The sea was calm, painted deep blue beneath a clear sky, as the Going Merry cut steadily through the waves. The wind was favorable, the sails full and for the first time since Cocoyashi Village, the crew could breathe without the weight of danger hanging over them.
Ahead lay their destination.
Loguetown.
The town where the Pirate King had been born.
The town where he had died.
The last stop before the Grand Line.
At the helm stood Nojiko, hands steady on the wheel, eyes focused on the horizon. She had taken to the position naturally, reading the wind and waves with the help of Nami.
"She's the helmsman," Cassandra had said the first day. "The one who steers the ship."
Nojiko had smiled nervously at the title, but she hadn't let go of the wheel since.
On deck Nami was drenched in sweat, breathing hard as she tightened her grip on her bo staff. Cassandra stood across from her, arms crossed, watching critically.
"Again," Cassandra said calmly.
Nami groaned. "You said that five times already."
"And I'll say it five more," Cassandra replied. "Balance first. Power second. Don't swing like you're afraid of missing."
Nami set her jaw and lunged again, staff slicing through the air. Cassandra stepped aside effortlessly and tapped Nami's ribs with two fingers.
"That would've been a broken bone," Cassandra said. "Reset."
Nami growled. "You enjoy this."
"I enjoy you not dying," Cassandra answered.
Sanji leaned against the railing nearby, cigarette dangling from his lips. He was watching the scene with amusement.
"Careful, Nami-swan," he said dramatically. "At this rate, you'll surpass us all."
Nami shot him a glare. "You want to switch places?"
Sanji immediately raised his hands. "Absolutely not."
From the bow, Luffy was hanging halfway over the side of the ship, staring into the water.
"Do you think the Pirate King swam here?" he asked suddenly.
Everyone ignored him.
Then—
FWAP FWAP FWAP.
A shadow passed overhead.
Cassandra's eyes lifted instantly. "News coos."
The small seabird circled once and descended, landing clumsily on the deck with a loud squawk. A rolled newspaper was strapped to its leg.
Sanji tossed it a piece of bread and paid for the newspaper.
The seagull snatched it and flew off triumphantly.
Nami wiped her hands and picked up the paper. "Let's see what is new in the world."
She unrolled it.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"…Oh."
Cassandra leaned over her shoulder. "Read it."
Nami swallowed. "Captain Monkey D. Luffy Straw Hat. Wanted."
Luffy perked up instantly. "Huh?!"
Nami turned the paper toward him.
WANTED
Straw Hat - Monkey D. Luffy
Dead or Alive
Bounty: 20,000,000 BERI
Luffy stared at it, then his face split into a massive grin.
"HAHAHA! I'M WORTH MONEY NOW!"
Sanji stared. "Twenty million already?!"
Nami blinked. "That's… way too fast."
Cassandra smirked. "The new big shot of the East Blue."
Luffy puffed out his chest proudly. "See? I told you I'd be famous!"
He paused, then squinted at the poster.
"…Why does my face look like that?"
Sanji leaned in. "You look smarter than usual."
"HEY!"
Nami flipped the page.
Her breath caught.
"…There's another one."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Nami slowly turned the paper around.
WANTED
Sniper - Nojiko
Dead or Alive
Bounty: 15,000,000 BERI
The deck went silent.
Nojiko, still at the helm, glanced over. "What?"
Nami walked up to her, holding the paper like it might explode. "You're… wanted."
Nojiko blinked. "…I am?"
Cassandra burst out laughing.
Sanji nearly choked on his cigarette. "FIFTEEN MILLION?!"
Nojiko stared at the poster. Her picture was grainy, clearly taken from a distance, rifle slung over her shoulder.
"They even got my good side," she muttered.
"They called you Sniper," Nami said weakly.
Nojiko scratched her cheek. "I mean… I did shoot that Marine."
Luffy leaned in, eyes sparkling. "You're famous too! We're real pirates now!"
Nami rubbed her temples. "This is insane. You killed one corrupt Marine."
Cassandra shrugged. "He was a captain and the Marines don't take killing one of their own lightly. Makes sense."
Nojiko exhaled slowly. "So… I can't go back home."
Nami grabbed her hand immediately. "You weren't going to anyway."
Sanji smiled softly. "Welcome to the crew, Nojiko."
Nojiko looked around at them, then back at the sea ahead.
"…Guess I'm a criminal now."
Cassandra stepped beside her at the helm. "No. You're free."
Then she started to fondle Nojiko, who was still not used to her antics.
Cassandra was wondering though, why she didn't get a wanted poster this time. Ahh there will always be a next time, she thought
The Going Merry sailed on, with a nice breeze in the sails.
Ahead lay Loguetown.
The place where legends ended and a new era began.
They arrived not long after.
Loguetown rose from the sea, like a memory carved into stone.
Tall buildings crowded the harbor, their roofs layered and uneven, banners snapping in the wind. The smell of salt mixed with smoke, spices and old wood. It was louder than any place they had been so far with overlapping voices, gulls screaming, merchants shouting prices that changed with every step.
Cassandra stood at the bow, as the Going Merry docked, eyes fixed on the town.
So this is it, she thought. The town of beginnings and endings.
Her hand brushed unconsciously against the hilts at her side.
Wado Ichimonji.
Yamaoroshi.
Kashu.
Shigure.
Four blades already sang softly in her presence, but two more called to her from somewhere within the town.
She could almost feel them.
Sandai Kitetsu, she thought. A cursed blade. Violent. Bloodthirsty. The kind of sword that devours the unworthy.
In the original timeline, Zoro had taken it, as a challenge of his own luck. A gamble against fate itself.
Cassandra's lips curled faintly.
Lets see if I am as lucky as Zoro.
Then there was Yubashiri.
Not cursed. Not violent. Just a clean, beautiful and honest sword. A blade that rewarded skill and punished carelessness. A sword that would have fought besides Zoro, until the day it was meant to perish.
I'll never let this happen in this life, she promised silently.
She stepped onto the dock, as the crew disembarked.
Luffy stretched dramatically. "Alright! I'm gonna see where the Pirate King died!"
Nami spun on him instantly. "Do not get arrested!"
Too late.
Luffy was already jogging off toward the heart of town, straw hat bouncing with every step.
Sanji adjusted his collar and lit a cigarette. "I'll get supplies. Food, water and something decent for the road. This place looks expensive."
Nami nodded. "Nojiko, come with me. We're buying clothes. You can't keep wearing village outfits forever."
Nojiko laughed nervously. "I like my village outfits…"
As they turned to leave, Cassandra spoke.
"Nami."
Nami paused and looked back.
Cassandra stepped closer, lowering her voice just enough, that only Nami could hear.
"I need you to do something for me."
Nami raised an eyebrow. "What kind of something?"
Cassandra leaned in, her tone calm, precise, dangerously casual.
Nami's eyes widened.
Cassandra whispered too quietly, for anyone else to hear.
Nami froze.
Then her lips slowly spread into a sharp, delighted grin.
"Oh," she said softly. "That's evil."
Cassandra smirked. "I learned from the best."
Nami straightened, already adjusting her bag. "Leave it to me."
Nojiko looked between them. "Why do you both look like that?"
"Shopping," Nami said innocently.
Cassandra turned away, already walking toward the deeper streets of Loguetown.
Toward a small, unassuming sword shop.
Toward a cursed blade that would soon learn the difference between hunger and obedience.
Somewhere in town, fate was already tightening its grip. What nobody could predict was that not only Cassandras actions, but her sheer existence could change fates.