"Damn it, let me go!"
The girl struggled desperately, but these men were simply too strong for her to break free.
Kevin nervously explained from the side: "She really isn't a pirate spy."
"She just wanted to deliver a letter to someone."
As someone who had appeared here with this girl, he knew exactly what her situation was.
Yet some people intended to make this girl take responsibility for this failure. This...
"Whether she is or isn't isn't for you to decide," the Marine colonel said calmly.
Clearly, he had no intention of letting her go.
At that moment, Smoker arrived behind the group and spoke calmly: "Explain the situation."
"Who are you... Ah, it's Vice Admiral Smoker, sir!"
Upon recognizing who had arrived, the Marine colonel's attitude immediately did a complete one-eighty.
He then looked at Smoker with a fawning expression and said: "This girl is a spy delivering letters to the Straw Hat Crew, so we were planning to arrest her."
"I'm not a spy!" the girl protested while struggling. "I just really like Nami and wanted to deliver a letter to her."
Hearing this, the Marine colonel's eyes immediately lit up.
He then smiled at Smoker as if to say: You see, I was right.
Smoker ignored the man and instead looked at the Marines restraining the girl. "Let her go."
"But she'll run away..."
Smoker frowned upon hearing this. How little did this bastard think of him?
"Bastard, who do you think is standing before you?!" the Commodore shouted. "Release her immediately!"
This was someone capable of defeating Vald in direct combat - how could he possibly let a young girl escape?
Did they think the title of Admiral candidate was just for show?
The Marines fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then collectively released their grip.
Taking in their reactions, Smoker narrowed his eyes slightly.
He then crouched down to look at the girl, making an effort to appear more gentle.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Smoker asked.
As if sensing the goodwill from Smoker, the girl remained silent for a moment before saying: "I just wanted to deliver a thank-you letter to Nami of the Straw Hat Crew. I wasn't trying to do anything else."
"Impossible, she—"
"Shut your mouth," Smoker glanced at the talkative Marine colonel. "Can't you see I'm the one asking questions here?"
The Marine colonel, feeling Smoker's intimidating presence, swallowed hard and nodded to indicate he understood.
After the other party had calmed down, Smoker swept a glance over the others, signaling them not to speak nonsense at this moment.
Having done this, Smoker turned his gaze back to the girl.
"Why do you want to thank the Cat Burglar of the Straw Hat Crew?" Smoker asked curiously. "Don't you know she's a pirate?"
"Not this again..."
The girl bit her lip, then looked stubbornly at Smoker and said, "Yes, she is indeed a pirate. That's something no one can change."
"But... but she's different..."
"Nami changed my life!"
"She changed your life?"
Hearing the girl's words, Smoker's eyes flickered, thinking to himself: 'Could this be another person saved by the Straw Hat Crew?'
As if reminded of something, Smoker felt a toothache coming on - this seemed exactly like something the Straw Hat Crew would do.
"That's right."
The girl lowered her head and said, "I don't have Devil Fruit abilities, and I'm not muscular like all of you... In this era where strength reigns supreme, someone powerless like me once believed I couldn't even live freely."
"Until I saw Nami... She showed me my own potential!"
"She made me understand that I could have my own adventures too, that I could choose my own life!"
"So... so I'm very grateful to her, and I really want to cheer for her!"
For her, that letter wasn't just to express gratitude to Nami - it was also an affirmation of her own life!
She too could choose her own life and live it to the fullest!
After hearing the young girl's words, Smoker remained silent for a long time.
This made the girl gradually grow nervous. Was this person going to arrest her as a spy too?
Thinking this, she began to consider escaping.
But before she could make a move, Smoker spoke: "Don't be nervous. I mean no harm."
"Huh?"
The girl was stunned. Wasn't he going to arrest her?
Smoker picked up the girl's small shoulder bag, dusted it off, then placed it in her hands.
After doing this, Smoker stood up and scanned the surrounding Marines, saying, "This person is fine. Let her go."
"Huh!"
"You... you're really letting me go?" the girl exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes."
Having understood the situation, Smoker had no intention of making things difficult for her.
"Please wait, Commodore Smoker!" a Marine Commodore spoke up. "This person was delivering a letter to the Straw Hat Pirates - doesn't that prove her intentions?"
