Chapter [238]

Loguetown

Suddenly, Riser noticed something unusual. As his eyes scanned the crowd, a particular gaze caught his attention.

It was a woman, discreetly dressed but exuding an uncommon confidence. Her eyes, intense and mysterious, were fixed on him.

Riser quickly recognized her. It was Alvida, Buggy's partner.

"So, you're the infamous Riser," said Alvida, with a pretentious smile that seemed to light up her face. "I've heard a lot about you. Seems like you've been spreading lies about Buggy."

Riser stopped in front of her, his presence immediately dominating the surroundings. The murmurs of the crowd around them diminished, and a tense atmosphere took over the square. Without haste, he tilted his head slightly, analyzing Alvida with a cold, calculating gaze.

"Kneel," ordered Riser, his voice firm and as sharp as a blade.

The force of his presence was overwhelming, and the emotional impact of his words was immediate. Alvida felt her legs tremble. The arrogant smile on her face vanished as she was compelled to obey, collapsing to her knees on the stone ground.

THUD!

The crowd's attention turned to them, whispers of astonishment and fear spreading among the onlookers. Some people stepped back, afraid of being caught in the situation. The air seemed heavier, charged with the manifestation of Riser's power.

"You... don't know who you're dealing with," murmured Alvida, trying to regain her composure, but her voice was shaky. Her wide eyes reflected a mix of fear and disbelief.

Riser crouched slowly until his lips were mere inches from Alvida's ear. His low voice, laced with a threatening tone, echoed like a deadly whisper.

"You've changed your appearance, but your personality remains disgusting," he said, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips. "But lucky for you, I need something from you."

Alvida was completely paralyzed, her hands gripping the ground as she tried to comprehend what he could possibly want from her. Riser rose calmly, looking down at her as if evaluating her.

"You will convince Luffy to let you join his crew," Riser declared, his voice filled with disdain. "If you fail, I will personally end your insignificant existence."

Alvida, still on her knees, pressed her lips together, unable to respond. Her mind spun in despair. However, she nodded silently, accepting the order she had been given. She knew disobedience would mean her death.

Riser turned unhurriedly, walking through the crowd, which quickly made way for him. Behind him, Alvida struggled to her feet, trembling but trying to regain her posture. Her expression was one of contained anger but also submission—an expression she never imagined herself displaying.

"We will meet again," Riser said over his shoulder, not even glancing back. "Don't forget: your next choice will determine whether you're useful or disposable."

With that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Alvida alone, with his words echoing in her mind and the weight of her own vulnerability consuming her.

---

Going Merry

"We've finally arrived in Loguetown!" shouted Luffy, running across the deck with his usual contagious energy. "This is where the Pirate King was executed! I need to see that platform right now!"

"Luffy, calm down!" replied Nami, standing by the helm as the ship docked. "First, we need to organize our tasks. We can't just scatter without a plan."

"Plans? I just want to explore!" exclaimed Luffy, already preparing to leap off the ship.

"Sanji, you're in charge of getting provisions for the trip," Nami ordered, ignoring Luffy momentarily. "I don't want to run out of quality food while crossing to the Grand Line."

"Understood, Nami-swan!" replied Sanji, his eyes sparkling with devotion. "I'll bring the best Loguetown has to offer."

"I don't have time for this," interrupted Zoro, adjusting his headband. "I have my own plans. I need to find new swords."

"Zoro, you can't just leave without hearing what Nami is saying," retorted Sanji irritably. "You always do whatever you want, you moss-headed idiot."

"Sanji, stay out of this," said Zoro, already walking toward the gangplank to disembark. "If you want to play assistant, good luck. I'll be back when I've got what I need."

"And you, Usopp," Nami continued, narrowing her eyes. "You're going to accompany Luffy and make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

"What? Why is it always me?" Usopp complained, but his protest was interrupted by the sound of Luffy leaping off the ship.

"See you later!" Luffy shouted, laughing as he ran toward the town. "I'm off to see the execution platform!"

"Usopp!" yelled Nami, in a tone that left no room for argument.

"Fine, fine! I'm going!" Usopp replied, running after Luffy with an exasperated expression.

