Clouds hung low in the sky, painting the world in soft greys as the Going Merry glided through the open sea. The waters were calm, yet the air felt heavy with something intangible. It wasn't fear—but anticipation.
The silhouette of Loguetown rose ahead—spires, chimneys, watchtowers, and the unmistakable peak of the Marine base looming like a sentinel over the port. The town sprawled out in all directions, old stone buildings pressed together, smoke curling from fish markets and bakery chimneys. Boats clustered along the piers, dockhands shouting orders, and sea birds circled the masts in noisy flocks.
From the deck, the Straw Hat crew looked on in silence.
"There it is," Nami said, arms crossed. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were focused. "Loguetown. Last stop before the Grand Line."
Zoro scoffed lightly. "Where Roger died."
Sanji exhaled a stream of smoke. "The place where the Pirate King was born… and executed."
Luffy stood at the bow, his straw hat low over his eyes, lips curled in a soft smile. "Then it's the perfect place to stop before we begin."
None of them said it aloud—but each felt the weight of the moment. Something about this place… wasn't like the others.
They chose a quieter dock far from the central marine checkpoints. No pirate flag. No announcement. Just a smooth pull-in and minimal chatter. Usopp adjusted the sails while Sanji secured the lines. Luffy hopped onto the pier like he was stepping onto a festival street.
A merchant passed by without even looking twice.
So far, so good.
The crew gathered at the edge of the dock.
"Stay sharp," Nami said. "This is Marine turf."
"Right," Usopp nodded nervously. "Let's not get arrested."
"We'll meet back here before sundown," Zoro added, already checking the position of the sun.
Sanji offered Nami his arm like a prince. "Shall I accompany you, my angel?"
Nami smirked. "You can carry my bags."
Usopp tugged his toolbox onto his shoulder. "Time to see what kind of tools they've got here!"
Zoro stretched and yawned. "I'm going sword shopping."
Luffy didn't say anything.
He just walked.
His feet led him through the bustling market streets—past perfume stalls, skewered meat vendors, calligraphy shops, and loud-mouthed auctioneers.
But he wasn't looking at anything.
He was heading toward something.
The execution platform stood in the center of the town square, built of weathered wood and iron braces. It was clean now. No blood. No chains. But the memory of what had happened there clung to it like a shadow.
Luffy stopped at the base and looked up.
Tourists occasionally climbed it for photos. Marines sometimes patrolled around it. But right now, it was empty.
He ascended slowly.
One step. Then another.
When he reached the top, he stood motionless for several seconds. His eyes scanned the sky.
He could almost see it.
Roger, smiling as the noose tightened.
The crowd, roaring with questions.
His voice, loud and final:
"My treasure? If you want it, you can have it."
Luffy took a deep breath and stepped into the center.
His shadow stretched beneath him, long and thin on the weather-worn planks.
Then it flickered.
It rippled once. Then again.
He didn't move.
The shadow moved on its own.
Luffy's eyes narrowed.
In the highest tower of the Marine base, Captain Smoker stood with his coat fluttering behind him. Smoke curled from the two cigars in his mouth as he reviewed the latest bounty posters. The wind shifted, sending fresh mist rolling in from the sea.
One bounty stood out.
MONKEY D. LUFFY – 30,000,000 BERRIES
"He's here," he muttered.
The Marine officer behind him looked nervous. "Shall I issue an alert?"
"No. Don't scare him off," Smoker replied, eyes still locked on the poster. "Let him enjoy his stay."
"You'll confront him yourself?"
Smoker smirked. "He's the most dangerous rookie in East Blue. I want to see what makes him special."
He crushed the poster in his hand.
"Besides… I don't like kids who think they can play pirate."
Back at the platform, Luffy remained still.
His mind had gone quiet.
But the shadow beneath him was alive.
It shuddered suddenly, like something thumping against the wood from beneath. He felt it rise up the back of his spine—a cold tingle. His instincts screamed.
Then…
A faint sound.
Whump.
Like a heartbeat. But not his.
He turned slowly.
No one was there.
But his shadow lagged half a second behind his movement.
Then caught up.
His jaw tightened.
At the edge of the market, an old man carrying a basket of vegetables stepped into a quiet alley to take a shortcut home.
The alley darkened unnaturally.
He froze.
Something stood in the shadow—humanoid in shape, tall and thin, with glowing blue eyes that burned like lanterns in fog.
He gasped, stumbling backward and dropping his basket.
The shadow moved.
Fast.
The man blinked, heart racing—
And it was gone.
No sound.
No scent.
Just an unnatural silence.
Luffy staggered slightly.
The system blinked open on its own.
[Shadow General – Arlong: Active]
[Current Location: Unknown]
[Autonomy Level: Breached]
[Warning: Control Sync Unstable]
Luffy's breath caught.
"What…?"
He clenched his fists as the last line flashed:
[Initiating Independent Action Protocol…]
A burst of black mist curled around his ankle.
He stepped back.
"No… I didn't summon—"
A long, thin tendril rose slowly behind him.
It formed a head.
Two eyes.
And a mouth.
Full of teeth.
[End of Chapter 89]
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