"Moreover, listen to what she just said - she has the potential to become a pirate! If we let her go like this, there'll be another pirate in the future!"
If they let this person go, who would take responsibility for the destruction of the new weapon?
Thinking this, he glanced subtly at the damaged warship.
Seeing everything clearly, Smoker could only laugh in frustration.
"So that's what you think?"
"Yes, Commodore Smoker!"
Smoker nodded, then turned to look at the other Marines. "What about the rest of you?"
Some Marines opened their mouths as if to say something, but upon seeing the expressions of the Commodore and the Marine Colonel, they decisively closed them.
"I understand," Smoker nodded.
"Then..."
"Let her go."
"Huh?"
The Commodore was taken aback. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
Shouldn't they be arresting this girl? Why let her go?
"If we start arresting civilians just because they admire pirates, do we even deserve to wear these two words?!" Smoker said bluntly.
As he spoke, a gust of wind blew, causing Smoker's coat with the word "Justice" written on it to flutter in the air, leaving the girl stunned.
Justice...
This was the first time she had felt the weight of these two words so directly.
"But... she might become a pirate..."
"Admiring pirates doesn't mean she will become one," Smoker replied.
There are countless civilians across the seas who admire pirates. Should we arrest all of them?
Don't be ridiculous!
Before becoming pirates, they have the right to admire anyone they choose!
"But—"
"No buts!"
Smoker cut him off sharply. "If you truly want to reduce the number of pirates in this world, strive to be a competent Marine! That way, you won't push those who might never have become pirates into becoming one!!"
At these words, the Commodore's face darkened. This was a direct criticism aimed at him.
But since the other held a rank several levels above his, he didn't dare say anything more.
Seeing that the other had stopped arguing, Smoker's expression softened slightly. "If she does become a pirate, I will personally arrest her myself!"
"Now, do you have any more questions, Commodore?!"
"No, Admiral Smoker!"
With that said, what else could he possibly add?
Smoker nodded, then turned to the girl, who was watching him with a complex expression. "Is your home far from here? If it is, I'll escort you back."
The island wasn't safe at the moment, so it would be best for him to ensure her safe return.
"Leave it to me, Admiral Smoker," Kevin quickly stepped forward. "I'll take her back."
It was better not to trouble the Admiral with such matters, so he volunteered.
Smoker glanced at the young man, then nodded in approval. "Alright, I'll leave it to you."
This young man was the only one who had spoken up for the girl earlier, and judging by his rank, his abilities were decent too.
Entrusting her to him was no issue at all.
Kevin looked both honored and flustered, nodding earnestly. "Don't worry, I'll handle it."
To be treated so respectfully by a candidate for Admiral... he was truly overwhelmed!
With that, Kevin led the young girl away from the scene.
Once they were out of sight, Smoker's expression turned cold again.
He turned to the Commodore and said sternly, "Did you really think I wasn't aware of your little scheme?"
"Using a young girl as a scapegoat—how could you even consider such a thing?"
"If you put half that effort into improving your skills, there wouldn't be so many pirates plaguing these seas!"
Hearing Smoker's words, the Commodore and Navy Captain both lowered their heads.
Since they'd been seen through, what was there left to argue?
At times like this, silence was best—anything else might only provoke Vice Admiral Smoker further.
Seeing these fellows didn't even dare utter a word, Smoker ignored them and turned his gaze back to the sea.
Noticing this, the Commodore cautiously said, "Vice Admiral Smoker, what about the Straw Hat Pirates..."
"I'll capture them," Smoker stated bluntly.
Just as Vice Admiral Garp had once captured Roger, he would bring the Straw Hat Boy to justice!
This time, the Commodore merely nodded without another word.
Moments later, Tashigi arrived with her team and asked, "Vice Admiral Smoker, we're here. Where is the Straw Hat Crew?"
"They're long gone."
Tashigi: ???
Was Vice Admiral Smoker blaming them for being too slow?
But seeing that Smoker's expression didn't suggest that, Tashigi relaxed.
"Then..."
"Arrest them," Smoker pointed at the nearby naval officers and said, "Send them to headquarters for disciplinary action."
