Ye Chuan did not spare Smoker another glance. He simply turned around calmly, preparing to leave as well.
"Wait!"
Enduring the intense pain in his wrist, Smoker shouted a sharp question at Ye Chuan's retreating back:
"Who the hell are you?! Why did you help that brat?!"
Ye Chuan paused slightly, but did not turn around.
"There is no reason to stop a man from setting sail."
As his words fell, Ye Chuan's figure seemed to melt into the wind like a shadow. In a few flickers, he vanished completely at the end of the alley.
Only Smoker remained, clutching his wrist amid the ruins, his face livid as he mulled over those thunderous words.
Like a seabird freed from its bonds, the Going Merry rode the wind and waves away from Loguetown's noisy, chaotic harbor.
The town's outline gradually shrank behind them, finally becoming a blurry shadow on the horizon.
Ahead lay boundless blue, and the sea breeze blew against their faces with the scent of freedom.
"Phew! We finally got away!"
Usopp leaned over the railing and patted his chest in lingering fear, his long nose bobbing with the movement.
"That was way too close! Luffy, you idiot, you nearly got executed for real!"
Nami stood with her hands on her hips and yelled at Luffy, who was bouncing around on deck, though a trace of relief lay hidden deep in her eyes.
"Hee hee hee, I'm fine, aren't I? It's all thanks to that weird guy in black!"
Luffy laughed carelessly, pointing back toward distant Loguetown.
"Hmph, that smoke bastard... I'll cut him down next time."
Zoro leaned against the mainmast, holding his three swords, his expression dark. Clearly, he was still brooding over getting the worst of his encounter with Smoker.
Sanji lit a cigarette