Chapter 205: I Said Smoking Too Much Is Bad for the Brain
First Four Blues, East Blue.
The Town of Beginning and End, Loguetown.
Smoker, with his usual lethal dose of cigars in his mouth, crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
Before him, a certain man was sitting in Smoker's chair, summarizing the situation.
"Simply put, that's the situation."
"Cough cough—you, put out that cigar, trying to murder your superior? And what's with this office? Where's the cola? Are you even a Marine without drinking cola?"
Smoker: "..."
His fists clenched; cigars were almost bitten through.
"Hoo..."
After an epic inhalation full of anger, Smoker barely suppressed the impulse to punch the guy in front of him, asking again, "I ask again... why are you in Loguetown?"
"Didn't I say? That's the situation..."
"You said one sentence from start to finish—'That's the situation', these four words can't explain the situation, you bastard!"
"Ca... Captain Smoker, please calm down, Vice Admiral 'Kuroyagi' is a superior, you can't..."
The blue-haired female Marine aside tried to persuade her superior hurriedly.
"Tashigi, you idiot—this guy isn't any superior, he's just here to mock me!"
Smoker gritted his teeth.
"Eh!"
Just as he said this, Roy clapped his hands. "No problem with this sentence, this Vice Admiral is indeed here to mock you."
Words fell; veins popped on Smoker's forehead as he tried to pull out the jutte behind him.
"White Blow · Sharp Jutte!"
With Tashigi's exclamation, smoke dispersed.
So, after a turmoil.
"Look at you, anxious again."
Roy withdrew his fist, blowing cigar ash off his black mane. "Didn't you receive Fleet Admiral Sengoku's notice?"
Bruised Smoker calmed down now. "...Indeed received, Fleet Admiral Sengoku said you will be a Marine Special Envoy Vice Admiral temporarily inspecting Four Blues branches, and you chose mine first."
Speaking here, he gritted his teeth slightly. "I'm not asking about this either—I'm asking, what's with you and Instructor Zephyr attacking a Warlord?"
Asking, he looked at Roy sitting motionless with a complicated expression.
Yes.
The World Economic News Paper's report was fast as always.
Less than three days after the Mont Blanc Island incident.
New extra editions had flown worldwide via News Coos.
The content was simple—'Edward Weevil' and 'Bartholomew Kuma', appointed Warlords not long ago, had their titles revoked.
This fickleness naturally sparked huge discussions on the sea again.
Especially after details were exposed, discussions became even louder.
According to the World Economic News Paper, Edward Weevil was killed by former Marine Admiral 'Black Arm' Zephyr on Mont Blanc Island in North Blue recently, and someone photographed Roy's 'Black Loyalty' nearby.
The World Government didn't reply directly, only saying 'Upon review, confirmed both lacked qualifications to be Warlords'.
This attitude naturally made the sea buzz again.
Not long after, Smoker received notice of Roy inspecting Four Blues branches.
As mentioned before, Smoker wasn't stupid.
He smelled Sengoku's true intention from this notice immediately—temporarily transferring Roy away from headquarters, out of public view.
This proved the news report might be true.
"Literal meaning."
Roy admitted frankly. "Edward Weevil was the pirate who attacked Teacher Zephyr back then."
Just this sentence changed Smoker's expression instantly.
As a student taught by Zephyr, he knew about the attack Zephyr encountered four years ago.
So...
"That kind of guy, actually chosen as a Warlord by the Government?"
Smoker clenched his teeth instantly.
He realized the cause and effect of the newspaper event immediately.
Naturally, he, who disliked the Warlord system, became angrier now.
But moments later, he reacted, looking at Roy hurriedly. "You were exiled to Four Blues, then Instructor Zephyr..."
"Who's exiled? I'm here for vacation, okay?"
Roy said dissatisfiedly.
But seeing Smoker's worried expression, he didn't keep him guessing.
"Don't worry—situation is better than estimated... Teacher Zephyr is recuperating at headquarters with injuries. Fleet Admiral Sengoku even got punched by him when delivering my transfer order."
Speaking of this, Roy felt strange internally.
To be honest, when deciding to stand up for Zephyr and attacking Pierre.
He prepared for the worst—if necessary, he planned to start a Neo Marines with Zephyr.
Roy felt Marine resources weren't that necessary for him with his current strength anyway.
But as he said, the situation was better than the best estimate.
The World Government ignored his attack on a God's Knight completely, as if not knowing.
Even in newspapers, Zephyr attacking a Warlord was mentioned briefly.
Finally, he and Zephyr received no real punishment; Sengoku's exile for him was more like protection.
Of course, Roy didn't intend to tell Smoker about God's Knights—knowing their existence wasn't good for Smoker.
"After all, just a Warlord."
He explained simply.
"..."
Hearing this, Smoker was speechless.
What does 'Just a Warlord' mean?
Those were Royal Warlords—renowned great pirates on the sea.
Smoker didn't think he was weak, but his experience told him he had no chance against any Warlord currently.
Though thinking so.
Smoker glanced at Roy but didn't speak.
Because he suddenly realized.
His friend from the same period indeed had the qualification to say this now.
"Gap... getting bigger and bigger."
Smoker thought internally.
Yes.
From the tentative exchange with Roy just now, he realized—Roy became stronger again.
No... more than just stronger.
If during the joint military exercise, Smoker could at least understand where the opponent was strong.
Then in the brief exchange just now, Smoker found—he couldn't comprehend Roy's strength at all.
Just sitting there, Roy made Smoker feel like facing a vast ocean.
His attacks weren't even attacks before the opponent.
Their gap widened, now to the point where he couldn't even see Roy's back.
