East Blue, one of the Four Blues.
Loguetown, the Town of the Beginning and the End.
Smoker stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall as usual, a practically lethal number of cigars hanging from his mouth.
Across from him, a certain man had shamelessly taken Smoker's chair and was calmly summarizing the situation.
"So... that's basically it."
"'Cough, cough.' Hey, you over there, put those cigars out. Are you trying to assassinate a superior officer? And what's with this office? Where's the cola? Can you even call yourself a Marine if you don't drink cola?"
Smoker: "..."
His fists clenched so tightly he nearly bit one of his cigars in half. After taking an epic drag filled with murderous intent, he barely managed to suppress the urge to punch the man in front of him.
Then he asked again, "I'll ask you one more time... Why are you in Loguetown?"
"Didn't I already explain? That's basically it."
"You've repeated that exact sentence from the beginning! 'That's basically it' doesn't explain 'anything', you asshole!"
"C-Colonel Smoker!" the blue-haired female Marine hurriedly interrupted. "Vice Admiral Black Kirin is a superior officer. You can't, "
"Tashigi, you idiot!" Smoker ground his teeth. "He's not here as some superior officer! He's here just to screw with me!"
"Oh?" Roy clapped his hands. "That's actually true. I 'did' come here to screw with you."
The moment those words left his mouth, veins bulged across Smoker's forehead as he reached for the jitte on his back.
"White Fist, Sharp Jitte!"
"T-They're fighting again!" Tashigi cried out in panic as smoke filled the office.
A moment of complete chaos later...
"You really get worked up too easily." Roy withdrew his fist and casually blew a bit of cigar ash off Black Mane. "Didn't Fleet Admiral Sengoku already notify you?"
A bruised and swollen Smoker had finally calmed down. "...He did. He said you're temporarily serving as a special Marine Vice Admiral, inspecting the Four Blues' branches. And for some reason... you picked my base first."
His expression darkened. "But that's not what I'm asking. What I want to know is... what really happened between you, Instructor Zephyr, and that Warlord?"
As he spoke, Smoker looked at Roy, who hadn't even bothered to move from his chair throughout the entire fight.
Three days had passed since the battle on Mont Blanc Island. As always, the 'World Economy Newspaper' had worked at astonishing speed, delivering a special edition across the world via News Coo.
The headline was simple: the newly appointed Warlords Edward Weevil and Bartholomew Kuma had both lost their titles.
Naturally, the sudden reversal caused another worldwide uproar. Once details of the incident began leaking out, the discussions only grew louder. According to the newspaper, Edward Weevil had been killed on Mont Blanc Island in North Blue by former Marine Admiral Black Arm Zephyr. Witnesses had even photographed Roy's battleship, 'Black Loyalty', near the scene.
The World Government had neither confirmed nor denied the reports. Their official statement merely read: '"Following further review, both individuals have been deemed unqualified to serve as Warlords."'
That vague response only fueled even more speculation.
Shortly afterward, Smoker received notice that Roy would temporarily oversee inspections of the Four Blues' Marine branches. Smoker wasn't stupid, the real meaning behind Sengoku's order was obvious. Roy was being transferred away from Marine Headquarters, kept out of the public eye for a while. That alone suggested the newspaper's report was probably true.
"It means exactly what it sounds like," Roy admitted without hesitation. "Edward Weevil was the pirate who attacked Zephyr-sensei four years ago."
Smoker's face changed instantly. As one of Zephyr's former students, he naturally knew about the tragedy that had happened four years earlier.
"So... the Government actually made 'that' bastard a Warlord?" His teeth clenched. In an instant, he pieced everything together. Already disgusted by the Warlord system, he now hated it even more.
A moment later, another thought struck him. "You've been sent to the Four Blues... What about Instructor Zephyr?"
"Who said I got sent away?" Roy rolled his eyes. "I'm here on vacation."
But seeing the genuine concern on Smoker's face, he decided not to tease him any longer.
"Relax. Things turned out better than I expected. Zephyr-sensei was injured, so he's recovering at Headquarters. When Fleet Admiral Sengoku came to hand me my transfer orders... Zephyr-sensei punched him in the face."
