"Y-Yes."
The shop assistant didn't dare say anything more and quickly bent down to start moving the supplies.
The man in front of him was silent and didn't talk much, but the aura faintly coming off him clearly showed that he was not someone to mess with.
"I just heard your accent. You're from the East Blue?" Mihawk suddenly asked.
"From Loguetown. You could tell just from that?"
The assistant was surprised. "Come to think of it, our town is pretty famous. The Pirate King Gol D. Roger was executed there. I wonder if you've ever visited…"
"I was there when Roger died."
Mihawk said plainly, "That was eighteen years ago. Since then, I've never gone back to the East Blue."
There was no reason for him to go back.
"As for this time—"
Mihawk looked out toward the far end of the sea horizon, his gaze deep and distant.
"It was a few years ago, I heard there was a pretty famous swordsman coming out of the East Blue. Counting the time, he should've come of age by now. I hope he's become someone worthy for me to seek out as a challenger."
...
East Blue, Nighttime.
Under the dim moonlight, the New Gatt continued to cut through the waves at full speed.
Inside the top-tier VIP suite—
"Achoo—!"
Shano was sitting on the carpet when he suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose and clicked his tongue. That little Nami girl must be secretly cursing him right now.
"Good job, A-Yin. You did well."
He smiled and patted the head of the silver giant wolf in front of him.
On the carpet, a few wet items had just been spat out—Crick's severed hand, Gin's crutch, and Pearl's fluorite helmet.
Woof… no wait—Awooo!
A-Yin, happy to be praised, ran around Shano in circles, its tail wagging like a helicopter. That cold and aloof attitude it usually had in front of others? Gone completely.
Shano casually offered up the items A-Yin brought back. Altogether, he earned 800 points—about the same as Arlong alone.
Tsk, looks like the Crick Pirates were all talk, acting like they were rulers of the East Blue every day. But compared to Arlong, their strength was still a notch below.
Still, the more points the better. Sitting at home and collecting this much without lifting a finger—he was already quite satisfied.
As for the heads of those pirates still worth several million Berries, and the ones who surrendered and gave up resisting—
The Marines from Branch 77 would handle them. Honestly, over the years, there were always pirates thinking they could raise their fame and bounty by defeating him—the so-called strongest swordsman in the East Blue.
And the outcome? No need to say more—each one died more miserably than the last.
It had gotten to the point where Cocoyashi Village and Branch 77 had almost formed a streamlined production chain—one side claiming credit, the other collecting bounties.
That Colonel Sophia even permanently stationed a warship nearby. Any little stir from Cocoyashi Village, they'd immediately show up to help clean up the battlefield.
Rumor had it, thanks to her accumulated merits, she was about to be transferred to Marine Headquarters and promoted to Headquarters Colonel.
"Here's your reward."
Under A-Yin's eager and expectant gaze, Shano pulled out a big box of strawberry milk from his pack and handed it over.
A-Yin couldn't wait to bite open a corner and gulp it down greedily.
Shano rubbed its head, watching with a big smile.
A-Yin had grown to this massive size, so of course it ate plenty of meat and regular food. But all these years, its absolute favorite was still strawberry milk—no contest.
Just as he was about to re-tie the pack, Shano suddenly noticed something, and pulled out a small glass orb.
What's this?
He curiously held it up and examined it under the light. Only then did he notice that there was a magnetic pointer inside, and a slip of paper stuck under the base.
He peeled off the paper and opened it.
"This is a Log Pose I made myself! It's way sturdier than the ones you can buy—it's so tough that even bullets can't break it! The Grand Line's magnetic fields are all chaotic, so compasses don't work. You have to bring this with you!"
"—Love you! For my dearest, most beloved big bro!"
A Log Pose personally made by Nami?
When did she sneak this in?
Shano vaguely remembered that he had bought a book for Nami before, and it did include info on how to make a Log Pose.
He didn't expect Nami could actually make one on her own.
A teenage girl being able to accomplish this must've been really difficult, huh?
Looking at the signature on the note, Shano couldn't help but smile warmly.
This little rascal… looks like she's really grown up. And quite thoughtful, too.
...
"Hehehe, success!"
In her bedroom, Nami lay on her stomach, holding a glass orb, looking at the gently trembling pointer inside. She excitedly kicked her legs in the air.
That dummy of a big bro is probably crying tears of joy right now, huh?
Maybe he's even feeling guilty for scolding her before he left.
He'd never guess that this custom Log Pose didn't just have navigational functions—it was also a disguised tracker.
As long as the distance wasn't ridiculously far, she could sense the exact direction through the matching directional pointer in her hand.
Didn't let her get on the ship? Trying to ditch her and run off with Nojiko?
Hmph! No way!
"Next up… I just have to find a way to trick Bellemere. If she finds out I'm missing and calls my brother right away, that'd be bad…"
In short, she couldn't leave today—too suspicious. She'd have to wait a few more days. Now, what excuse should she use?
The girl stared at the map on the wall, deep in thought…
...
Inside the luxury suite—
Shano carefully put away the Log Pose, walked over to the porthole, and looked out at the dark sea under the night sky.
The Gatt's destination was Sherry Island, located not far from the entrance to the Grand Line.
That island was a famously renowned city in East Blue—known for both its brewing and shipbuilding industries. Over a dozen shipbuilding companies were packed onto the island.
Two months ago, Shano had already contacted the oldest and most prestigious—Whale Shipbuilding Company.
For a price of 300 million Berries, he ordered a ship with high specs in every aspect.
The huge fortune he had gotten from Sakuraba Ki was now mostly gone in one shot.
The price was so high mainly because Shano requested that the main structure of the ship use the company's most treasured material—Adam Wood.
As the toughest wood species in the world, a ship made with Adam Wood would be extremely durable and strong.
With that, even the kinds of natural disasters in the Grand Line wouldn't be too much of a threat.
The ship's design draft was provided by the shipbuilding company, but the interior layout was decided based on suggestions from Shano and the rest of the crew.
Shano wanted a training room made with steel walls on all four sides. Nojiko also wanted an identical one. Kuina had been dreaming of building an open-air sword dojo at the ship's stern. As for Zeff, his request was even clearer—he wanted a fully equipped kitchen and a large food storage room!
And of course, Nami had to butt in too. She insisted on getting a navigation and charting room, filled with bookshelves, plus a little orange garden beside it.
Shano had initially planned to ignore her.
But he couldn't resist Nami's repeated pleading and finally agreed—reluctantly.
Just treat it as something to remember her by. When he sees it, he'll think of that little troublemaker. Not that he thought any of it would be of actual use, though.
Now—
Two months had passed, and the ship was finished.
All that's left was for Shano to go to the island and inspect it.
A ship worth 300 million Berries, custom-built just for them—even the younger ones were excited. Let alone someone like Zeff, who had so much experience.
They were all looking forward to seeing the ship's final look.