The corridors of the Marine base in Loguetown were quieter than the harbor streets outside.
Boots echoed against polished floors as Tashigi walked ahead with steady, measured steps.
Behind her, Kael followed without hurry.
The contrast between them was subtle, yet noticeable—her posture disciplined and official, his relaxed but alert, like someone who could react to anything at any moment.
The atmosphere around them was tense.
Several Marines paused mid-conversation when they noticed the pair approaching.
A few recognized Tashigi and offered quick nods.
Then their gazes shifted.
Toward the man walking behind her.
Murmurs spread quietly through the corridor.
"Is that…?"
"Kael Sylvarion…"
"The one who defeated Arlong?"
"Captain mentioned something about him…"
Curiosity mixed with caution.
Respect… mixed with suspicion.
No one stepped forward.
No one blocked their path.
But eyes followed them the entire way—tracking every step, every movement, as if trying to measure the weight of the man walking so casually through a Marine base.
Halfway down the corridor—
A faint chime echoed inside Kael's mind.
[Ding!]
[Mission Triggered]
[Make Captain Smoker from the Marines your ally]
[Reward: Random]
[Penalty for Failure: Smoker and Kuzan will be more hostile in the future]
He frowned slightly.
(Kuzan?)
(Why Kuzan though?)
The name lingered in his thoughts for a brief moment.
Then he dismissed it.
Not important right now.
Their destination stood at the end of the hallway.
A solid wooden door.
The office of Smoker.
Tashigi stopped just before it and knocked once.
A deep voice answered from inside.
"Enter."
She pushed the door open and stepped in without hesitation.
Kael followed.
The door closed behind them with a quiet click.
The room smelled faintly of tobacco.
Not overwhelming—but constant. Persistent.
Behind a heavy desk sat Smoker.
A cigar burned slowly between his fingers as smoke curled lazily upward, forming thin spirals beneath the ceiling before dispersing.
His eyes were already on Kael.
Studying.
Measuring.
Weighing.
Tashigi immediately straightened and saluted.
"Captain."
He gave a small nod in acknowledgment.
But his gaze never left the man in front of him.
For a few seconds—
Silence.
Heavy.
Then he spoke.
"Took you long enough… Kael Sylvarion."
Kael smiled lightly.
"Sorry for the delay, Captain Smoker."
"I got occupied with a few things."
Without hesitation, he pulled a chair back and sat down across the desk.
The movement was smooth.
Natural.
Casual.
Like he belonged there.
Both Smoker and Tashigi paused.
Tashigi blinked.
He didn't even wait for Smoker-san to tell him to sit…
Smoker leaned back slightly, the chair creaking faintly under his weight.
His gaze moved across Kael carefully.
The relaxed shoulders.
The steady breathing.
No wasted motion.
No unnecessary tension.
A body built not just through training—but through real combat.
A presence that didn't try to dominate the room…
Yet still did.
Only one thought crossed Smoker's mind.
Impressive.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He took a slow drag from his cigar, letting the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling a thin stream into the air.
Then his eyes sharpened.
"Start talking."
"Before I decide to capture a dangerous criminal worth eighty million and turn him in."
Kael's smile widened slightly.
"Come on, Smoker."
"At least be a little honest."
He leaned back comfortably.
"You don't actually believe I'm a dangerous criminal, do you?"
Smoker took another long puff.
A grin formed beneath the drifting smoke.
"My opinion can change very quickly."
His eyes locked onto Kael.
Sharp.
Unyielding.
"So you'd better start giving me some very good reasons."
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"Sure," he said calmly. "But before we start…"
His gaze shifted toward Tashigi.
"Don't you have some things to report?"
She stiffened instantly.
She knew he was aware of her purpose aboard the ship.
Still, being called out so directly—so casually—made her flinch under that steady gaze.
Behind the desk, Smoker raised an eyebrow.
His eyes moved from her to Kael.
Then a faint grin appeared.
"No wonder."
"I figured you would've guessed already."
His attention returned to Tashigi, though the amusement faded slightly.
She was hesitating.
Smoker's eyes narrowed.
She's changed… a little.
Kael spoke again.
"I can step outside if you want."
Smoker shook his head immediately.
"No need."
He leaned forward slightly and gestured with his cigar.
"Start reporting."
Tashigi nodded once.
She gave Kael a brief glance—then focused entirely on her captain.
"Captain, the events in Cocoyashi Village were exactly as described."
Her voice was steady now.
Professional.
"The corruption within the Sixteenth Marine Branch has been confirmed. I recovered records, ledgers, and witness statements. The surviving Marines and captured Fishmen have been transferred for trial."
Smoker listened without interrupting.
His expression unreadable.
She continued.
