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Logan tightened his grip on the Seven-Star Sword. Under Maya's terrified gaze, wisps of green mist seeped out of the blade, drifting straight toward his body.
"Logan! Throw it away, now!!" Maya shouted in panic.
On Aska Island, the legend had held for centuries: whenever the Seven-Star Sword resurfaced, war was sure to follow.
And whenever its dark power awakened, the wielder's mind would be twisted, turning them into a puppet acting solely on the sword's will.
Seeing the mist about to surge into Logan, Maya's face turned ghost-white.
"Relax, Maya. Trust big bro Logan." Someone gently patted her shoulder, trying to calm her down.
Robin also gave a warm smile. "Maya, our captain is really strong."
She'd been worried too—but Logan's confidence made her drop her guard. After all, she had followed him long enough to know he never fought battles he couldn't win.
If he said he had this, then he had this.
Their reassurance put a little color back in Maya's cheeks, though her tiny hands still squeezed together nervously.
"It's just a demon sword that can mess with an ordinary person's mind. It thinks it can act up in front of me?" Logan didn't budge, letting the green mist sink into him.
In the blink of an eye, a dark, violent, bloodthirsty will surged through Logan's body, raging wildly as it tried to replace his own and seize control of him.
Anyone without an unshakable will would be enslaved instantly.
Just then, a strange red gleam flashed through Logan's pupils.
"Courting death." His gaze sharpened—and a wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded outward like a roaring sea. Red lightning crackled through the air like a nest of furious serpents, filling most of the space.
The green mist recoiled the moment it touched the red lightning, scattering like rats fleeing a cat, scrambling to escape its pressure.
"And they call this thing an unbeatable sword?" Logan snorted. His Haki burst forth without restraint, sweeping through the green mist and wiping it out completely.
"T-This… how is this possible?!" Maya clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide in disbelief.
This scene was nothing like the legends.
At the same moment, Logan pushed that fierce, overwhelming Haki straight into the sword's body.
Buzz—
Buzz—
The Haki poured into the blade like a hurricane, crushing the sword's dark will with overwhelming force.
The Seven-Star Sword trembled violently, its green glow flickering on and off as if trying desperately to break free from Logan's grip.
"Trying to shake a mountain? Know your place." Logan snorted. After he forced every bit of Haki inside, the sword shook even harder. Thick green smoke leaked out, whirling for a moment before fading away.
Seconds ticked by.
A full minute passed.
The sword's resistance weakened and finally settled. The green sheen on the blade dimmed significantly.
"How… how is this possible?!" Maya completely froze, jaw hanging open.
She simply couldn't comprehend what she was seeing.
Not only was Logan unaffected by the sword's darkness—he actually suppressed it.
The other girls finally relaxed too, exchanging relieved looks. They trusted Logan, but with all the buildup from Maya's warnings, it was impossible not to worry a little.
But now? Yeah, their man was simply built different.
Seven-Star Sword, Eight-Star Sword… all of them were chumps compared to him.
Logan turned the sword in his hand. The darkness inside was gone—as if it had never been there.
Just as expected: Haki ruled all.
Still, he had to admit the sword was strange. This was the first time he'd seen a blade with its own will.
Used properly, it'd be a top-tier weapon.
"Logan, did you… did you really tame the Seven-Star Sword?!" Maya walked over on shaky legs, still unsure if she should believe her eyes.
Everything happened too fast. A sword that had sparked wars and killed countless people had been tamed this easily?
Her mind felt blank, dizzy.
"It's a good sword, but it's not as exaggerated as you all said." Logan smiled and handed it to her.
Maya instinctively backed away, staring at the blade in fear.
She wasn't nearly as strong as Logan. If the darkness infected her, she'd become its puppet in seconds.
"Don't worry. The only will inside it now is mine." Logan gave her a reassuring look.
"I'll try it." Tashigi, who treated swords like sacred treasures, stepped forward and took the sword from him.
"There is a strong power inside it," she murmured, closing her eyes to sense it.
The next moment, she raised the Seven-Star Sword and slashed toward a distant mountain.
