Chapter 23: Loguetown【Third Update】

Rogue Town.

Shu Mingyuan walked along the port streets of Rogue Town, the last island before the entrance to the Grand Line, also known as the Town of Beginnings and Endings. The former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was both born and executed here. With its legendary aura, Shu Mingyuan felt compelled to see the place for himself.

Rogue Town sits at the threshold of the Grand Line, the hub of the East Blue, drawing a myriad of people—some come to gaze upon the infamous execution platform, others to trade goods, and its population is a tapestry of diverse races.

“By my reckoning, Luffy and his crew should be arriving soon.” On the second floor of a small bar overlooking Rogue Town’s square, Shu Mingyuan sat alone by the window, sampling a few dishes and sipping wine, enjoying a panoramic view of the plaza below.

Perhaps his bounty had just been issued, or maybe, traveling alone, he was too inconspicuous. It could also be that the monstrous visage of the Lord of the Coast dominated his wanted poster, leaving his own features forgotten. Whatever the reason, Shu Mingyuan had strolled openly through Rogue Town without being recognized.

This, of course, was not a bad thing. Otherwise, the appearance of the East Blue’s most notorious criminal would surely have caused a commotion.

“E-excuse me, sir, may I sit here? There aren’t any other seats left.” A woman in a floral short-sleeved shirt, sword at her side, approached shyly, adjusting the glasses perched on her nose, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Shu Mingyuan’s eyelids flickered as he turned to take in the remarkably attractive woman before him. A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at his lips—it was a familiar face he hadn’t expected to see here.

Tashigi!

“Please, sit wherever you like,” Shu Mingyuan gestured invitingly. He chuckled, “What brings Sergeant Tashigi here today? Are you here to arrest me?”

“Huh? Sir, you know my name?”

Shu Mingyuan laughed softly. “Sergeant Tashigi, right-hand of Captain Smoker—who in Rogue Town doesn’t know you?”

Tashigi laughed awkwardly. “Oh, no, sir, you misunderstand. We recently received word that several pirate crews from the East Blue may be heading collectively for the Grand Line. That includes the up-and-coming Straw Hat Pirates, and the infamous East Blue criminal, Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan. Rogue Town is the last stop before the Grand Line, so they’ll likely pass through here to stock up on supplies.”

“This vantage point is perfect, sir. From here, I can observe the entire plaza. If those pirates show themselves, I’ll be able to alert the Navy and have them all captured. That’s why I’m imposing on you.”

Shu Mingyuan shook his head with a smile. “You’re really something, telling such classified information to a stranger so easily. Aren’t you afraid I’ll spread the news—or that I might be one of those pirates you mentioned? Maybe even the most wanted one of all.”

A look of sudden realization crossed Tashigi’s face, but at his last words, her ears turned pink. “Oh, sir, you must be joking! How could you be that notorious criminal? Rumor has it he has three heads and six arms, a face as grim as a demon, kills at a glance, thirsts for blood, and can silence crying babies just by appearing. He’s always seen with a fearsome sea monster at his side. If he ever set foot in Rogue Town’s port, someone would have noticed immediately.”

“So the rumors have made me into such a monster? I even stop babies from crying?” Shu Mingyuan touched his nose, muttering in disbelief.

“What did you just say?”

Smiling, Shu Mingyuan pointed out the window at two savage-looking men on the street. “I said, look, there are two pirates out there. Your duty calls, Sergeant Tashigi.”

“Thank you for the tip! The Navy will bring all vicious pirates to justice and lock them away.” With that, Tashigi hurried off.

“Impel Down, huh? Not a bad place…” Shu Mingyuan left enough Berries on the table and got up to leave. He’d already spotted Zoro, which meant the Straw Hat crew had arrived in Rogue Town.

The smile that defies death—one left by the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, as he surrendered to his fate, and now, about to be worn by a certain foolhardy boy. It was worth witnessing.

He had to admit, Luffy’s single-mindedness often worked wonders. Even though Shu Mingyuan had lived two lives, he still felt fear in the face of death—he could never meet it with Luffy’s calm acceptance.

Soon, uproar broke out in Rogue Town’s square. With Luffy around, chaos was inevitable. Alvida, whom he’d punched to death, would not be showing up, though part of him regretted it—he would have liked to see what the owner of the Slip-Slip Fruit looked like after her famed transformation into a stunning beauty.

Alas, Alvida was dead, and the Slip-Slip Fruit lost to fate. He would have liked to get his hands on it and pass it along to someone else.

“Monkey D. Luffy, you are hereby sentenced to public execution!”

“Sanji! Zoro! Nami! Usopp! Sorry, I’m about to die! Heehee.” Faced with death, Luffy was oblivious, grinning wide with genuine, unfeigned joy.

The newly arrived Smoker’s pupils contracted in disbelief. “Is this a joke? He’s laughing? No matter how they bluff, pirates always turn pale before death, then die in despair.”

At the same moment, Shu Mingyuan, standing at the edge of the square, felt a jolt run through him. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “That smile—he truly is fit to be the Pirate King!”

Then, a sly smile formed on his lips—a wild arrogance, enough to look down on the world, to challenge the very seas themselves.

“A single Pirate King is not enough for me. No one can drag me to the execution platform. Not pirates, not the Navy, not even the Admirals or the Four Emperors. Even the Celestial Dragons and the World Government—they can’t take my life! My fate belongs to no one!”

Buggy’s raucous laughter filled the air as he swung his blade down—only for a bolt of lightning to suddenly strike, splitting Buggy’s sword and toppling the execution platform in an instant.

“Pirates on the square, listen up! You are surrounded by the Navy. Surrender your weapons immediately—resistance is futile. The Navy guarantees your safety if you comply.”

Hearing this familiar announcement, Shu Mingyuan twitched involuntarily. Damn it, that’s not how it went in the original story.

“Heh! We made it—run for it!”

“This is outrageous! That brat actually survived! Straw Hat, you won’t escape this island! Everyone, after him!”

“Tch. No pirate has ever escaped this town under my watch. That brat—on the honor of White Hunter Smoker, Navy Headquarters Captain—I will not let you leave this island alive!”