East Blue, Loguetown—the island known as the “Town of the Beginning and the End.”
After sailing for a while, the Stellar Pirates, Moge’s group, finally arrived here.
Although Marine Headquarters Captain “White Hunter” Smoker was stationed on the island, it remained a mandatory stop for passing ships since it was the last island before heading from the East Blue to the Grand Line.
Looking out, the harbor was packed with all kinds of ships.
Many of them were pirate ships flying their own flags.
Clearly, just like Moge’s crew, these pirates planned to set out from here to venture into the Grand Line.
Moge jumped off the ship first and said, “You guys go buy the supplies.
I’m going to check out the island’s weapon shop.”
He wanted to visit the weapon shop because his current sword was just an ordinary blade that couldn’t keep up with his battles anymore.
Moreover, he vaguely remembered that Zoro had obtained the famous blades Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri at a weapon shop in Loguetown.
His goal for this trip was to intercept one of them and get himself a famous blade.
As for letting Carina, Kuro, and Toniel act together, he did that with Smoker in mind.
Since Smoker was stationed in Loguetown, that guy’s Smoke-Smoke Fruit would be very troublesome to deal with.
If they ran into him, Carina’s Mera Mera no Mi could at least hold him off for a while until Moge could rush over.
“Alright!
Leave it to us!” Carina replied immediately.
With that, the group split into two directions.
Carina’s trio headed toward the town’s commercial street, while Moge turned and walked toward the island’s weapon shop alone.
Part 2: The Famous Blade Yubashiri
Before long, Moge found the weapon shop.
The storefront wasn’t very big.
Swords covered the walls, and a wooden barrel at the entrance held some discarded blades.
In the center of the shop stood a wooden counter, where a middle-aged bald man propped up his face, dozing off.
Moge’s gaze swept over the various swords hanging on the walls as he walked straight to the bald owner and tapped on the counter.
“Bring out the best swords in your shop.”
The bald owner rubbed his hands together, a professional smile spreading across his face.
“Customer, the best swords in our shop are already hanging on the walls.
You can choose for yourself.”
Moge waved his hand dismissively and said, “Don’t try to fool me with that junk on the walls.
What I want is a famous blade, like the one you have hidden in the back of the shop.
I can already sense its aura.”
“What?” The bald owner’s expression changed.
He quickly dropped his smile and looked at Moge with a serious expression, completely surprised.
“You…
you’re a swordsman who can sense the aura of a blade?”
Being able to detect a hidden famous blade by its aura alone was something usually only master swordsmen could do.
Moge nodded faintly.
“Just bring it out.
I’m not short on money.”
“I understand,” the bald owner said no more, turning to enter a back room.
Before long, he walked out carrying a long wooden box.
He carefully opened the box.
A delicately crafted long sword lay quietly inside, featuring a black lacquer scabbard and distinct patterns on the metal.
“This is the best sword in my shop.
You can take a look, customer.”
Just as Moge reached for it, a figure suddenly squeezed through the door.
A short-haired girl wearing glasses leaned over the wooden box, her eyes lighting up instantly with excitement.
“This is…
this is…”
As she spoke, she hurriedly pulled a small booklet from her pocket, her fingers flipping through the pages rapidly.
A moment later, she pointed at the text and said excitedly, “Found it!
The blade uses the black lacquer tachi style, and the edge has a midareba komidare gunome pattern.
It really is one of the fifty Skillful Grade Meito, Yubashiri!”
The girl turned around and quickly said to Moge, “Sir, this is a true famous blade.
Buy it quickly, you definitely won’t regret it!”
Part 3: Meeting Tashigi
Seeing Moge looking at her with surprise, the girl realized she had been a bit too abrupt.
She flashed a smile and introduced herself.
“Sorry, I got too excited.
My name is Tashigi.
I’m a famous blade enthusiast, and I especially love collecting and studying all kinds of famous blades.”
Moge raised an eyebrow and asked, “Since you love famous blades so much, why don’t you buy it yourself instead of telling me to buy it?”
Tashigi quickly explained, “Although I love famous blades, I just don’t want to see them fall into the hands of pirates or evil people to be used for wickedness.
However, you don’t look like a bad person at all, sir.”
“Is that so?
Then thank you very much.”
Moge was somewhat speechless.
Although he wasn’t a cruel or bloodthirsty pirate, he was still a man with a bounty on his head.
Tashigi’s glasses prescription probably needed to be increased.
While he wasn’t a cruel pirate, he certainly wasn’t a “good person” by Marine standards.
He shook his head, thinking no more of it.
He turned to the bald owner and asked, “How many Berries for this Yubashiri?”
The bald owner waved his hand and said sincerely, “You’re a true swordsman.
Only in your hands can this Yubashiri realize its true value.
I want to give this sword to you.
You deserve it.”
“Don’t.
I don’t like owing favors.” As Moge spoke, he pulled a stack of Berries directly from his coat and tossed them onto the counter.
It looked to be about five million Berries.
He picked up Yubashiri and said, “Although I don’t know its specific price, these five million Berries should be enough.”
As for the Sandai Kitetsu still in the shop, Moge didn’t plan to buy it.
He wasn’t interested in a cursed blade, especially a third-generation one.
He would leave that for Zoro.
Tashigi looked at the Berries on the counter and nodded.
“As expected, you’re a good person.
The price for one of the fifty Skillful Grade Meito is usually over one million Berries.
The five million Berries you gave, sir, definitely far exceeds the value of this Yubashiri.”
“Thanks for the reminder.
I’m leaving.
Goodbye.” After Moge finished speaking, he turned and walked toward the door, not wanting to linger.
Tashigi was a Marine, and getting too involved with the Marines would only bring trouble.
Seeing Moge turn to leave, Tashigi hurriedly chased after him and shouted, “Hey, wait!
Sir, I still don’t know your name!
You’re a swordsman too, so we could spar together in the future!”
Moge didn’t look back.
His gaze was suddenly caught by the distant sky, where flames and smoke were intertwining and colliding.
His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately realized what was happening.
Oh no, it’s Carina and the others.
They must have run into Smoker!
Without wasting another second, Moge’s figure blurred as he rushed quickly toward the combat zone where the flames and smoke were clashing.