Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Loguetown
Loguetown was a sprawling city, its towering buildings and bustling streets alive with activity as the Bell Leah docked at the port. The city was still far from the infamous landmark it would become—the city where the legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, would start the new pirate revolution and ultimately meet his end. But even now, as the crew prepared to disembark, there was an undeniable energy in the air, a sense that something big was about to happen in this city.
Jackson stood on the deck of the Bell Leah, looking toward the horizon where the city rose like a maze of stone and steel, the sun beginning to set behind the buildings. It was a far cry from the peaceful shores of Shimotsuki Village. The city was alive with people from all walks of life—merchants, travelers, and all manner of characters that Jackson had never seen before. For a moment, it felt like he was stepping into a new world.
But despite the excitement, Jackson's mind kept drifting back to the fight. He had replayed it in his head countless times, analyzing every move, every misstep. His body still bore the aches from the battle with the pirate captain, but it was the mistakes that gnawed at him. The biggest one, the one he couldn't shake, was leaving his tanto back on the ship. The blade given to him by Shimotsuki Kouzaburou was now one of his most valuable possessions, and yet, during the heat of the fight, he had left it behind.
That had been a rookie mistake.
Jackson clenched his fist, feeling the weight of the tanto at his side. It was fixed securely to his belt now, where it belonged. It had taken him longer than he'd like to admit to get it back to its rightful place. He couldn't afford to be careless again. That tanto wasn't just a weapon; it was a symbol of the training he had received, a connection to his past, and the foundation of his future. There would be no more mistakes like that.
His new position as gunner on the ship also came with its own set of responsibilities. Jackson had spent the past two days learning the basics of the ship's weapons. He wasn't ready to handle the cannons yet—not by a long shot—but he could use a gun. For now, though, his focus was on keeping the pirates they had captured under control.
The pirates were tied up below deck, a little over a dozen of them, all looking grumpy and defeated. Jackson kept a watchful eye on them from his position on the deck, making sure none of them tried anything funny. He knew that keeping them subdued was just as important as the work that lay ahead. The crew was getting ready to offload the cargo, and then, they'd turn the pirates over to the authorities in Loguetown.
Jackson could hear Captain Fox's booming voice as he barked orders to the crew, organizing the men and women into groups for unloading. The captain's presence was commanding, and even from a distance, Jackson could tell the crew respected him. His tone was firm, but there was always a sense of purpose behind every command he gave.
"Alright, men, we're anchoring now," Captain Fox shouted across the deck, his voice carrying over the creaking of the ship. "Get ready to unload and make sure our 'guests' are secured. I don't want any trouble from these pirates. We turn them over to the authorities and get paid, no questions asked. Keep it clean, and don't let them get any ideas. Let's move!"
The crew sprang into action at the captain's orders, preparing the ship for docking. Jackson stood at the railing, his eyes still scanning the pirates below. He could see the ropes that bound them, the frustrated looks on their faces as they sat huddled together. They were dangerous, but for now, they were contained. Jackson didn't want to take any chances. He would keep watch until the crew was ready to deal with them.
A few of the pirates tried to look defiant, but none of them dared make a move. They had learned their lesson when Jackson and the crew had wiped the floor with them. Despite their rough exterior, they were no match for the Bell Leah's crew, and they knew it. Still, Jackson didn't trust them. Not yet.
As the ship slowly neared the docks, Jackson felt a sense of anticipation building inside him. Loguetown was a bustling city, but it was also a place of danger, and he knew better than to let his guard down. He could feel it in the air—the tension, the energy, the stories of what happened here.
"Get those sails ready! We'll be docking in ten!" Griff shouted, joining Jackson at the railing. He looked over at Jackson, a knowing glint in his eyes. "This is your first time here, right?"
Jackson nodded. "Yeah. I've heard of it, of course, but... it's different when you're actually here."
Griff chuckled. "That's Loguetown for you. Always busy, always moving. But there's something about this place, something that draws people in. You'd be surprised how many stories start here."
Jackson looked out at the city, his gaze lingering on the docks as they grew closer. He could see the buzz of activity—merchants shouting their wares, travelers wandering through the streets, and sailors unloading cargo from other ships. It was a far cry from the peaceful life he had left behind in Shimotsuki Village. The city felt alive with possibilities, but Jackson knew that danger always lurked in places like this.
"Let's just get the pirates off the ship and move on," Jackson said quietly, his hand resting on the tanto at his side. "I'm not in a hurry to get mixed up in anything here."
Griff grinned, slapping him on the back. "You're smarter than most, kid. But don't worry. We'll take care of the business, and then we can move on to the next adventure."
As the Bell Leah docked at Loguetown, the crew went to work, securing the ship and preparing to unload the cargo. Jackson's role had shifted. He wasn't just some deckhand anymore—he was now responsible for the ship's weapons and the safety of the crew. It was a big responsibility, but Jackson was ready for it.
Loguetown loomed ahead, a place of mystery and intrigue, and Jackson felt the thrill of what lay beyond. His journey was just beginning.
