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Law's explanation finally eased the tension in the room.
Sanji lowered his guard, and Nami continued comforting the children her expression soft, but her anger unmistakable.
Ever since learning these kids had been kidnapped and turned into test subjects, she'd been furious.
Izumi watched her closely.
The tall figure, the slim waist, the curves… Izumi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Are women in this world all built like that?
She compared herself instinctively and didn't like the answer.
She said nothing, but she definitely intended to keep observing.
Neji clapped his hands lightly.
"Law, take them and clean up the remaining pirates. And bring Luffy here before he causes more chaos."
He added casually, "This facility is mine now. The 'robots' you saw—those were created by me."
He wasn't about to let anyone mistake his puppets for enemies.
Compared to ninja standards, they were equivalent to elite soldiers far beyond what the average pirate could handle.
While top-tier shinobi could match the strongest pirates, the middle tiers… weren't quite as overwhelming. That balance was widely acknowledged.
"I've got guests to entertain later. We'll talk more afterward."
"...Guests?" Law frowned, but Neji was already walking away with Izumi.
Sanji watched them leave and muttered,
"Traffy, who the hell is that guy? You trust him way too easily."
Law shrugged. "I'll explain later. First, we need to find Straw Hat."
He paused.
To be fair, Luffy hadn't yet traumatized him with destroyed plans and chaotic nonsense so his opinion of Luffy was still… okay.
Nami stepped forward. "Sanji, go with Franky. Chopper and I will stay with the kids."
Sanji nodded immediately Nami's presence was the only reason he had hesitated to leave.
Franky stood, gently removing the small children clinging to his shoulders. "SUPER! Leave this to us, Nami!"
Chopper waved his little hooves. "We'll take care of things here!"
Law motioned for Sanji and Franky to follow.
"Since Luffy landed on the opposite side, we'll head toward the central lake to intercept them."
---
Far away, a ship bearing the G-5 insignia crashed against the icy shoreline of Punk Hazard.
Leading the group was a man with snow-white hair slicked back, a perpetual cigar in his mouth, sunglasses shadowing a scar that ran down his forehead.
Behind him marched a squad of marine thugs who looked more like violent criminals than soldiers.
If not for their uniforms, anyone would've mistaken them for a pirate gang.
G-5 was infamous for that:
A dumping ground for marines who refused discipline.
A place ruled not by order, but by brute force.
Its commanding officer, Vergo, only kept them in line through sheer strength.
But now, under Smoker's command, these wild marines marched with surprising discipline.
The Smoker himself was another "problem child" of the Marines rough, stubborn, and unorthodox.
But he had a solid sense of justice, and when dropped into G-5, he had whipped the entire base under his control in record time.
Now he had defied orders yet again, chasing the Straw Hats straight into Punk Hazard.
He stared through the falling snow at the massive research facility.
"This place was supposed to be covered in poison," he muttered. "The reports said the entire climate was ruined… uninhabitable."
Beside him, Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"That's what the files stated, Vice Admiral Smoker."
The smoker exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Then why the hell is there a giant metal fortress sitting right in front of us?"
Tashigi had no answer.
The Marines tensed as the massive gate rumbled open.
Two figures appeared at the entrance.
Smoker gripped his jitte, eyes narrowing.
Behind him, his men drew their weapons; Tashigi's hand tightened around the hilt of her blade, Shigure.
Neji's voice carried across the snowfield.
"G-5, huh? Smoker, I'm surprised. A troublemaker like you becoming a Vice Admiral… though honestly? A band of thugs under a thug leader suits you guys perfectly."
His tone was mocking but familiar.
The G-5 Marines immediately exploded.
"HEY! Don't insult the boss!"
"Watch your mouth, pretty boy!"
Tashigi puffed out her cheeks, bristling.
They don't understand him at all… she thought stubbornly.
Smoker silenced them with a flick of his hand.
He studied Neji's face no, his voice. Something about it tickled a memory.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
Neji chuckled. "No immediate attack? You've gotten less reckless."
Smoker scowled and punched forward.
His fist dissolved into white smoke, surging like a tidal wave—
Izumi's eyes widened.
Smoke transformation? A Logia? Or a clan secret like the Hozuki?
But Neji didn't budge.
THUD.
His arm coated in Armament Haki, Neji grabbed the smoke fist and squeezed.
Smoker yanked back, surprised Neji didn't cling or counterstrike.
Just a clean test.
Neji nodded to himself.
"Decent Haki. But your Devil Fruit progression is still awful. All those island clouds you tried absorbing? Not a single one worked?"
Smoker's pupils shrank.
He pulled out his jitte instantly, pointing it at Neji.
"…It's you."
Tashigi froze. "Vice Admiral?! What's going on?"
Smoker didn't take his eyes off Neji.
"His appearance might be different, but that line he said… I'd recognize it anywhere."
"This man, this bastard, was supposed to be dead."
He inhaled sharply.
"He's the one who wiped out most of CP0. The government called it the worst betrayal in decades."
The G-5 Marines went silent.
Izumi looked at Neji in surprise.
Neji simply smiled.
"Betrayal, huh?"
He shook his head.
"How laughable."
Smoker's grip loosened slightly. "…What do you mean?"
Neji met his gaze.
"Isn't it obvious, Smoker?"
His smile sharpened.
"You already know who the real traitors are."
The snow carried their silence.
And through clenched teeth, Smoker muttered:
"Those damn bastards…"
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