The streets of Loguetown bustled with activity as Nami pushed her way through the crowd. The scent of fresh bread and roasted meats mingled with the sharp tang of salt from the nearby sea. Around her, people haggled loudly, children darted between stalls, and street performers juggled flaming torches to the delight of gathered spectators.
But Nami's mind wasn't on the lively marketplace. She could still feel the tension from her encounter with the mysterious man earlier. His piercing gaze and cryptic words lingered in her thoughts like an itch she couldn't scratch.
"Focus, Host. External distractions may hinder mission success."
Nami flinched at the System's sudden intrusion, her grip tightening on the small bundle of supplies she'd purchased earlier. She stopped by a quiet corner and muttered under her breath, "You don't think that guy was a distraction?"
"Unknown. However, his presence may indicate unforeseen variables."
Nami let out a frustrated sigh. "Great. Just what I needed—more variables." She glanced at the execution platform looming in the distance, its shadow stretching over the city like a foreboding omen. "Let's finish this quickly."
Elsewhere, Luffy and Usopp stood at the base of the execution platform, staring up at the wooden structure with wide eyes.
"This is it," Luffy said, his voice quieter than usual. His straw hat tilted back as he craned his neck to see the platform's top. "The place where Gol D. Roger smiled before he died."
Usopp shuffled nervously. "Yeah, and also the place where people get arrested for just standing too close. Maybe we shouldn't linger."
But Luffy's grin broke the momentary seriousness, and he pointed at the platform. "I'm gonna stand up there someday. Not to die, though—to tell the world I'm the King of the Pirates!"
Usopp stared at him, half in awe and half in disbelief. "You've got some guts, I'll give you that. But maybe don't say that too loud around here!"
Before Usopp could protest further, Luffy took off running, weaving through the crowd toward the platform's base.
Meanwhile, Zoro wandered aimlessly through the city's narrow streets, his swords clinking softly against his waist. The noise of the marketplace faded as he ventured deeper, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar shops and alleys.
A small swordsmith's stall caught his attention, its display of blades glinting under the sunlight. Zoro stepped closer, his gaze falling on a long katana with a worn, but well-maintained hilt.
"Looking for something specific?" the shopkeeper asked, his voice gravelly.
Zoro tilted his head, examining the blade. "A good sword. One that can handle more than just cutting through air."
The shopkeeper chuckled. "You've got an eye for quality. That one there's cursed."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Cursed, huh?"
The shopkeeper nodded solemnly. "Said to bring death to anyone who wields it."
A grin spread across Zoro's face as he reached for the katana. "Sounds like my kind of sword."
The shopkeeper's eyes widened as Zoro lifted the blade and gave it an experimental swing. The air around the blade seemed to hum, as if the sword recognized its new master.
"Crazy kid," the shopkeeper muttered, shaking his head.
Back at the marketplace, Nami continued her search for information. She approached a merchant selling weathered charts and maps, her tone casual but her gaze sharp. "Do you have anything on the Grand Line?"
The merchant raised an eyebrow. "The Grand Line, huh? That's a dangerous place. Not many come back to tell the tale."
"I'm not asking for stories," Nami replied, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Just maps."
The merchant hesitated before pulling out a rolled-up parchment. "This is all I've got. But it won't come cheap."
Nami's eyes flicked to the System's interface, which displayed a faint glow over the map.
[Important Item Detected: Map of the Grand Line]
She leaned forward, her smile widening. "Let's talk price."
As the sun dipped lower, casting the city in hues of orange and gold, a sudden commotion erupted near the execution platform. Shouts and gasps rippled through the crowd as a figure leapt onto the platform, his straw hat catching the light.