Smoker remained silent for a long time.
He recalled that morning many years ago.
He remembered the young man sailing a dilapidated small boat, flying a shoddy pirate flag.
Even from a distance, Smoker could see the unparalleled fervor in the young man's eyes—a burning ambition to set the world ablaze!!
...
So you never changed after all.
...
Finally, Smoker extinguished his cigar on the ground with a soft sound.
"Madman!"
He cursed under his breath, but the impatience and irritability in his eyes faded, replaced by a desperate resolve.
Truth be told, Smoker had made his choice many years ago, from the moment he brought this young man into the Marines.
If I can't change you, then...
I will definitely support you, and I will always watch over you!
...
Smoker turned his gaze to Doll and took a deep breath. "Doll... what do you say?"
Peeking at the Empty Throne...
For the World Government, this crime was even more unforgivable than Kari hunting Celestial Dragons everywhere.
After years apart, Smoker couldn't be sure if Doll's perspective had changed.
Doll curled her lips into a smile. "What can I say? If I don't join, I'll be killed."
"Life is precious, after all."
...
Turning back to Griffin, Smoker said gravely, "No matter what, you're still better than those guys, but..."
"The World Government has existed for eight hundred years. It's not that no one has wanted to cleanse the accumulated filth of centuries. Not to mention Vice Admiral Garp—the pressure you give me isn't even as strong as Kuzan's."
"Aspiring for that position now is too early, isn't it?"
...
Griffin smiled faintly. "Goals should always be ambitious. We'll take it step by step in practice."
"Didn't I say from the start that we should first form a faction to fight for a voice? I never said we're rebelling against the World Government right now."
"You're the one who had to drag beliefs into this, making it seem like I'm going to storm Mary Geoise and kill the Five Elders today."
...
...
So it's my fault now?
Hearing Griffin's words, Smoker breathed a sigh of relief.
For a moment, he'd truly had the illusion that Griffin was about to attack Mary Geoise.
Thank goodness... this kid still has some rationality left, not completely insane.
Griffin pulled out a stack of documents from his coat and said quietly, "According to my investigations over the past few years, Colonel Dakfi of G-9 Branch is extremely dissatisfied with the current state of the Marines. His usual remarks are similar to yours. We can approach him."
"And then Commodore Filia from Headquarters Communications—she has ideals, and her position is crucial..."
"I've had contact with Rear Admiral Mora stationed at Sabaody. He's helped me pass messages these past two years."
...
Griffin listed many names in succession, some of whom even Smoker hadn't heard of.
"Of course, our approach can only be under the pretext of 'establishing a Marine faction centered around me.' If we start by saying we might oppose the World Government, I'm afraid their weak hearts couldn't take it."
Griffin smiled with a hint of mischief. "Once they're on my ship and things progress to a certain point, they won't have a choice anymore."
Smoker took the document and flipped directly to the end. The name he saw made his pupils contract sharply.
...
"You've got to be kidding me..."
At the end of the document was clearly written the name of a current Marine Admiral!
Sakazuki!!
...
Even if it had been Kuzan, Smoker wouldn't have been this shocked, but Sakazuki...
This man who had served under Fleet Admiral Sengoku had always strictly followed the World Government's orders!
"I've had contact with Borsalino and Kuzan," Griffin said calmly. "Borsalino claims to follow ambiguous justice and acts tactfully, but he's the Marine who carries out the most World Government missions with the highest completion rate."
The fact that he's in charge of important departments like the Science Unit shows the Five Elders trust Kizaru deeply.
And Kizaru is the same - unless the World Government repeatedly crosses his bottom line, he's unlikely to take drastic action.
...
"As for Kuzan..." Griffin pondered before speaking slowly. "He's your old friend, you should know him."
"Rather than us giving him answers, he prefers to find them himself."
"Let me be blunt..."
"Someone who's lost and wandering is of no use to us."
...
...
Smoker remained silent for a long time before sighing. "Even so... if Admiral Akainu learns of your intentions, he'll definitely be the first to eliminate you!"
"He represents... 'Absolute Justice'!"
"Even if it means sacrificing innocent people, he'll maintain order on the seas. There's no way you can recruit someone so extreme!"
...
Griffin smiled faintly. "The more extreme the 'love,' the more complete its transformation into 'hate' becomes."
"When such a person's beliefs collapse..."
Griffin retrieved the last document and continued, "You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it myself."
"Go say goodbye to Sengoku later before you head out on your mission. Tell him to send someone else to take over G-8 Branch."
This completely dismissive attitude toward headquarters regulations made Smoker feel like he was talking to an Admiral rather than a mere Rear Admiral.
Smoker reluctantly stored the documents, tacitly accepting Griffin's arrangements. "Since you have such ambitions, we should have a proper base, right?"
"G-8 is relatively close to headquarters. Even if you don't want it, you could give it to Doll."
"Hey!!" Doll put her hands on her hips indignantly. "Don't talk like I need you to give me a Base Commander position!"
"It won't be long before I become a branch commander on my own!"
...
"That's wonderful."
Griffin offered perfunctory encouragement before standing up.
As the two looked up, Griffin quickly tapped their foreheads with his fingertips, channeling Eye Power into them.
His technique had become much more refined than before, with the strange sensation passing in an instant.
"What was that?!"
Smoker rubbed his forehead, feeling as if something had entered his mind.
...
After a brief explanation, Griffin retrieved his Vivre Card from Smoker, tore off a corner, and handed it to him.
"Hurry and find Shiki. I don't want that old bastard dying by accident."
...
"Let's go, Doll."
"Huh?" Doll pointed at herself in confusion. "Didn't you say I should go find Shiki with Commander Smoker?"
"That was the original plan, but I've been thinking..."
Griffin pointed at the massive White Wolf docked in the harbor: "I seem to be missing someone to pilot the ship. You should still come with me."
...
"Are you kidding me! I'm a top candidate for promotion to commander of G-14 Branch! And you still want me to be your vice officer?!"
"Unless..."
Griffin ignored her and walked toward the ship's ladder on his own.
"Hey! At least invite me properly! I might actually agree!"
...
"Do I have no dignity?! You're making me so... Hey! Slow down! Don't retract the ladder!"
...
...
Doll jumped onto the White Wolf, looking helplessly at Griffin's retreating back.
What Vice Admiral Tsuru taught me was completely useless... All that acting cute and throwing little tantrums...