Commodore: ???
Wait, hadn't the misunderstanding been cleared up? Why arrest them?
"Vice Admiral Smoker, what do you mean by this?" the Commodore anxiously asked. "Why are you arresting us?"
"That's right, Vice Admiral Smoker,"
the Navy Captain added with urgency, "We haven't committed any crime."
Tashigi also looked at Smoker in confusion, unsure why he wanted them to arrest their fellow naval officers.
"You framed civilians right in front of me, and you claim you haven't committed any crime?" Smoker said with a stern expression. "I will never tolerate such abuse of authority!"
At these words, the Commodore and Navy Captain's faces immediately stiffened.
So he never intended to let them off after all?
Still, to survive, they wanted to plead their case.
"Vice Admiral, we were wrong..." the Commodore said. "I shouldn't have done that."
"Please, since it's our first offense, let us go."
"That's right, Vice Admiral, it's not easy for us..." the Navy Captain added. "If we don't find someone to blame,
we lower-ranking officers will be punished..."
Once burdened with that blame, his career would be over, so that's why...
Smoker sneered coldly at the Commodore and said, "You dare do this right in front of me, and you claim it's your first time?"
"Do you take me for a three-year-old?"
Then, turning to the Navy Captain, he continued, "And that's no excuse for bullying civilians!"
With that, Smoker looked at Tashigi and ordered, "Take them!"
"Yes!"
Understanding what had happened, Tashigi and her subordinates immediately moved toward the naval officers without hesitation.
The Commodore and Navy Captain fell silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance, instantly recognizing the same thought in each other's eyes.
Escape.
Their Marine Fleet Admiral was the former Admiral Akainu, who despised evil and showed zero tolerance for such behavior!
If that person were to discover what they're doing now and what they did in the past... they'd be absolutely dead!
Thinking this, the two immediately fled toward the distance without hesitation.
"Shave!"
"Whoosh"
In just an instant, they vanished from their original positions.
"Shave?"
Tashigi was momentarily stunned before exclaiming: "They're trying to escape!"
"Thinking they can run away in front of me?" Smoker said coldly: "Are they looking down on me too much?"
Did they really think his title of Admiral candidate was something given to him out of pity?
Without hesitation, Smoker launched his attack.
"White Smoke: Burst Drill Kill!"
"Hum"
As he spoke, two white clouds of smoke appeared around Smoker, then condensed into two rotating drills.
"Hum!"
The next moment, Armament Haki infused the two drills, which rapidly shot toward the fleeing pair!
"Whoosh"
"Thud!"
One strike each, directly knocking them to the ground!
"Ah!!"
"My leg!!"
The Marine colonel clutched his broken shin in agony, his face extremely pale.
Meanwhile, the Marine commodore sat on the ground with despair in his heart, completely ignoring his broken leg.
Because he knew - he was finished.
If this Admiral candidate hadn't shown mercy, this attack would have pierced straight through his heart.
Thinking this, he smiled bitterly and said: "If only I had known..."
"Don't say things like that."
Smoker, who had approached him, said calmly: "Because it's meaningless."
There's no medicine for regret in this world, so such words serve no purpose.
Then, without looking back, Smoker walked into the distance while saying: "Cuff them!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines immediately rushed to the commodore's side and handcuffed the man whose leg Smoker had broken with a single strike.
"Take him for treatment first, then transport them to Marine Headquarters!"
"Yes, sir!"
After watching his subordinates take these men away, Tashigi turned her attention to Smoker and asked: "Vice Admiral Smoker, what are your plans now?"
"I intend to pursue them in the New World," Smoker said without hesitation.
Just like when he left Loguetown to pursue the Straw Hat Crew, this time... he would similarly go to the New World to chase the Straw Hat Crew!
"I understand," Tashigi nodded.
"If you don't want to come with me, you can app-"
"Vice Admiral Smoker!" Tashigi unceremoniously interrupted Smoker: "I'm your adjutant!"
"Besides... I also need to pursue Roronoa!"
Seeing Tashigi's determined expression, Smoker remained silent for a moment before turning away, the corner of his mouth lifting as he said: "Then don't hold me back."
"Don't worry, Vice Admiral Smoker!" Tashigi said seriously: "I'm quite strong now too!"
