Loguetown Port.
Under the triangular archway, the Straw Hat crew had gathered.
Luffy gazed at the bustling streets, filled with townsfolk and merchants, adjusting his Straw Hat with a grin.
"Wow! What a big town!"
Nami crossed her arms.
"This was the last stop for pirates heading to the Grand Line. You can find anything here if you know where to look."
Usopp, fired up, puffed out his chest.
"For the great adventure we're about to start, I need to stock up on equipment! Shirogai, come with me!"
Over the last two days aboard the Going Merry, Usopp had been thoroughly impressed by Shirogai Yamikuro's expertise with weapons, treating the newest crewmate as a trusted confidant.
Before Shirogai could respond, Sanji lit a cigarette and spoke up.
"Usopp, go on your own. Shirogai, as fellow cooks, let's hit the markets. Fresh ingredients, beautiful women—let's see what this town's got to offer."
Zoro grunted, hand resting on his sword's hilt.
"Forget those fools, Shirogai. I'm missing two swords. Let's hit a weapon shop."
Nami smirked.
"Oh? Planning to buy swords? I recall someone's pockets being completely empty right now."
Zoro froze in place, the painful truth sinking in.
Nami's smile widened, Berries practically gleaming in her eyes.
"Need a loan? Sure. Just remember — pay me back triple."
Zoro clenched his teeth.
"Greedy woman!"
Luffy suddenly grabbed Shirogai's shoulder, grinning ear to ear.
"Come with me! Let's check out the execution platform where the Pirate King was executed!"
Shirogai chuckled and shook his head, politely refusing everyone's invitations.
"Sorry, guys. I've got a place I need to visit. Let's split up and meet back here later."
"Okay! I'm off to the platform!"
Luffy dashed away before Shirogai even finished.
Fate's dice continued to roll.
As his crewmates disappeared into the bustling crowd, Shirogai's smile lingered as he made his way into town.
For the past two days, he had eagerly awaited this stop in Loguetown — his goal was clear: to meet Dragon.
Even a fleeting glimpse would allow Shirogai to unlock new abilities through [System] integration.
Following Luffy was the simplest way to spot Dragon's appearance.
But for now, the timing wasn't right.
Suddenly, his Observation Haki picked up a large figure approaching with deliberate intent.
"Interesting," Shirogai murmured, the corners of his lips curling.
As the burly man brushed past and bumped him hard, the man growled,
"Watch where you're going, brat. This ain't a town where outsiders like you can act tough."
Without waiting for a reply, the man swaggered off.
Shirogai simply smirked.
---
A Dim Alley Nearby
The burly man quickly ducked into a side street where a group of thugs lounged, drinking and gambling.
"Oi, boys!" he called, holding up a small pouch smugly.
"Another fat sheep from the sea."
He scoffed, weighing the pouch in his hand.
"Every year, a bunch of fools come here on pilgrimages to see where a dead man was executed. Good thing for us — easy money."
The surrounding thugs laughed.
"Brother Finn's on fire again!"
"Too bad that smoke bastard's still in town. Scaring off too many pirates."
"Yeah, if someone took out that monster, we'd be swimming in Berries."
Finn sneered.
"Kill a monster like him? Unless you've got a Devil Fruit worth a hundred million Berries, you'd die in seconds."
He opened the pouch… and froze.
Inside was nothing but a handful of ordinary pebbles.
His face flushed crimson.
"Bastard! He played me!"
Furious, he tossed the pouch aside.
A chill settled over the alley as the other thugs stayed dead silent.
Then Brother Finn's expression twisted in horror.
He patted his pocket — it was empty.
"My… my wallet…!"
---
Elsewhere
"Thanks for the donation," Shirogai said casually, weighing the hefty wallet in his palm.
The [Perfect-grade Pickpocket Skill] he'd learned from Nami had been flawless.
"These street thugs are amateurs," he mused.
After pulling out the thick wad of Berries, Shirogai tapped them against his hand thoughtfully.
"Still not quite enough."
---
A Shady Side Street
A short, greasy-looking man named Hardy leaned against a wall, debating whether to blow his savings on a Gorol girl tonight.
His shifty eyes landed on the thick stack of Berries in Shirogai's hand.
Greed instantly flared.
Looking around to confirm no Marines were nearby, Hardy shuffled over and gave a sly grin.
"First time in Loguetown, sir? Looking for a little fun? Women? Gambling? I know the best spots."
"A pillow when sleepy," Shirogai replied smoothly.
"Feeling lucky today. Take me to your casino."
The bait was taken.
Hardy's eyes gleamed.
If I don't clean you out, I'm not worthy of my title as the Black-Hearted Dwarf of Loguetown.
---
An Underground Casino
Instead of the expected noise and chaos, the place was eerily silent.
Everyone's attention was locked onto a single gambling table.
The slender, scantily clad female dealer trembled slightly as she looked at the enigmatic gambler seated before her.
Shirogai Yamikuro smiled, surrounded by an enormous pile of golden and silver chips.
"Well, this has been fun. Let's end it here," he said, cracking his neck.
"All in. Six sixes."
A collective gasp rippled through the room.
The dealer wiped cold sweat from her brow, her eyes darting toward her boss in the crowd.
After a tense nod, she bit her lip and lifted the cover.
Six sixes.
"Impossible!"
The casino erupted.
"Forty-eight wins in a row!"
"He's cleared the house!"
"That's gotta be over a hundred million Berries!"
The casino boss was drenched in cold sweat.
This wasn't a simple problem anymore.
Two of his strongest men had already been silently taken out.
The boss gave the dealer a subtle look, signaling her to stall.
He slipped away to a secluded room and dialed a Den Den Mushi.
A skull-marked receiver picked up.
After a brief explanation, the voice on the other end snapped,
"Idiot. Do you need me to teach you? Kill him. Quietly. If he's too strong, let him leave, print his face, and when his ship reaches our territory — we'll deal with him."
"Yes, sir!"
The boss hung up and began gathering thugs, sealing all the casino exits.
---
A Narrow Escape
"Thanks for the tour, Hardy. You've been very helpful," Shirogai grinned, casually hauling two heavy money bags over his shoulders.
Hardy, pale and shaking, collapsed in a corner.
He had hoped to collect his cut after Shirogai lost.
But now, realizing he'd sent a wolf among sheep, Hardy knew he was as good as dead.
"I… I'm finished…"
"Get rid of this idiot," the casino boss snarled.
Two burly men dragged Hardy away.
Shirogai strolled through the casino's passageway.
"Worried about how to afford my shopping spree — guess I'm good now."
At the exit, a group of thugs armed with knives and pistols blocked his path.
Glancing back, he saw the rear was sealed too.
"No casino in any world ever lets the winner walk out," Shirogai murmured with a wry smile.
And then, in a flash, he was gone.
The gangsters blinked in disbelief.
"Where is he?!"
"Vanished!"
"Get the boss! He's gone!"
---
The boss smashed his table in fury.
"Search the town! The docks too! No one messes with the Donquixote Family and walks away unscathed!"