-----
-----
Logan turned toward the sound — a Marine battleship with a giant dog-head figurehead was speeding straight for the harbor.
On deck, Vice Admiral Garp stood there, his "Justice" cloak fluttering in the wind as he roared furiously.
What, did he beat up the grandson so now the grandpa's come for revenge?!
As the floating island began to rise rapidly under his control, Logan grinned. "Garp, I'll be off for now. Next time I run into Luffy, I'll make sure he gets... special treatment."
"Bastard! You think you can just run?!"
"Bogard!!" Garp bellowed.
His adjutant immediately handed him a cannonball.
Garp grabbed it, pulled back his arm, and hurled it with all his might.
"Fist Bone Meteor!!!"
One of his signature moves—countless pirates had met their end under that attack.
The solid black cannonball tore through the air like a meteor, shrieking as it broke the sound barrier and sped straight toward Logan.
The force behind it was far beyond any ship's main cannon.
Arms crossed, Garp watched with absolute confidence.
"Old man, you really don't know when to quit, huh?"
"Lion's Slash!!"
Logan drew his blade in an instant and swung it down hard.
It was the Golden Lion's signature technique.
A massive golden slash, several dozen meters long and wrapped in Armament Haki, sliced through the air and split the incoming cannonball clean in two.
"Hahaha! Garp, until next time!"
His laughter echoed as the Going Merry soared higher and higher into the clouds, disappearing from sight.
"DAMN BRAT!!!"
"That move… that was the Golden Lion's technique!"
Garp's expression darkened as he stared at the vanishing ship. He'd fought that old lion too many times not to recognize that swordsmanship.
Could it be… that Golden Lion had taken on a disciple?
Someone to carry on his chaos?!
"Vice Admiral Garp, what should we do now?" Bogard asked quietly.
"Give me the transponder snail. I'm reporting this to Sengoku."
On the Going Merry's deck—
"Captain, who was that guy?!" Nojiko asked, still stunned.
That cannonball had looked like it was aiming at Logan's soul.
"Just another Vice Admiral," Logan said casually. "You guys sort out the supplies we bought. I'm going to check on Tashigi."
Leaving those words behind, he turned and walked below deck.
Inside the cabin—
Tashigi sat crouched beside the bed, completely crushed.
The thought that she'd never again go on missions with Captain Smoker, that she'd never wear a Marine uniform again… it made her want to cry.
Even if she had the chance, she didn't dare run.
That bastard said if she tried, he'd go to Loguetown and kill Smoker.
And after seeing Smoker literally stomped under Logan's foot, she knew the threat was real.
She couldn't let Smoker die because of her.
Makino tried her best to comfort her, but it wasn't helping much.
Just as she sighed in frustration, the door creaked open and Logan stepped inside.
"How is she?" he whispered to Makino.
Makino looked back, shook her head slightly, then gave him a subtle signal before slipping out of the room.
Logan quietly walked up to Tashigi. Seeing her tear-streaked face and swollen eyes, he couldn't help but sigh.
Honestly, this wasn't how he wanted to do things.
But what choice did he have?
There were dozens of heroines in this story, each with their own allegiances, ideals, and personalities.
He wasn't delusional enough to think they'd just fall for him on sight.
And he sure didn't have time to slowly win each one over.
So he'd come up with a four-step plan:
Kidnap first, ask questions later.
Calm them down.
Teach them how to sail.
Collect the rewards — and live happily ever after.
The perfect "recruitment in four steps."
"Stop crying already. I'm not actually going to kill Smoker," Logan said softly.
Tashigi's head snapped up, face pale. She instantly backed away.
"What, do I look like a devil to you?" he said with a crooked smile.
She glared at him. "You are a devil. You kidnapped me and threatened to kill Smoker!"
"Correction — I did kidnap you, but I never intended to kill him."
"Yeah, right. Like I'd believe that!" she shot back, hugging her knees tightly.
She still couldn't forget how terrifying he'd looked earlier.
Logan sighed inwardly. What if I told you that was all an act… would you believe me?
He chuckled. "You know, you're kinda cute when you're mad."
Then, more gently, he said, "Think about it, Tashigi. If I really wanted to kill Smoker, do you think I'd have waited this long? He's not even close to my level."
"Even if I killed him, I could've still taken you. So why would I bother threatening you?"
Tashigi blinked, thrown off.
That… actually made a bit of sense.
"Then why go through all this trouble?!" she demanded. "The threats, the fear—why?!"
She was just a poor girl, after all. If he wanted her on board, he could've just taken her by force. No one could've stopped him.
Logan hesitated for a moment.
The truth was, he wanted her to stop thinking about running away…
But instead he said, "Honestly? I wanted your help."
"My help?" she frowned, confused.
Logan nodded solemnly. "You see, I'm a pirate. I can't help myself sometimes — I just end up doing bad things, like today."
"What I really need is a Marine with a strong sense of justice to keep me in check… someone to stop me before I go too far."
"And that someone… is you."
"If, with your help, I can truly turn over a new leaf, wouldn't that be a great service to justice?"
Tashigi froze. The words hit her hard.
That… actually sounded right.
If she could reform a pirate and save countless innocent lives in the process—
What greater achievement could there be?!
Why hadn't she thought of that before?!
Logan smiled faintly. "So, what do you say? Join my crew, Miss Tashigi."
"...Alright."
The word slipped out before she even realized it.
"....."