Swoosh!
A beam of energy—red and green spiraling together—shot out like a cannon blast, tearing across a hundred meters. With a deafening boom, the mountain split into rubble.
Rumble—
Rumble—
Stones tumbled everywhere as dust erupted into the sky.
"I didn't even use much strength…" Tashigi stared at the sword in shock.
"The sword really is powerful. It's not inferior to a Great Grade Blade," Logan said with high praise.
As for the "legendary sword" part—yeah, that was a bit overhyped. Aska Island was isolated; they didn't know the outside world was much bigger.
Just like Arlong—he only managed to throw his weight around in Cocoyasi Village.
"So it's really harmless now?"
Maya stared at Tashigi, who looked completely normal. Clear eyes, normal behavior—nothing strange at all.
Wait.
Maya rubbed her temples, feeling a little dizzy. She blinked hard and looked again—it was definitely the same Seven-Star Sword.
But it was just… obedient?
Were the legends all lies?!
Logan walked up with a laugh and gently rubbed her head. He knew her worldview was falling apart.
After all, centuries of stories had planted fear deep in the people of Aska Island.
For them, the sword was an unstoppable curse, its awakening a sure sign of disaster.
Only the three sacred gems could seal it.
And yet Logan suppressed it in under a minute. Of course she'd question reality.
Maya swallowed and gathered her courage. "I… I want to try holding it."
At Logan's nod, Tashigi handed it over.
Maya took it cautiously.
One second.
Two seconds.
A minute.
"Eh?! Really nothing at all?!" She brightened instantly.
According to legend, the moment someone touched the sword, its darkness would lash out and corrupt them.
But now? Nothing.
"Logan, how did you do that?!" she asked, completely overwhelmed.
In her mind, only the three gems could seal the sword, but Logan did it alone?
Unbelievable.
Logan looked at her seriously. "Maya, Aska Island is too small. The Seven-Star Sword you all feared for centuries is just a local legend. There are plenty of people out there strong enough to suppress it."
"I know it's your duty to guard the sword. But now that it won't bring disaster anymore, maybe you should consider my invitation again—join my crew."
"Um…" Maya hesitated.
Her thoughts were still a mess.
Seeing she didn't immediately refuse, Logan pressed on, "Think about it, Maya. If you're not with me someday, and I accidentally lose control and let the sword's darkness loose—what then?"
Her expression shifted nervously. "L-Logan… maybe you should put the sword back. That would be safer for everyone."
"No." He shook his head firmly.
He finally got his hands on a treasure like this—no way he was putting it back.
And besides, that whole 'I might lose control' line was just bait to sway her. With his strength, there was no chance he'd lose to the sword.
Maya fell silent, troubled. If Logan really wanted to take the sword, she couldn't stop him.
Seeing her still wavering, Logan shot the girls a pleading look.
His secret weapon.
They rolled their eyes, but one by one gathered around Maya.
Truthfully, she'd already been shaken. With the girls piling on persuasion, she cracked fast.
She knew something felt off… but couldn't articulate it.
"Logan… I'll join your crew." Maya raised her eyes, voice soft and milky as she spoke.
Logan shot the girls a triumphant look, then said seriously, "From now on, stay by my side and help me watch over the Seven-Star Sword."
Maya clenched her little fist. "Don't worry, Captain! I'll guard it with everything I've got. I won't ever let the evil inside escape."
Behind her, the girls covered their mouths, barely holding in laughter.
"Captain, now that we've got both the sword and Maya… shouldn't we leave soon?" Nami gave him a teasing smirk.
"Got… got?" Maya looked confused.
Nami's smile froze. She scratched her head awkwardly.
Logan shot Nami a sharp glare, then smiled gently. "To welcome Maya, let's have a feast tonight!"
"A feast?! Yes!! We haven't had one in forever!" Kaya was already drooling.
"Hold on—Captain! That's unfair! When I joined, there wasn't a feast!" Nojiko stood with her hands on her hips, chest bouncing angrily.
"Looks like Captain really likes Maya," Robin said with narrowed eyes, folding her arms.
