บท 120: Chapter 119
"You've seen the awakened abilities of my devil fruit."
As Maynard and Smoker walked by, Smoker said,
"The density of smoke changes in accordance with my will. It can phase through anyone, or it may prevent the entry of even a smallest grain you can see.
Akin to a Paramecia, a non-living object can be turned to a smoke at my will. Akin to a Logia, the environment shifts such that the climate is in the most ideal condition for me to exert my full ability. Then there is the Zoan-like part that enhances my strength and regeneration, but that's irrelevant here."
Stopping on the spot, Smoker said,
"You see, there is one more ability in this fruit of mine."
Smoker's hair began to grow long and flutter against the blowing wind as he operated the awakened ability of his fruit. On his hand swirled the grey smoke, one that didn't seem any different than average smoke in Maynard's eyes.
SWOOSH!
Then, before Maynard could perceive, Smoker slashed a light wound on Maynard's arm. Maynard, not bothered with the stinging pain, questioned Smoker, "What are you doing—"
Smoker's smoke slowly traveled and wrapped itself around Maynard's wound. Maynard then saw, his wound slowly but surely closing up.
"This is...!!"
"Yes," Explained Smoker, "The smoke when I'm in my 'awakened state' has the capability to heal—only if I decide to do so."
Maynard was left flabbergasted. He couldn't help but think, 'If this isn't the power of god fruit, then what is?'
"This healing factor not only applies to people, but also plants, you know," Smoker then grinned as he gazed at the distant cloud full of green plants, reminding Maynard of a farm, "In other words, my smoke is one of the best fertilizers you can find.
And if I wish, the clouds rain. If I wish, the clouds move such that the sunlight shines down on us. The biggest reason why we were able to stay hidden for the last four years..." Smoker said as they continued walking, "...was because we were self-sufficient."
Maynard was left in awe. He looked to the left and right and saw numerous people—probably marines and their former families—harvesting crops. As they passed by, they gave a nod of respect to Smoker, to which Smoker returned with his own. Maynard could feel it, the peace and happiness that emanated around this island as people mingled with their families and enjoyed their daily lives...
"If this isn't the Utopia, then what is?" Maynard couldn't help but mumble, and Smoker shook his head,
"This is just a temporary solution to keep our friends and families safe. There is no such thing as Utopia."
"Smoker!"
Just then, Smoker and Maynard heard someone's voice from behind. Turning around, they saw,
"Drake."
X Drake, now 19 years old. Fully grown to a height even taller than Smoker, seemed to be filled with nothing but an eagerness as he came to see his idol.
"You're finally back. How was the situation down there, I wonder? I saw Garp-san and Kuzan-san leaving, and I heard from Tsuru-san that the Revolutionary Army also joined. I was in a training routine by Zephyr-sensei, so—"
"Good to see that you're more lively than ever," Chuckled Smoker as he patted X Drake's back, "Come. All your questions will be answered soon enough."
And therefore, X Drake joined their group.
"Nice to meet you. Maynard, right? I heard about you in the past."
"Uh... nice to meet you, Drake...?" Maynard asked warily, "Who told you about me?"
"Bastille did. He said that you're a loser."
Maynard was deeply hurt, but couldn't say anything against it.
"""SMOKER!"""
Smoker's name was heard again, causing the three of them to come to a stop. This time around, it was three children who were running at Smoker like little monkeys.
"Ace! Luffy! Baby 5!"
Holding his arms wide open, he embraced Luffy and Baby 5 as they jumped on him.
"Where have you gone to?!" Ace, who huffed with his arms crossed, complained at the back, "You promised to teach me how to use that... Sharu... Saru?"
"Soru you mean," Commented Maynard. Ace immediately voiced his annoyance,
"Haa? Who are you?"
"I'm May—"
"A loser whom Bastille mentioned," Replied X Drake instead.
"Oohhh!" Ace then snorted, "So you're that Marinara guy!"
"What has Bastille talked about me?!! Like seriously?!!" Maynard couldn't help but growl in frustration at this rate, promising a vengeance on Bastille for lowering his reputation to such an extent.
"Gah, won't you get off of me, you two..." On the other hand, Smoker said with a deadpan as Baby 5 and Luffy took over his arms and hung onto them like little monkeys.
"Nope!"
"Shishishishi!"
"Wahaha..."
Watching their heartfelt laughs and attachment to him, Smoker couldn't help but laugh along in the end.
"By the way, Koala has gone off looking for you three. Have you seen her yet?"
"Haaa?? I bet that that's a lie!" Pouted Baby 5, "She always goes to Law! Haven't you seen that?!"
Ace then shouted impatiently, "Anyway, answer me Smoker! When are you going to teach me?!"
Smoker rolled his eyes, "Seriously, what's so hard about Soru? Just kick ground like ten times and it works!"
Ace stomped the cloudy platform in frustration, "Urghhh! That's not what I meant!!"
"Guys! Where have you gone off to—" Then came along their caretaker,
""Ah, Rosinante!"" Baby 5 and Luffy shouted.
"Oh?" Rosinante's eyes widened before he exclaimed brightly, "Smoker-san! You're back!"
"Hey, Rosinante!" Lifting up the arm that Luffy was attaching himself to, Smoker waved at Rosinante.
"Just as it always has been, seems like everything has gone all fine!"
Smoker's smile became a little rigid upon hearing Rosinante's optimistic words, but he immediately concealed said crack in the expression.
With a suddenly inflated group—slightly overwhelming Maynard—they headed to a slightly larger wooden building that sat in the middle of the island—
"BWAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
—suddenly, a huge burst of laughter was heard from the inside of the building, causing the group to sweatdrop.
