Loguetown, the city known as the place of "Beginnings and Ends," boasted the most prosperous commercial district in the East Blue. Shops lined the streets, and the air was thick with the clamor of the crowds.
Inside a high-end boutique named "ROSE," the decor was exquisite, and a faint scent of perfume lingered in the air.
"Hmm-hmm~ This one's nice, and this one is perfect for the Grand Line's climate."
Nami hummed a little tune, happily weaving through the clothing racks to pick out her favorite pieces. On her shoulder, Klay, the black crow, was restlessly peering around.
"Caw-caw! The Great Me wants—"
Klay's raspy voice had barely started to deliver another "grand speech" when—
Snap.
A fair hand moved with lightning speed, precisely pinching the crow's annoying beak shut. Nami scooped Klay into her arms like a plush toy, her grip firm enough to prevent even a peep. She looked down, a "kind" smile plastered on her face.
"Be quiet, Klay," Nami whispered into the bird's ear, her voice soft yet terrifying. "If you let out one more squawk, I'll have Sanji stew you for dinner tonight."
"Mmph! Mmp-mmph!!"
Klay felt a bone-chilling killing intent and broke into a cold sweat, nodding frantically to signal his absolute silence.
Having handled the noisy crow, Nami returned to her shopping spree in high spirits. As a navigator heading for the Grand Line, she selected several outfits that were both fashionable and practical for unpredictable weather.
Just as Nami was heading to the counter to pay, her footsteps stopped dead in their tracks as she passed a corner in the deepest part of the shop.
It was... the "Lingerie Section."
Under the soft lighting, the display cabinets held several pieces of intimate apparel with bold designs and exquisite materials.
Nami's eyes were involuntarily drawn to three specific sets: two mystery-black lace sets that looked both elegant and provocative, and a wine-red silk slip dress that shimmered with a mesmerizing luster.
Gulp.
Nami subconsciously swallowed, her cheeks flushing.
It's... it's just because I've grown up, and I'm going to the Grand Line. I need better quality things... Yes, that's it! It's just for... comfort!
Nami blushed furiously, her mind racing with self-justifications to quiet her pounding heart.
"Oh my, you certainly have an eye for quality, miss."
A young, pretty shop assistant walked over with a knowing smile. Her gaze flickered between Nami's curves and the bold items before she leaned in, her tone suggestive.
"These are Loguetown limited editions, made from premium South Blue silk."
The assistant winked, adding meaningfully, "These designs are known to make men... go wild."
At those words, a specific image flashed through Nami's mind—a black-haired youth with a lazy smile...
BOOM—
Nami's face turned as red as a boiled lobster, and actual steam seemed to vent from her head.
AHHH! What am I thinking!!
She screamed internally, but under the assistant's perceptive gaze, Nami's brain short-circuited.
"Pack... PACK THEM UP!!" she blurted out. "I'll take them!!"
Minutes later, Nami walked out of "ROSE" carrying several shopping bags. Her blush hadn't entirely faded, and she held the bag containing her "secret weapons" close to her chest.
"Caw?" Klay poked his head out curiously, trying to see what the boss had bought.
"What are you looking at!" Nami glared at him fiercely, whispering a threat. "What you just saw—never tell anyone!! Or I'll actually stew you! Understood?!"
Klay pulled his neck back in terror, thinking to himself that women were truly frightening.
Just then—
Whoosh—
A sudden cold wind swept through the busy street. The bustling crowds instinctively huddled their shoulders. As a genius navigator with a peerless instinct for weather, Nami's body jolted. She felt the atmospheric pressure plummeting around her.
This sensation...
Nami immediately dropped her playful embarrassment, her face turning grave. She looked up. The sky over Loguetown, which had been clear moments ago, was now thick with dark, heavy clouds pressing down so low they felt reachable.
"This pressure change... it's no ordinary storm." Nami frowned, a strong sense of unease rising in her heart. "I have to find Luffy and the others and set sail immediately!"
Without hesitation, she oriented herself and sprinted toward the town's central execution plaza.
Meanwhile, in the labyrinthine alleys of Loguetown:
"Eh? Where exactly is the execution stand?" Luffy scratched the back of his head, wandering aimlessly. It looked close, but no matter which way he turned, he couldn't reach it. The town was a total maze to him.
As he turned a corner:
"Found you! Straw Hat!!"
A man and a woman appeared, blocking his only path. The woman had a stunningly curvaceous figure, wearing a bikini top and a cape, and she carried a massive iron club. Beside her stood a mysterious man draped in a wide cloak that hid his face.
"Hehehe..." The woman took a step forward, a confident gleam in her eyes. "Still as cute as ever, Luffy."
She struck what she thought was a captivating pose and asked flirtatiously, "Tell me, Luffy. Do you think... I am the most beautiful woman on this sea?"
The air was silent for a few seconds. Luffy stopped, reached up with his pinky, and picked his nose with a blank expression. He looked the strange woman up and down and asked, "Huh? Who are you, Granny?"
STAB—
An invisible arrow pierced the woman's heart.
"GRA... GRANNY?!!" Alvida's veins throbbed on her forehead, her beautiful face contorting with rage. "I'm Alvida!! You unrefined rubber man!! And don't call me Granny!!!"
"Alvida?" Luffy tilted his head. "Don't know you. The Alvida I knew was an ugly, fat old lady."
"THAT WAS ME! I ate the Slip-Slip Fruit and became beautiful!!" she roared.
At that moment, the cloaked man couldn't take it anymore either. "Enough talk, Alvida!" He threw off his cloak, revealing his signature big red nose and clown makeup.
"Long time no see, Straw Hat!!" Buggy spread his arms, throwing knives tucked between his fingers, a vengeful sneer on his face. "The Great Me is here to take your head!!"
Seeing that face, Luffy's memory finally clicked. His eyes lit up. "Ah!! It's the Big Red Nose!!"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A BIG RED NOSE, BASTARD!!" Buggy snapped instantly. "I am Captain Buggy!!"
"Gum-Gum... Pistol!!"
Luffy didn't care for their chatter and threw a punch immediately.
"Useless!" Alvida puffed out her chest, making no move to dodge.
Zip!
Luffy's punch hit Alvida's smooth skin and instantly slid off to the side due to "zero friction," slamming into the wall instead.
"What? It slid off?" Luffy blinked.
"Hehehe, my skin is so smooth even dust can't get a grip!" Alvida laughed triumphantly. "You can't hit me!"
Simultaneously: "Chop-Chop... Rice Cracker!!"
Buggy activated his power, his lower half flying out and kicking toward Luffy's back with spinning blades.
"Whoa!" Luffy jumped away, but his arm was grazed, leaving a small cut. "Dammit! How annoying!"
Though Luffy was far stronger than before, facing two "former bosses" with tricky Devil Fruit powers and perfect teamwork—combined with his lack of experience against the Slip-Slip Fruit—left him temporarily on the defensive.
"Hehehe! Straw Hat! You're just acting tough!" Buggy noticed Luffy's slight struggle and an idea formed in his head. He manipulated his body parts to harass Luffy while intentionally backing toward the alley exit.
"What's the matter? Didn't you want to see the execution stand?" Buggy pointed toward the towering plaza outside, offering a sinister taunt. "Then come! That... is where the Pirate King died, and it will be your grave as well!!"
"Follow us if you have the guts!!"
With that, Buggy and Alvida turned and ran toward the center of the plaza.
"Stop right there! Big Red Nose! Slippery Granny!" Luffy roared and gave chase without a second thought. "I'm gonna knock you both into next week!!"
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