Chapter [239]

Loguetown

The plaza of Loguetown was gripped by rising tension. Civilians moved around calmly, oblivious to the hidden intentions of pirates and Marines watching every movement. Luffy and Usopp stood atop the execution platform, completely unaware of the impending chaos. Usopp, visibly nervous, glanced around, trying to spot any threats.

"Luffy, we need to get down from here before something happens! This is way too dangerous!" Usopp said, his voice trembling with worry.

"Dangerous? This is amazing!" Luffy replied with an unconcerned smile. "This is the platform where the Pirate King was executed! I can feel the energy of this place!"

Meanwhile, near the base of the platform, Buggy and Alvida watched intently. Alvida maintained a calculating expression, but Buggy, unable to contain his impatience, drummed his fingers on his dagger.

"Buggy, now's not the time. Wait for the right opportunity," Alvida said, her voice laced with skeptical authority.

"Wait? I'm the great Buggy! I don't need complicated strategies!" Buggy roared, waving his dagger dramatically. He pointed at Luffy atop the platform, his eyes shining with rage. "Today is the day this Straw Hat pays!"

"Buggy, you're going to ruin everything!" Alvida insisted, but her voice was ignored.

"Bara Bara Festival!" Buggy shouted, splitting his body into multiple parts.

Buggy's body parts scattered across the plaza, his hands and feet flying in different directions while his head hovered in the air.

"You thought you could defeat me before, Straw Hat, but this time it's different!"

Chaos erupted in the plaza. Civilians began running in all directions, screaming and shoving each other in search of safety. The hurried footsteps and shouts echoed as panic spread like wildfire.

"It's Buggy the Clown!" a man shouted, pulling his family away from the commotion. "Run before it's too late!"

...

Sanji and Nami

"Nami-swan! Are you okay?" Sanji called out upon spotting her in the crowd. He carried a large bag of supplies, balancing it carefully as he approached.

Nami quickly turned, holding several bags of newly purchased clothes. "Sanji, what's going on? Why is the plaza so chaotic?"

"It's Buggy. He's causing trouble near the execution platform. Luffy's probably involved," Sanji replied, glancing toward the commotion. "Let me take you to a safe place, Nami-swan!"

"No way!" Nami exclaimed, her expression resolute. "I'm heading to the central plaza to find Luffy and the others. You need to take these bags and supplies back to the ship. They'll need food and resources when this is over."

"But, Nami-swan..." Sanji began, clearly torn between obeying her and accompanying her.

"Now, Sanji!" Nami ordered, pushing the bags toward him. "I can handle myself. Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro might be in danger. I need to go now."

Sanji sighed deeply but couldn't resist Nami's firm decision. He took the bags and muttered with a faint smile, "All right, Nami-swan. But don't put yourself in danger."

Preparing to leave, Sanji leapt impressively, murmuring to himself, "Geppou!"

With that, he began moving swiftly through the air, the supply bags firmly secured in his arms. As he returned to the ship, his thoughts were focused on ensuring everything was ready when the crew returned.

Now free of the bags, Nami ran toward the central plaza, skillfully weaving through the panicked crowd. Her mind was focused on finding Luffy and ensuring the others' safety. The chaos around her didn't seem to faze her; instead, it made her more determined than ever.

"Luffy, you better be okay," Nami murmured as she disappeared into the crowd, heading toward the heart of the confusion.

...

Smoker advanced through the streets of Loguetown, smoke swirling around him like a tangible manifestation of his frustration. Behind him, Tashigi hurried to keep up, nervously adjusting her glasses as she tried to match her superior's pace.

"These damn pirates! They think they can turn this city into a circus? I'll show them what happens when they cross my path!" Smoker growled, his voice resonating with unquestionable authority.

"Smoker-san, we need to act quickly! The situation in the plaza is spiraling out of control," Tashigi warned, her eyes filled with concern as she observed the growing chaos.

"I know that! I don't need you to tell me the obvious!" Smoker snapped, his voice laden with impatience as the smoke around him seemed to come alive, swirling in sync with his mood.