The Bell Leah had docked in Loguetown, and the bustling port city was alive with activity. Jackson, despite the praise from the crew for his actions during the fight, couldn't shake the feeling that things weren't entirely settled. They'd captured the Laughing Fang Pirates, but there were still loose ends to tie up. Their captain had been dealt with in the most final of ways during the fight, but Jackson still needed to make sure the Marines took care of the remaining pirates—and perhaps get something for their trouble.
After making his way through the busy streets of Loguetown, Jackson found the Marine base. It wasn't difficult to spot—the towering structure loomed over the port, surrounded by bustling activity. He made his way inside, navigating the stone hallways until he found the desk, where a bored-looking Marine clerk sat.
Jackson approached, keeping his tone polite but firm. "I need to hand over some pirates from the Laughing Fang Pirates. Their captain's dead, but I've got the rest of them tied up and ready for transfer."
The clerk glanced up without much interest. "Laughing Fang Pirates, huh? Got any paperwork?"
Jackson shook his head. "No paperwork. But I've got the pirates themselves on my ship. You can ask them—they'll tell you the captain's dead."
The Marine clerk sighed. "Without proper documentation, I can't just take your word for it. I'll need proof of who they are. It's protocol."
Jackson held back his frustration. "I told you. The pirates know who they are, and their captain's dead. I'm not making this up."
The clerk didn't seem to care. "Without proof, I can't take them. You'll have to go through the proper channels and get someone in charge to deal with it. No proof, no bounty."
Jackson's patience was running thin. "Look, I don't have time to jump through all these hoops. They're the Laughing Fang Pirates, and their captain's dead. Just send someone to check them out."
The clerk remained stubborn, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Go upstairs and talk to someone with higher clearance. I'm just a desk jockey."
Grumbling under his breath, Jackson made his way upstairs to the next level of the Marine base. When he arrived, he found an officer sitting behind a desk, scribbling on a logbook. He stepped forward, hoping for a better reception this time.
"I need to hand over pirates," Jackson said, more firmly this time. "The Laughing Fang Pirates. Their captain's dead, but I've got the rest of them tied up and waiting. I need to turn them in."
The officer looked up, his brow furrowing. "Laughing Fang Pirates? You're saying their captain's dead?"
Jackson nodded. "Yes, I killed him in the fight. The rest of them are on the ship, waiting for you to take them. You can ask them—they'll tell you their captain's name was Drex the Laughing Fang. I didn't make that up."
The officer paused, clearly considering the situation. "Drex the Laughing Fang, huh? Alright, I'll take your word for it. You said they're all on your ship?"
Jackson nodded again. "Yes. They're all tied up and waiting. But if you don't want them escaping, I suggest you hurry."
The officer motioned to a few of the Marines nearby. "We'll head over to your ship and verify the pirates. But we're not giving you any bounty for the captain if you can't prove it's him. You'll be lucky if you even get a reward for the rest of the pirates."
Jackson's frustration bubbled up again, but he knew arguing wouldn't help. "Fine. Just take them off the ship."
The officer turned and gestured for his Marines to follow. Jackson walked with them toward the ship, his mind still racing. He had hoped to collect the bounty on Drex's head, but without proof, it was unlikely to happen.
Once they arrived at the Bell Leah, the Marines boarded the ship and started checking the pirates, asking them questions. Jackson stood off to the side, keeping an eye on things. The pirates, defeated and grumbling, had no choice but to confirm what Jackson had said. They were the Laughing Fang Pirates, and their captain was indeed dead.
A few minutes later, the officer returned to Jackson, his face impassive. "We've confirmed who they are, but unfortunately, we can't give you the bounty for the captain. We can't prove that Drex was really the one with the 8 million bounty. There's no paperwork, no real identification. So, for now, you won't get anything for him."
Jackson's shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment, but he knew it was a long shot. "I understand. But you're still taking them, right?"
The officer nodded. "Yeah, we're taking them. You'll get the usual reward for handing over pirates, but not the full bounty on the captain. That's just how it goes."
Jackson sighed but didn't argue. At least the pirates would be off the ship, and they wouldn't be a threat anymore. That was the important part.
Meanwhile, Captain Fox had arrived on the dock, watching the exchange between Jackson and the Marines. He approached Jackson as the officer began organizing the prisoners.
"I didn't expect we'd get the full bounty on Drex," Fox said with a shrug. "No proof, no payout. But at least they're gone."
Jackson nodded. "Yeah. At least the crew can rest easy. We'll get something for the trouble, at least."
Captain Fox clapped him on the shoulder. "You did good, Jackson. You fought, you handled yourself, and you made sure these pirates didn't slip away. That's what matters."
Jackson gave a small smile. "Thanks, Captain. I still wish we could've gotten the full bounty for Drex, but you're right. The important thing is that they're off the ship."
Fox smiled back. "Exactly. And you'll get your reward. You've earned it. Let's get back to work."
As the pirates were escorted away, Jackson felt a sense of accomplishment. He hadn't gotten the full reward he had hoped for, but the Bell Leah had turned over a dangerous crew of pirates, and the city of Loguetown was just another step on his journey. What lay ahead was unknown, but Jackson knew he was ready to face whatever came next.