8 Chapter 7: Trouble in Loguetown

The first rays of sunlight pierced through the grimy windows of the "Gold Roger" bar, rousing Noct from his rum-induced slumber. He groaned, his head pounding in protest as he sat up, the rickety chair beneath him creaking under his weight. The remnants of the previous night's revelry lay scattered around him, empty bottles and overturned glasses a testament to his overindulgence.

"Rough night, eh, Noct?" a gruff voice called out from behind the bar. Noct looked up, his bleary eyes focusing on the weathered face of Raoul, the bar's owner. The old man was wiping down glasses, his expression a mix of amusement and concern.

Noct grunted in response, rubbing his temples in a futile attempt to ease the throbbing in his skull. "You could say that," he muttered, his voice rough from sleep and too much rum.

The previous night had been a blur of laughter and camaraderie, as Noct and Raoul bonded over drinks and shared stories. Raoul had regaled Noct with tales of his own adventures on the high seas, while Noct had spun wild yarns about his dreams of becoming the Pirate King. The two had formed a fast friendship, united by their love of the open ocean and the thrill of the unknown.

But now, as the harsh light of day filtered into the bar, Raoul's expression turned grim. He set down the glass he was cleaning, leaning forward on the bar. "Well, you might want to pull yourself together quick, boy. Word on the street is that Smoker's on the warpath. He's got his Marines out in force, rounding up every pirate they can find."

Noct's eyes snapped open, the fog of his hangover dissipating in an instant. "Smoker? The White Hunter?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Memories of Smoker from the manga flooded Noct's mind - the relentless Marine captain with the power of smoke, a formidable foe who had pursued Luffy and his crew with unwavering determination. Noct realized with a sinking feeling that in his current state, he was no match for the White Hunter. He was still too weak, his powers too untrained, to face a man of Smoker's caliber.

Raoul nodded, his expression grim. "The very same. They say he's planning to shut down the harbor, cut off any escape routes for you pirate types. If I were you, I'd be looking to make myself scarce, and fast."

Noct pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the way the room spun around him. He had to get to the harbor before the Marines closed in. With a nod of thanks to Raoul, he gathered his belongings and stepped out into the bustling streets of Loguetown.

The town was alive with activity, but there was a palpable tension in the air. Marines patrolled the streets in greater numbers than usual, their eyes sharp and their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Noct kept his head down, weaving through the crowds with a sense of urgency, his destination clear in his mind.

As he walked down the main street, a shout rang out behind him. "You there! Halt!"

Noct spun around, his hand instinctively reaching for the katana at his hip. Two squads of Marines stood before him, their weapons drawn and their faces set in grim determination.

"You are under arrest for suspicious behavior and potential piracy," the leader of the squad declared, his voice ringing with authority. "Come quietly, or we will use force."

Noct's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "I'm afraid I have a prior engagement, gentlemen. I don't have time to play with you today."

The Marines charged forward, their swords flashing in the sunlight. But as they struck at Noct, their blades passed harmlessly through his body, as if he were made of nothing more than fire. 

Noct grinned, his form flickering and dancing like a living flame. Tendrils of fire licked at his skin, wreathing him in a shimmering aura of heat and light. The Marines stumbled back, their eyes wide with shock and fear as they realized the true nature of the pirate they faced.

"Devil Fruit user!" one of the Marines cried out, his voice trembling with terror. "He's a logia type!"

Noct's grin only widened at the revelation. He had eaten the Mera Mera no Mi, granting him the power to become and control fire itself. Bullets and blades were useless against him, passing through his body like a hot knife through butter.

With a wild cry, Noct drew his katana, the blade flashing in the sunlight. He moved with a savage grace, his swordsmanship untrained but fueled by pure survival instinct. The Marines fell back before his onslaught, their ranks breaking as they tried to put distance between themselves and the fiery pirate.

Noct pressed his advantage, his blade slicing through the air in a blur of steel. Pillars of fire erupted from the ground at his command, engulfing the Marines in a searing inferno. He relied on his logia powers to protect him, his body shifting and flowing like molten lava as he dodged and weaved around the Marines' attacks.

But even with his devil fruit abilities, Noct found himself being pushed to his limits. The Marines were relentless, their numbers and determination wearing him down bit by bit. He could feel his stamina draining, his body beginning to tire under the constant onslaught.

With a final, desperate surge of energy, Noct focused his power into his fist, his hand beginning to glow with an intense, fiery light. Flames danced across his knuckles, coalescing into a roaring inferno. He launched himself at the Marines, his fist connecting with the chest of the squad leader in a massive, explosive blast of flames.

"Hiken!" Noct roared, his voice echoing through the streets as the Marine was sent flying backwards, his body crashing through a nearby wall in a shower of rubble and dust.

