Chương 59: Loguetown and Smoker
Loguetown, the city of beginnings and ends. The Thunder God Pirates sailed into the harbor, arriving at this significant town. As per his usual habit, Sanders used his Fusion Fruit ability to completely seal off his room and the storage area holding his wealth and treasures. After all, this was his entire fortune. Among the treasures was the highly valuable Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit. He couldn't afford to let it be stolen.
"Captain, are you sure it's okay not to leave someone behind to guard the ship?" Robin asked, a little uneasy. She wasn't aware that Sanders had a Logia-type Devil Fruit, but the mountain of treasures in the storage room alone was enough to make her concerned.
"No need. Just bring some money with you for spending. Everyone can go out and enjoy themselves—buy whatever you want, go to the casino if you feel like it. We'll set sail again tomorrow, so have fun today," Sanders laughed. In truth, his Observation Haki covered a wide range. If any petty thieves tried boarding the ship, he'd know immediately.
"I'll be off then," Issho (Fujitora) said as he leapt ashore. Hearing Sanders announce free time, he was quick to leave. Sanders didn't want to gamble with him, and Issho himself felt that constantly betting with one person wasn't that enjoyable either. Now that they were finally in a bustling town, he intended to indulge his gambling habits.
Robin smiled lightly and jumped ashore as well. Sanders wasn't worried about her safety. In all of Loguetown, only Smoker could pose a threat to her—the rest were just small fry. Besides, Robin had been surviving on the seas for over a decade. She was more than capable of taking care of herself.
Speaking of the East Blue, the pirates there were really unlucky. Not only did they have to deal with the occasional visits from Marine hero Garp, but they also had to face a Logia user if they wanted to enter the Grand Line. No wonder the East Blue was considered the weakest of the four seas. Encountering a Logia before even reaching the Grand Line would make anyone surrender.
The Smoke-Smoke Fruit wasn't particularly powerful, but it depended on the opponent. A group of people who didn't know about Sea Prism Stone or Armament Haki could only wait for death when faced with a Logia user.
Sanders strolled through the bustling streets of Loguetown. After taking a glance at the execution platform where Roger had been executed, he randomly chose a tavern and sat down. He believed that the Marines would soon come looking for him.
In the office of Loguetown's Marine branch, the room was filled with smoke. Smoker, with his white hair and two cigars hanging from his mouth, sat at his desk, smoke constantly billowing out and shrouding the entire room. At this moment, Smoker appeared somewhat dejected, his eyes filled with a sense of loss, far from the determined figure portrayed in the original story.
His current state was, of course, due to the newspaper detailing the reasons for Sanders' defection from the Marines. Just then, an urgent knock came at the door.
"Come in!" Smoker called out. A Marine opened the door, only to be hit by the thick smoke, causing him to cough uncontrollably. After a while, he finally regained his composure.
"What is it?" Smoker asked, not moving an inch, only casting a cold glance at the Marine.
This terrifying sight made the Marine tremble with fear. Smoker's bad temper had become well-known throughout the branch. If it weren't for an urgent matter, this Marine would've avoided approaching him.
"Captain Smoker, we've received word from the harbor. The Thunder God Pirates are suspected to have arrived in Loguetown," the Marine reported loudly.
Smoker's eyes narrowed as he shot to his feet.
"Who did you say?" he demanded, staring at the Marine with wide eyes.
"C-Captain Smoker, it's the Thunder God Pirates. The one led by Thunder God Sanders," the Marine stammered, repeating himself.
"Sanders!" Smoker grabbed his jitte, which was embedded with Sea Prism Stone, and started toward the door.
"Where is he now?"
"At Tavern," the Marine answered. Smoker said nothing as he walked out.
"Captain Smoker, should we assemble a squad to apprehend him?" the Marine asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Huh?" Smoker stopped and turned to look at the Marine, his face filled with disbelief.
"The entire branch combined isn't strong enough to survive a single punch from him, and you want to arrest him?" he sneered. The Marine's face flushed red with embarrassment. He had asked out of habit, but regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. Now, he wanted to slap himself. What was he thinking, suggesting arresting a pirate who had defeated a Marine Admiral?
