Chapter 37 The Town of Beginnings and Ends"Navigation confirmed!" Nami's voice pierced the thick fog, brimming with excitement.
She stood in the center of the deck, carefully comparing the direction of the nautical chart in her hand with the slightly trembling pointer of her logbook.
"Northeast, three nautical miles! The town of beginnings and endings—Loguetown!"
At the other end of the deck, Nojiko, who was drying the herbs she had gathered the night before, looked up at the sound.
Kaya, wearing a coat, leaned out of the cabin, her long golden hair fluttering in the damp, cold fog. She gazed ahead, her blue eyes holding both curiosity about the unknown and a hint of instinctive apprehension.
Loguetown, the place where the Pirate King Gol D. Roger was born and died—the name itself carried the weight of legend.
Luffy sat cross-legged on the pedestal of the ram's head at the bow of the ship, his straw hat pulled low, obscuring most of his face.
He seemed asleep, completely unresponsive to Nami's announcement.
But his Observation Haki, like invisible tentacles, had already pierced through the thick fog, spreading towards the legendary town.
Luffy's senses, like a sensitive radar, quickly filtered and located the target.
Several relatively strong signals were captured and amplified.
An aura, elusive and elusive like the smoke itself, was difficult to grasp, carrying the discipline characteristic of the Navy, yet mixed with a rebellious heat.
Its strength was acceptable, but by Luffy's current standards, it was merely acceptable!
Logia-type Devil Fruit user, Smoky the Smoky Fruit, the White Hunter.
Luffy's mental assessment: The Navy's flagship of the East Blue, perhaps invincible against ordinary pirates and low-level Devil Fruit users, but against true Armament Haki, especially against someone like him with Armament Haki comparable to a Vice Admiral, it was as fragile as a sheet of paper.
Another aura, however, piqued Luffy's deeper interest.
It possessed the unique sharpness of a swordsman, but this sharpness was still raw, like a new blade unforged in blood and fire, full of potential.
The owner of this aura seemed somewhat anxious and uneasy, her heart beating slightly faster than normal, as if troubled by something.
Tashigi!
Found her!
The vessel of swordsmanship talent, a face exactly like Kuina's, the identity of a Marine sergeant, and that untapped swordsman's heart.
The perfect target, and the perfect piece to fill the gap in his ship's close-combat capabilities.
As for how to get her to join the crew willingly?
Luffy never bothered with such trivial matters.
Showing an absolute power difference, giving her an irresistible choice… there are many ways.
Luffy finally spoke: "Nami, dock. Replenish fresh water and food. Buy everything on the shopping list.
Nojiko, check our medicinal supplies. The black market in Loguetown might be able to replenish some special items. Kaya, go with Nojiko."
Luffy leaped from the bow, landing on the deck with a dull thud.
"Let's meet back at port before noon. I have some… personal business to attend to," Luffy said, his gaze seemingly glancing unintentionally in the direction of the Marine base.
Nami, while expertly directing the Going Merry to adjust its sails, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Personal business? You're not going to provoke the Marines again, are you?"
Luffy didn't answer, but simply reached out and casually ruffled Kaya's hair as she walked up to him, then patted Nojiko on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'm just going to say hello."
Luffy's calm tone made the three girls feel subtly uneasy, but they were already used to obeying his decisions.
Nami pouted and began calculating the purchasing budget.
Nojiko nodded and turned to organize her medical kit.
Kaya whispered, "Luffy, be careful."
The Going Merry glided into the bustling harbor of Loguetown, squeezing among various fishing boats and merchant ships.
Its elegant ram's head figurehead and well-maintained hull attracted some attention, but not much of a commotion.
In Loguetown, there were too many strange ships and people.
The four stepped onto the damp dock planks.
"We'll split up. See you at noon," Luffy said, hands in his pockets, heading straight towards the Marine base.
Nami watched Luffy's figure disappear, sighed, and waved to Nojiko and Kaya, "Let's go, let's go shopping! Hopefully Luffy doesn't turn the town upside down."
Luffy seemed to have an intuitive familiarity with the layout of Loguetown.
He walked through the alleys still shrouded in morning mist, ignoring the furtive scrap dealers, and headed directly to a shop in the town center whose doors had just been removed, the rich aroma of meat wafting from within.
A huge wooden sign depicted a golden-brown, juicy roasted pig, below which read "Old Tom's Butcher Shop!"
Luffy pushed open the door and went inside.
The shop was warm and dry, filled with all sorts of sausages and smoked meats. Behind the counter, a bald, burly man in a greasy apron was sharpening a knife. Seeing Luffy, he asked gruffly, "What do you want, kid?"
Luffy's gaze swept over the meat in the display case and on the hooks behind it: "All cooked! Eaten immediately! The largest portion of everything!"
Old Tom paused, then looked Luffy up and down.
"Kid, I have over twenty different cuts of roasted meat and sausages here, the largest portion of each? Do you have the money to pay?"
Luffy didn't answer, but pulled a handful of high-quality gold coins from his pocket and tossed them onto the counter.
The coins spun melodiously, gleaming enticingly under the oil lamp.
Old Tom's eyes lit up instantly, and a broad smile spread across his muscular face:
"No problem! Respected guest! I'll prepare it for you right away! Guaranteed to be the most delicious meat in the entire East Blue!"
Old Tom tossed aside the whetstone, turned, and roared to the back of the group, "You brats! Where have you all been! Cut a portion of all the cooked meat you have! The best of everything!"
Soon, several apprentices busily began cutting meat.
Luffy leaned against the counter, picked up a steaming hot rib, and began to devour it without hesitation.
The meat was indeed excellent, cooked to perfection, and the spices were authentic.
As Luffy ate, he casually asked, "Boss, I heard Loguetown's been a bit unsettled lately?"
Old Tom grumbled, "You bet! Ever since that red-nosed mad clown Buggy arrived, it's been a constant commotion!
That guy has a bunch of rabid dogs around, robbing everywhere, extorting protection money, even the Marines can't do anything about them! I heard that bastard Buggy even claims he wants to be the Pirate King."
"Buggy?" Luffy swallowed the meat in his mouth, fragments of memory flashing through his mind.
The clown from the original story, with insane luck but incredibly weak strength, a Chop-Chop Fruit user.
Old Tom gritted his teeth, "Yeah, a red-nosed bastard in a clown costume, riding in a ridiculous cannon cart!"
"He came to my shop yesterday, saying he wanted to collect something—a franchise fee for the future Pirate King! I gave him ten gold coins to get rid of him! Damn it!"
Luffy nodded, not asking any further questions.
Buggy? An ant who doesn't even deserve his attention.
But if he encountered him, crushing him might bring a tiny bit of insignificant amusement.