After Smoker was fished out from the ocean by well-trained Marines, everyone looked at him in silence.
The atmosphere was awkward.
Of course, it wasn't anything life-threatening!
It was just that his face was slightly... a bit swollen, a bit bloody, and a bit crooked!
After hearing Dante's claim, Zephyr had been deadly serious. He had worried that if he didn't use his true strength, he wouldn't be able to pressure Smoker, who could supposedly fight that kid to a draw.
As a result...
Good lord! So this was the kind of draw they had! Looking at Smoker's purple, swollen face, Zephyr felt a bit embarrassed as a teacher. He gave an awkward smile. "Sorry, it's all that brat's fault. I used... just a fraction of my strength."
He hesitated. "Are you okay? We have a doctor on board. Do you need treatment?"
"..."
That's what you call a fraction of strength? He saw his life flash before his eyes! Hearing Zephyr-sensei's words, the corner of Smoker grit few teeth he had left over. But seeing Dante snickering off to the side, he took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "No need. I'm fine!"
"That's good. Watching you fly off and hit the sea just now scared me to death!" Seeing that Smoker was indeed only suffering from facial swelling, Zephyr finally relaxed.
Killing his own student right after retirement... If Garp found out, he'd laugh his head off. If that had happened, Zephyr might as well have died back in the New World! However...
"It's been almost a year, and your strength is still the same?" Zephyr frowned, looking at Smoker sternly. "Have you forgotten what I taught you? Don't rely too much on your Devil Fruit ability and neglect your physical training!"
He gets beaten up and still has to be scolded? Looking at the serious Zephyr before him, Smoker recalled his days at the training camp. He could only lower his head and accept the lecture. He still held great respect for Zephyr.
And Zephyr wasn't wrong. Since coming to the East Blue, due to various circumstances, he had indeed been slacking on his training. Moreover, because of the so-called "Restore the Glory of East Blue Pirates" campaign by Mock, combined with Dante's aggressive actions, Loguetown had essentially been blockaded. Given the current state of East Blue piracy, who had the ability to reach Loguetown, pass through Reverse Mountain, and enter the Grand Line? Not to mention training, he hadn't even caught a pirate in a while.
"Devil Fruit abilities are fine, but you must value your physical foundation." Seeing Smoker hang his head like a cadet, Zephyr sighed internally. "Alright then! This is likely the last time I'll remind you as your teacher. I hope you understand!"
Before the scolded Smoker could respond...
"Zephyr-sensei is right!" Dante, who had been secretly laughing and watching the show, chimed in with a solemn tone. "I must also remind Smoker-san that physical training is very important! This time it was just Zephyr-sensei and me. What if it weren't us? If you were ambushed by an enemy... think about it. What would you do then? Who would fish you out?"
The words hung in the air.
Zephyr and Smoker both stared at him in silence, "..."
'If you hadn't set me up, would Zephyr have ambushed me?!' Smoker stared at Dante, grinding his leftover teeth, convinced this guy did it on purpose!
However...
"Cough, cough. Dante is right!" Zephyr said seriously. "If it were an enemy instead of me, Smoker, you'd probably be dead by now!"
He paused, shaking his head. "Although there was a small accident, the result is good. If it weren't for this kid, I wouldn't have known you haven't exercised much since graduating. Speaking of which, you should really thank Dante!"
"That's true!" Even Tashigi nodded earnestly beside him. "Thinking about it, Captain Smoker really hasn't trained his body much these past few years. He has gotten a bit lax!"
'Dammit...'
Smoker's reddened, and he mentally gave them dirtiest of curses! Dante screwed him over, and now he had to thank him? And Tashigi... whose subordinate was she, anyway?
But looking at Zephyr and Tashigi staring at him, Smoker's mouth twitched. He could only grit his teeth and nod. He turned to Dante. "Thank you!"
Seeing Dante wearing a smug expression and looking ready to say more, Smoker didn't give him the chance. Worried this guy would stir up more trouble, he cut straight to the chase. "I've done what I promised you. So, what about what you promised me?"
A few days ago, this bastard had called him, asking him to report Mock to the World Government and Marine HQ.
Honestly, when he heard that request, he was completely stunned.
He couldn't figure out what Dante was trying to do. Especially when he saw the charges in the report, his eyes almost popped out. He even suspected Dante was planning to abandon Mock entirely. Otherwise...
Everything the World Government bans, he wants to do, and announce it arrogantly to the seas?! Was he trying that hard to get Mock killed? Smoker frowned at Dante, his expression reddening again. He took a deep breath. "You... didn't forget, right?"
"Forget... Of course I didn't forget!" Dante remembered the deal and gave a forced laugh. "It's just that I've been away from the 16th Branch for days, and something seems to have happened over there that needs handling. I plan to meet you at Loguetown later. After all, discussing this kind of thing on a ship isn't appropriate!"
"No problem!" Smoker scoffed. "I can go to the 16th Branch with you!"
"...That doesn't seem right." Dante feigned shock. He frowned, hesitating. "If I remember correctly, without orders, Marine Branch Captains are prohibited from entering other regions. That's illegal! If discovered, you could be court-martialed!"
'You bastard still have the nerve to talk about what's illegal?'
'You're the one who breaks the most laws in the entire East Blue!' Of course, Smoker had anticipated this reaction. With a faint, cold smile, he said, "It's fine. I've already requested leave from HQ. While on vacation, I can go anywhere. It's not illegal!"
He wasn't the rigid person he used to be!
Now it was Dante's turn to be stunned, 'You've become dishonest too!'
But seeing Smoker's serious expression, Dante understood the man wouldn't be shaken off. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "Actually... it's better for you not to know about that kind of thing!"
"Don't give me that nonsense!" Smoker snapped. After investigating recently, he knew... this definitely hid a massive secret.
Not knowing might indeed be safer.
But... he wanted to know, and he was prepared for the consequences.
He looked at Dante impatiently. "Just tell me!"
"Alright! Since you're ready!" Dante shrugged helplessly. "Then..."
His voice dragged out slightly. He turned to point at Zephyr, who was watching them in confusion. "Go ask Zephyr-sensei yourself!"
"You bastard..." Smoker's eyelid twitched, and he roared, his face black with rage. "If you wanted me to ask him, why did you spout so much nonsense? You promised you would tell me. Are you trying to go back on your word?"
"Did I?" Dante looked stunned. He frowned, pretending to think. "I remember saying I would tell you where the answer is, right?"
He had fallen for this guy's trick again.
Smoker seemed to recall the phrasing too, but he took a deep breath, his face grim. "At this point, what's the difference between you telling me directly and Zephyr telling me?!"
"Of course there's a difference!" Dante nodded, speaking with utter seriousness. "After all, I'm a law-abiding Marine Captain. How would I know those secrets? Don't get me into trouble! Get Zephyr-sensei in trouble instead. He doesn't want to live anyway."
At that moment, Smoker had words in his heart he didn't know whether to scream or swallow! 'You son of a bitch!'
'Do you even have the right to use the words 'law-abiding'?'
===============
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