Nami stood on the deck of the merchant ship as it pulled into Loguetown's bustling harbor. Her eyes drifted toward a massive Marine vessel anchored nearby—one of the largest she'd ever seen, its white sails emblazoned with the unmistakable symbol of Marine Headquarters. The ship alone was a clear reminder of the power the Marines held, and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if they could be her ticket to freedom from Arlong.
Vice Admiral Hiroshi's ship, she thought. The rumors were that high-ranking marines had come to oversee the tournament, but Nami's mind was already working through a different possibility. Could she somehow use the presence of these powerful marines to turn the tide against Arlong?
But just as quickly as the thought surfaced, her hand unconsciously moved to her shoulder, fingertips brushing the rough fabric covering the tattoo beneath. The mark of Arlong, a symbol of her enslavement and the many times he had wielded power over her life. She knew better than to hope. If she even approached them, they wouldn't see her as a victim—they'd see her as an accomplice. A pirate. Worse, a known associate of Arlong. The thought made her stomach churn.
Her heart sank at the realization. The Marines wouldn't help her. They'd arrest her before even thinking of going after Arlong. And if what she suspected was true—if Arlong had people inside the Marines—it would only make things worse. Any plan involving them would be too dangerous.
You're on your own, Nami, she told herself bitterly.
With that grim thought, she stepped off the ship, her sandals hitting the stone pier of Loguetown with a firm resolve. The sun beat down on the busy harbor, but the weight on her shoulders felt heavier than ever. She couldn't count on the Marines—not in this place, not with her past.
She had other ways to get what she wanted. And if the tournament brought money and chaos, then that was all she needed.
———
Seated in his opulent carriage, the Celestial Dragon known as Lord Vesper gazed down with contempt at his slaves below. Each figure was a mere insect to him, scurrying about their insignificant lives.
"Pathetic," he scoffed, his lip curling in disdain. For Vesper, status and reputation were paramount; the common folk existed solely to serve his whims. The thought of their struggles amused him.
The news of the Loguetown tournament had spread like wildfire, creating a buzz of excitement and anticipation among tens of thousands. But for Lord Vesper, it was merely a side note.
"Delay it for three days!" he commanded, relishing the power in his voice. "I refuse to rise at dawn for such a trivial event. My sleep is far too precious to be disturbed for this!"
He then gestured dismissively at a half-naked, battered, and bruised woman laying by his legs. "And bring me another of these toys; I think this one is already broken."
The arrogance in his voice dripped like poison, leaving no room for doubt about his complete disregard for the lives of those around him. To him, the prospect of tens of thousands affected by his whim was not even a consideration. What could possibly be more important than his comfort?
———
Smoker stood at the entrance of an alley, scanning the area where bloodshed had taken place. The morning air was thick with tension, and the remnants of yesterday's violence lingered in the air. The two bodies had been collected and now he was here to piece together what had happened.
Tashigi approached, a folder of notes in her hands. "Sir, we have the preliminary results from the interrogation."
Smoker turned to her, his interest piqued. "What did the survivor say?"
"His name is Logan, and he's a member of Don Krieg's Armada."
Smoker nodded, having already come to the same conclusion.
Tashigi took a breath. "He claims that they were just hanging around in the area . He said that an individual followed Blackguard Tom and ambushed them here in the alley. He described him as quick and ruthless."
"Did he mention what their connection with Blackguard is?" Smoker asked, crossing his arms, his expression more serious now.
Tashigi shook her head. "No specifics on that, but he let it slip that they were on high alert. He seems more terrified of what Don Krieg might do to him next."
Smoker's brow furrowed as he processed this information. Don Krieg's men in Loguetown, a brutal ambush, and a mysterious attacker... There was more to this than met the eye.
"So we have Krieg's men skulking around town, meeting with known criminals, and now two of them are dead in an alley," Smoker mused, his voice low and gravelly. "Something's brewing here, Tashigi. I can feel it."
He turned his gaze to the bustling street beyond the alley, watching the oblivious citizens go about their day. They had no idea of the dark undercurrents threatening their peaceful town. But Smoker knew. He could smell the stench of impending trouble.
Smoker took a long drag from his cigar, the embers glowing hot in the morning light."Whatever it is, it can't be good. We need to find out what Krieg's up to and who this mystery assailant is,"
He turned to face Tashigi fully, his eyes hard with determination. "Let's backtrack, Tom didn't appear out of nowhere, and neither did the attacker. They came through here for a reason. I want to know their movements before the fight."
Tashigi nodded sharply. "Understood, sir. Should I call for additional patrols?"
"Not yet," Smoker replied. "We don't want to spook anyone, especially not if this unknown guy has eyes around town. We'll take a quieter approach first. Let's talk to the merchants—someone must've seen something."