"Captain of the Marines and still so uninformed," a calm voice said, emerging from the shadows. Riser appeared with unsettling serenity, his upright and tranquil posture contrasting with the tension saturating the air. Tashigi stopped abruptly, surprised, while Smoker narrowed his eyes, his expression hardening.

"Get out of my way," Smoker ordered, the smoke condensing around him as a silent warning of his resolve.

"Smoker," Riser began, tilting his head slightly with a mockingly disappointed expression. "Let your Marines and Tashigi pass. They have a role to play in the plaza. But you... you'll stay here with me."

"Who the hell do you think you are to give me orders?" Smoker replied, stepping forward with a firm stride, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Riser," he answered, a provocative smile playing on his lips. "Just a humble wanted man, a member of Buggy the Clown's crew. Surprised you haven't recognized me yet. After all, isn't it you Marines who print the wanted posters?"

"Are you saying you're Riser?" Smoker asked, his tone filled with incredulity. "The one linked to the destruction of the 16th division?"

Tashigi, quickly adjusting her glasses, interjected. "Smoker-san, he has a bounty of 15 million Berries. He's listed as a member of Buggy's pirates. And... he's directly involved in the East Blue incidents."

"Tashigi! Take the Marines to the plaza. Now!" Smoker commanded, the smoke around him thickening, as if ready to strike.

"Smoker-san, I can't leave you alone with him!" Tashigi exclaimed, her voice filled with concern as her hand rested on the hilt of her sword. "We need to handle this together!"

"Tashigi, that's an order!" Smoker roared, his voice so firm it echoed through the street. "Take the Marines and ensure the plaza is under control. I'll deal with him and catch up with you once I'm done."

Reluctantly, Tashigi nodded, her eyes revealing her hesitation. She signaled to the Marines accompanying them. "You heard the captain! Let's head to the plaza immediately!"

She cast one last worried glance at Smoker before leading the soldiers toward the escalating commotion in the central plaza. Their hurried footsteps echoed down the street, leaving Smoker and Riser alone.

"You made a mistake crossing my path," Smoker declared, his voice low but brimming with menace as the smoke around him swirled like a storm ready to erupt.

Riser gave a faint smile, tilting his head. "I'd say the opposite. Everything is going exactly as I planned. Let's see if your smoke is as impressive as they say."

The tension between the two was almost tangible, the air vibrating with the anticipation of the imminent confrontation. Smoker advanced with determination, while Riser remained motionless, the smile still present, as if he were in complete control of the situation.

---

"Why does everything have to be so complicated?" Zoro muttered, holding his recently acquired swords as he watched the citizens rushing into their homes. The panic was evident, but to him, it felt like just another normal day.

"Hey, do you know where the central plaza is?" he asked a man running past, clutching a bag. The man mumbled something incomprehensible before disappearing into the crowd.

"Great," Zoro grumbled, adjusting the swords at his waist. "I'll follow my instincts. It's probably to the right."

With firm steps, Zoro turned right, only to find himself at the docks. He looked around, confused, before spotting the Going Merry docked nearby. "Wait... This isn't the plaza."

He scratched his head, clearly annoyed with himself. "Maybe it's to the left."

As he turned to correct his course, the sound of explosions from the central plaza reached him. "Looks like I'm late," he said resignedly, but instead of running toward the sound, he ended up circling back to the ship.

At the Going Merry, Sanji, who had just arrived with supplies, spotted him. "Zoro! What the hell are you doing here? The commotion's in the plaza!"

"I know!" Zoro replied, pointing to the sword at his waist. "I was heading there but decided to make sure you were okay first."

Sanji scoffed, crossing his arms. "You're pathetic, marimo. The plaza is the other way!"

"I know!" Zoro insisted, turning and walking off in the wrong direction again. "I'll get there when the time is right."

Sanji just shook his head, exhaling a puff of smoke. "This guy's a lost cause."

Zoro kept walking, now determined, but unaware that he was once again heading in the wrong direction. His constant confusion was a stark contrast to the rising tension engulfing Loguetown, but somehow it was part of the peculiar chaos of the Straw Hat crew.

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