Nami sighed deeply, watching the chaos unfold. "Men... I'll take the opportunity to buy some decent clothes and try to find Riser." She disembarked, maintaining her composure as she walked through the streets of Loguetown.

---

Loguetown

"Any sign of Straw Hat?" Buggy asked, his voice filled with irritation as he approached Alvida, who was leaning against a barrel in the central square. He crossed his arms, his eyes full of suspicion as he looked at her. "We've been here for hours and nothing!"

"No, I haven't found anyone," Alvida replied, her voice lower than usual, avoiding Buggy's gaze. She was still shaken by her recent encounter with Riser, his threatening words echoing in her mind.

Buggy snorted, clearly annoyed. "What do you mean, no one? That brat always shows up when we least expect him! This is unacceptable!" He began pacing, gesturing exaggeratedly. "I am the great Buggy, and I will not tolerate Straw Hat making a fool of me!"

As Buggy ranted, Alvida closed her eyes for a moment, trying to regain focus. Hearing Luffy's name, she remembered Riser's words.

"You will persuade Luffy to let you join his crew." Riser's cold and threatening tone returned to her mind, making her clench her fists.

"Be useful or disposable..." she murmured, almost inaudibly, as she gazed at the horizon.

"What did you say?" Buggy asked, stopping his pacing and looking at her suspiciously. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"Nothing," Alvida replied quickly, regaining her usual posture and flashing a calculated smile. "I was just thinking about how we can turn this situation to our advantage." She tilted her head slightly, scanning the square with a sharp gaze.

"Turn it how?" Buggy asked, still suspicious but intrigued enough to listen.

"Leave it to me, Buggy," Alvida said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I have an idea to lure Straw Hat to us. But you'll need to trust me." Internally, Alvida was already planning how to use Buggy as a pawn to get closer to Luffy and fulfill Riser's order.

At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the square. "There he is!" shouted Buggy, pointing to a familiar figure running carefree.

Luffy, with a huge grin on his face, ran through the square, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he headed toward the execution platform. "The platform where the Pirate King was executed! I have to see it up close!" he exclaimed, laughing as he ran without paying attention to his surroundings.

"What?! It's him!" Buggy shouted, his eyes wide with surprise. "Finally! Straw Hat, you won't escape this time!"

"Wait, Buggy," Alvida said, grabbing his arm before he could chase after Luffy. "Let's be strategic. Let him go to the platform. It'll be easier to catch him there."

"Strategic?" Buggy frowned. "I'm not the kind to wait!"

"Trust me," Alvida insisted, her voice firmer. "If we chase him now, he'll notice and flee. At the platform, he'll be distracted, and we'll have the advantage."

Meanwhile, Usopp appeared running after Luffy, panting and clearly desperate. "Luffy! Wait! You can't just run off like that!" he shouted, trying to catch up.

Buggy observed Usopp for a moment, narrowing his eyes. "Who's that? Another one of his crew?"

"Yes, but he's not important right now," Alvida replied quickly. "Focus on Straw Hat. And remember, Buggy, we'll wait for the right moment to act."

Buggy reluctantly nodded, crossing his arms as he watched Luffy and Usopp move toward the platform. "You're lucky I'm willing to listen, Alvida. But this better work, or I'll want answers."

Alvida smirked internally, pleased she had convinced Buggy to follow her suggestion. As they walked together toward the platform, her thoughts focused on how to manipulate the situation to her advantage. Betraying Buggy was inevitable, and she knew that helping Luffy was her only chance to fulfill Riser's orders and preserve her own life.

Luffy climbed the platform steps with an expression of pure admiration, looking around as if absorbing the historic energy of the place. "This is where it all began," he said, almost in a whisper. "Gol D. Roger stood right here when he said those words that changed the world."

Usopp, finally reaching the top, dropped to his knees, panting. "Luffy! You need to stop running off like that! I'm not made of rubber, you know?" he complained, trying to catch his breath.

Luffy ignored Usopp's complaints, his attention completely focused on the view of the town from the platform. "This is amazing," he said, with a smile that reflected his determination. "I'm going to be the next Pirate King!"

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