Smoker led the way, navigating the narrow, winding alleys that branched off unpredictably like a maze. Each turn seemed to offer another dead end or curve, making it difficult to visualize the exact route Tom and the vigilante had taken. His boots thudded against the cobblestone paths, the sound bouncing off the walls as he emerged into the bustling market area.
It was mid-morning, and the marketplace was already alive with activity. Merchants shouted over the crowd, their voices rising above the din as they advertised their goods. Smoker's sharp gaze swept across the stalls and passersby, scanning the faces for anyone who might seem out of place—or perhaps too interested in his presence. He had a feeling that someone here had seen something, and he intended to find out who.
Tashigi quickly approached one of the stalls near the entrance to the alley, Tom's wanted poster in her hand asking questions, but the merchant merely shook his head, gesturing dismissively. Smoker, however, kept his gaze sharp, studying each person as they moved between the stalls. Finally, one older merchant caught his attention. The man had been watching Smoker intently, but the moment Smoker's eyes met his, the merchant averted his gaze and fidgeted nervously.
"Hold on," Smoker said to Tashigi, striding over to the man's stall. He rested his jitte against his shoulder, his expression stern. "You look like you've got something to say."
The merchant hesitated, glancing left and right as if considering his options. Then, with a nervous cough, he finally spoke. "Uh… yeah, Captain Smoker, right? I think I saw one of the people you're looking for."
Smoker's attention sharpened. "Which one?"
The merchant gulped before speaking. "The first one—the one from the wanted poster you've been carrying around. Tom, they call him, right?"
Tashigi stepped forward, holding up a wanted poster of Blackguard Tom. The merchant nodded quickly. "Yeah, that's him. Passed through here yesterday around noon, right before all that commotion in the alley."
"And?" Smoker's voice was cool, but his patience was thinning. "What else did you see?"
"Well…" The merchant scratched the back of his neck, as if piecing the memory together. "There was a second guy—nothing special looking. a bit tall, green eyes, average build. Looked like just another customer at first, dressed in plain clothes. He was pretending to check out some of the wares here, but he wasn't paying attention to anything I had."
Smoker raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
The merchant frowned, now more certain of his recollection. "He wasn't looking at my goods, Captain. He was staring at Tom the whole time, following him with his eyes. Then, when Tom started moving toward the alley, the other guy took off after him, quick."
Tashigi scribbled notes on a small notepad while Smoker processed the information.
"Describe this second man again," Smoker ordered.
The merchant obliged, nodding. "Tall, average build. Green eyes. But other than that, nothing out of the ordinary. He didn't look suspicious at first, just another guy trying to blend in. That's why I didn't think much of it at first, not until they both disappeared down the alley."
"And you're sure he was following Tom?" Smoker asked, his eyes narrowing.
The merchant hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, pretty sure. At first, I thought maybe the guy had stolen something—he started running fast, like he'd been caught doing something. But then I realized he hadn't taken anything, and I just figured he was in a hurry. I didn't pay him much mind after that."
Smoker exchanged a glance with Tashigi. "Anything else? Did you hear them speak, or notice where they came from?"
The merchant shook his head. "No, sir. Just what I told you."
Smoker stood in silence for a moment, processing the description. It wasn't much, but it was more than they had before. A tall, green-eyed man trailing Tom right before the ambush in the alley. The merchant's description matched neither the wanted criminals they were tracking nor any of the known figures in Loguetown. This was someone new.
"Good," Smoker finally said, his tone firm. "If you remember anything else, report it to the Marines immediately."
The merchant nodded eagerly, relieved to be out of the conversation. Smoker turned to Tashigi, his expression hardening. "We have enough to narrow the search. Let's have patrols looking for anyone who matches that description—especially near the harbor and the outskirts of the market. Whoever this guy is, he's careful, but he can't hide forever."
"Understood, sir. I'll spread the word immediately," Tashigi responded, already moving to relay the orders.
As Smoker stood in the market, watching the busy stalls and townspeople moving about their day, he clenched his fists. The man in plain clothes, and Tom—all these moving pieces were connected somehow. He just had to figure out how, before it was too late.
As the market slowly quieted down, Smoker finally found himself alone. Tashigi had gone to relay his orders, and the surrounding merchants were busy minding their own business. He inhaled deeply, savoring the smoke from his cigar as his mind replayed the merchant's words.
With a sigh, Smoker finally allowed himself to relax. He glanced at the corner of his eye where a blinking notification had been gnawing at his attention all morning. At first, he'd ignored it—he wasn't yet used to this strange System that had appeared in his mind recently, offering quests and rewards for seemingly mundane tasks. However, the reward for this particular mission had piqued his curiosity.
Mission Complete: Investigate the Murder Scene.
