Loguetown—the final stop in the East Blue before the Grand Line. It was the place where the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed, earning it the title: "The Town of the Beginning and the End."
The Black Whale descended quietly, and Chrollo quickly stored the massive vessel inside the [Fun Fun Cloth] before the group stepped onto the docks.
"Finally! Food! Real food!" Bonney was the most excited, charging ahead of everyone else.
"Eat, eat, eat—is that all you think about?" Chrollo muttered, catching her by the back of her collar. "Don't forget why we're here. If we don't find Dragon, your home in the Sorbet Kingdom is going to have a very bad year."
Bonney deflated instantly, though she understood the stakes. She patted her cheeks to psych herself up. "Fine! Let's find him fast so we can... eat!"
---
### The Division of Labor
Chrollo gathered the Spiders and divided them into three main task forces to maximize their efficiency in the city.
| Squad | Members | Primary Objective |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Vanguard | Uvogin, Nobunaga, Phinks, Feitan | Scout the underground scene; find the mobster Bartolomeo. |
| Intel Team | Shalnark, Pakunoda, Franklin, Bonolenov | Track down the Revolutionary leader, Monkey D. Dragon. |
| Logistics | Machi, Nami, Shizuku, Kortopi | Purchase supplies for the trip over Reverse Mountain. |
"Vanguard, listen up," Chrollo instructed. "Look for a green-haired mob boss with a face like a cannibal. That's Bartolomeo. He has the Barrier-Barrier Fruit. It's a powerful defensive ability—you'll need to watch for his finger-crossing gesture to beat him. Bring him to me."
"No problem, Boss," Nobunaga grinned. "I need a warm-up anyway."
"I'll just beat him until he's portable," Uvogin added with a savage laugh.
Turning to the Intel Team, Chrollo handed over a sketch of Dragon based on Bonney's memories. "He's the leader of an underground resistance. Look for people acting suspicious or movements in the shadows. He's a top-tier powerhouse—comparable to the 'Dark Continent' elites—so do not provoke him. We are here for a partnership."
Finally, he looked at the Logistics team. "Nami, don't be a miser. Buy high-quality supplies. We're going to be in the air for a while once we hit the Grand Line."
Nami's face turned red with rage. "I KNOW HOW TO SHOP, YOU STINGY BASTARD!"
---
### The Bait and the Predator
Soon, only Chrollo and Bonney were left at the harbor. Bonney tried to sneak off toward a nearby restaurant, but Chrollo snagged her collar again.
"Where do you think you're going? You're with me."
"Let go of me! I'm hungry!" Bonney wailed, her legs kicking the air.
"Turn back into a child," Chrollo commanded. "You're Kuma's daughter. The Revolutionaries will recognize you. If you stay as an adult, they might miss the connection. No kid, no Dragon, no Sorbet Kingdom. Got it?"
Poof. Bonney shrank back into her toddler form, grumbling as she trudged behind him. Chrollo led her through the crowded night market of Loguetown, acting like a casual tourist.
"How is walking around a market going to find Dragon?" Bonney asked, crossing her arms.
"In a town this complex," Chrollo said smoothly, "the best way to find someone is to make them come to you."
He knew that if Revolutionary spies spotted the daughter of their former comrade Bartholomew Kuma being escorted by a high-bounty stranger, they would report it to Dragon immediately.
---
### The Shadows Closing In
Unbeknownst to the crowds, a man in a crisp suit watched them from a rooftop, his eyes locked on Chrollo and the girl. He spoke quietly into a Den Den Mushi.
"Reporting to Captain Lucci. The targets have split up. I have eyes on the Leader and the girl."
"Copy that," a cold voice replied from the other end. "Do not engage yet. Wait until they regroup. We will take them all down in one strike."
The man on the other end was Rob Lucci, the strongest killing machine in CP9 history. He adjusted his top hat, a pigeon named Hattori perched on his shoulder. "A 700-million bounty... let's see if they can actually keep me entertained."
Back in the market, Chrollo's ear twitched. A small, imperceptible smile played on his lips.
> [Technique: En (The Circle)]
> Chrollo's current "En" has reached a refined radius of 3 km. Every vibration, every heartbeat, and every hushed conversation within that three-kilometer sphere is transmitted directly to his consciousness.
I didn't expect to catch CP9 in my net so early, Chrollo thought. Lucci thought he was the hunter, but he didn't realize he had stepped into a sphere where Chrollo was already god.
"A predator in a suit, huh? This is getting interesting."
---
Chrollo has the entire board in his sights!