This reminded Smoker of that incident in Loguetown recently, and that person he met.
"Hey... Roy."
He said deeply.
"Hm?"
Roy looked at Smoker puzzledly.
"I want to transfer back to headquarters, or a Grand Line branch."
Smoker said directly. "I told Hina already... but I feel asking you might be more convenient."
"Ha?"
Hearing this, Roy raised an eyebrow. "You ask someone just exiled to Four Blues to transfer you back to headquarters? I said smoking too much isn't good for the brain."
Smoker: "..."
Who just said he was on vacation?
No, he really couldn't stand this guy!
Before Smoker exploded again, Roy continued asking, "And you actually want to use connections to transfer back to headquarters actively..."
"What happened?"
Asking verbally.
But Roy had a guess internally.
"A month ago, I saw a pirate in Loguetown."
Smoker didn't hide it. "You probably haven't heard, a rookie pirate named Straw Hat..."
Speaking, he walked to a cabinet, taking out a wanted poster.
Roy glanced, sure enough—on the poster, a boy wearing a straw hat was grinning cheerfully.
"..."
Roy had to admit.
Though looks differed, temperament-wise, this guy on the poster was very similar to Joy Boy.
"Truly a reincarnation..."
Roy muttered internally.
Smoker continued, "That's a very special guy... and he seems related to Revolutionary 'Dragon'."
Speaking here, Smoker clenched his fist.
He recalled that day not long ago.
The lightning strike on the execution platform, and Dragon appearing in the storm.
As mentioned before.
Smoker chose to transfer to Loguetown because he didn't want to accept constraints at headquarters, wanting to execute his own justice.
His original thought was simple—relying on his strength, ensuring no pirate went from Loguetown to the Grand Line.
Then no matter how headquarters disliked him or felt he didn't fit in, they must reward his achievements and promote him.
But Dragon met a month ago, and Roy seen today, made Smoker realize.
To protect his justice.
His primary goal should be getting stronger quickly.
"My intuition tells me he will shake the sea sooner or later—so, I must arrest him personally."
Smoker said firmly.
But just then...
"Hey! Smoker—don't be arrogant, Luffy-senpai won't be arrested by you!"
A voice came suddenly, followed by struggling sounds of "Hey! Behave yourself" "Don't be rude to Captain Smoker".
Roy and Smoker turned around.
They saw—two Marines escorting a weirdly dressed man, seemingly intending to enter the office.
"Sorry, Captain Smoker... we planned to hand this guy to you for signing after catching him, then jail him, didn't know you had a guest!"
One Marine said.
"...Bartolomeo—what did he do again?"
Seeing this guy, Smoker frowned slightly.
"Nothing big this time, just distributing flyers in town and his gang territory, promoting Straw Hat, fought another gang for it..."
While Smoker talked to the Marine.
Roy heard the Fruit Encyclopedia voice in his ear.
[Devil Fruit User 'Bartolomeo' Discovered]
[Confirmed Devil Fruit: 'Paramecia · Barrier-Barrier Fruit' (Bari Bari no Mi)]
[Fruit Effect: Create indestructible barriers.]
[Effects by Level]
[LV3: Gain full fruit ability. Create tangible barriers by crossing fingers. Barriers indestructible, defending almost all attacks including shockwaves and energy. Requires 1.8 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[LV4: Deep-Dive Development. Shape barriers, using them as weapons. Shaped barriers maintained by concentration; disappear if attention wanders. Requires 3.7 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[LV5: Fruit Awakening · Infinite Barrier. Barrier area no longer capped, maintained as long as user doesn't fall. Requires 10.1 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
"This guy is Bartolomeo, Loguetown gang leader..."
Smoker explained casually.
He had a headache too.
Like him, Bartolomeo saw Straw Hat not long ago, saw the lightning on the execution platform.
Since then, he worshiped Straw Hat very much.
Hearing Smoker, Roy wasn't surprised.
"Luffy... already entered the Grand Line."
He just thought internally.
Yes, from Smoker's words, he confirmed—Monkey D. Luffy already entered the Grand Line.
Confirming this, Roy looked at the green-haired, nose-ringed, unruly gang leader again.
He recognized Bartolomeo naturally; visiting Loguetown this time, besides seeing Smoker, partly was for him.
Mainly his ability 'Barrier-Barrier Fruit', in Roy's view, was top-tier among Devil Fruits—possessing 'Absolute Defense', a necessary puzzle piece for a clone ability in Roy's plan.
But Roy didn't expect to meet him so coincidentally shortly after arriving.
"How to say—gears of fate really turn constantly."
Roy thought internally.
While he sighed internally.
"Hey, Smoker, tell my minions, don't send me Germa 66 comic strips this time in jail—I have a new hobby, send me some Luffy-senpai posters and newspapers..."
"That's a wanted poster, not a poster... and why should I pass messages for you?"
Smoker looked at Bartolomeo angrily.
"Shut up if you know what's good for you—or don't think about leaving the cell for a year or half, Bartolomeo!"
If not knowing killing Bartolomeo would cause riots in Loguetown and over 150 towns under him, Smoker would have finished him off long ago.
After Bartolomeo was escorted away, Smoker exhaled smoke deeply. "Where were we... hm? What's that expression?"
Asking, he turned to look at Roy.
Then, he saw Roy's thoughtful expression.
"No, nothing."
Roy shook his head.
But in his mind, he recalled the word Bartolomeo said just now.
'Germa 66'.
Imperceptible coldness flashed in his eyes.
Yes.
Although caring about Luffy and inevitably paying attention to his whereabouts in the Grand Line next.
Relatively speaking, what was more important to him now.
"Indeed... Germa."
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