<div>
<div>
The remains of a pirate ship were burning furiously as Noir and Ace stood at the entrance of the Baratie Restaurant.
<div>
<div>
The noise from the Fire Fist had alarmed the chefs inside, who all rushed out.
<div>
<div>
Several rowdy chefs with rolling pins and sticks came out aggressively, ready for a brawl.
<div>
<div>
The Baratie Restaurant was built on the sea, and countless pirates coveted it every month, so these chefs were no strangers to fighting.
<div>
<div>
But as soon as they stepped outside, they were stunned.
<div>
<div>
Sanji and Zeff were shivering in a corner, while Ace and Noir were excitedly saying something like "Am I awesome? "You''re super awesome."
<div>
<div>
More importantly, a thick column of smoke rose in the distance, with pieces of ships floating on the water.
<div>
<div>
Was the battle over?
<div>
<div>
Shouldn''t pirates these days at least laugh a few times out of respect, make a threat, and exchange a few harsh words before drawing their swords for a fight?
<div>
<div>
You''re not following protocol!
<div>
<div>
Satisfied, Ace patted his stomach and said to Noir, "I''m full. Shall we go?"
<div>
<div>
Noir nodded and said goodbye to Zeff and the others, "Thank you, chef. We''re leaving."
<div>
<div>
Sanji, coming out of the shock of the fire fist, asked quickly, "Leaving? Are you pirates?"
<div>
<div>
Ace replied with a proud smile, "Of course! We are..."
<div>
<div>
"You are pirates," Noir interrupted Ace, "I am a bounty hunter who captures pirates."
<div>
<div>
The cooks'' expressions suddenly became strange.
<div>
<div>
A bounty hunter on the same ship as pirates?
<div>
<div>
Is this some kind of game?
<div>
<div>
Ace didn''t mind Noir''s words and bowed happily to the cooks, and then Noir tossed them a whole bag of berries - the payment for the meal.
<div>
<div>
Noir spoke meaningfully to Sanji, "My name is Noir, and this is Ace. Perhaps we will meet again sometime."
<div>
<div>
Noir and Ace jumped aboard their ship, hoisted the anchor, and set sail again, leaving the cooks in a daze.
<div>
<div>
These were definitely the most unusual guests they had ever served.
<div>
<div>
They ate like a bunch of animals, but one of them had incredible culinary skills.
<div>
<div>
They were also formidable fighters.
<div>
<div>
Sanji, holding the bag of berries, looked at the departing ship with a complex expression and murmured, "Are they heading for the Grand Line as well?"
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
<div>
<div>
Zeff stroked his beard and said, "With such strength, they should be rare even on the Grand Line.
<div>
<div>
Hearing this, Sanji couldn''t help but clench his fists and silently resolve to become stronger.
<div>
<div>
Sanji, you must strive to become stronger!
<div>
<div>
The lifelong dream he shared with the old man, the wondrous All Blue Sea, might be on the Grand Line!
<div>
<div>
...
<div>
<div>
Back on the ship, Noir picked up the map again and thought about the next part of their journey.
<div>
<div>
Ace, energized after his meal, pointed to the vast sea ahead and shouted, "Set sail! To the Grand Line!"
<div>
<div>
Watching the enthusiastic Ace, Noir couldn''t help but pour cold water on him, "Before we enter the Grand Line, we must first go to Loguetown.
<div>
<div>
Loguetown?
<div>
<div>
Hearing the name of this city, Ace''s smile slowly faded.
<div>
<div>
At the mention of Loguetown, he thought of the name he had loathed since childhood - Gol D. Roger, his biological father.
<div>
<div>
The birthplace and deathplace of the pirate king Roger, known as the "City of Beginning and End".
<div>
<div>
Ace, a bit grumpy, asked, "Why do we have to go there?"
<div>
<div>
Understanding his feelings, Noir explained, "To get you a new ship, of course. Do you expect me to go with you all the time?"
<div>
<div>
Ace, pouting, muttered quietly, "Not that I would mind..."
<div>
<div>
Noir gave him a look and said, "There''s actually something more important."
<div>
<div>
"We need to find a Log Pose."
<div>
<div>
"A Log Pose?" Ace asked, confused.
<div>
<div>
"A navigational compass? Don''t we already have one?"
<div>
<div>
Noir shook his head and was about to explain when Mihar, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, "I''ve heard of it."
<div>
<div>
"I''ve heard that the Grand Line has complex and ever-changing weather, making it difficult to determine direction. Ordinary compasses are useless; only special Log Poses can guide the way."
<div>
<div>
Surprised, Noir looked at Mihar, who had spoken at length.
<div>
<div>
He was right. In the original story, Luffy''s crew had recklessly entered the Grand Line without even a Log Pose. Noir didn''t want to make the same mistake.
<div>
<div>
Stretching out comfortably, Noir said, "Loguetown, being the gateway from East Blue to the Grand Line, should have both ships and Log Poses.
<div>
<div>
Considering the importance of the Grand Line adventure, Ace had no choice but to agree with Noir''s plan.
<div>
<div>
...
<div>
<div>
Loguetown.
<div>
<div>
People walked the streets with smiles on their faces, merchants shouted and citizens haggled, creating a lively atmosphere.
<div>
<div>
In the shadows, some individuals, their faces well hidden, moved cautiously.
<div>
<div>
Marine patrols could often be seen in the streets, moving in orderly groups.
<div>
<div>
It wasn''t long before the Navy would drag out pirates hiding in the darkness, those who had secretly come ashore.
<div>
<div>
The townspeople lived in harmony, and the pirates behaved themselves under the watchful eye of the Marine, fearing detection and capture.
<div>
<div>
Compared to other islands and towns in East Blue, Loguetown''s security was much better.
<div>
<div>
Residents knew it was all thanks to the local Marine captain stationed here a few years ago, known as "Smoker the White Hunter."
<div>
<div>
Like a guillotine, Smoker guarded the entrance to Loguetown, greatly reducing the number of pirates who dared to enter the Grand Line.
<div>
<div>
At the Marine base, the door to a smoky office was opened by a Marine soldier who saluted, looked at his superior with admiration, and said, "Captain Smoker, the new batch of pirate bounties from East Blue has been issued."
<div>
<div>
Smoker, two cigars in his mouth, looked down with a calm voice, "Got it."
<div>
<div>
Casually flipping through the bounty posters, the soldier continued, "The East Blue branch mentioned a pirate named Ace who hasn''t been defeated since he set sail, but his crew is only four, so there''s no bounty on him yet."
<div>
<div>
Smoker raised an eyebrow and said, "Ace? A pirate crew of four is nothing special."
<div>
<div>
The soldier hesitated and said, "But... it seems that the one known as the strongest pirate hunter in East Blue, Noir, has also joined his crew..."
<div>
<div>
Smoker sneered, "A pirate hunter? Just a bunch of desperate dogs chasing after bounties. The so-called strongest in East Blue?"
<div>
<div>
"Hmph!"
<div>
<div>
"As long as I''m in Loguetown, no pirate will leave here unscathed!"