He'd noticed the quest earlier that morning while going through his daily reports. The System seemed to generate quests for every active situation, almost as if it were aware of the ongoing events in the town. It wasn't the quests that had caught his attention—it was the reward that made him accept.
With a reluctant tap of his mental interface, the notification opened fully, revealing the reward he'd been waiting for.
"Captain's Reserve Cigar Pack"
Description: A rare, top-tier multi-pack of 10 cigars, hand-rolled from the finest New World tobacco. Each cigar delivers a rich, smooth smoke with deep flavors of spice and wood. Encased in a durable, humidified mahogany box to ensure freshness, these cigars are perfect for someone looking to enjoy a moment of relaxation—or keep focused during battle.
Smoker's heart skipped a beat. He had tried this particular brand of cigars only once before, years ago. It had been, without question, the best cigar he'd ever smoked. The Captain's Reserve had been discontinued after the original producer was killed in a pirate raid, his plantation destroyed along with him. For any serious cigar aficionado, this pack would be considered priceless.
It can't be real, Smoker thought, narrowing his eyes at the notification. Yet, his curiosity got the better of him. He reached out mentally and clicked the Quest Complete button.
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the weight of something solid and familiar dropped into his hand. His eyes widened in surprise as he found himself holding a finely crafted mahogany box. The rich, smooth texture of the wood was unmistakable. Smoker lifted the lid cautiously, half-expecting this to be some kind of trick.
Inside, nestled carefully in individual slots, were ten perfectly preserved cigars, each one meticulously hand-rolled. The scent of the New World tobacco hit him immediately—a deep, earthy aroma mixed with hints of spice and wood, just as he remembered. He ran a finger over the cigars, still in disbelief.
This was no illusion. These were the real deal.
Smoker stood there, stunned, as the implications of what had just happened hit him. He'd thought the System was some kind of bizarre trick—an annoying gimmick. But now, holding something that should've been impossible to obtain, he realized it was far more than that.
"How…?" he muttered under his breath. He had to admit, the System was powerful—dangerous, even. If it could bring back something that had been lost for years, what else was it capable of?
He exhaled a puff of smoke from his current cigar, but his attention was fully on the box in his hands. The temptation to light one of the Captain's Reserve cigars was strong, but he knew he had to keep his focus sharp. With the tournament approaching and a gas-mask vigilante on the loose, this wasn't the time to get distracted. Still, the reward had been more than enough to convince him that the System might be worth paying attention to.
He placed the box carefully in his coat pocket and exhaled, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. For now, he would let the cigars wait. There were more important things to take care of. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but feel a growing curiosity about the true nature of the System, and what other rewards it might offer him in the future.
———
Hiroshi moved quietly around the small kitchen, the comforting aroma of sizzling fish and steamed rice filling the room. He glanced toward the living area where Rika sat, giggling to herself as she twirled the metal baton that had been given to her by the masked man who saved her life. The baton extended and retracted with soft clicks as she spun it, her face full of joy. Watching her play reinforced Hiroshi's decision to move with her from now on, he had finally chosen this life of peace after so many years of chaos.
It was going to be simple. Quiet. It was what he needed after years of serving in the Marines.
But, as it always seemed to be, that peace was short-lived.
A sharp knock at the door disrupted the tranquility. Hiroshi frowned. Who could be visiting at this hour?
He wiped his hands on a towel and headed to the door. When he opened it, a Marine officer stood on the other side, slightly out of breath and holding a sealed message scroll.
"Vice Admiral Hiroshi, sir—"
"I'm retired," Hiroshi corrected, his voice low and firm. "If you've come to drag me back into Marine business, you're wasting your time."
The officer swallowed nervously. "I wouldn't disturb you if it wasn't urgent, sir. This message… it's from Marineford."
Hiroshi's heart sank. Marineford? What more could they want from him. He hesitated but eventually took the scroll and broke the seal, knowing whatever was inside wouldn't be something he could ignore.
His eyes scanned the words, and a cold chill settled in his chest.
To Vice Admiral Hiroshi,
By order of the World Government, be advised: Celestial Dragon Lord Vesper will be attending the tournament in Loguetown. His safety and entertainment are of paramount importance. Failure to meet his expectations will result in severe consequences.
While you are no longer in active duty, your presence in Loguetown is noted. You are expected to assist in ensuring that Lord Vesper's visit proceeds without issue. You are to take an active role in preparations.
Hiroshi's grip tightened on the scroll, his jaw clenched in frustration. The Celestial Dragons again. Even after stepping down, even after finally leaving that world behind, they still found ways to drag him back into their mess.
His thoughts drifted to Rika. Hiroshi was willing to do anything to keep her safe from the perilous world she almost didn't make it out of.
