At first light, the first rooster crowed from the eastern end of town. Naruto opened his eyes, aching all over. The stone tower's floor was hard and cold, and after a whole night with that chill pressed against his back, even his bones felt stiff. The others woke one after another, rubbing their necks and stretching their arms. Only Luffy was still sprawled out asleep, drool hanging from the corner of his mouth.
Zoro leaned motionless against a pillar, only cracking his eyes open when he heard them stirring. "Nobody came in the second half of the night," he said.
"What about the first half?" Naruto asked.
"Nobody then, either." Zoro stood and rolled his shoulders. "But nobody was sleeping, either. After two in the morning, people went in and out of that big wooden building in town. Three groups altogether, each staying less than ten minutes. Looked like messengers."
Nami came down from the tower, looking grim. "The log's advanced another notch since yesterday. At this rate, it'll finish recording before nightfall."
"Then we just have to hold out one more day." Naruto stood and dusted off his trousers. "They won't dare attack openly during the day. There are too many ordinary people in town. If they expose themselves, it'll be hard to cover up. We'll split up and pretend we're sightseeing. But nobody goes alone. At least two to a group."
They quickly settled the groups. Luffy went with Zoro, Nami with Usopp, and Sanji with Chopper, while Naruto roamed out of sight on his own. They agreed to meet at noon beneath the palm tree beside the docks.
Luffy and Zoro walked down the town's main street. Luffy looked this way and that, then wandered over to a fruit stall. The elderly woman running it smiled and