The sea wind carried the Buggy Pirates from Orange Town relatively quickly.
The streets were silent except for the soft creaking of damaged buildings nearby and doors opening up as civilians slowly crept out of their homes to assess just how much they had lost.
Luffy stood in the middle of what used to be the marketplace, arms hanging loose at his sides, hat tipped low.
A torn flag bearing a laughing red nose flapped weakly on a broken post before ripping loose and vanishing into the sea air.
"…That clown guy was annoying," Luffy said at last.
Then he puffed out his cheeks. "He was annoying."
"Yeah."
"Like, really annoying."
"Yeah."
Luffy leaned back, letting out a long sigh. "I hit him so many times. Felt like punching confetti."
Zoro grunted. "I cut him five times. Maybe six. He didn't even bleed."
Luffy tilted his head. "You sure you actually hit him?"
Zoro shot him a look. "I cut through him, idiot. He just came apart like it was nothing. That's not normal."
Luffy scratched the back of his neck, frowning. "He felt weak, though. Like he shouldn't have been that strong. But he fought like he knew what I was gonna do before I did."
Zoro's expression hardened slightly. "Yeah, he had plenty of experience. He wasn't scared either. Not even when he was losing."
They both went quiet again. The waves lapped gently at the shore, tugging at the dock. Some of the ruined buildings around them creaked against the wind.
"Guess he got away," Luffy said finally.
Zoro exhaled through his nose. "Guess we let him."
Luffy grinned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "So… we lost?"
"Technically no." Zoro slid one sword back into its sheath with a soft click. "He ran, but we didn't beat him."
Luffy stared out at the horizon again. "We'll meet him again."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "You think so?"
Luffy's grin returned in full. "Yeah. He seemed interesting. Clowns never shut up after one joke."
Zoro smirked faintly. "You'd know."
Luffy ignored him, stretching his arms until his joints popped. "C'mon. I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry."
Before they could move, a voice cut through the sea breeze, sharp, confident, and feminine.
"Jeez, you two look like you crashed through a circus…"
Both turned at once.
An orange-haired girl in an orange blouse stepped into view from the docks. She'd just escaped her captors, or rather, been let go, which was strange, but she wasn't complaining.
Her eyes flicked over the two strangers: one with a few bruises and three swords, the other smiling like nothing happened despite the small cuts lining his arms.
"…You two fought him, huh?" she asked, voice careful but edged.
Luffy blinked. "Yep! He was pretty strong~"
Zoro tilted his chin toward the harbor. "Buggy the Clown. He and his crew looted the town, then bolted when things got hot."
Nami's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh, I know. I was tied to a mast, remember?"
Luffy grinned. "Yeah, I saw you there! I doubt he would've done anything too bad, he was fun."
"Fun," she repeated flatly. "You call looting a town fun?"
Zoro sighed. "He didn't exactly strike me as a deep thinker."
Nami studied them for a moment, weighing her words. "Whatever. You two are lucky to be alive. He's not some small-time thief. He's got a Devil Fruit too. People say he can't be cut."
Zoro's brow twitched. "Yeah," he muttered, "we noticed."
Her expression softened a little, curiosity sneaking in. "Still, most people don't walk away from a pirate with that kind of power. You must be pretty strong."
Luffy puffed out his chest. "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
There was a pause. Then Nami blinked. "…Excuse me?"
Zoro rubbed the bridge of his nose. "He means it. Don't bother arguing."
Nami looked between them again, at Luffy's easy grin, Zoro's swords, and the wrecked town smoldering behind them. Something like calculation flickered in her eyes.
"Well," she said finally, slinging her bag over one shoulder, "you two clearly don't have much sense, but you've got strength. And luck. That's valuable."
"Wanna join my crew?" Luffy asked instantly.
Zoro groaned. "Not again."
Nami raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Join your crew? I don't even know you."
"I'm Luffy!" he said proudly, thumbing his chest. "That's Zoro. He uses three swords. Now you know us! So, join my crew!"
"Three swords?" Nami repeated, deadpan. "Of course."
Zoro shrugged. "He's telling the truth."
"Mm-hm." She smiled thinly. "And where exactly is this 'crew' of yours sailing, Captain Straw Hat?"
"The Grand Line!" Luffy said without hesitation.
Her smirk faltered, replaced by wariness. "You're serious?"
"Yup!"
She let out a low whistle. "You're either brave or stupid."
"Why not both?" Zoro said.
Luffy nodded enthusiastically. "Both sounds fun."
Nami laughed once, quietly. "Fun, right." She adjusted her bag, stepping past them toward the road. "Well, good luck with that dream, Captain. You'll need it."
As she walked away, Luffy called after her, "Hey! You should come with us!"
She didn't stop, only turned slightly with a half-smile. "Maybe. If I ever decide I want to get arrested."
Zoro watched her go, muttering, "That one's trouble."
Luffy grinned, eyes following her until she disappeared around a corner. "Yeah. But I like her."
Zoro shook his head, collecting his swords. "You 'like' every thief and lunatic we meet."
"Guess we're collecting 'em," Luffy said cheerfully.
The two started walking after her, not quite chasing, but not letting her out of sight either.
Behind them, the wind picked up again, scattering ash into the sea breeze.
The panic in Orange Town had finally gone quiet, leaving only dust, silence, and the faint echo of laughter that wasn't there anymore.
And somewhere, far out at sea, a certain clown's voice carried faintly over the waves, still laughing at the memory of the two fools he'd fought and fled from.