Maya lowered her head, cheeks a little red, sneaking a glance at Logan.
Am I really that much of his type?!
And she could clearly feel Robin and the others getting a little jealous.
Ignoring all the sharp looks from the girls, Logan put away the Ark's scripture and summoned a luxurious airship right on the spot.
"Alright, my beautiful crew—let's head somewhere quiet and have ourselves a feast," Logan said with gentlemanly flourish, inviting them aboard one by one.
With a deep roar, the airship shot straight up into the sky, soaring past ten thousand meters.
Ten thousand meters up.
Everyone got busy.
Some prepped ingredients, some handled the meat, some set up the grill, others arranged the drinks… the whole afternoon turned into a whirlwind.
But between the chatter and laughter, Maya quickly blended in like she'd always been part of the group.
Night slowly settled in.
"Ladies—let the feast begin!!"
Logan cheered, tossing a lit torch into the firepit.
In an instant, bright flames burst up, dyeing the dim sky in shades of burning red.
The girls gathered around the bonfire with Logan.
Glasses clinked one after another across the deck.
"Hahaha—Makino, your wine is amazing," Logan said, downing his drink in one go. Even though he'd had it many times, he still couldn't help praising her.
Makino smiled at him gently. "As long as the captain likes it."
"I want some too! Pour me a cup!" Angel Konis flapped her wings impatiently, eyeing the bottle like a hungry cat.
"Karumen, your food smells incredible," Maya said, sniffing hard, practically swooning at the aroma.
"Hahaha, Maya, Karumen's one of the East Blue's legendary chefs. Most people never get a chance to taste her cooking," Nojiko said, giving Karumen a big thumbs-up.
The other girls nodded enthusiastically.
Karumen's cooking hit every craving they didn't even know they had.
Under all the praise, Karumen just smiled softly and kept expertly turning the skewers over the grill.
Meanwhile, Vivi and Robin stuck to their special diet meals, but even they were enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Honestly, a good feast really did wonders for the mood.
It felt perfect.
Logan and the girls spent the evening drinking, laughing, singing, and even dancing when things got rowdy enough.
Vivi, Tashigi, and the soft-tempered girls danced with gentle, graceful movements.
But the bold ones—Sara, Door, Kalifa—jumped into the spotlight in bikinis, dancing with such fiery energy that everyone screamed and whooped, pushing the party straight to its peak.
At one point the girls even dragged Logan up to dance.
His terrible rhythm earned him a chorus of groans and playful scolding.
By the time the bonfire was burning low, everyone collapsed in a circle on the deck, not caring about dignity anymore.
Logan rested both hands behind his head, staring up at the sky. A soft, content smile tugged at his lips.
"When we reach the New World," he said, "and gather all the beauties of the seas into our crew, I'll take you all around the world and make every one of your dreams come true."
The girls blinked, startled, then all turned to look at him.
Nami grinned, cupping her hands around her mouth as she called toward the sky, "Don't forget, Logan—I'm gonna draw a map of the entire world!"
One after another, the girls followed her lead.
"I want to decipher the Poneglyphs and uncover the truth about the Void Century!"
Tashigi: "I want to collect the world's greatest swords!"
"I want to travel everywhere with big brother Logan!"
"I want to cure as many people as I can!"
Nojiko: "I want to grow an even bigger orange grove!"
Makino: "I want to brew even better wine!"
Karumen: "I want to become the greatest chef on the seas!"
Golden Week, Sara, Valentine: "We want to become the best coffee masters!"
Konis and Laki: "Us too—we're gonna be the best baristas!"
"I want the captain to spoil me… like, three times a day!"
Kalifa: "Four for me. No one gets more than I do."
Maya: "??"
Everyone else: "??"
"Ahem… Maya, what about you? What's your dream?" Logan quickly asked, desperate to change the subject.
"My dream?" Maya blinked, thinking it over. "I want to protect the Seven-Star Sword!"
Logan let out a breath of relief.
But then Maya tilted her head in confusion. "Captain… earlier Sister Door said something about you 'spoiling' her. Is that something really wonderful?!"
"....."