"Loguetown…shall we explore?" Robin asked, her archaeologist's eye on the town. She was interested; this was where Gol D. Roger was executed. But she looked cautiously at Ace; this was where his father died; his feelings must be complex.
"Should…we?" Ace lowered his head, his hat shadowing his face, asking softly.
"Let's go," Alistair, now captain, didn't hesitate, patting Ace's back. "Your father was a great man, a transformative figure. I don't know his historical impact, but he'll leave a mark. Face your demons, face your father's legacy—criticism or honor—you should see and hear it."
This was their key difference; Enel's pride came from strength; Alistair's came from his ideology. The One Piece world was full of people lacking purpose and hope. Rebelling against the Celestial Dragons meant rebelling against the Navy and the three Admirals, including three Logia-type users. Most people hadn't even seen a Logia user, let alone rebelled against one. A Navy captain or commander was enough to chase most pirates.
This world's power levels were stark. The Eleven Supernovas boasted, but most were at the captain to commander level. This was the new generation's strength. Compare that to the old generation…they overwhelmed the Navy.
Pirates were weakening, the Navy strengthening; the addition of civilians like Fujitora and Ryokugyu showed two things:
1. People were fed up with pirates' oppression; they reached their limit; a bad order was better than no order.
2. Pirates' end was near; they'd be ostracized; fewer new recruits would join; those dissatisfied with the World Government but dismissive of pirates would turn to revolution.
Roger's departure from Loguetown symbolized a new era's beginning; Luffy's departure symbolized its end. Alistair stood at the cusp of this era, interested in this town. For others, it was sentimentality.
"Let's go," Alistair said.
Ace shrugged; he didn't want to face this town alone, avoiding it during the voyage, but with his comrades, he wasn't afraid. He controlled the flames, the ship slowly approaching the shore.
Loguetown, where Roger was executed and then celebrated, had abundant tourism. Thanks to tourists and merchants, the port was made of concrete—a luxury building material.
Besides tourists, many pirates were present; they looked intimidating but didn't cause trouble; a Navy branch was nearby. It was a Navy base within the city.
"I wonder if Smoker's stationed here…" Alistair smiled. "A Navy Headquarters commander, a Smoke Smoke Fruit user."
"Want to go?" he asked.
"Hmph," Enel descended from the mast, implicitly agreeing.
Robin nodded; she'd suggested it.
"I'll stay behind," Lafitte smiled, removing his hat.
"Thanks, Lafitte!" Alistair smiled. Lafitte was the most mature, requiring little supervision.
"Let's go," Alistair jumped ashore. The ship was several meters from the dock, but Alistair was stronger now. He landed easily; the others followed.
"Robin with me; you two are free; meet back here at 3 PM," Alistair said. They agreed; Enel grunted. A girl's tsundere attitude is cute; a man's is annoying.
Hancock's beating hadn't diminished Enel's confidence. Most Armament Haki couldn't hit him without Conqueror's Haki; Conqueror's Haki was rare; those who mastered it were top-tier; he rarely encountered them. Seeing the Blue Sea people, he grew prouder. Without Hancock, he was the strongest on the ship—or in town.
His Mantra quickly scanned the city; no one could match him. He scoffed and strode off.
Ace went straight for Roger's execution platform.
Alistair and Robin, with a cloaked, disguised Robin, went to the Navy branch.
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