"No need to gather anyone. I'll handle this alone," Smoker said, turning to leave.
"What? You're going alone? That's too dangerous!" the Marine exclaimed.
"That's an order!" Smoker replied coldly without looking back.
The Marine stood frozen in place, scratching his head before ultimately obeying Smoker's command.
At Marjorie's Tavern, Sanders sipped a cocktail while listening to some young pirates boast about their exploits. Suddenly, a voice called out from behind him.
"Sanders."
Sanders sat still at the bar, not turning his head. The next moment, a strong smell of cigar smoke filled the air, and Smoker placed his jitte on the bar with a firm thud.
"It's been a few years, Smoker, and it seems you haven't gotten any stronger," Sanders smirked, raising his glass and glancing over at Smoker.
"Don't you dare call me 'white hair,' you damn lightning brat!" Smoker growled, biting down on his cigars angrily. Back when they were both at Marine Headquarters, Sanders had always teased him by calling him 'white hair,' and Smoker had never liked it. The two of them often fought, being fellow Logia users, but it was always Smoker on the receiving end of a beating.
"Heh, your skills haven't improved, but your temper sure has. Now, it's even easier for me to beat you—just a flick of the wrist, and you're done for," Sanders mocked.
Smoker remained silent. He knew Sanders wasn't exaggerating; after all, anyone who could defeat a Marine Admiral could easily crush him.
"So, what brings you to the East Blue? Shouldn't someone like you be out fighting the big pirates in the New World?" Smoker asked after a long pause.
"What's it to you? Can't I just be here for a vacation?" Sanders gave Smoker a dismissive glance.
"Why waste your time in this rundown place? You're not going to get any stronger without real battles," Sanders continued. "You've been through elite training, but if you stay here too long, you're going to rot."
Though Smoker's Smoke-Smoke Fruit wasn't the most powerful, it was still a Logia-type. He could make something of himself on the Grand Line. Loguetown might be known as the town of beginnings and ends, but in reality, it was just a gathering spot for small-time pirates. Placing a Logia user here was a waste of talent. Sure, it deterred East Blue pirates from entering the Grand Line, but it wasn't doing Smoker any favors. Long-term complacency would ruin him.
"I'm planning to request a transfer to the Grand Line soon," Smoker said through gritted teeth. "Now tell me, why are you here in the East Blue?"
"The East Blue isn't owned by the Marines. I can come and go as I please. If you've got a problem with it, why don't you call Sengoku and bring the Admirals with you?" Sanders said casually.
It sounded like boasting, but Sanders wasn't worried. Even if Sengoku came with the Admirals, as long as one of them stayed behind, Sanders felt confident he could hold his own. With Issho by his side, he could take on two or three of them if needed.
Faced with Sanders' arrogance, Smoker had no choice but to resign himself. "Fine, it's not like I can stop you anyway. Headquarters will have to deal with you," Smoker muttered, slumping into a chair in defeat. There was no point in trying to fight. If Sanders really got angry, he could level Loguetown without breaking a sweat. As someone who had trained at Marine Headquarters, Smoker knew full well the power of Marines at Admiral level.
"That's more like it," Sanders chuckled. "Do you really think a little captain like you can handle me? Why risk your life for a few hundred berries a month? If anyone should deal with me, it's Sengoku himself."
"Come on, it's been a while since we last saw each other. Let's have a few drinks," Sanders said, calling the bartender over to bring more drinks. There was an unspoken understanding between the two: neither mentioned Sanders' defection from the Marines. There was no point. The past was the past, and there was nothing more to say.
If Smoker hadn't known the full story, he might have confronted Sanders about it. But now, he didn't have the guts. After learning what had happened behind the scenes, Smoker no longer had the moral high ground to challenge him. The actions of Marine Headquarters and the World Government had shaken the beliefs of many Marines, including Smoker.
Still, that small doubt in his mind wasn't enough for Smoker to follow in Sanders' footsteps and defect. Like many others, Smoker knew the Marines and the World Government had their flaws, but he remained convinced that, overall, the Marines were still a force for justice, fighting pirates and protecting the innocent.
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