[System Prompt]

Noctis D. Stryfe has unlocked a new ability: Hiken!

Hiken (Fire Fist): A powerful close-range attack that concentrates the user's devil fruit powers into a single, devastating punch. Consumes 50 stamina per use.

Noct stood amidst the chaos, his chest heaving with exertion, a sense of triumph washing over him. He had unlocked a new ability, the 'Hiken' technique, and he could feel its power thrumming through his body.

[System Prompt]

Noctis D. Stryfe has defeated Marine Squad 1!

Experience Gained: 100 XP

[System Prompt]

Noctis D. Stryfe has defeated Marine Squad 2!

Experience Gained: 200 XP

But his victory was short-lived. In the distance, he could hear the sounds of reinforcements approaching, the heavy tread of Marine boots against the cobblestone streets. He had to move, to make his way to the harbor before it was too late.

As he turned to run, a figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking his path. It was Tashigi, the Marine officer, her face set in a determined scowl.

"Going somewhere, pirate?" she asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

Noct grinned, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. "Tashigi, fancy meeting you here. I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm afraid I have a ship to catch."

Tashigi's eyes narrowed, her stance shifting into a ready position. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that. You're coming with me, one way or another."

With a burst of speed, Tashigi launched herself at Noct, her sword flashing in a blur of steel. Noct met her attack head-on, his own blade clashing against hers in a shower of sparks.

The two fighters danced around each other, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Tashigi was a skilled swordswoman, her technique flawless and her determination unshakable. Noct found himself being pushed back, his sword skills no match for Tashigi's mastery.

He tried to tap into his devil fruit powers, to summon the flames that had served him so well against the Marine squads. But Tashigi was too fast, her blade darting in and out, keeping him off balance and unable to focus his energy.

[System Warning]

User Stamina Depleting Rapidly!

Current Stamina: 30%

Noct gritted his teeth as the system warning flashed before his eyes. He knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer, not without finding a way to turn the tide of the battle.

With a final, desperate surge of energy, Noct leaped backwards, putting some distance between himself and Tashigi. He focused his power, his body beginning to glow with an intense, fiery light.

Flames erupted from Noct's body, swirling around him in a raging inferno. The heat was intense, scorching the ground beneath his feet and forcing Tashigi to shield her face from the blistering waves of fire.

Tashigi charged forward, her sword raised high, ready to deliver the finishing blow. But Noct was ready for her. As she closed in, he unleashed the full might of his newly acquired technique.

"Hiken!" Noct roared, his fist engulfed in a massive blast of flames. The fiery projectile streaked towards Tashigi, its heat so intense that the air shimmered and warped in its wake.

Tashigi's eyes widened in shock as the flaming fist engulfed her, the force of the impact sending her flying backwards. She crashed to the ground, her body smoking and her sword clattering to the cobblestones beside her.

[System Prompt]

Noctis D. Stryfe has defeated Marine Lieutenant Tashigi!

Experience Gained: 500 XP

[Level Up]

Noctis D. Stryfe has reached Level 13!

Health: 300/300

Stamina: 300/300

Tashigi lay on the ground, her body battered and bruised, her sword lying just out of reach. With a groan of pain, she pushed herself up to her knees, her hand fumbling for the den den mushi at her belt.

"Captain Smoker," she gasped, her voice strained with pain and exhaustion. "The pirate... the one matching Noctis D. Stryfe's description... he's defeated multiple Marine squads and is heading towards the harbor. You have to stop him..."

Noct didn't wait to hear Smoker's response. With a final, mocking salute to Tashigi, he turned and ran, his feet pounding against the ground as he raced towards the harbor.

As he ran, Noct's mind raced with the implications of his latest victory. "Status," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart.

The system prompt appeared before his eyes, displaying his updated stats and abilities. Noct's eyes widened as he saw his health and stamina restored to their maximum values.

A grin spread across his face as he realized what this meant. With his stamina fully replenished, he had a real chance of escaping Loguetown and the pursuing Marines. He could make it to the harbor, find a ship, and set sail for Shimotsuki Village before Smoker and his men caught up to him.

Behind him, he could hear the sounds of pursuit, the shouts of Marines and the clanging of weapons. But Noct didn't look back. He couldn't afford to, not with so much at stake. He had to keep moving, to stay one step ahead of the Marines and their relentless pursuit.

As he neared the harbor, the sounds of the pursuing Marines grew louder, their shouts and footsteps drawing ever closer. Noct's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to his limits.

As he burst onto the docks, a figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing, a plume of smoke trailing from the cigars clenched between his teeth. It was Smoker, the White Hunter, his eyes hard and his expression grim.

"End of the line, Pirate," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You've got nowhere to run."