"How did you end up with Smoker?" Diarmuid asked, somewhat surprised.
Had Hancock finally had a change of heart? But she wasn't close with Smoker. Didn't Hina tell me once that she had a secret crush on me? Did she move on that quickly? That doesn't fit Hancock's character.
Although Diarmuid had no intention of starting a romance with Hancock, hearing Hina mention it back in Alabasta had given him a quiet sense of satisfaction. He had never been through any dramatic incidents or convenient misunderstandings with her; their contact was professional and infrequent. In such a case, if Hancock truly had a crush on him, what did that prove? It proved he was genuinely irresistible.
So, even though he wasn't planning any "extracurricular" activities, Diarmuid still felt pretty good, after all, the world's most beautiful woman was pining for him. Of course, as a man of character, if she had truly moved on to someone else, he wouldn't be bitter. That would be classless. On the contrary, he'd want to offer his blessings.
Thus, hearing she was at Smoker's base only caused surprise and a momentary, slightly odd feeling in his gut, but nothing more.
While Diarmuid was lost in his inner monologue, Hancock quickly responded, "Mm, I arrived just a couple of days ago. It's not just me here; Boss Jinbe is here as well..."
Diarmuid: "???" What... some kind of group... activity?
Surely it wasn't that scandalous!
Just as Diarmuid's imagination began to run wild, Jinbe took over the Den Den Mushi with a booming laugh. "Admiral? Is it time to use us? Ahahaha, Smoker really didn't guess wrong!"
Hearing this, Diarmuid cleared the sordid thoughts from his head and asked with a chuckle, "What's the story?"
"It's like this," Jinbe explained cheerfully. "Hancock and I were both on standby in our respective territories. Not long ago, Smoker suddenly contacted us, suggesting we gather in the New World. I had things to do and wasn't planning on coming, but Smoker said this might be our last gathering as the Seven Warlords. He said that looking at the current situation, it was inevitable that the Navy would move against the pirates of the New World soon. He suggested that since we might be called upon, it would be better to be on standby here in advance..."
Then, Hancock's voice came through the line.
"Yes, Smoker told me the same thing. Boss Jinbe and I talked it over and agreed it was likely. Besides, we've never actually gathered like this before. Since we are all colleagues who might end up serving at Marineford once the Seven Warlords are disbanded, I decided to come along."
Diarmuid finally understood. He smiled to himself; Smoker really hadn't wasted those years in the New World. Not only had his strength grown, but his strategic thinking was also top-notch.
It made sense. Although Smoker had become a Yonko by leaning on the Navy's support, neither Diarmuid nor the high-ranking Marines had micro-managed how he actually ran his pirate crew. His development was entirely his own doing. Governing such a massive power for years was bound to sharpen his leadership skills.
"That Smoker... he's really impressed me. Not bad," Diarmuid praised.
Over the phone, Smoker laughed. "Actually, my subordinates are the smart ones. I didn't think that far ahead myself."
"The ability to lead such subordinates is a testament to your own capability," Diarmuid said.
It was true, having smart subordinates is a manifestation of a leader's ability. It shows you discovered them, put them to good use, and can control them.
Speaking of which, Diarmuid had a faint memory of Smoker mentioning a clever recruit he'd picked up in the East Blue. It was likely "Kuro of a Hundred Plans," the man who had given the God Usopp such a hard time.
Thinking about it, Usopp probably wasn't in any danger now. He was likely back in his hometown, living a happy life with his wealthy girlfriend. Diarmuid felt a twinge of envy.
Diarmuid had once worried that by poaching Luffy and Nami into the Navy, he might have left Usopp to face a "certain death" scenario against Kuro. But considering Usopp was an "ascended" level character who always found a way to flip the script, he hadn't overthought it.
Now it seemed God Usopp's luck was as explosive as ever. Diarmuid had whisked away Luffy, and the universe had immediately sent Kuro onto Smoker's ship. The crisis was solved at the root... that luck was undeniable.
Kuro was a cunning man with a high IQ. He was definitely a "bad guy," but he was a bad guy with a goal. He had hated being a pirate from the start; his original plan involved stealing a fortune just so he could retire and "go legit." He saw piracy as an industry with no future.
