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A small boat quietly drifted toward the Going Merry. Two figures leapt aboard with practiced agility.
"Miss Wednesday, looks like luck's on our side today," whispered a man wearing a ridiculous frog outfit and a little crown.
"Yeah, Mr. 9. Stealing food from pirates sounds way easier than hunting that whale," his partner replied—a pretty woman with a ponytail and a face that would've looked sweet if it weren't for her sly grin.
They'd been scrounging for food for days. If they came back empty-handed again, everyone at Whisky Peak would starve.
The two crept along the deck, glancing around warily before slipping into the cabin.
Miss Wednesday's stomach growled like a wild beast, but her instincts didn't fail her—she headed straight for the storage room.
The moment she opened the door, she froze in delight.Shelves packed with meat and vegetables.
"Jackpot!" she whispered, ready to call Mr. 9 to help pack it all up.
But before she could even get a word out, her blood ran cold.A tall man stood across the room, arms folded, watching her with a faintly amused look.
"Ahhh!!!" she screamed on reflex.
"Keep it down, Miss Wednesday! Don't let them hear you!" Mr. 9 hissed from the next room.
"Idiot."
The man's expression darkened the instant he saw Mr. 9. This was Logan—captain of the ship—and no other man was allowed aboard his Merry.
Before anyone could blink, Logan grabbed Mr. 9 and tossed him clean off the ship. A flash of lightning struck before he hit the water, leaving nothing but smoke and a corpse drifting away with the current.
"You—you killed Mr. 9?!" Vivi's face went pale as she trembled from head to toe.
But Logan's scowl faded into a faint smile. "Relax, Princess Vivi. I only kill members of Baroque Works."
"Once I'm done healing Laboon, we'll have a nice little chat."
Her heart skipped a beat. He knows who I am?!
Not only did this man know her secret identity—he was terrifyingly strong.
"D-don't kill me…" she whimpered like a frightened rabbit.
Ignoring her plea, Logan gripped her shoulder—then vanished.
In the blink of an eye, they reappeared on deck, surrounded by the other women.
"Captain, who's this?" Makino asked, eyes wide.
"Wow, she's gorgeous! Captain, where'd you steal this one from?" Calumon teased, tilting her head curiously at the pale-faced Vivi.
He… he kidnaps women too?! Vivi thought, panic surging again.
Logan just chuckled. "From now on, she's part of the Logan Pirates. Keep an eye on her—don't let her run."
And with that, he soared off toward Laboon on a floating island cloud, leaving Vivi staring blankly after him as the girls exchanged confused looks.
Once he was gone, Vivi quickly shifted tactics, putting on her most pitiful face. "Please, sisters, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have tried to steal your food. Just this once, forgive me?"
The girls exchanged glances, realization dawning.
So she's the one who tried to rob us, huh?
And to top it off—Logan loved pretty women, and here she was, practically delivering herself.
Makino sighed gently. "You heard the captain. We're supposed to watch you. But don't worry—he won't hurt you, I promise."
Her tone was soft and kind. But Vivi didn't believe a word of it.
She'd just watched this same man fry Mr. 9 alive.
No way I'm waiting around for my turn.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Logan and the others working on the whale. They're distracted. Now's my chance—run!
But just as she tensed to move, a flash of steel stopped her cold.
Dasqi's sword was already drawn, its edge gleaming in the light."Don't move."
The others closed in, faces sharp and cold. A dark sheen crept up their arms—Armament Haki.
"You all know Armament Haki?!" exclaimed Crocus, watching from a distance.
He shook his head. "Kid, you can't beat them. Don't throw your life away—just stay put."
Feeling their pressure wash over her, Vivi slumped in defeat, lowering her head.
A few moments later, Logan, Kaya, and Nami returned on the cloud.
After their combined efforts, Laboon's head wounds—built up over years—had completely healed. The giant whale was back to full strength.
"Roooaaarrr!!"
The pain was gone. And now that he knew Brook was still alive, Laboon's cry echoed with pure joy.
For him, today was the happiest day of his life.
"Logan, thank you," Crocus said sincerely, watching Laboon's cheerful thrashing.
"It was nothing," Logan replied with a wave, as if it really was no big deal.
"Laboon, stay here and behave, alright? Stop ramming into Reverse Mountain. I promise—I'll bring Brook back soon."
Laboon's low, rumbling call was full of emotion.
Logan smiled, and so did the girls beside him.
"Well then, Crocus, time for us to set sail again."
With the despairing Vivi and the rest of his crew, Logan boarded the Merry once more.
"Ha ha ha! Logan, I hope I hear your name echo across the seas one day!"
From the shore, Crocus waved as the Going Merry rose into the sky.
"Laboon, what a wonderful day this turned out to be."
"Rooaaarrr!"
"....."