The days aboard the ship passed in relative quiet after the bloody skirmish. The navigator, who introduced herself as Anya, proved true to her word, guiding the trio with steady hands and sharp focus. While her initial demeanor was nervous, she quickly warmed up once it became clear that Isaac, Kieran, and Nolan weren't the bloodthirsty monsters she had first feared.
"So, where exactly are we headed?" Kieran asked one day, lazily leaning against the ship's railing while chewing on a piece of dried fish.
"Loguetown," Anya replied, adjusting the sails to catch the wind more effectively. "It's a major hub. Good for supplies, information... and for pirates looking to get lost in a crowd."
Isaac raised an eyebrow from where he sat sharpening his knives. "Loguetown? The place where Gold Roger was executed?"
"The very same," Anya confirmed. "A lot of people pass through there, though most are just merchants or Marines. But it's also where people start their journeys to the Grand Line. It'll have everything you need before setting off."
Isaac nodded, considering her words. The Grand Line was still far on the horizon, but they were making progress. "How long until we get there?"
"Another week, maybe less if the wind holds," Anya said, squinting at the horizon.
The ship settled into a routine. Isaac continued to push both himself and his crew to grow stronger. Each morning began with grueling training sessions—Isaac working on refining his control over the Rikou Rikou no Mi while Nolan and Kieran built up their physical endurance and combat skills.
During breaks, Anya shared her knowledge of navigation and the seas, teaching the trio the basics of reading charts and the stars. Nolan, ever the quick study, took to it naturally, while Kieran struggled to sit still long enough to absorb the lessons.
Isaac, however, spent most of his free time in quiet contemplation, analyzing his powers and how best to utilize them.
Finally, the day came when the outline of a bustling port city appeared on the horizon. "Loguetown," Anya announced, a note of relief in her voice.
The sight was breathtaking—a sprawling town nestled at the foot of a massive mountain. The docks were a hive of activity, with ships of all shapes and sizes coming and going.
As they approached the harbor, Isaac leaned over the railing, his sharp eyes scanning the city. "Looks busy. We'll need to stay on guard."
Kieran grinned, clearly excited at the prospect of exploring. "Busy means good food, though, right? I've been dreaming of something other than fish and rice for weeks."
Nolan rolled his eyes. "We're here for supplies, not a feast."
"And information," Isaac added, his tone serious. "We need to know what's happening in the world—and if anyone's looking for us."
"We're here," Anya said, pulling her bag over her shoulder. There was a strange finality in her voice.
Nolan glanced at her curiously. "You're leaving, aren't you?"
Anya nodded, her bronze eyes meeting his. "That was the deal, wasn't it? Get you to land, and I go my own way."
Isaac crossed his arms, leaning against the mast. "And you're sure you're not going to rat us out to the Marines?" His tone wasn't accusatory, but there was an edge to it.
Anya smirked faintly, shaking her head. "No need. I don't owe you anything, and I'm not about to put myself in danger by mentioning a kid with a devil fruit and his scrappy friends."
"Fair," Isaac said, stepping aside to let her pass.
As Anya started to descend the gangplank, she paused and turned back to Nolan. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, leather-bound book. "Here," she said, holding it out to him.
Nolan blinked, surprised. "What's this?"
"A beginner's guide to navigation," Anya replied. "I figured someone like you would get good use out of it. You've got potential—don't waste it."
Nolan hesitated for a moment before taking the book. "Thanks, Anya. Good luck out there."
She gave him a small smile, then looked at the rest of the crew. "You're not bad people. Just... try to survive, okay?"
With that, Anya turned and disappeared into the crowd, her auburn hair blending into the sea of people.
Isaac watched her go, his expression unreadable. "Well, that's one loose end tied up," he muttered.
Kieran, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "She wasn't so bad. For a pirate."
Isaac chuckled. "She wasn't a pirate, not really. Just someone trying to survive."
Nolan flipped through the manual, his face lighting up as he scanned the pages. "This is going to be so useful. We won't be lost at sea again."
"Good," Isaac said, clapping him on the back. "Let's stock up, get what we need, and figure out our next move. Loguetown's got everything we could ask for—and probably more trouble than we're ready for."
As they stepped off the ship and into the lively streets, the trio couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. They were on their own again, but this time, they were a little more prepared.
Anya was gone, but her parting gift was proof that not everyone they met on this journey would be an enemy.
As the trio walked through the bustling streets of Loguetown, the noise and energy of the town felt overwhelming compared to the quiet of the sea. Merchants called out from stalls, ships docked and departed in the harbor, and townsfolk bustled about their daily lives. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the tang of saltwater, creating a strange but comforting atmosphere.
Isaac turned to Nolan and Kieran as they strolled past a row of shops. "Alright, I've been thinking. This place has everything we need: supplies, information, and opportunities to train. What if we stayed here for a couple of months before heading to the Grand Line?"
Kieran raised an eyebrow. "Two months? Why so long?"
