Chaos in Loguetown

The ship gently rocked as Drift expertly navigated into a hidden dock nestled behind some tall buildings, far away from the bustling main harbor of Loguetown. The sun was high, but the location was well out of sight, hidden from most eyes. Kira gave a quick scan of the area, feeling the familiar tension of being in a high-stakes place like this.

He stepped to the edge of the ship as the crew began gathering, the dock creaking underfoot.

"Alright, listen up," Kira said, his tone sharp and serious as he turned to the crew. "Elara, Sora—you're going together. Go get what we need, get the supplies stocked up. Make sure to stay low, blend in. Aria, you can handle yourself, right?"

Aria nodded

Kira looked over at her with a nod, then turned to the rest of the crew. "Good. Get what you need, but don't draw attention to yourselves. We meet back here when we're done. Got it?"

The crew nodded, already getting ready to head out.

"One more thing," Kira added, his voice growing more serious. "There's a Marine here called Smoker. He's got a troublesome Devil Fruit If you see him, do not engage. Don't try to fight him, just get back to Drift or find me."

He locked eyes with each of them, making sure they understood the gravity of the situation.

"Drift, be ready," he added, turning to the giant robotic ship nearby.

With a whir and a hum, Drift's form shifted in a sleek, flashy transformation—arms folding, chest expanding as panels shifted into place with an elegant and almost theatrical flair. Now, standing tall and imposing, he was no longer just the ship they sailed on, but a giant, metallic warrior. His eyes glowed, giving off a dangerous yet calming aura.

"Always ready, Captain," Drift replied with a slight mechanical chuckle, his deep voice rumbling through the air.

Kira gave him a satisfied look, then turned his attention back to the rest of the crew.

"Any questions?" he asked, his gaze flicking over each member.

Elara shook her head. "We're good," she said, and Sora gave a thumbs up, his mouth already watering at the thought of the food stalls in the town.

"Alright, then," Kira said with a grin. "Off you go. Stay smart, stay out of trouble. And if something goes sideways, don't hesitate to run."

With that, the crew began dispersing, each of them heading in their own direction through the hidden dock.

He gave one last look to Drift, who was already scanning the area, ever watchful.

——

Sora and Elara wandered through the bustling streets of Loguetown, the city alive with merchants, travelers, and all sorts of characters. The air was thick with the aroma of street food, and Sora's stomach growled in response.

"So, where are we heading first?" Sora asked, looking around with wide eyes. "I'm thinking we hit up the market square for some fresh fruits and snacks. Maybe some meats too."

Elara raised an eyebrow at him. "I thought we were here for supplies, not a food festival."

Sora grinned sheepishly. "Supplies can wait. Besides, I'm the cook. It's my job to make sure we've got the best ingredients!"

Elara rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. But don't go crazy. We've got a budget, remember?"

"I'll stick to the essentials," Sora promised, then quickly darted toward a nearby stall filled with sizzling skewers of meat. Elara sighed, but couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips.

——

Aria walked through the bustling streets of Loguetown, keeping to the shadows and trying to avoid too much attention. Her eyes flicked over the crowds, searching for anything suspicious,

Her mind was mostly focused on the task at hand, but a few glances at the ornate swords displayed in some of the shops made her fingers itch.

She adjusted her cloak, pulling the hood down lower as a group of children ran past her, laughing. Just as she took a step forward, a voice called out from behind her.

"Hey, excuse me!"

Aria's instincts kicked in instantly. Her hand darted to the hilt of her sword, and her body went into a defensive stance without a second thought.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice low and cold, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword.

The voice came again, this time with a hint of curiosity rather than aggression. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just… I couldn't help but notice your sword. Is that one of the 21 Great Grade swords?"

Aria raised an eyebrow, her grip on her blade loosening just slightly. She turned, scanning the person who'd addressed her. Standing before her was a young woman in a Marine uniform, her hair short and dark, with round glasses perched on her nose. The woman looked more intrigued than hostile, and her gaze was fixed on Aria's sword, the Hoshigami, with awe.

"Are you… a sword enthusiast?" Aria asked, her tone still wary but less tense now.

The woman nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes! I'm Tashigi, a swordsman in the Marines. I've heard stories of the 21 Great Grade swords, and seeing one in person is a dream! To think that such a legendary blade is in the hands of someone like you… I have to say, it's amazing."

Aria gave a small smirk, her grip loosening fully now. "It's a good sword."

Tashigi's eyes twinkled with admiration. "I can tell. The way you hold it, your stance—it's clear you're a master swordsman. I have to ask, where did you get it?"

Aria hesitated for a moment, considering how much to reveal. "Let's say it was a gift."

Tashigi seemed to sense that Aria wasn't interested in sharing too much. She smiled kindly. "I understand. I'm just glad to meet someone who truly respects swords. I've been looking for more swordsmanship masters in the world, and it's nice to find someone with as much passion for the art as I have."

Aria raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. " You really care about swords that much?"

Tashigi's expression softened as she looked down at the hilt of her own sword. "I do. I believe in the strength of a good sword and the strength of the person who wields it. That's what drives me."

Suddenly, a sound echoed from behind them.

——

Sora and Elara had finished their shopping in Loguetown and were strolling through the bustling market streets, bags full of supplies for the ship. The day was bright, the sun high in the sky as they walked, talking casually.

Sora, ever the care-free member of the crew, wasn't paying much attention to where he was going, as usual. Without looking, he bumped into someone, a sharp, gruff voice immediately snapping at him.

"Sorry for that," Sora quickly apologized, backing up and giving the person a sheepish grin.

The man he bumped into was a tall figure with a two cigarettes hanging from his mouth. His sharp eyes narrowed as he turned to face Sora, his expression stern and unfazed.

