Loguetown, at the center of the Execution Platform square.
Dragon in the sky, the injured Smoker, the fleeing Straw Hat Pirates, and the Moya Adventure Group watching Bartolomeo.
Some tourists and townsfolk were chatting excitedly, while many unlucky people had been knocked unconscious by Conqueror's Haki and still lay sprawled on the ground.
"Come along. Let's head to your turf first."
Moya swept his cloak aside, and the women and officers followed. Bartolomeo, who had been on the ground, sprang up at once and chased after them, followed by the squad leaders and a swarm of underlings.
Luffy saw what was happening, glanced at Smoker, then quietly began sneaking off with the Straw Hat Pirates.
Smoker snapped out of his daze as he watched Moya leave, only to spot the Straw Hats.
"Straw Hat, I'm in a terrible mood. Come help me blow off some steam."
'White Vine'
A smoke lasso shot toward the Straw Hat Pirates.
'Gum-Gum Gatling'
'Three-Sword Style: 36 Pound Cannon'
'Mutton Shot'
The Straw Hats' three strongest fighters immediately counterattacked, but their attacks had no effect, and they were driven back again and again.
Tashigi had also engaged Yosaku and Johnny. Fighting two opponents at once, she was holding her own with ease.
Usopp was being chased by a group of Marines, yelping as he dodged this way and that.
'White Fist'
'White Snake'
Zoro and Sanji were sent flying in an instant. They crashed into the buildings behind them, shattering the walls and kicking up clouds of dust.
"Zoro, Sanji, are you all right?"
"Daring to get distracted while fighting me?"
'Jitte: Inch-Point Strike'
Smoker quickly pinned Luffy to the ground, pressing his jitte against Luffy's neck. The Seastone at its tip immediately robbed Luffy of his ability to fight back.
"Straw Hat, your pirate career is over. Your destination is the endless depths of Impel Down."
Luffy, struggling to breathe, still tried in vain to break free.
At that moment, the wind began to blow again...
Back with Moya.
"Captain Moya, please take me out to sea! You were just so cool!"
Bartolomeo gazed at Moya with stars in his eyes, his face full of adoration. He floated around like a limp worm.
"Sure!"
Moya agreed without hesitation.
"I knew Captain Moya was the best!"
The Moya Adventure Group stared at Bartolomeo, speechless.
"One more thing. I'm planning to leave these four hundred men in Loguetown and merge them with your gang. Is that all right?"
"Of course, Captain. What's mine is yours."
"Good. As we head for the Grand Line, these crew members can stay here until we find a base. The Grand Line is too dangerous for them right now. Squad leaders, go let everyone know."
"Yes, Captain."
"Oh, and tell them to get in touch with Dis on Clockwork Island and build up relations between the two sides. Does anyone want to stay behind and take charge?"
"Understood, Captain." The squad leaders fell silent after answering.
"Captain, I'll stay. That way, we can get started on taming the beasts on Rare Beast Island," the Beast Tamer, Mohji, said.
"Captain, then I'll manage things in Loguetown," Acrobat Cabaji said hesitantly.
Looking at the two of them, Moya realized he didn't seem to have altered their memories. Given how long they had spent making a living in the East Blue, it made sense that they might be a little reluctant to venture into the Grand Line.
In the end, Moya agreed.
The squad leaders went off to spread the word. There was little resistance. The weak submitted to the strong, and the underlings didn't dare complain.
The women would certainly be following Moya. Buggy, El Drago, and Mao Xiong, the officers whose memories had been altered, would also go with him, along with the new officer and devoted fan, Bartolomeo.
The provisional officer Gin was a formidable man. Both he and Krieg had had their memories altered by Moya, and they wanted to go to the Grand Line to grow stronger.
Swordsman Golass and needle-sword fighter A-Pin were both swordfighters. Needless to say, they would want to go in pursuit of greater skill.
Moya intended to keep the Cat Brothers close and train them, just like the Decalvan Brothers under Whitebeard.
That left the hypnotist and dancer, Jango. Moya hadn't altered his memories, but he was quite interested in both hypnosis and dancing. How could a ship be without entertainment?
"Captain, it seems there's a cooking competition in the southern part of town. Would you like to go try the food?"
"I was just looking for a chef. Come on, let's go have some fun."
Rim looked a little downcast, and the little cook pouted. Weren't they enough?
"Balanced nutrition is important at sea. Having another chef to learn from means more variety in our meals. You're important too."
Moya gently patted Rika's pouty lips, as if they could hold a bottle of oil, and burst out laughing.
Back with Luffy.
The weather suddenly changed around the area centered on the Execution Platform. Fierce winds howled, dark clouds filled the sky, and rain began to fall.
A flash of lightning lit up the sky, revealing a figure in a green cloak, with a fierce red tattoo stretching across his face.
Smoker felt as though a giant beast stood behind him. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his face with the rain.
"Revolutionary Army leader, Monkey D. Dragon."
"Nothing can stop a man from heading for the free, open sea!"
Dragon swept his hand out, and a fierce gale sent Smoker flying into a wall. He coughed up blood, rolled his eyes, and passed out.
With another wave, Luffy and the others—who hadn't even had a chance to see who had appeared—were swept by the wind to the harbor, right beside the Going Merry.
"Ah, we're saved! How lucky! Guys, hurry up and set sail!"
"Whoa, the wind even blew some food over! I wonder which idiot dropped it. Hahaha, how lucky!"
Luffy grinned and laughed. In the shadows, Dragon's mouth twitched.
The Straw Hat Pirates pulled up anchor, raised the sails, and quickly sailed away from Loguetown.
Tashigi and the Marines carried the unconscious Smoker back to the Marine Branch for treatment, then hurried to report to Headquarters.
The cooking competition in the southern part of town.
"Now announcing the winner of this cooking competition: the beautiful chef, Carmen!"
The host shouted with great enthusiasm.
"Mmm, this is really good. Delicious." Moya wiped his mouth with satisfaction.
Taking advantage of Bartolomeo's status as a gang boss, Moya had successfully secured himself a seat among the judges.
"Carmen, how would you like to come aboard my ship and search for All Blue?"
"Who the hell are you, you brat? Don't think you're so great just because you're sitting among the judges. Why would I go with a little brat like you?"
The hot-tempered red-haired beauty Carmen launched into a blunt tirade.
"Then let's make a bet. If you can stand for ten seconds under my gaze, I'll give you a hundred million Beli. If you can't, you'll come aboard my ship and be my chef. What do you say? Dare to try?"
Moya looked at the beautiful chef with interest.
"What? Are you looking down on me? Fine, I accept. I don't believe your gaze can kill!"
As expected, the more hot-tempered someone was, the easier it was to provoke them.
"Good. Let's find somewhere with fewer people. I don't want to hurt anyone else by accident."
"You..."
"All right, I have a guest. Wait a moment."
Moya ignored the furious Carmen and looked up at the clouds.
"Mr. Dragon, could you come out and meet me? Your Observation Haki gave you away. May I ask what brings you here? I happen to have something I'd like to ask of you too."
"Meet me somewhere quiet at the harbor."
With that, Dragon fell silent.
It was a good chance to take Chef Carmen to the spot where they'd make their bet.
The group hurried toward the harbor.
Before you continue