But the letter in his hands—this was something he couldn't refuse. He had no choice, not with the World Government making it clear that refusal would bring consequences far worse than personal inconvenience. If he didn't comply, the people of Loguetown—and worse, Rika—could suffer.
The officer fidgeted nervously. "Sir… your orders?"
Hiroshi's face darkened. There's no escape from this. He exhaled slowly. "Tell them I'll cooperate," he muttered, his voice thick with reluctant resignation.
The officer let out a breath of relief and saluted before hurrying off, but Hiroshi didn't move. He stared at the crumpled letter in his hand, his mind racing. He had fought so hard to stay away from them, he was determined to give Rika a life of peace, but now, there was no way out. If he didn't cooperate...
"Grandpa?" Rika's small voice broke through his thoughts. She stood in the doorway, her baton extended as she gave it a little spin. "Is everything okay?"
Hiroshi forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Everything's fine, sweetheart. Just a little… work I need to take care of."
She nodded, clearly oblivious to the weight of the situation. "Okay! Look what I can do!" She spun the baton again, the polished metal gleaming in the morning light.
Hiroshi managed a genuine smile this time, watching her play. The baton had become her favorite toy since the masked man had given it to her, and it was a constant reminder of the day her life had been saved. Whoever that man was, Hiroshi owed him a debt.
But as Rika returned to her game, Hiroshi sank into his chair, the letter still crumpled in his hand. His peace was over again, at least for now. The Celestial Dragons had found him again, and this time, there was no avoiding the storm they would bring.
———
Nami slipped through the crowded streets of Loguetown like a shadow, her sharp eyes scanning the bustling marketplace and the alleys teeming with life. The city had a pulse of its own, and she needed to get a feel for it—learn its rhythms, its secrets. There was always opportunity in chaos, and Loguetown was no different.
She moved with purpose, keeping her ears open to the conversations floating through the air. Most of the talk was the usual fare: gossip about local pirates, smuggling operations, and the occasional bit of street justice. But something else dominated the conversations today—the tournament, an event that had spiraled far beyond its original scope.
At first, it had just been a local tradition, a contest for the fighters of the city. But now, it was something else entirely. The prize—a legendary sword, the Sandai Kitetsu—had drawn in some high-profile participants. And, if the rumors were to be believed, even some HQ marines were planning to take part. That kind of involvement had turned the small-time tournament into a spectacle that was growing bigger by the hour.
Nami couldn't help but marvel at how quickly the whole thing had snowballed. The more people heard about the tournament, the bigger it became. And the bigger it became, the more it attracted famous names and notorious fighters. It was like a self-fulfilling prophecy—one that had reached a tipping point earlier today.
"They're moving the tournament to Execution Square," she overheard someone say as she passed a group of locals. "Where Gold Roger was decapitated. Can you believe it?"
Nami's eyes flickered at the mention of the square. She wasn't surprised they'd changed venues, but the symbolic weight of holding a tournament there spoke volumes about how far this event had come. Modifications to the square had already started, apparently, and the entire town seemed to be buzzing with anticipation.
But it wasn't just the tournament grabbing her attention.
Another rumor, whispered more quietly, carried a darker undertone. Nami paused near a tavern, listening in on a few men who were discussing the strange events of the previous night.
"You hear about the guy with the gas mask?" one of them asked, his voice low.
"Yeah," the other replied. "He walked into a local inn, cut a man's hands clean off, and then decapitated him in a second. Nobody even had time to react."
Nami's breath caught for a moment. A gas mask?
"The guy he killed was some scumbag, though," the man continued. "Turns out he was part of a child trafficking ring. They found a bunch of his associates dead later that night, and twelve kids locked up in one of their hideouts."
Nami felt a strange mix of emotions. A mysterious figure taking down a human trafficker, leaving behind only death and rescued children—it struck a chord with her. She couldn't help but feel a bit of respect for the masked vigilante. Whoever he was, he'd done something Nami couldn't do herself back when she and Nojiko were trapped in their own nightmare.
Would things have been different if someone like him had been around for us? she wondered, a pang of regret flickering through her heart.
But she quickly pushed the thought aside. She wasn't the kind to dwell on what-ifs. The world wasn't kind, and you couldn't wait around for saviors. You had to save yourself—or, in Nami's case, make sure she stayed one step ahead of everyone else.
[AN] I do not have time to post too often, but I will still do it from time to time.
Almost done with the rewrite of what I had before, I paid a lot more attention to details this time and I hope you guys like what I have so far. If you find any mistakes please let me know as I'll try to correct them and please tell me what you think of the story so far, I would love that.
PS I plan to write more intermission chapters in the future (about Kat, Lachesis, Loki and the others) but not too soon, probably before the tournament starts but if people are interested enough in them i might write more.
Thanks.