"Who are you?" the man asked, his voice gravelly and cold, his demeanor exuding authority.

"I'm Sora from the Raven Pirates," Sora said with a grin, holding up a hand in greeting.

Elara immediately facepalmed beside him, muttering under her breath, "Really, Sora?"

The man's eyes flickered with a flash of recognition, and he immediately scowled. "Pirates, huh? You're under arrest."

Sora blinked, completely unbothered. "Under arrest?"

Before he could continue, Elara grabbed Sora's arm with surprising strength and yanked him back. "Run, Sora! Now!"

Sora barely had time to react before Elara was already pulling him down the street. "It's Smoker!" she yelled. "Run!"

Behind them, the man—now clearly identified as Smoker, the Marine Captain—had his hand on his weapon, The jitte. He wasn't going to let them get away so easily.

Sora chuckled as he ran, his energy not wavering. "He's pretty quick for a guy with two cigarettes in his mouth."

Elara shot him an annoyed look. "Focus, Sora!"

——

Kira stood in the middle of the plaza, his eyes fixed on the execution platform. The place felt surreal. The platform was still there.

"The platform's still here… Looks like I made it before Luffy," Kira muttered under his breath, the wind rustling his cloak as he stared at the structure that held so much history. "This is where it all started… the greatest story ever told."

He admired it for a moment longer. It was a place of beginnings, and Kira couldn't help but feel the weight of destiny pressing down on him.

With a sigh, he turned around, his gaze sweeping over the plaza. "I wonder what the crew's doing… I hope Sora didn't do anything stupid," he muttered, already anticipating trouble. The crew had been off to buy supplies, and while he had been here enjoying the view, he couldn't help but feel like something was bound to go wrong.

just as he was about to head back to the ship, a notification flashed in front of him.

[Side Quest Triggered - "Stop the Smoke"]

Objective: Elara and Sora are being chased by Smoker. Help them.

Reward: 7,000 EXP, 3 Random Loot Boxes

Kira facepalmed. "Of course," he muttered, exasperated but not surprised. This was the kind of chaos he had come to expect from his crew.

——

As Elars and Sora ran down the crowded street, they rounded a corner, inadvertently bumping into two figures standing still in the middle of the street: Aria and Tashigi.

"Get them! They're pirates!" Smoker barked, now catching up to the group.

Before Tashigi could move a step, Aria unsheathed her sword with a practiced motion, stepping in front of Tashigi. Her eyes were sharp.

"Sorry, I can't let you chase my crew mates," Aria said, her voice calm but serious.

Tashigi didn't hesitate. She reached for her own blade, her stance turning into one of readiness. "You're a pirate too, aren't you?" she asked, gripping her sword tightly. "I'm afraid I can't let you keep that sword either."

Aria's smirk deepened, her stance never wavered. "You can try," she said, her voice taking on a challenging tone.

Without further hesitation, the two women clashed.

Tashigi's sword met Aria's with a sharp clang, sparks flying from the impact. Both women were skilled, but it was immediately clear that Aria's superior speed and experience were going to win out. With every strike from Tashigi, Aria deftly parried and countered, her blade moving in a fluid, graceful arc.

"You're not bad," Aria remarked, easily dodging a thrust and stepping back, "but you're just not good enough."

Tashigi's face twisted with frustration as she tried to press the attack, but each of her strikes was either blocked or avoided with ease. Aria's movements were like a blur, her blade almost a ghost as she danced around her opponent.

With one final swift motion, Aria disarmed Tashigi, sending her sword to the ground. Tashigi stumbled back, breathing heavily, clearly outmatched.

"I'm not finished yet!" Tashigi spat, her eyes narrowing in determination.

Aria didn't even give her the chance to catch her breath. She swiftly sheathed her sword, giving Tashigi a casual wave as she turned to leave.

"Sorry, but I've got places to be," Aria said nonchalantly, Running back toward the ship with a grin.

——

Sora and Elara ran through the streets of Loguetown, their footsteps quick and erratic as the heavy sound of Smoker's pursuit echoed behind them. The Marine captain had already closed in, his presence a looming threat as his cloud of smoke billowed, extending outward like a predator closing in on its prey.

"You can't run from me!" Smoker bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos of the city.

Elara's breath quickened. "He's too fast," she muttered,"We're not getting away."

[Midas Touch - Activated]

A heavy, icy gust of wind followed by a sharp crackling sound filled the air. The next moment, an axe, trailing with frost, appeared in front of them—whipping through the air with precision. It shot between Sora and Elara, hitting Smoker square in the shoulder with an intense force. The impact was immediate, freezing part of his arm and yanking him back. The force of the axe dug into his flesh, as ice spread across his arm.

"Ughhh!" Smoker growled, clutching his shoulder in pain, a look of surprise crossing his face. his muscles locking in the frostbite.

"Sorry, but I can't let you hurt my crew," Kira's voice rang out, calm and deadly. "I'm the captain after all."

"KIRA!" both Elara and Sora screamed in unison, relieved but still wary of what was to come.

"Get to Drift!" Kira shouted to his crew, his voice unwavering. "I'll hold him off!"

As if responding to an unspoken command, Kira flicked his wrist, and the axe shot off Smoker's shoulder, returning swiftly to his grasp.

"Alright, Smoker," Kira said, stepping forward with an unshakable stance. "Show me what you've got."

Smoker, still clutching his frozen shoulder, glared at him through the thick haze of smoke. His expression twisted in pain but also confusion, clearly not understanding who this pirate was that had so easily thwarted him.

"Who are you?" Smoker barked, gritting his teeth as he prepared to fight back.

Kira's gaze hardened, and his voice rang out with purpose.

"I'm Raven D. Kira," he said, taking a step forward. His voice was low, yet commanding. "The man who will conquer the seas."

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