Chapter 54

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East Blue 

Somewhere in the middle of the sea, en route to Loguetown 

"Hey, Bubblegum, you didn't forget to bring my Skyline with you, right?", Luffy asks, changing the topic to something lighter. 

"Oh, the hostage? He's here, safe and sound. So, do you think you're stronger than me now?", Reiju asks, joining in the banter. 

"If I was already giving you trouble three years ago, it's easier for me to ask if you're strong enough to deal with me now, because the me from back then doesn't even compare to the me now", Luffy says, boasting. 

"Getting a bit full of yourself, huh? We'll have to see if you're really up to that claim", Reiju says, raising an eyebrow. 

The crew then continues talking for a good while, with Reiju integrating easily into the group. 

And so, a week goes by. During this time, Reiju calls daily to talk with the crew, deepening her friendships, especially with Nami, Nojiko, and Kaya. 

Throughout the week, Nojiko joins in the training, dedicating herself intensely to becoming stronger, especially after Nami kept bragging about being stronger than her. And with all her hard work, she reached a level of strength similar to Kaya's in just one week. 

Meanwhile, Kaya asked Usopp to help her make another weapon, as she no longer wanted to use daggers, feeling they didn't really suit her style. 

So, at her request, Usopp made some simple brass knuckles for her to use for now, while he researched and developed a series of more powerful equipment for her to use later. 

And overall, the routine on the ship flowed normally, with everyone dedicated to their training, and during their free time, they took the opportunity to socialize, relax, or dedicate that time to their own personal projects. 

After a week, the crew is now approaching Loguetown, getting steadily closer to the island. 

"Alright, everyone, meet in the kitchen", Luffy says, calling everyone for a meeting. 

After everyone had gathered, Luffy began, "When we arrive, Usopp, Sanji, Chouchou, and Kaya will be in charge of gathering all the supplies we need. With Usopp's fruit abilities, we now have infinite money and enough space to fit everything, so we don't need to worry about those things. By the way, don't forget to buy equipment and medical supplies, and a bunch of bug spray too. Nami, I assume you're going to buy clothes, right?" 

"Yes, now that we have infinite money, I want to see if they have anything that interests me", Nami says, eagerly looking forward to being able to buy clothes without limits. 

"Okay, go ahead and buy clothes for everyone. Buy for all types of weather, like cold, hot, desert, and snow, got it?", Luffy says, explaining to Nami what he wants her to do. 

"Got it. By the way, after I buy clothes, I'll take the opportunity to buy cartography and navigation supplies as well", Nami says, informing Luffy. 

"Oh right, you talked to Bubblegum about navigation on the Grand Line, right?", Luffy asks, remembering. 

"Yes, Log Pose and Eternal Pose. She explained how the weather and navigation work on the Grand Line. I'll check if they have any for sale. Besides the Log Pose, which destination do you want me to buy an Eternal Pose for?" Nami asks, wanting to know which destination he wants to go to with the Eternal Pose. 

"No need for an Eternal Pose. We wouldn't use it even if you bought it; just the Log Pose is enough", Luffy says, turning down the idea of using an Eternal Pose. 

'I'll follow my own path; if destiny wants it, and it probably does, it'll send me the same way as the original', Luffy thinks to himself, stubbornly deciding to let chance choose which island they'll go to, even if he might regret it later. 

What Luffy didn't know was that Nami would end up buying an Eternal Pose for Whisky Peak just in case her Log Pose took longer than a few hours to lock onto an island once they entered the Grand Line. 

"Hey, Luffy, I'll need money to buy new swords", Zoro says, catching Luffy's attention. 

"Do you need money, Zoro? I can lend you some, but then you'll owe me, and the interest is three hundred percent, for every minute that passes", Nami asks, whispering the last part so that no one can hear. 

"We have infinite money; why are you trying to put me in debt?", Zoro asks, confused. 

"Do you want the money or not?", Nami says, getting straight to the point. 

Zoro then turns to Usopp, ignoring Nami, and asks, "Hey, Usopp, can you use that magic of yours and give me some money?" 

Seeing the look Nami was giving him, Usopp replies, "Sorry, Zoro, but I'd rather face you than face this witch." 

"So, Zoro, how much do you want?", Nami asks, teasing Zoro. 

"Ugh, just give me a hundred thousand Berries", Zoro says, irritated. 

As Nami hands over the money to Zoro, Nojiko says, "I'll need some cash too. I want to buy an axe and a shield for myself." 

"Do you think ten million will get you something decent?", Nami asks Nojiko, separating a few palm-sized gold pieces worth ten million that Usopp had previously cut from a bar he'd expanded. 

"Yeah, that'll do, sis", Nojiko says, taking the gold Nami handed her and storing it in a pouch. 

"Wait, why do I have to pay interest and she doesn't?", Zoro asks indignantly. 

"She's my sister; why would I charge her?", Nami asks, not understanding the fuss. 

"Damn nepotism! And why the hell are you handling the crew's money?", Zoro asks, irritated. 

"Because even though we have infinite money now, someone responsible has to manage the crew's finances, and I'm the one who knows the most about money here", Nami says as if it were obvious. 

"But—", Zoro starts before being interrupted by Luffy, who says, "Drop it, man. Capitalism's tough." 

"What are you talking about? What does capitalism have to do with nepotism?", Zoro asks, confused. 

"I don't know either, I just thought it fit", Luffy says, scratching the back of his neck. 

With Zoro giving up on complaining, Luffy returns to the main point, "Alright, you have your orders. While you're doing all that, I'm going to see the square where Gol D. Roger was executed." 

"Fine, just don't start any trouble, Luffy", Nami warns him. 

"Nami, you know very well that it's not me who causes trouble; trouble just finds me", Luffy says with a smile, giving Nami a kiss on the cheek and then dismissing everyone. 

As they dock in the city's port, Luffy mutters to himself, "Loguetown, the city of the beginning and the end. I wonder if Sabo is here with my dad?" 

After they dock, everyone goes their separate ways to carry out their tasks. 

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(AN: 1,148 Words)

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