Thinking back on it, even Roy still found the whole thing rather amusing.
To be honest, when Roy decided to stand up for Zephyr, and especially when he attacked Saint Pierre, he had already prepared for the worst. If things truly went south, he'd been ready to leave the Marines with Zephyr and start a new Marine organization from scratch. After all, with his current strength, Roy didn't feel that Marine resources were all that essential anymore.
But just as he'd said, things had turned out even better than his best-case scenario. The World Government had acted as though they had no idea he'd attacked one of the God's Knights. The entire incident had simply been ignored. Even the newspapers barely mentioned Zephyr attacking a Warlord.
In the end, neither he nor Zephyr received any real punishment. Sengoku's decision to send Roy to the Four Blues felt less like a disciplinary transfer and more like protection.
Naturally, Roy had no intention of telling Smoker about the God's Knights. Knowing they existed wouldn't do him any favors.
"At the end of the day... it was only a Warlord," was all Roy said.
Smoker was speechless. 'Only' a Warlord? That was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a pirate famous throughout the entire world.
Smoker had confidence in his own strength, but he also knew his limits. As things stood, he didn't believe he could defeat a single Warlord. Still, looking at Roy, he said nothing, because he suddenly realized that the friend who had graduated alongside him truly had the right to say those words now.
"...The gap just keeps getting wider," Smoker sighed inwardly.
Ever since their brief spar earlier, he had realized something: Roy had become stronger again. No... "stronger" didn't even begin to describe it.
Back during the Three Forces Military Exercise, Smoker could at least understand 'why' Roy was stronger. Now, he couldn't even comprehend Roy's level anymore.
Roy had remained seated the entire time, yet Smoker had felt as though he were standing before an endless ocean. His attacks barely even qualified as attacks in Roy's eyes.
The distance between them had grown so vast that Smoker couldn't even see Roy's back anymore.
That thought reminded him of something else, something that had happened in Loguetown not long ago, and someone he had met there.
"Hey, Roy."
"Hm?" Roy looked over curiously.
"I want a transfer. Either back to Headquarters... or to a Marine base on the Grand Line," Smoker spoke without hesitation. "I've already mentioned it to Hina, but I figured asking you might be faster."
"Huh?" Roy raised an eyebrow. "You're asking the guy who just got shipped off to the Four Blues to pull strings and transfer you back to Headquarters? I keep telling you, smoking too many cigars is bad for your brain."
Smoker was speechless. 'Wasn't this guy the one who claimed he was here on vacation?'
Before Smoker could explode again, Roy continued. "Besides... you're actually trying to use connections to get transferred? What happened?"
Although he asked casually, Roy already had a pretty good idea.
"A month ago... I ran into a pirate here in Loguetown," Smoker didn't bother hiding it. "You've probably never heard of him. He's a rookie called Straw Hat."
As he spoke, he walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a bounty poster.
Roy glanced at it. Sure enough, a grinning young man wearing a straw hat smiled back from the poster.
Roy had to admit it: although the face was different, the aura was astonishingly similar to Joy Boy's.
'Seriously... a reincarnated prodigy,' Roy muttered inwardly.
Smoker continued, "He's... different. And he seems to have some connection with Revolutionary Dragon."
His fists slowly tightened as his thoughts drifted back to that day: the bolt of lightning striking the execution platform, the torrential rain, the violent winds, and Dragon appearing amidst the storm.
Just as before, Smoker had chosen Loguetown because he didn't want to stay at Headquarters and be bound by all its restrictions. He wanted to pursue his own justice.
His original plan had been simple: as long as he was strong enough to stop every pirate from leaving Loguetown for the Grand Line, Headquarters would have no choice but to recognize his achievements and promote him, no matter how much they disliked him.
But meeting Dragon, and seeing Roy as he was now, made Smoker realize something. If he truly wanted to uphold his justice, then the first thing he needed was to become stronger.
"My instincts tell me... that kid will shake the entire world one day. So... I have to be the one who catches him." Smoker's voice was firm.
