Boom!
In the shockwave triggered by the exploding cannonball, the rooftop and the wall facing the plaza side of the café collapsed in an instant!
In that split second, Shano didn't hesitate—he jumped in front of the window, bracing a falling beam with one arm, shielding his companions from the flying bricks and shattered glass.
At the same time, he shouted sternly:
"Ayin!"
"Awooo—!" Ayin instantly understood. With a roar, its fur stood on end, crackling with electric light.
In a flash, a semi-circular electric field expanded into form, enveloping the entire area around the café.
This was an advanced version of the innate bloodline ability it had awakened in its youth—"Arc Lightning Shield."
The shield of the electric field could expand up to ten meters in radius, protecting everyone inside from any kind of physical harm from the outside.
Crash!
The collapsing bricks and debris were blocked by the field, while outside, explosions erupted throughout the plaza. Screams of panic rang out endlessly.
"Pfft, pfft!" Nami wiped the dust from her face and rushed to the stairwell, shouting in worry, "Are you okay, shopkeeper lady!?"
"Y-Yeah! We're okay!"
A terrified voice of the female shopkeeper called up from below.
Nojiko also quickly came over, helping to check whether anyone was injured.
Fortunately, the café wasn't too big. With both floors within the protection of the electric field, all thirty-some guests and employees were saved, not a single one left behind.
"Phew." Nami finally let out a breath of relief.
But those outside the café clearly weren't as lucky.
Through a gaping hole in the wall, they could see the surrounding area—many shops and homes on both sides had been hit by cannon fire, collapsing into ruins, devastation everywhere.
"I'm going up to check!"
With a grim expression, Kuina said no more, and dashed out through a hole in the rooftop.
Damn it!!
What pirate crew has the audacity to launch a brazen daylight assault on Loguetown with cannon fire?!
The pirates in the East Blue are nothing more than small fry—who among them would have the guts...
Could it be that a group of pirates like Arlong's has returned from the Grand Line?
Swish—
Kuina drew her sword, Wado Ichimonji, and used Moonwalk (Geppō) to leap onto the nearby clocktower, where the view was unobstructed. She looked toward the docks.
One glance.
Her expression instantly changed—shock appeared on her face.
What the hell…
The ones firing… are the Navy?!!!
From the docks…
A massive luxury cruise ship lay anchored there.
Surrounding it were three Navy warships, all of which had already turned around—their cannons pointed directly at the square in front of the execution platform!
———
Five minutes earlier
At the bow of the luxury cruise ship
A golden scepter encrusted with jewels was held in a fat hand, pointed toward the execution plaza.
"Hey hey hey, can someone tell me who all those people are crowding in the square? They're such an eyesore."
Altai turned his head, his gaze finally landing on Smoker's face.
"If I remember right, you're the one in charge of this island, right? You should know exactly who they are."
"On a normal day, most would be tourists. A few pirates mixed in."
Smoker narrowed his eyes. Under the piercing gaze of Vice Admiral Onigumo (Ghost Spider), he coldly replied,
"But things are different right now. I'd estimate more than half of them are pirates."
"Pirates?!"
Altai covered his mouth in mock surprise.
"Waaah! So many pirates? This is my first time seeing such a crowd! And right next to your base, no less—why aren't they afraid? Why are they acting so bold?"
That's because we were too busy babysitting you, you fat pig.
Smoker's expression darkened.
When he stayed behind to guard the base in Loguetown, pirates arriving on the island always kept a low profile, terrified of exposing their identities!
When did they ever dare to gather in such numbers, so brazenly?
"I should return, Vice Admiral."
Smoker snuffed out his cigar, turning to Onigumo and muttering,
"We're already near my post. The remaining journey isn't long—you shouldn't need me anymore."
Truthfully…
He always thought this escort mission was overkill from the beginning.
Besides Vice Admiral Onigumo and himself, there were two rear admirals from the Grand Line's G-branch, and two of Onigumo's subordinates, each with strength equivalent to a rear admiral.
One vice admiral, four rear admirals, and someone like him who could easily match a rear admiral in combat.
All of this, just to ensure the safety of three allied kingdom monarchs, one of whom was even half a Celestial Dragon.
If they were traveling through the Grand Line, maybe he'd understand.
But just a trip from the South Blue to the East Blue?
There was no need for such an extravagant—and frankly wasteful—level of protection.
By comparison—
It was far more urgent for him to return to the island and suppress the growing tension among the pirates.
Pirates from the East Blue were no big deal—they couldn't stir up any real trouble.
But those in the plaza… among them were pirates from the North Blue, West Blue, and even the Grand Line…
Compared to East Blue scum, those guys could be real trouble.
His biggest worry now was that, in his absence, the pirates would take advantage of the power vacuum and stir up chaos—looting, burning, killing…
And the civilians of the town would pay the price…
"You want to leave now?"
Onigumo raised an eyebrow, about to respond when—
"Great! Great!!"
Suddenly, Altai clapped his hands in excitement.
"The more pirates the better! The bolder the better! I've never seen the Navy fight pirates before! Hey, Onigumo, let's fire the cannons! Come on, fire them!"
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Onigumo cast a glance toward the execution platform.
Then, without hesitation, used Moonwalk and headed for his command ship.
Leaving Smoker frozen in shock.
"Are you insane, Onigumo!!"
Smoker immediately turned into smoke, following him and landing on the deck of the warship. As soon as he touched down, he couldn't help but shout in disbelief:
"You're actually listening to some pampered noble's idiotic order? Do you realize how many civilians will be caught in the crossfire if you open fire on the town center?! This is madness!"
"You're mistaken, Smoker."
Onigumo gave him a strange look and sneered.
"I might humor that brainless pig in small matters, for the sake of his Celestial Dragon blood. But when it comes to military decisions, he has no right to command me."
"Then why are you doing this!!!"
Smoker roared furiously.
He could already see the three warships slowly turning, their side cannons being raised over the docks—aimed directly at the plaza.
He grew more panicked and enraged.
"And the rest of you! Do you even know what you're doing?! Stop, all of you, stop right now!"
Unfortunately, the command of the warships did not lie with him.
The rear admirals in charge of the ships glanced at him indifferently, then turned back and continued directing their crews to load the cannons, following Onigumo's orders to the letter.
Onigumo flicked the ash from his cigarette and said calmly:
"We've known each other for a long time, Smoker. But it seems you really don't understand me at all…"