With Ace at the helm, Nami could finally unleash her navigation skills.
They were originally scheduled to reach Loguetown by tomorrow. Instead, they arrived nearly half a day early.
The nighttime sea was as desolate as an abyss. It naturally bred an illusion of insignificance.
As they gradually approached Loguetown, the atmosphere on the ship subtly shifted.
A speck of light steadily expanded in the distant darkness. That was Loguetown.
Even in the dead of night, it remained brightly lit and bustling with activity.
Situated near the entrance of the Grand Line, it boasted unimaginably developed commerce. It welcomed all ships from across the East Blue that sought to enter the Grand Line.
Nami kept her voice low. "Under the night cover, we will first go ashore to resupply. We must be careful not to be discovered by the marines."
"Once we enter the Grand Line, it won't be so easy if we ever want to return."
Watching the shoreline draw closer, a trace of reluctance flashed across her face.
Lius gazed at the distant town with raised brows. A hint of sentimentality laced his tone. "Is this the town of the beginning and the end?"
Ace furrowed his brows. He unconsciously clenched his fists, a flash of disgust and anger surfacing deep in his eyes.
Stowing the canvas sails, the large ship slowly approached the pier.
Marine soldiers patrolled the main streets. The security appeared quite strict.
Disguised, the trio silently stepped onto the pier and headed straight for the shops to frantically purchase their required supplies.
Lius offered a quick reminder. "Meat. As much meat as possible!"
Ace nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes, yes!"
Nami fought to suppress her rising temper. "Yes my foot. Once we enter the Grand Line, I will never forgive you if you two fail to make money."
She never expected their two-day supply of food to be completely devoured in a single day.
Lius was one thing. Having spent two years with him, she already knew of his terrifying appetite.
What she did not anticipate was that Ace would be just as monstrous.
Facing her threat, both boys nodded hastily. "Mhm!"
Not long after, each of them carried a mountain-like bundle on their backs. The packages were taller than they were as they wove through the various stores.
Watching their beli flow out like water, Nami glared with murderous intent.
The two boys, however, felt thoroughly satisfied. They casually carried their massive hauls, humming cheerful tunes all the way back.
Thump! Thud!
Several heavy sacks slammed onto the deck, shaking the entire vessel.
Lius glanced at the sky. There was still some time before dawn. "Alright. Since we have a moment, I am taking Nami to the weapon shop to get two suitable blades."
He then turned a meaningful gaze toward Ace. "Are you staying on the ship, or do you need to prepare something as well?"
"Just make sure to return before daybreak!"
Ace took a deep look toward the heart of Loguetown before turning around. He walked over to the edge of the bulwark and sat down. "Haha, I think I'll just wait for you guys on the ship."
He looked up at Lius with a grin. "If the marines spot you, you had better run back here. Otherwise, I won't be able to save you!"
Closing his eyes, he instantly drifted off to sleep.
Seeing this, Lius said no more. He grabbed Nami's hand and left the pier once again, disappearing into the dark streets.
Nami turned her head to look at her companion. "Why do I feel like that guy is in a really low mood?"
Lius offered a faint smile, brushing off the topic with a casual excuse. "Of course he is. He dreams of becoming the Pirate King. Arriving at the very place where the Pirate King was executed naturally stirs up some feelings."
Nami completely believed this explanation.
If she had not known about Lius's grand ambitions, she might have been tempted to visit the execution platform herself upon landing in Loguetown. She wanted to imagine the final moments of the man who sparked the Great Pirate Era.
.......
.......
The Arms Shop.
Customers were scarce in the late hours. Although pedestrians still roamed the streets, virtually no one entered the shop to buy weapons.
The shop owner, Ipponmatsu, lay listlessly across the counter. His eyelids drooped in exhaustion.
Two figures suddenly walked through the door. "We're here."
The owner instantly perked up. He jumped to his feet with a fawning expression.
"Welcome, welcome! Please take your time looking around, dear customers. My family has run this shop for two hundred years..."
Before the owner could finish his pitch, Lius slowly closed his eyes.
Then, under the astonished gazes of Nami and Ipponmatsu, he walked straight toward a barrel of clustered longswords.
"Ah, those are just worthless weapons. If you are looking for something specific..."
Lius cut him off. "There is no need. This is exactly what I want."
He firmly gripped a sword hilt and pulled the weapon free.
"Boss, how much for this sword?"
This entire sequence of events left the shop owner utterly dumbfounded behind his counter.
Hearing the question, cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He frantically waved his hands.
"No, I am not selling that sword. Please choose something else."
Lius completely ignored him. Looking down at the unassuming longsword in his hands, he gripped it tightly and drew it from its sheath with a sharp scrape.
The tempered steel blade bore a flame pattern and an exceptionally large curve. Forged without a blood groove, it radiated an intimidating sharpness.
Lius tightly grasped the cursed sword and pointed it at the owner with a wide grin. "Do you hear it? It is weeping."
Ipponmatsu's heart gave a violent lurch. In that instant, a piercing sharpness cut straight into his soul.
It was not so much the chill brought about by the cursed sword. Rather, it was the dark-haired young man standing before him. He inadvertently leaked an aura so terrifying that he resembled a divine blade ready to cleave the heavens.
The owner's face was plastered with fear. "Are... are you a swordsman?"
Lius freely admitted it. "That's right. I am a two-sword style swordsman."
Nami looked completely baffled. "Huh? Why would it be crying?"
Lius smiled faintly. "If left to gather dust, even a sword would weep."
He sheathed the blade and strapped it to his waist. He then looked at the owner. "Sandai Kitetsu. It is worth at least one million beli. What do you think, boss?"
Ipponmatsu was thoroughly shocked. He stared at his customer as if looking at a monster. "You... you actually know of it?"
After a long pause, he seemed to realize something. He turned around and scrambled into the back room.
Less than ten seconds later, he emerged carrying an exquisitely sheathed longsword. He walked right up to the youth and respectfully offered it with both hands.
"Esteemed swordsman, please take this one as well."
The corners of Lius's mouth curled up. He naturally accepted the weapon and hung it casually at his waist.
"Yubashiri, is it? Another fine blade."
He turned his head to glance at Nami with a grin. "Pay the man, Nami."
To their surprise, Ipponmatsu firmly waved his hands. His voice deepened. "There is no need for money. I should be the one thanking you. True famed swords should never be buried in dust. They belong in the hands of a swordsman. That is their destiny."
"Otherwise, even a sword would weep."