Just then,
"Hey! Smoker! Don't get so full of yourself! There's no way you'll ever catch Luffy-senpai!" a loud voice suddenly rang out, immediately followed by a commotion outside.
"Hey! Settle down!"
"Don't be rude to Colonel Smoker!"
Roy and Smoker both turned toward the door as two Marines arrived, escorting a strangely dressed man into the office.
"Sorry, Colonel Smoker," one of the Marines said. "We were bringing him over for your signature before locking him up. We didn't know you had a guest."
"...Bartolomeo," Smoker frowned the moment he saw him. "What did he do this time?"
"Nothing too serious," the Marine replied awkwardly. "He was handing out flyers around town and throughout the territory controlled by his gang, promoting that Straw Hat kid. Then he got into a huge fight with another criminal organization because of it..."
While Smoker was speaking with the Marine, Roy heard a familiar voice in his mind:
> 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia'
> 'Devil Fruit User Detected: Bartolomeo'
> 'Confirmed Devil Fruit:' Paramecia – Barrier-Barrier Fruit
> 'Ability:' Creates indestructible barriers.
> 'Fruit Ability Levels'
> 'LV3:' Unlocks the complete base ability. By crossing the fingers, the user can create solid barriers that are completely indestructible and can block almost any attack, including shockwaves and energy attacks. Unlock Cost: '1.8 billion Beli'.
> 'LV4:' Advanced Fruit Development. The barriers can be reshaped into weapons. Once formed, they remain as long as the user concentrates on them, disappearing only if the user's focus is broken. Permanent Unlock Cost: '3.7 billion Beli'.
> 'LV5:' Devil Fruit Awakening – 'Infinite Barrier.' The size limit on barriers is removed, and they can remain active indefinitely as long as the user stays conscious. Permanent Unlock Cost: '10.1 billion Beli'.
"That's Bartolomeo," Smoker explained casually. "He runs one of Loguetown's criminal organizations."
He rubbed his forehead. Just like Smoker, Bartolomeo had witnessed the Straw Hat pirate at Loguetown not long ago. He had seen the lightning strike at the execution platform, and ever since that day, he'd become completely obsessed with Straw Hat Luffy.
Roy wasn't surprised in the slightest. 'So... Luffy's already entered the Grand Line.' That much was obvious from what Smoker had just said.
With that confirmed, Roy shifted his gaze toward the green-haired delinquent with the nose ring and rebellious expression.
Of course he knew who Bartolomeo was. In fact, besides visiting Smoker, one of the main reasons he'd come to Loguetown was to find him, more specifically, to obtain the Barrier-Barrier Fruit.
In Roy's eyes, it was one of the strongest Devil Fruits in existence. Its nearly absolute defense was an essential piece of one of the clone abilities he intended to create. What he hadn't expected was to run into Bartolomeo almost immediately after arriving.
'The gears of fate really never stop turning...' Roy mused to himself.
Just then, Bartolomeo shouted toward Smoker. "Hey, Smoker! Tell my little bros not to bring me Germa 66 comics this time while I'm in prison! I've got a new hobby now! Have them bring me posters and newspapers about Luffy-senpai instead!"
"Those are bounty posters, not regular posters," Smoker glared at him. "And why would I pass along your message? You'd better shut your mouth, otherwise you'll be staying in prison for at least a year this time, Bartolomeo."
If killing Bartolomeo wouldn't immediately plunge Loguetown and more than a hundred and fifty nearby towns controlled by his gang into chaos, Smoker would have dealt with him long ago.
After Bartolomeo was escorted away, Smoker let out a long stream of cigar smoke. "Now then... where were we? ...Hm? What's with that look?"
He turned toward Roy, who seemed to be deep in thought.
"It's nothing," Roy shook his head.
But one word Bartolomeo had mentioned continued to echo in his mind: 'Germa 66'.
A faint chill flashed across his eyes. Yes, he cared a great deal about Luffy, and from here on, he would definitely be keeping a close eye on Luffy's movements in the Grand Line.
But right now, there was something even more important: Germa.
That was where his attention needed to be.
'(End of Chapter)'
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