Two and a half years ago, Smoker entered the New World and recently passed the Vice Admiral examination, becoming the commanding officer of G-8 Branch.
The reason Smoker in the original timeline remained only a branch Colonel in his thirties was because he was too much of a troublemaker, and his superiors were unwilling to promote him, keeping him stationed at the starting point of the Grand Line.
It was only after Akainu became Fleet Admiral and had fewer capable people at his disposal that he agreed to transfer Smoker to the New World.
Smoker proved his strength to Akainu, rising to Vice Admiral rank in just two years.
But by then it was too late—he had already passed his period of rapid strength development.
...
What Smoker needed was the right position. A hunting dog restrained by chains cannot be effective.
He blew out a thick cloud of smoke, looking Griffin up and down: "You've grown taller. Seems you didn't go hungry over there."
Griffin tilted his head and noticed a girl holding a long sword behind Smoker, smiling faintly: "Where'd you pick her up?"
The girl had deep blue short hair and wore red-framed glasses, most of her body hidden behind Smoker while her peeking face showed a slight blush.
Smoker grabbed her by the collar and pulled her out, grinning: "Met her in Loguetown. She had no family or friends, insisted on following me so I brought her along."
"Tashigi. She works much harder than you... Actually, anyone would seem exceptionally diligent compared to you."
Griffin nodded to Tashigi before turning his attention back to Smoker: "Get her out of here."
Before Tashigi could react, Smoker threw her toward Doll.
"Ahhh!!!!"
The terrified Tashigi landed in a soft embrace as Doll, cigarette in mouth, remarked casually: "Hmph, men always like to do this sort of thing..."
"Um... What did you say?"
"Nothing. Just wait here for a bit."
——
——
Griffin slowly raised his hand, murmuring softly: "Left side."
Whoosh!!
Griffin shot forward like an arrow from a bow, his fist coated in Armament Haki, aiming for Smoker's right cheek!
Bam—
Smoker didn't use Elemental Transformation to dodge, instead meeting the attack with his own Armament Haki-covered arm.
"Still playing these childish games? Saying left but attacking right."
Griffin grinned: "Did I say I was attacking your left? I said my left."
Dropping his stance and retracting his fist, Griffin pivoted and twisted his waist, his punch tearing through the air straight toward Smoker's face!
Clang—!!
Smoker raised his jitte to block the punch, grunting as he was forced half a step back, nearly losing his grip on the weapon.
This kid...
Incredible strength!!
...
Their figures danced through the air, the sound of their clashing fists drawing the attention of the branch Marines.
"It's Vice Admiral Smoker!!"
"Who's he fighting? Is it a pirate?! Let's go support him!!"
"Wait, that looks like... Rear Admiral Griffin!!"
"What's he doing here?!"
"Quick, get the camera Den Den Mushi! And the latest headquarters newspaper! Don't forget the autograph pen!"
...
"What?! Vice Admiral Smoker and Rear Admiral Griffin are fighting?!!"
"What?! Smoker is attacking Rear Admiral Griffin?!"
"Hurry and call for help! Smoker's gone crazy, we need to stop him!!"
——
In just over ten seconds, Smoker's movements began to lag, and he was forced back by a punch.
Before he could steady himself, Griffin had already closed the distance, slapping aside the jitte with his wrist before locking onto Smoker's arm.
As if grabbing a whip, Griffin swung Smoker and smashed him toward the ground!
Thud—
Just before making intimate contact with the ground, Smoker's body burst into a cloud of smoke, neutralizing the attack.
As he reformed and prepared to rally for another strike…
A pitch-black finger tapped against his forehead.
...
Griffin slowly lowered his finger and sighed, "Three years apart, and you still haven't made much progress."
"You're too weak, Smoker."
...
Smoker laughed in exasperation, "Bastard! Is that any way to speak to a senior?"
"The stronger one is the senior—don't you understand such a simple principle?"
Smoker relit the cigar that had gone out during the fight, took a deep drag, and snorted without another word.
Fortunately, he was a Smoke Fruit user; otherwise, with his smoking habits, he'd have lung cancer by now.
...
...
"Ah, so it was a spar… Hey, you there, put down the sniper rifle! Don't do anything so dangerous to Vice Admiral Smoker!"
"So strong! To defeat Vice Admiral Smoker so quickly—is this the power of the strongest Rear Admiral in Marine history?"
"Headquarters must be out of their minds. In my opinion, Rear Admiral Griffin is fully qualified to be an Admiral!"
"I think so too, but unfortunately, all the Admiral positions are filled…"
"Just have Admiral Kizaru step down—he looks so—"
Marines from G-8 Branch crowded around, pushing Smoker aside.
"Rear Admiral Griffin! I'm your loyal fan! I served as the seventh vice president of the Headquarters' New King Faction Support Club! Please give me your autograph!!"
"Sign here! Ah!! Thank you so much!! I'm going to get it tattooed right away!"
...
...
Watching Griffin surrounded by soldiers, Smoker stood alone, wearing a bitter smile.
Usually, you all respect me so much, so why…
A female Marine approached, "Vice Admiral Smoker…"
Smoker finally felt a bit comforted and turned with a forced smile, "Saki, what is it?"
She held out an autograph board, "I can't get through the crowd. Could you please get his autograph for me?"
A few more people gathered around.
"Me too! You know Rear Admiral Griffin, right? Why didn't you say so earlier? If I'd known…"
——
——
Smoker, disheveled, drove them all back to training, feeling more exhausted than after a major battle.
Huff—
Catching his breath, Smoker looked at Griffin with a complicated expression, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered with you back then. Because of you, the Marines' discipline has been ruined!"
"I can't very well stop them from chasing after someone better, can I~"
Griffin spread his hands, his expression annoyingly smug.
Seeing Smoker had lifted his spirits, dispelling the gloom of the past few days.
Honestly…
If Smoker and the others weren't in the Marines, Griffin wasn't sure if he would have chosen to stay with the Whitebeard Pirates.
It was just too warm there.
And precisely because of that, he had to pull away in time.
...
Whitebeard was too powerful, allowing the crew members to comfortably play the role of 'sons,' sheltered and protected.
If Vista weren't with the Whitebeard Pirates, with his talent, he might well have contended for the title of World's Greatest Swordsman.
Similarly, if Marco's Devil Fruit ability were fully developed, he would be even stronger than he is now.
There were many such examples within the Whitebeard Pirates.
Of course…
Without Whitebeard's protection, they were more likely to have died during their growth.
Everything has two sides, but for an ambitious guy like Griffin, the Whitebeard Pirates could only be a passing phase.
Perhaps...
Many years later, Whitebeard also realized this, which is why he said those words...
Your existence has already hindered the growth of the new era.
——
——
His thoughts returning to the present, Griffin put away his smile and said seriously:
"I'm not just here to catch up with you two. Smoker, Doll, I need your help with something."
...
"Let's hear it."
Griffin looked up at the sky, his gaze sharpening: "Help me hunt down Shiki!"