"What is Garp-san doing this time around..." Rosinante couldn't help but sigh. The children on the other hand paled up, having experienced Garp for a good amount of time by now. Baby 5 and Luffy got off of Smoker's arms, and everyone started distancing themselves from him.
"Huh? What's happening?" Maynard asked in confusion, before,
"SMOOOOKERRR!!!" Garp suddenly broke through the fragile wooden door and came in flying toward Smoker, with his huge fist ready to punch.
Smoker, without any surprise in him, grinned as he threw a fist of his own, "Been a while, Garp-sensei!"
BOOOM!
Everyone was knocked back as two fists collided against one another.
"Gramps has gone crazy!!!" Screamed Luffy.
"RUNNN!!!" Shouted Baby 5, before those two went running away.
"W-wait, you two!" Rosinante, groaning in fatigue, chased after them, much to others' pity.
"Why are they fighting?!" Cried Maynard.
"Because only Smoker can match Garp-san's craziness in this place. Hina sighes," Said Hina by Maynard's side all of a sudden, causing Maynard to jump with his heart momentarily having stopped.
"Gahh!! When did you come here?!"
Hina dully gazed Maynard for a while, before commenting, "You need to hone your Observation Haki."
"..."
Maynard felt a dent in his pride.
...
Maynard, driven away by the others, was currently settling down on the island. Smoker, on the other hand, was in a concealed room with Hina, Bastille, and Aramaki, sitting in union with Garp, Sengoku, Tsuru, Kuzan, Zephyr, and Momonga, ready to discuss and calculate their gains from their works this time around.
At the center of them was a round table, which had a Den Den Mushi sitting on top. The Den Den Mushi, currently in its active phase, relayed the voice from the other side,
<<We just returned to Baltigo... give us a sec.>>
Scuffling noises were heard, before Dragon took over the Den Den Mushi; said Den Den Mushi gained a serious expression and a tattoo-like scar around its visage, resembling Dragon's appearance.
<<So let us begin, starting with Kuzan and Aramaki.>>
Aramaki stared at Kuzan, who looked back at the former lazily. Groaning, Aramaki opened his mouth, "Akainu arrived after we caught Spandam of CP9. We didn't get a chance to come in contact with Tom. We were about to die, before Kuzan-san appeared out of nowhere to save us. Afterward, Akainu received a call from those old fuckards and left. We waited for the Hina, Bastille, and Koala's ship to arrive, and joined them. Later on, Smoker-san returned with Maynard dude and we came back here. Done."
<<...Sakazuki is losing patience, I see. Quite an unexpected action from him.>>
"It is an evident sign that Marine is in a tough position currently," Sengoku pointed it out.
<<Sakazuki's arrival instead of Vice Admirals or an Admiral can be attributed to their shortage of force. And the main reason for that is...>>
Everyone's eyes were then focused on Smoker, who knew it was his time to speak.
"I fought Borsalino and Tensei. Hina and Bastille dealt with CP9 agents. Was about to head to the Water Seven, before I learned from Maynard that Bullet appeared out of nowhere, killed all the awaiting CPs, and headed to the Fish Man island. Judging that y'all should be fine, I headed down and stopped him."
<<...From this event, the 'Holy Knights' will return to the Mariejois. We've cut the supply lines, which means that if the World Government doesn't broaden its security to secure the necessities in a few months, it may collapse beyond a return. After all, in a state where communication cannot be made, money loses its value. However, I believe that we still hold the advantage. If we can surround the Red Line and attack them two-way from Paradise and New World, then they will be forced to divert their attention— >>
"Hold on there. I haven't finished yet."
Redirecting the attention to himself and silencing Dragon, Smoker spoke what he learned from Shanks.
"Red Hair Shanks. Though I have no way to discern whether the information was true or not, he revealed to me that Gum Gum fruit is the Human Human fruit: model Nika."
<<...Nika?!>>
"Nika... as in the warrior of freedom?"
Everyone expressed a shock. After all, Nika wasn't an unfamiliar name to them.
"And unknown to us, Gum Gum fruit was found and was under transportation by Cipher Pols."
"""?!!"""
"Impossible... how can a mere pirate crew know what we weren't able to learn?" Sengoku whispered in suspicion. Garp snorted at that,
"You talk as if our information network is perfect, Sengoku!" Garp casually pointed it out, "The Gum Gum fruit and Nika thing was probably learned while that red hair brat was in Roger's ship!"
<<This... what even is...>> Dragon mumbled, seemingly overwhelmed by the thought. Smoker continued in this state,
"And during the transportation, Gum Gum fruit was hijacked by the Beast Pirates."
That's when the Den Den Mushi's eyes widened, showing Dragon's evident panic.
<<...What did you say...?>>
Without answering, Smoker continued, "There is no way that someone of Roger's crew leaked the information to Kaidou. Kaidou should've been busy facing a war against Big Mom. What I drew from this was that Kaidou and Big Mom are 'acting,' and that they, or Kaidou at the very least, may potentially have a way to decipher Poneglyphs."
Thanks to their efforts, the influence of the World Government substantially weakened over the past four years. However, they at the same time ended up contributing to the growth of dangerous pirates in the New World—one that the majority of people in the room realized just now.
How close are they to One Piece now? No one in the room had a way of telling.
<<...However, we cannot afford to divert attention from the World Government. They still stand as the more dangerous threats with mysteries that are unknown to us.>>
"Regardless, we must,"
Smoker stood up,
<<...>>
"I'm going to Wano."
And thus, Smoker declared.
Everyone could feel, that after 4 years of peace, turmoil was about to rise once again.
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