Searching for Barto and Intercepting the Famous Blade

Loguetown, town center.

The women were chattering away while shopping, while Moya inquired about the location of Ippon-Matsu's sword shop.

He soon found out where the weapon shop was located; he just hoped Zoro and the others hadn't arrived yet.

Meanwhile, aboard the Straw Hat Pirates' Going Merry.

"Do you two even know how to navigate? You idiots!"

Sanji bared his sharp teeth, cursing the "Sword God" Yosaku and the "Sword Saint" Johnny.

"I'm so hungry, so hungry."

Luffy was practically starving to death.

Could the directionally challenged Zoro navigate? Obviously not.

Could the cowardly liar Usopp, who had never left his island before, navigate? Obviously not.

The cook, Sanji, could only pin his hopes on Yosaku and Johnny, the two bounty hunters from the East Blue.

But he never expected this!

They had actually been sailing in circles around the East Blue, and their progress had fallen behind the Moya Adventure Group.

To make matters worse, the food had long since been devoured by the bottomless pit that was Luffy.

"An island! I see an island!"

Usopp looked through his small goggles, which acted like binoculars.

Yosaku and Johnny rushed toward the railing.

"It's Loguetown! We're saved! But wait, we're wanted now, oh no~!"

Under the instincts of these two bounty hunters, the six of them had actually wiped out a few pirate crews, and the news of Kuro the Cat being defeated by Luffy had been clearly investigated by the Navy.

However, because they had hoisted a pirate flag, the Navy classified them as pirates, meaning the heads of those pirates they defeated could no longer be exchanged for bounties. This led Yosaku and Johnny to wail that they had fallen into a massive trap.

Luffy's first bounty reached 20 million Beli, the highest in the East Blue, though it didn't reach the 30 million Beli mark from the original story.

Because they had crushed several weak pirate crews, the Navy had scouted the strength of the crew members, leading to the others being wanted as well.

Zoro had a bounty of 15 million Beli, Sanji 10 million, Yosaku and Johnny 8 million each, and Usopp 1 million.

The entire pirate crew was overjoyed; Sanji's wanted poster wasn't a hand-drawn sketch, which was a cause for celebration.

"Listen up, everyone! Loguetown, full speed ahead!"

Luffy didn't know the meaning of fear; as long as there was food, he was charging in.

Inside Ippon-Matsu's weapon shop, Moya searched through the cheapest barrel of swords for the Sandai Kitetsu. He soon sensed that ominous aura.

He drew the Sandai Kitetsu; the faint black patterns on the blade—were these the result of a previous owner nourishing it with Haki?

"Hey, kid, don't touch that sword. It's cursed," Ippon-Matsu warned.

"It's just a Sandai Kitetsu. How much?"

"You know about the Kitetsu?"

"It's a cursed blade. Legend says it's the incarnation of an evil god, possessing power that rivals the sword of justice, the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi."

"They say a wicked sword spirit dwells within, one that erodes the wielder's mind."

"Therefore, only a swordsman stronger than the spirit can master it; otherwise, they will be consumed and meet a tragic end."

"Unfortunately, none of the previous owners were strong enough to control it."

"I was just thinking of getting rid of it. Put it down; ordinary people can't handle it."

"I said I want it. How much? And bring out your shop's treasure, the Wazamono grade sword, Yubashiri."

Moya finished speaking, raised the Sandai Kitetsu, and slashed toward his own hand, which was coated in Armament Haki.

The Sandai Kitetsu struck Moya's hand, producing a crisp ding—the sound of metal clashing against metal.

Moya gripped the Sandai Kitetsu with both hands, surging his Armament Haki throughout his body. The Sandai Kitetsu was suddenly covered in black patterns.

"It's about halfway nourished. It needs a bit more to become a true Black Blade."

He casually slashed at a test stone in the corner, cutting it in two. It was terrifying.

"You gained the recognition of the Sandai Kitetsu? No, you forcibly suppressed it. You are truly strong, but disaster will strike sooner or later."

"Disaster? This Sandai Kitetsu is just a transitional sword for me. There's a Supreme Grade cursed sword waiting for me later!"

"I didn't expect you to have information on a Supreme Grade sword. I'll give you this Sandai Kitetsu, but you are destined to change swords, so I don't want to sell my beloved Yubashiri, sir."

"I'm not a dual-wielder. I'm buying this sword to return a favor—to a young man who will be recognized by the world's greatest swordsman. Is that acceptable?"

"If I refuse again, I'd be ungrateful. Five million Beli. I hope you find Yubashiri a good master."

Seeing the profound expression in Moya's eyes, Ippon-Matsu did not refuse a second time.

That's right, he had been suppressed by the faint, lingering aura radiating from Moya, his heart still trembling.

"Haha, Nami, pay the man."

Moya laughed, took the two swords, and walked out.

This scene was seen clearly by Tashigi, who happened to be passing by.

Nami took out five million Beli with a pained expression to pay Ippon-Matsu, then trotted to catch up with Moya.

"Phew... what a terrifyingly formidable young man."

Ippon-Matsu exhaled deeply, his voice trembling.

"Captain, why give this sword away as a favor? Wouldn't it be better to give it to Golass?" Buggy asked, puzzled.

"I want to achieve a certain effect, and it requires a bit more leverage. I hope it comes in handy."

He didn't know if he would be able to meet Dragon, but by gifting the sword to Zoro, he hoped to show Dragon his sincerity.

He also planned to use information or strategic tactics to see if he could move a man like Dragon.

"Captain, Gin has already scouted out Bartolomeo's location in the west of the city and has already begun making contact. Should we head over there right now?"

Buggy closed the Den Den Mushi and caught up to Moya to report.

"Very good, let's go immediately!"

The women stopped their shopping; Moya's business was the priority, and the group hurried toward the west side of the city.

Not long after, while passing a certain spot, Moya suddenly stopped.

Roger's execution platform.

The iconic landmark of the Town of Beginnings and Endings.

Feeling the faint, lingering pressure, Moya was moved.

"What an incredible spirit!!!"

"Is this the Breath of All Things? Even after twenty-plus years, the Conqueror's Haki and Observation Haki are still echoing here, or is it the effect of faith?"

"The surrounding buildings seem to still remember Roger, as if they are shouting. As soon as I stepped in here, my own Conqueror's Haki began to tremble faintly."

Moya was truly, incomparably shocked.

The ice path Aokiji created to let Robin escape could last for a week without melting; the battle between Aokiji and Akainu had altered an island's climate with ice and magma, a change that hadn't weakened even after two years and would continue to persist.

Yet, Roger's Breath of All Things, his Observation Haki, and his Conqueror's Haki had actually not fully dissipated even after twenty-plus years. Were they all approaching the realm of gods?

At this moment, Moya was truly completely shaken. Only those who possessed Conqueror's Haki could truly feel this kind of spirit; ordinary people wouldn't feel a thing.

"Captain Moya, what's wrong?"

Buggy looked at the dazed Moya, and upon seeing the execution platform, he felt an inexplicable urge to shed tears, suddenly overcome with a sense of sorrow.

Nami shook Moya's shoulder.

"What's wrong, Moya?"

Moya ignored them, walking silently, slowly, step by step, up onto the execution platform alone.

With every step he climbed, Moya's aura shifted.

The crowd below, along with passing tourists and local residents, were inexplicably drawn to Moya's figure.

It was as if they were waiting for something to be born.