"Just as you predicted, those pirates would rather miss this rare spectacle than pass up the chance to enter the New World."
Watching the vicious men streaming through the streets, Robin covered her nose as though she couldn't stand their stench.
The mockery in her eyes was unmistakable. It made one red-nosed pirate want to draw his sword, but the moment he remembered who ruled this place, a chill colder than ice cream ran through him. He lowered his head and hurried away.
No one who lived here was ordinary. Many pirates whose prospects had run dry had retired but had no desire to spend the rest of their lives in prison, so they settled here quietly. Even the Marines dared not defy the rules Loa had established. They looked the other way as long as these people stayed in town, no matter who they were. The locals were used to scenes like this. They glanced over, then went back to their business.
So, besides Ice Cream Town, named for its famous specialty, the place had another name.
"The Town of Beginnings and Endings."
Loguetown in the East Blue was called "the Town of Beginnings and Endings" because Roger, the Pirate King, had been born there and had spent his final moments there.
Ice Cream Town was much the same. Pirates who had overcome countless dangers regrouped here before setting out on a new journey. Many more stopped here for good.
Luo hadn't told Luffy the whole truth. Of the pirates who survived long enough to reach the New World, nearly two-thirds went no farther than this town.
After growing accustomed to throwing their weight around in the First Half of the Grand Line, they believed they had nothing to fear but the Marines and the Undead Legion. Then the