Chapter 75: Kuina and Tashigi

"We're finally here!"

Nami cheered excitedly, kicking the mop and broom aside as she was the first to step onto the dock.

She looked around curiously, "So this is Loguetown? It's quite bustling!"

As someone from the East Blue, most people had heard of Loguetown.

This was the hometown and birthplace of the Pirate King, Roger, and also the place where he was executed. The chaotic era of pirates had begun right here.

Given its fame, the town's scale was naturally not small. Looking around, the streets were lined with shops of all kinds, selling everything imaginable.

The place was bustling with people, lively and vibrant.

"Is that where Roger was executed?"

Kuina gazed into the distance. At the center of the square where the streets converged, the execution platform stood tall. Even from several streets away, it was clearly visible from the dock.

This was originally intended by the World Government as a deterrent to pirates.

But after the era of pirates began, Loguetown gradually became a popular tourist spot for pirates.

Especially for pirates setting out from the East Blue to the Grand Line, it was almost a must-visit place to be considered a true East Blue native.

"Let's split up and explore. There are actually quite a few pirates here on pilgrimage, but due to the presence of the Marine base, even if conflicts arise, they usually don't dare to act too recklessly. So the public safety is relatively decent."

Xiano glanced at the clock hanging outside the bank, "Two hours from now is lunchtime. Let's meet at the central square then."

"Understood, Captain!!!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, splitting up and eagerly entering the streets.

After being adrift at sea for half a month, including the days of deviation, everyone was eager to explore this commercially developed town.

Agin excitedly followed Zeff to buy strawberry milk, while Kuina decided to visit nearby bookstores and weapon shops.

Nojiko dragged Nami to the street filled with clothing and jewelry stores.

The girl had snuck out from home with very little, and had been wearing Nojiko's clothes these days. It was time to buy some new ones.

"Want a tattoo, beautiful ladies?" The tattoo shop owner smiled, soliciting business at the street corner.

"Not interested." Nami and Nojiko instinctively glanced at their smooth arms and pouted.

—What decent girl would get a tattoo!

...

Meanwhile.

Xiano aimlessly wandered the streets, going with the flow.

In his memory, Loguetown had several characters who were well-known in the manga.

If he was lucky enough to encounter them, great. If not, it didn't matter much since their value wasn't high.

His real target was naturally...

Xiano looked up towards the execution platform.

Having witnessed the death of the Pirate King Roger and the dawn of the era of pirates, it seemed like a valuable place.

But it was too big. The square was crowded with tourists visiting and taking photos, and Marine soldiers were stationed in the towers on both sides. Making it disappear in broad daylight would cause quite a stir.

Perhaps it would be more appropriate to act in the dead of night when there were fewer people.

As he pondered, a tall young man with green hair, earrings, and a nose ring walked straight towards him, head down, and bumped right into Xiano.

"Ouch! That hurt like hell!!"

The young man dressed like a thug immediately grimaced in pain, blood gushing from his nose as he hurriedly wiped it with the back of his hand.

What the hell was in this guy's chest? He felt like he had just slammed into a steel plate, stars dancing before his eyes, dizzy and disoriented, almost passing out.

"Sorry about that," Xiano handed over a tissue, smiling warmly. "Here, wipe it off."

"Watch where you're going next time!"

The green-haired thug glared fiercely, hands in his pockets, swaggering into the alley next to them.

Once inside the alley.

He couldn't help but burst into laughter, completely shedding his earlier angry demeanor. With a flick of his wrist, he smugly produced a wallet from between his fingers.

"Hey, Barto, you're the boss of a few streets now, right? You've got protection fees coming in left and right. Why are you still pulling these petty thefts?"

A teasing voice came from behind him.

"You don't get it, De Zaya."

Bartolomeo scoffed, "This is called staying true to my roots. The money doesn't matter; it's about reliving the thrill of being a lowly thug."

"Guess what…"

He turned around, waving the wallet in front of his childhood friend. "How much Berry do you think is in here? Fifty thousand? A hundred thousand?"

Wait a minute…

Something felt off. Barto instinctively glanced at the wallet's inner compartment, only to find it completely empty.

"Zero Berry!"

De Zaya burst into laughter, "You made such a big deal out of it! I thought you'd hit the jackpot, but there's not a single bill in there!"

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"Damn it! How could this happen!"

Barto flipped the wallet inside out, not even finding a single coin, utterly frustrated. "That guy didn't look like a pauper! How come his pockets are emptier than his face!"

Well, everyone makes mistakes.

"Forget about that. You're here just in time, De Zaya. I really liked the bracelet you gave me last time. I've been keeping it close to my heart, not daring to wear it. So, I made you a little gift myself…"

He grinned, reaching into his chest, but suddenly his expression froze. "Huh?"

Then, the entire alley echoed with his anguished cry—"Where's my wallet!!!!"

...

[You sacrificed Bartolomeo's shell necklace, gaining 60 Points.]

[You sacrificed De Zaya's plastic bracelet, gaining 40 Points.]

"Fifty thousand Berry, 100 Points. Not much, but since it came to me, it's not bad."

Xiano chuckled softly, slipping the wallet into his pocket.

The local gangs are really rude.

Stealing at first sight? What kind of skills and level do they have to dare mess with him?

Whistling a tune, he continued walking down the street with a light and cheerful mood.

...

In the bookstore.

"Justice Germa Comic, Chapter 24 is out!!"

"Wow, really? Grab me a copy too!"

"Hey, you brats! If you don't have money, don't just read for free! You've got five minutes, and if you don't buy, get out!"

"Excuse me, coming through."

Kuina stepped around the kids squatting on the floor, skimming through the comics, and tiptoed to reach for the book on the top shelf, Sword Forging Essay.

But almost simultaneously, another slender, pale hand reached out as well. Their index fingers both landed on the spine of the book, nearly shoulder to shoulder.

"Ah, sorry!"

Kuina immediately turned her head with an apologetic smile, "If you need it, please go ahead. I can take a look at something else."

The black-haired girl who looked exactly like her also gazed at her with an apologetic expression.

Huh?

A mirror?

She adjusted her glasses, trying to get a clearer look.

The girl opposite her also adjusted her glasses at the same time, leaning her neck forward, and their cold noses touched...

The incredibly real sensation made both of them widen their eyes, staring at each other for a good four or five seconds before they finally screamed in unison:

"Ehh————!!!"

(End of Chapter)