"Captain Nezumi had been accepting bribes from Arlong for years. Civilian complaints were suppressed, and reports were altered to hide the occupation of the island."
Smoker's jaw tightened.
A faint crack.
But he said nothing.
Tashigi moved on.
"During my investigation, I also visited the Baratie sea restaurant."
That caught his attention immediately.
"There, I encountered another pirate."
"Monkey D. Luffy. Current bounty: forty million."
Kael remained silent.
Listening.
Observing.
"He defeated Axe-Hand Morgan, the former Marine captain of Shells Town."
Smoker's brow furrowed.
Tashigi didn't hesitate.
"Captain Morgan was also corrupt. Civilian reports and witness testimony confirm repeated abuse of authority."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"The bounty placed on Luffy… appears to have been an attempt by local authorities to shift responsibility for their failures."
Smoker's hand slammed against the desk.
"Damn it!"
The smoke around him twisted sharply, reacting to the sudden movement.
"Was I really this blind?"
His voice carried raw frustration.
"Two corrupt captains in East Blue… and those are just the ones we've uncovered."
He leaned back again, scowling deeply.
"Who knows how many more are hiding."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
The smoke drifted upward in slow spirals.
Tashigi stood still, eyes lowered.
Across the desk, Kael simply watched.
Calm.
Unmoved.
Measuring.
Tashigi continued only after receiving a small gesture.
"There is one more report."
Smoker glanced up.
She hesitated briefly.
Then—
"Kael-san also had a sparring match with Dracule Mihawk."
For the first time since Kael entered—
Smoker looked genuinely surprised.
His gaze shifted slowly toward him.
"You…"
"You fought Mihawk?"
Kael shrugged.
"She's taking it too seriously."
"It was just a spar."
Smoker stared at him for a moment.
Then barked a short laugh.
"Yeah."
"Just a spar…"
"With Mihawk."
He took a long drag, exhaling slowly.
"People like him might not be rare in the New World…"
"But in the first half of the Grand Line—and especially in East Blue—"
He pointed the cigar toward Kael.
"Taking even one hit from that freak and surviving is nearly impossible."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're far too casual about something like that."
Kael smiled faintly.
"He was going easy on me."
Smoker held his gaze.
Then exhaled again.
"Still."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Forget it."
His focus sharpened again.
"The reports are finished."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.
"And according to what I've heard…"
"You haven't committed a punishable crime."
A brief pause.
"Yet."
His gaze locked onto Kael once more.
"Now."
"Start talking about that 'ally' nonsense you mentioned during our call."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
For the first time since entering the office—
Something changed.
The relaxed air around Kael shifted.
Subtly.
But unmistakably.
The faint smile on his face remained.
But the ease behind it vanished.
His posture straightened just slightly.
Shoulders settling.
Presence sharpening.
Across the desk, Smoker noticed immediately.
Instinct.
Experience.
This was no longer casual conversation.
This was intent.
Beside him, Tashigi felt it too.
The air grew heavier.
Denser.
Like pressure building before a storm.
Kael leaned forward slightly.
The smile on his face widened—
Not playful.
Not relaxed.
Sharp.
Focused.
Like the edge of a blade catching light.
His eyes locked onto Smoker.
Then he spoke.
"Alright....."
"So tell me something, Smoker."
A brief pause stretched between them.
His voice remained calm.
But the weight behind it pressed against the room.
"What do you think about the current world…?"
Silence.
Several seconds passed.
Neither Smoker nor Tashigi moved.
Smoker's brow slowly furrowed.
"What do you mean by that?"
No answer.
Kael simply watched him.
Calm.
Patient.
"What do you think?" he asked instead.
Smoker's expression darkened instantly.
"Don't play games with me, bastard!"
His fist struck the desk again.
Not as hard as before—
But enough.
"Say what you want to say clearly!"
Still—
No answer.
The silence stretched further.
Thicker.
Tension coiled tightly between them.
A bead of sweat rolled down Tashigi's temple.
Her hand tightened slightly on the sheath of her sword.
Neither man moved.
Under the desk, a small Den Den Mushi sat quietly.
Its face twitched faintly.
Listening.
Reacting.
Far away—someone else was hearing every word.
Smoker stared for a few more seconds.
Then exhaled slowly.
Smoke drifted between them like a curtain.
"…If my guess is right," he said finally,
"You're talking about the balance between pirates, the Navy, the Revolutionary Army, and the World Government."
Kael nodded once.
A faint smile returned.
"As expected."
"You're correct."
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Even the Den Den Mushi remained perfectly still.
Then Kael leaned forward again.
His eyes sharpened.
A small smile formed once more.
"Now tell me, Smoker…"
A pause.
Deliberate.
"What do you think about the current world?"