"You're White Hunter Smoker?
The one famous in the Marines for doing things your own way, ignoring orders… even called a mad dog in uniform?"
Vergo sat in the oversized chair of the G-5 command room, cold eyes examining the two before him.
One was a tall man with a cigar clenched between his teeth—recently promoted to Commodore—Smoker.
Beside him stood his adjutant, the graceful and sharp-eyed swordswoman Tashigi, with the famed blade Shigure at her waist.
Hearing Vergo's icy greeting, Smoker gave a blunt nod.
"Yeah. That's me."
Sparkles of cold light flickered in Vergo's eyes.
"Big mouth, aren't you…"
He rose from his chair and walked toward Smoker.
Originally 2.4 meters tall, Vergo was now close to four meters after consuming Roxing's Ghost-Class Monster Cell. Compared to him, Smoker—just over two meters—looked like a child being stared down by a giant.
"No matter how wild you were before, no matter how you acted—once you step into G-5, you follow my orders."
Hands in his pockets, Vergo's tone was frigid and hard. His aura radiated suffocating pressure.
Any ordinary soldier would have buckled under it, knees shaking uncontrollably.
But Smoker was born rebellious. Though technically subordinate, he refused to be cowed.
He bit down on his cigar and snorted:
"I'm not used to taking orders from anyone. You do whatever you want—just don't expect to command me like some pawn."
Cold killing intent flickered openly in Vergo's gaze.
"Do you know the price for disobedience in my territory?"
Smoker sneered back.
"Oh? And what's that?"
"You might not live to see tomorrow's sunrise."
"Then go on—try it."
The two highest-ranking officers of G-5 were seconds from exploding into a brawl the moment they met.
Tashigi panicked.
"Commo—Ah! Commodore Smoker, please calm down!"
"Base Commander Vergo, he didn't mean to offend—!"
Smoker immediately shut her down.
"No. I meant every word."
His defiant stance fully justified his "Marine Mad Dog" reputation.
This was Vergo's first time dealing with such a thorny subordinate. Instead of anger, he let out a low laugh—though a thin thread of killing intent pulsed through his eyes.
Roxing had ordered him to rise through the naval hierarchy. Vergo would not tolerate insubordination.
He turned and walked toward the door.
"If you're so arrogant, then we settle it with strength. The weak obey the strong."
Smoker followed without hesitation.
"Just what I wanted."
Tashigi almost cried.
First day in the New World, and he's already fighting the base commander?!
But once Smoker decided something, ten oxen couldn't drag him back. She could only run after them.
They arrived at the training arena.
Dozens—then hundreds—of Marines rushed over in excitement.
"Look! Base Commander Vergo is fighting Commodore Smoker!"
"Who do you think wins?"
"Vergo, obviously! Haven't you noticed he's been getting scarier every week?"
"Don't underestimate Smoker—he's Logia, the Smoke Fruit user!"
"Hehehe, either way, we're about to witness a great showdown!"
The crowd thickened around the ring, buzzing with anticipation.
On the platform:
Vergo stood with his hands behind his back, face a mask of indifference.
Smoker clenched his jitte, cigar glowing.
Under everyone's gaze, Smoker made the first move.
"White Blow Launcher!"
His lower body dissolved into smoke, launching him forward with explosive propulsion as his jitte stabbed toward Vergo's throat.
Vergo still didn't draw his bamboo staff.
He didn't even move.
Only when the jitte approached his neck did his right hand rise—catching the weapon effortlessly.
Smoker's eyes widened as he noticed Vergo's hand turn pitch black.
"Armament Haki… As expected of the New World."
In the first half of the Grand Line—especially places like Loguetown—Haki users were rare.
But here? It was the bare minimum.
Smoker had come to the New World precisely to stop being a weakling.
He growled and pulled with all his strength, trying to rip the jitte free.
But Vergo's grip was like iron tongs—absolutely unmoving.
Smoker gritted his teeth, ready to exert his full power—
And at that instant, Vergo suddenly let go.
Smoker stumbled backward.
Vergo stepped in. His Armament-coated fist smashed into Smoker's abdomen.
"—! Gah!!"
Smoker vomited blood, blasting off the platform and crashing into the ground below.
The fight lasted barely thirty seconds.
The Marines fell silent—then erupted into cheers.
"Base Commander Vergo!!"
"He's too strong!!"
"Invincible!!"
Smoker lay ignored—this was his first day in G-5, after all—while Tashigi rushed over in horror.
Smoker's expression twisted with humiliation.
He hadn't expected a complete one-sided defeat.
No resistance. No back-and-forth. Utter domination.
But it wasn't surprising. Vergo had originally been stronger. Then he consumed one of Roxing's Ghost-Class Monster Cells—boosting his strength enough to challenge even an Admiral for a time.
Let alone Smoker, who barely understood Haki.
Vergo stared down at Smoker's struggling form.
"If you disobey my orders again, it won't just be a scratch next time."
He turned and walked away without waiting for a response, returning to the command room.
He shut the door tight, then pulled open the bottom drawer.
Inside lay a black Den Den Mushi.
He dialed.
The cold, arrogant aura he'd shown earlier instantly melted into reverence and caution.
Beep—
The line connected.
Vergo inhaled deeply and spoke with utmost respect:
"Hello… Lord Roxing? This is Vergo. I have an important report for you."
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