Now that he was following Smoker and offering these suggestions, it meant he had gained enough trust to be privy to core secrets. This was natural; if Smoker wanted to use the man's brain, he had to share some intel.
One could infer that Kuro was clinging to Smoker's coattails to wash his hands of his past. If he could become a Marine, even better. After all, following Smoker meant indirectly joining Admiral Diarmuid's faction. That future was far more lucrative than being a local landlord in the countryside.
Consequently, Kuro was now fiercely loyal to the Navy. Others might be blind to the future, but standing next to Smoker, Kuro saw the situation clearly: the Navy was the absolute winner.
Diarmuid could guess most of this and had no objection to it. Kuro had been a pirate, yes, but the Navy had a tradition of granting amnesty to pirates, usually small-timers, but still.
In the original story, the hypnotist from Kuro's crew ended up following Hina. He did quite well, too, when heavyweights like Garp and Gion were meeting at Marineford to discuss the Rocks Pirates, that guy was right there by Hina's side with a seat at the table.
Kuro was a talent, and he was young, only around 27 or 28. He was worth cultivating.
After chatting with Smoker, Hancock, and Jinbe for a while to show his concern, Diarmuid got to the point. "Since you're all in the New World at Smoor Tobacco City, that makes things easy. Pack your things and report to G-1."
Smoker's heart jolted. He asked excitedly, "Admiral, are we finally going to appear as Marines?"
Diarmuid hadn't initially thought that far ahead, but Smoker's question made him realize that the people at Mariejois would indeed be discussing the dissolution of the Seven Warlords soon. That law was a toxic legacy of the "Former World Government."
The Navy had always been deeply resistant to the Warlord system. Now that the Navy was in charge and the Pan-Global Covenant United Organization was on track, any royal family with a brain would look for a way to suck up to the Navy. How could they do it in a way that seemed sophisticated and not "cheap"?
One excellent way was to propose the abolition of the Seven Warlords. It would align with the desires of the Marine top brass while polishing their own "righteous" image. It was a win-win.
So, while Diarmuid had said the Warlords would be disbanded within two years, it might actually happen in six months, or even sooner.
Thinking of this, Diarmuid decided the "identity" didn't matter anymore. Smoker had suffered for years, and Hancock and Jinbe were no different. This was a small request to grant.
"Mm, come as Marines," Diarmuid said with a smile. "All three of you. I have a mission for you."
In the past, Diarmuid's answers to such questions were always vague, he'd stall and move the goalposts. Smoker had been undercover for "three years and then another three years," eventually becoming a Yonko. He had begun to fear that if this trip didn't let him return to the Navy, Diarmuid might actually be grooming him to be the Pirate King.
After all, Whitebeard and the others were already "bones in a tomb." Once they were gone, Smoker would be the biggest pirate in the New World.
If I don't become the Pirate King, who will?
Fortunately, Admiral Diarmuid still had a shred of humanity. This clear confirmation filled Smoker's heart with joy!
Since roughly 1503 of the Sea Calendar, he had been a pirate on the high seas. It had been nearly fifteen years of ups and downs.
Finally... I can finally be a Marine again!
He wondered if the promise of becoming an Admiral Candidate was still on the table. But Smoker didn't care about that right now. As long as he could go back, he wouldn't even mind if his Vice Admiral rank was stripped down to Rear Admiral.
"Yes, Admiral! Mission will be completed! Everything for Justice!!! We will head to G-1 Marine Base as fast as possible!" Smoker shouted, his voice filled with passion.
After a few more words of encouragement, Diarmuid hung up.
On the other end, the three of them were ecstatic. Jinbe looked at the hotpot nearby and asked hesitantly, "Are we going to finish eating?"
Indeed, the three had been huddled around a hotpot, singing and eating, when the Admiral's call came through.
Smoker didn't hesitate for a second. "Eat? Forget eating! Pack your things! we're leaving tonight for G-1!!!"
Back at the base, Diarmuid put away his Den Den Mushi. Sakazuki chuckled and said, "Smoker and the others really are our people. Now the situation is settled!"