https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-61-Pirates-Also-Have-Their-Code-of-Honor/12608495/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-63-Whatever-Loguetown-Has-I-Have-It-Too-/12608512/
Chapter 62: Selling Loguetown
Chapter 62: Selling Loguetown
Loguetown was a bustling town, economically thriving, both before and after Smoker.
Before Smoker, there was a delicate balance between the pirates and the Navy. Pirates used the town as a transit point and spent a lot of money, contributing significantly to the local economy.
After Smoker, although the pirates were gone, so was most of the chaos. This peace encouraged business, and many new shops had opened in the town.
Following the code of Saga, the pirates refrained from targeting the civilians living in the small buildings. In fact, they looked down on such people and had their sights set on better prizes to plunder.
In the clothing stores, expensive garments were snatched up by the pirates in their prison garb. They emerged carrying armfuls of finely crafted clothes, and some even changed right there and then, discarding their prison uniforms without a care for fashion or fit, resulting in peculiar ensembles.
The weapons stores also suffered a similar fate. Weapons worth tens or even hundreds of millions of berries were carried off by the pirates. The tall, three-meter-high sea pirate with half his tongue missing chose a huge Japanese sword befitting his height and fought against the Navy, cutting down several sailors with a single swing.
Of course, the Navy base wasn't limited to the forces at the port. There were also Navy personnel who hadn't made it to the support effort or had yet to return for equipment adjustments. Now, seeing the pirate invasion, they naturally tried to stop it, but their numbers were no match for Saga's crew.
The pirates fought the Navy while simultaneously looting Loguetown. In addition to clothing and weapons, they also targeted the most important stores—jewelry shops. That was where they should strike it rich.
Groups of a dozen or twenty pirates could be seen smashing into jewelry stores, emptying them of their treasures. They laughed heartily, their hands, necks, and bodies adorned with sparkling jewels.
Here, they could find everything they needed to outfit their crew of over six hundred with new wardrobes.
"Let's call it a day soon," Saga said. "We'll tally our spoils later. Lily, why don't you go and have some fun, too? Girls like to shop, don't they?"
Saga himself, of course, did not participate in the looting. Half of the plunder would still be his, and he could only carry so much with his two hands. It was better to leave it to his crew.
"I'm not really interested," Lily replied. "As long as I get my share, I'm good."
As a squad leader, she would receive a cut even if she didn't take part in the looting, and she wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it anyway.
Aside from Akin, who was diligent in his duties, the other squad leaders seemed to share Lily's indifference. Renee showed little interest in treasure and instead went to select useful equipment after arriving in town.
Mary, on the other hand, was drawn to the local food and supplies and headed for the food market.
Lily stayed by Saga's side.
"What about you, Saga?" Lily asked. "What are we going to do?"
"We're going to gather information, of course."
Saga stopped at the entrance of a dimly lit alley, a smile playing on his lips. "This used to be a gathering place for pirates. It's only been calm for a few years, but many things remain unchanged, like this place."
He pointed at a signboard with a wine glass protruding from the alley wall. "Take this old tavern, hidden in such a shadowy spot. It's clearly a place where pirates used to congregate. Just like this one..."
As he spoke, he suddenly paused, his eyes falling on the words below the signboard, and he stumbled over his words. "Umm, this..."
"Gordo Roger," Lily read out loud. "A tavern named after the Pirate King."
"Yeah, that's the one. Let's go in."
Saga nodded and led Lily into the alley, pushing open the small wooden door and stepping into the tavern.
The tavern was, of course, devoid of customers.
Located in such a secluded and dimly lit spot, the place likely remained shrouded in darkness throughout the year, deterring potential patrons. The outdated decor, reminiscent of bars from two to three decades ago, paled in comparison to the vibrant pubs that now dotted the bustling town. Understandably, it failed to attract patrons seeking a modern drinking experience.
However, this establishment did not cater to ordinary customers.
"Sorry, we don't serve your kind here."
The elderly bartender, who had been polishing wine glasses behind the counter, turned around at the sound of the door. Catching sight of Saga's white hair, he paused momentarily, his gaze drifting to the wanted posters plastered on the wall.
Though they had never met, the bartender immediately recognized Saga from the posters, his maniacal laughter immortalized alongside his face.
"Bring me a fine drink. None of that cheap rum."
Saga took a seat, propping his feet up on the table as he spoke.
Lily pondered for a moment before reaching into her pocket and placing a gold coin on the counter.
The bartender took a bottle from the shelf, skillfully mixed it with ice and other drinks, transforming it into a vibrant orange-red concoction. Turning to Lily, he asked, "And for you, miss?"
"Something light," Lily replied as she sat down next to Saga.
The bartender nodded, prepared another drink with a milder taste, and placed it on their table along with Saga's. "You've come at a rather inopportune time," he remarked. "If you had waited a while longer, you could have walked in without a care. Now that you're here so openly, aren't you afraid of attracting the Navy's attention?"
"Isn't it normal for pirates to be pursued by the Navy? It's an inevitable part of the life we've chosen! Hohohoho!"
Saga laughed heartily, raising the orange-red drink to his lips and downing it in one go. He paused momentarily, exhaling sharply, "Strong, but good!"
"Oh?"
The bartender's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Are you here because of the name 'Pirate King' as well? Are you interested in the stories of Gol D. Roger?"
"No, not at all."
Saga shook his head. "I'm not much for listening to other people's stories. I came here because I figured an old tavern like this, tucked away in the shadows, must have served many a pirate in its time. I'm here for information."
"What kind of information?" the bartender inquired.
"Help me get in touch with the black market traders. Your assistance won't go unrewarded."
Saga pushed his now-empty glass forward. "I have something to sell to them."
In a bustling town like this, especially one bordering the Grand Line, it was impossible not to find black market traders, particularly in a place that had once teemed with a mix of pirates and Navy personnel.
The items he had plundered were of questionable origins, and trying to exchange them for berries through legitimate means would result in unfair prices and the hassle of dealing with multiple traders for different types of goods. It was far more convenient to sell them all at once to black market traders who specialized in such transactions.
And an old tavern like this was sure to have connections to the underground world.
"Oh, what do you intend to sell? Gold?" The bartender hesitated, a fleeting look of nostalgia crossing his face before it returned to its usual impassive state.
It had indeed been a long time since he had engaged in such dealings.
"Not gold," Saga replied, baring his teeth in a grin that sent a chill down the bartender's spine. "I plan to sell Loguetown itself!"
(End of Chapter)
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