"Good."
Smoker nodded, then walked into the distance while saying: "Let's go, we need to return to headquarters first."
Aside from him and Tashigi, no one on this ship could suppress that Marine commodore, so he had to accompany them.
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, in the New World.
"What? There's news about the Straw Hat Pirates?!" Galette's eyes immediately lit up with joy upon hearing her subordinate's report.
"Yes."
The subordinate nodded and said, "Our undercover agents stationed at Sabaody Archipelago just reported that the Straw Hat Pirates recently appeared at Sabaody Archipelago and have now set sail toward Fish-Man Island."
They should probably reach Fish-Man Island before long.
"I see..."
Galette thought for a moment before asking, "Then... what about news of Meiser?"
"This..."
Seeing the subordinate's hesitant expression, Galette's face immediately darkened.
Standing nearby, Katakuri glanced at his sister before turning to the subordinate and commanding, "Speak!"
The subordinate remained silent for a moment before carefully saying, "No... we haven't detected any trace of the Blood-Eyed Ninja."
Hearing these words, Galette felt her head spin.
"Could he really be dead..."
Seeing his sister's despondent state, Katakuri subconsciously furrowed his brow before asking, "Are you certain there's been no sign of the Blood-Eyed Ninja?"
"None."
The subordinate shook his head firmly. "Our agents definitely haven't spotted the Blood-Eyed Ninja."
"However..."
"However?"
Hearing this word, Galette's eyes brightened considerably.
She looked at the subordinate and asked, "However what?"
"However, the Straw Hat Pirates have two new members," the subordinate reported. "One is a Devil Fruit Ability User who ate the Moku Moku Fruit, while the other appears to be Gekko Moria's former subordinate with the Ghost Fruit ability."
Galette was momentarily stunned. Two Devil Fruit Ability Users?
"Bring me their Wanted Posters."
"There are no Wanted Posters."
"Then what about information?" Galette pressed. "You must have photos at least."
"We do have those."
The subordinate nodded, then produced previously taken surveillance photos and placed them on the table.
"These were transmitted via Fax Transponder Snail from our agents at Sabaody Archipelago," the subordinate explained. "All members of the Straw Hat Pirates are shown here."
Galette remained silent as she carefully examined each figure in the photos.
When she saw Meiser's face, she froze completely.
'This feeling...'
"Is everyone here?" Katakuri asked, glancing at the subordinate.
"Yes."
The subordinate nodded. "Everyone is here."
Katakuri nodded in acknowledgment without further comment.
He then turned his attention back to Meiser's photo.
'This angle... Did this man already notice the photographer?' Katakuri wondered silently.
Not minding being photographed... It seems this person wants to make a name for himself on the seas.
But before he could say anything, Galette spoke up, "You may leave now."
"Yes."
The subordinate nodded and turned to leave, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
"What is it?" Katakuri asked, looking curiously at Galette.
What did Galette intend to discuss with him?
"Brother Katakuri, I feel that this person is Meiser," Galette stated firmly.
Katakuri furrowed his brow upon hearing this, instinctively picking up the photo to examine it carefully.
After a moment, he said, "How did you come to that conclusion?"
Why hadn't he noticed any resemblance between this person and Meiser?
Galette fell silent briefly before replying, "Intuition."
Though she couldn't explain why, she felt this person was Meiser.
Katakuri paused, then murmured, "Intuition, huh..."
Although this notion seemed rather far-fetched, Katakuri couldn't bring himself to voice any objections after seeing the earnest look in his sister's eyes.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Then we'll wait until they enter the New World and find an opportunity to make contact with them."
"Can't we go now?"
"Galette, you've already acted willfully once. Do you intend to do so again?" Katakuri responded. "Don't make Mother angry."
Hearing this, Galette fell silent for a moment before lowering her head and saying, "Alright, I understand, Brother Katakuri..."
Observing his sister's demeanor, Katakuri paused briefly before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on this matter."
"Yes, Brother Katakuri!"
Watching his sister gradually regain her vitality, Katakuri nodded in approval.
He then turned to gaze at the sky outside, thinking to himself: 'Meiser... I truly hope you're still alive, kid.'
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