"Because the Grand Line isn't just some sea," Isaac said, his voice serious. "From what Anya told us and what we've read, it's a death trap for anyone who isn't prepared. I'd rather we take our time here, gather what we need, and get stronger."
Nolan nodded thoughtfully, clutching the navigation manual Anya had given him. "He's right. I've been reading up on the Grand Line—it's unpredictable. If I can practice navigation here, learn how to read the stars better, and get used to using maps, we'll have a better chance of not getting lost."
Kieran shrugged. "Fine by me. Plus, I've got some ideas for new recipes. Staying here means I can experiment and stock up on ingredients."
Isaac smirked. "Of course, the chef's thinking about food."
"Hey, food's important!" Kieran shot back, though there was no malice in his tone.
As they continued walking, Isaac paused in front of a weapons shop, gazing at the array of swords, knives, and other tools on display. "This'll also give us time to upgrade our gear. I want us to be equipped for anything."
"Not to mention," Nolan added, "we might pick up some useful skills while we're here. Maybe even learn a thing or two from the locals."
Kieran leaned against a lamppost, crossing his arms. "Alright, captain. Two months it is. But what's the plan? We can't just wander around aimlessly for that long."
Isaac grinned. "Simple. We split our time between training, learning, and exploring. I'll focus on improving my devil fruit abilities and our combat skills. Nolan, you dive into navigation and maybe see if there are any doctors or scholars around who can teach you more. Kieran, you handle supplies and make sure we're not starving—or poisoned—by the time we leave."
Kieran rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "Got it, boss."
Nolan glanced at the horizon where the Grand Line loomed as a distant dream. "Two months. Let's make them count."
Isaac nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Because once we step onto the Grand Line, there's no turning back."
…
The next two months in Loguetown flew by in a flurry of activity, each of the trio focused on their own goals while coming together to strengthen their crew.
---
Isaac
Isaac spent his days at the edge of town, far from prying eyes, perfecting his mastery over the Rikou Rikou no Mi. He practiced manipulating objects' inertia, refining both precision and power without physical contact . At first, he struggled to maintain control over the speed and force of smaller objects, but through tireless repetition, he began launching pebbles with enough force to shatter stone walls.
In the mornings, he trained his body. Isaac ran along the cliffs overlooking the sea, using his devil fruit powers to increase the resistance against his movements. By the end of the first month, he could sprint up steep inclines with ease and hurl weighted training dummies as if they were toys. He also sparred with Kieran, ensuring his combat reflexes were sharp.
At night, Isaac would sit under a lamppost, scribbling notes in a weathered journal he'd purchased from the market. His thoughts on the nature of his powers and potential strategies filled page after page.
---
Nolan
Nolan buried himself in the navigation manual Anya had given him. Most days, he could be found sitting on the docks, observing the ships as they came and went, charting their courses, and asking questions of any sailors willing to talk. He learned how to read the wind and waves, how to track the stars at night, and how to predict changes in weather.
Occasionally, he'd wander into a local bookstore, picking up any texts on navigation, medicine, or the Grand Line he could find. Back aboard their ship, Nolan set up a small makeshift lab to experiment with medical herbs and salves he purchased from local vendors. He even managed to create a compact first-aid kit for their journey.
One evening, he excitedly showed Isaac and Kieran a newly crafted map of Loguetown and the surrounding seas. "If I can do this for the Grand Line, we'll never get lost," he said with a grin.
---
Kieran
Kieran's time was split between the bustling marketplace and the ship's kitchen. He roamed the streets, chatting with local chefs and sampling dishes from every food stall he could find. His newfound love for experimenting with flavors led to an ever-growing stockpile of spices, dried meats, and preserved fruits aboard the ship.
He also trained, though not as intensely as Isaac. Most mornings, he practiced with his sword, improving his technique and speed. On several occasions, he joined Isaac in sparring matches, learning how to adapt to unpredictable opponents.
Kieran's evenings were spent perfecting recipes for the crew. One night, he surprised Isaac and Nolan with a sushi platter that rivaled anything they'd eaten before. "We might die on the Grand Line, but at least we'll die with full stomachs," he joked.
---
Together
The trio made time to train as a team, blending their individual strengths into cohesive strategies. Isaac worked with Kieran to perfect a combination attack: he'd increase the inertia of Kieran's sword strikes, turning them into devastating blows. Nolan practiced quick medical techniques, patching up minor wounds during their mock battles.
They also explored the town, uncovering its hidden corners and learning about its people. On one occasion, they stumbled upon a former pirate who shared tales of the Grand Line over drinks at a tavern. Though the man's stories were often exaggerated, they gave the crew valuable insight into what lay ahead.
---
As the two months drew to a close, the trio stood atop a hill overlooking Loguetown, the Grand Line visible as a faint haze on the horizon.
"We've come a long way," Isaac said, his voice steady.
"Still a long way to go," Nolan added, clutching his navigation tools.
Kieran smirked. "At least we're not going hungry."
Isaac turned to face them, determination etched on his face. "We're ready. Let's make our mark on the Grand Line."
With that, they descended the hill, their sights set on the journey ahead.