"
Luffy struggled against the cuffs but quickly realized it was useless. He flashed a wide grin and called out, "Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Ikki... Sorry, guys. Looks like I'm gonna die!"
The words, combined with Luffy's unwavering smile, stopped Smoker in his tracks. He stared at Luffy, his mind flashing back to a similar moment years ago—Gold Roger smiling in the face of death.
As Buggy's blade descended, a thunderous roar echoed through the square: "Sky Dragon's Roar!"
Ikki hurtled toward the platform like an arrow, colliding with Buggy in midair. The force of the impact sent both of them flying.
At that exact moment, the sky above Rogue Town darkened ominously. A bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens, striking the execution platform directly. The sudden surge of energy electrocuted both Ikki and Buggy, causing the platform to collapse into a heap of rubble.
The crowd gasped, frozen in shock. The storm that followed sent torrents of rain pouring down, scattering the onlookers.
Among the chaos, Smoker stood still, processing what he'd just witnessed. 'That straw hat kid... he smiled, just like Roger.'