章 17: If you have no strength, then you are a bastard!
Smoker's face was flushed with embarrassment. Kahn was the first person to openly criticize him in such a manner.
"You're just a veteran who has forgotten his original ideals!" Smoker's frustration turned into anger. How could a veteran who had forsaken justice have any right to lecture him?
However, before Smoker could react further, Kahn's domineering fist landed squarely on him, catching him off guard.
"What justice? Allow me to demonstrate to you what justice truly is!"
"Geppo!"
Before Smoker could process the situation, Kahn was already before him, his imposing foot descending upon Smoker's chest.
The sheer force sent a jolt of pain through Smoker's body.
Disbelief painted Smoker's features. His Logia-type powers, which he took pride in, were rendered powerless in the face of Kahn's domineering.
Though he didn't want to give up easily, Smoker knew he had to fight back. His Seastone jitte, an H2O-style weapon, swung toward Kahn's foot in a swift motion.
A sardistic smile curved Kahn's lips.
His Haki-covered right foot absorbed the impact as he released Smoker and delivered a crushing kick onto the Seastone jitte.
In an instant, the weapon snapped.
Kahn wasn't idle either. His right hand shot out like lightning, clasping around Smoker's throat and lifting him off the ground.
Smoker struggled to smoke, but the overwhelming pressure from Kahn's grasp left him powerless.
"With your current strength, you dare talk to me about justice?" Kahn's tone dripped with disdain.
The disparity in strength between the two was staggering. Smoker's smoke fruit was rendered ineffective against Kahn's domineering.
Kahn's grip on Smoker's throat tightened, causing his face to turn red. His cigar fell from his mouth as he struggled.
Kahn stamped on the fallen cigar, mirroring the crushing of Smoker's pride.
"I've heard that I quit smoking, yet you continue to smoke," Kahn noted with a chuckle.
Smoker was left fuming, humiliated and powerless. Kahn's strength was beyond his comprehension.
"Vice Admiral Kahn, what's happening?" Tashigi exclaimed, flabbergasted.
The altercation had transpired in a matter of moments, catching the crew off guard.
It wasn't so much a battle as a one-sided demonstration of power.
Perhaps prompted by Tashigi's question, Kahn's emotions surged briefly. The encounter had triggered memories he would rather forget.
With that, he released Smoker.
"Smoker, now you understand what justice is. Your notion of justice is impotent before my fist. It lacks strength and substance, amounting to mere bluster. The barks of the powerless. If you wish to uphold justice, your fist must surpass your adversary's. As for me, until your strength eclipses mine, don't speak to me about justice. You're far from qualified."
Smoker fell silent in response.
Kahn, having said his piece, paid no further heed to Smoker.
"Pochi, let's go."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Kahn."
Kahn's party moved away, leaving the scene.
Tashigi hastened over. "Captain Smoker, are you okay?"
Smoker didn't reply, his gaze fixed on Kahn's retreating figure, his expression a mix of displeasure and contemplation.
Kahn's words had imparted a truth to him: "Fist is justice."
However, it was a truth he refused to acknowledge. He couldn't accept such a skewed version of justice.
"Damn old man!"
"CAPTAIN Smoker!"
Tashigi's call snapped him out of his reverie.
Eventually, he regained his composure.
Seeing him regain his focus, Tashigi sighed in relief.
"Captain Smoker, who was that Vice Admiral Kahn? I've never heard of him."
"A veteran who's lost his heart for justice, but he did hit upon one truth."
Tashigi was intrigued. "Which is?"
"That to establish the justice you believe in, you must possess great strength. Damn old man. One day, I'll surpass him."
Kahn and his group continued walking, their expressions unchanged.
At that moment, Kahn's thoughts drifted to money-making schemes, his recent altercation no longer holding sway over his mind.
As for the recent events, Kahn brushed them off easily. After all, he had experienced something similar himself. In the end, without strength, one was nothing but a nobody.
Meanwhile, a cloaked figure appeared, obstructing Kahn's path.
"Who are you? Why are you blocking us?" Pochi demanded.
"Pochi, step back."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Kahn."
Kahn regarded the figure before him, surprise briefly flashing in his eyes before morphing into an inscrutable smile.
"Aren't you afraid that I'll apprehend you?" he quipped.
"I trust you won't. But the naval captain must have gleaned your intent."
"I'm not concerned with that. It's just that you're so free. Could it be you're looking for something?"
The cloaked man didn't respond verbally, but his gaze shifted past Kahn to Pochi and the others behind him.
The cloak obscured his features, preventing Pochi and the crew from discerning his appearance.
"Pochi, you all go on ahead. I'll catch up."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Kahn."
Without hesitation, Pochi led the sailors away.
Once they were gone, the cloaked man spoke.
"Let's get to the point. I'm short on time, and every minute is valuable. I don't have time to chat idly with you. Dragon."
Indeed, the individual who had appeared was Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army and Garp's son.
Dragon was slightly taken aback by Kahn's abruptness.
"What's the meaning of this?"
But he quickly regained his composure.
"Vice Admiral Kahn, I'll be direct. I want to extend an invitation for you to join the Revolutionary Army."
As he finished speaking, Dragon eyed Kahn with a hopeful expression.
In Dragon's view, Kahn's recent behavior indicated that he was weary of the Celestial Dragons' rule and deeply disappointed with the Navy. It seemed he was fed up with the higher echelons of the Navy, unlike his own father.
Hence, Dragon anticipated that Kahn might be receptive. Although he had approached him before, the timing hadn't been right.
Now, with Kahn revealing such formidable strength, Dragon was even more eager to win him over.
Furthermore, if the venture failed, it wouldn't be a loss.
"Are you joking? I'm a Navy man. Why would I join the Revolutionary Army?"
"Our cause needs individuals like Vice Admiral Kahn who have justice at their core. With more such individuals, we can overthrow the rule of the Celestial Dragons and make the world a better place."
Dragon's smile was brimming with confidence.
Kahn, however, rolled his eyes at the proposition.
"Don't worry about it. I'm not interested."
Dragon's expression shifted to a slight frown.
"Mr. Kahn, have you truly considered it? The world needs you."
"I'm old. I just want to enjoy my life."
"Then why did Vice Admiral Kahn conceal his strength? Why did he choose to reveal it? How could someone who could wound the world's greatest swordsman want to retire so easily?"
Kahn was taken aback.
It seemed his secret identity had been uncovered.
But he had expected as much.
He chuckled, allowing Dragon to speak before he intervened.
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