Thus, the incident involving Doflamingo came to an end.
However, what Bai Yu didn't know was that from this moment onward, his name had become firmly etched into the memory of one of the Four Emperors—Kaido of the Beasts.
In the days to come, Kaido's Beast Pirates would repeatedly clash with Bai Yu, and their conflict would escalate with increasing ferocity.
As for the remnants of the Donquixote Family, now leaderless after Doflamingo's downfall, they had already marked Bai Yu as their top target for elimination.
The subsequent chaos that would erupt in Dressrosa and surrounding areas would all be part of their revenge plot.
But all of that was for the future.
Let's return now to Bai Yu's side.
After Bai Yu successfully executed Doflamingo, he regrouped with Smoker and Caesar and made their way back to their temporary pirate vessel.
Their round trip had taken less than a full day. The G-5 Marines who had been left behind to guard the ship hadn't even finished finding proper cover before they saw the returning group.
Once they confirmed it was indeed Bai Yu and Smoker, the G-5 soldiers emerged from hiding.
It had all happened so quickly—coming and going like a passing storm.
In the quiet of night, the pirate ship gently cut through the waves.
Bai Yu and Smoker stood on the deck, taking in the salty sea breeze as they made a series of Transponder Snail calls to report the mission's outcome—first to Maya's squad, then to Vice Admiral Garp.
While Maya and her group responded with calm acceptance, Garp was once again floored by Bai Yu's unflinching and decisive actions.
He showered Bai Yu with praise over the line.
Before hanging up, the famed Marine Hero firmly instructed Bai Yu to report to Marine Headquarters as soon as possible.
This wasn't just any operation. Given its significance and implications, Bai Yu's firsthand account was essential.
Out on the deck, under the moonlight.
After finishing the calls, Bai Yu remained beside the railing with Smoker, quietly enjoying the cool sea wind.
"Looks like your rank's going to shoot up again after this," Smoker said, exhaling smoke with a wry smile.
Ever since hearing about Bai Yu, Smoker had watched his rapid rise—his promotions had skyrocketed like a launched cannonball.
Bai Yu was already a rear admiral. After this operation, a promotion to vice admiral seemed all but guaranteed.
Not just that—the Navy had even begun discussing the possibility of having Bai Yu serve directly at Headquarters.
That would make him a Headquarters Vice Admiral.
A position of real power.
By contrast, Smoker's own fate was more complicated. Despite playing a major role in this mission, the lingering controversies surrounding the G-5 Division would likely continue to haunt him.
Smoker didn't care much for rank or titles—but he did worry about the subordinates he led in G-5 being dragged down with him.
"Don't worry. I'll speak up for G-5 when I get to Headquarters," Bai Yu reassured, noticing Smoker's troubled expression.
"They're not completely unreasonable. G-5 won't be abandoned."
"...Hope you're right," Smoker muttered, his voice quiet beneath the ocean wind.
For a long while, the two of them simply stood there, staring out at the dark, endless sea.
"How about you?" Bai Yu finally asked. "What's your plan now?"
Even if Headquarters chose to reprimand G-5 for negligence, it was unlikely they'd do anything too serious to Smoker.
After all, Smoker was still one of their most capable combatants—albeit one who didn't exactly follow orders.
"...I don't know," Smoker replied with a shake of his head.
With the incident behind them, a deep uncertainty had settled in his heart.
He no longer knew where he belonged.
Just as Bai Yu was about to offer words of encouragement, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
>[Ding! Confidant recruitment mission triggered. Reward obtained: +1 Confidant Slot]
The system notification rang out crisply in Bai Yu's head.
Another slot to recruit a trusted follower had opened.
Grinning slightly, Bai Yu turned his gaze toward Smoker.
"How about it?" he asked, casually.
"Why don't you join me?"
Smoker raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
With Bai Yu's current strength and growing influence, he didn't see why Bai Yu would want him.
"I'll talk to Headquarters," Bai Yu continued. "It's not a big deal on their end."
"What matters is—what do you want?"
"You won't go far alone."
"My ambitions aren't that different from yours—though maybe mine go even farther."
"Follow me. Let's tear down the broken systems and build a new kind of justice."
"I won't promise success… but I guarantee it'll be one hell of a journey."
Their eyes met.
For a moment, Smoker froze.
There was something in Bai Yu's expression—a blazing determination that cut through the night like firelight.
And Smoker understood immediately.
Bai Yu wasn't talking about pirates anymore.
"Didn't think you were such a smooth talker," Smoker muttered, cracking a smile after a moment of silence.
"Alright then! I want to see where you end up!"
"From now on, your orders come before anyone else's. You've got me!"
Smoker raised his fist—and Bai Yu met it with a grin.
>[Ding! Confidant successfully recruited: Smoker. Reward unlocked: Smoker's Exclusive Training Manual]
The system reward chimed in immediately.
Smoker was now officially a confidant under Bai Yu.
And Bai Yu had received the corresponding system manual to help enhance Smoker's future growth.
"Don't worry," Bai Yu said, patting Smoker's shoulder. "Stick with me. I'll show you a world you've never seen."
With the right training and direction, Smoker's power would rise rapidly.
In time, he would become one of Bai Yu's most trusted right-hand men.
---
The next day, at noon.
Bai Yu reunited with Maya and the others without any issue.
The temporary pirate ship used for the mission was dismantled and destroyed on the spot.
The rescued Punk Hazard hostages and abducted children, along with Maya's squad, were handed over to a nearby Navy branch for protection and resettlement.
Bai Yu and his team then boarded the G-5 warship and began retracing their route.
"Major General Bai Yu, where to next?" Koby asked as the warship cruised ahead. "Back to Branch 188?"
"For now, I won't be returning to Branch 188," Bai Yu answered calmly.
"I've been instructed to personally escort Caesar to Marine Headquarters."
"Also, the full mission report needs to come directly from me."
"Oho! Sounds like they're trying to pull you into Headquarters permanently," Helmeppo chuckled.
As Bai Yu's subordinates, any rise in his status meant a rise for them, too.
"You wish," Bai Yu snorted, playfully glaring at Helmeppo.
"Enough chatting—go train."
"Yes, sir!" the three responded in unison before rushing off to continue their respective training regimens drawn from the system's manuals.
---
Some time later.
Smoker approached.
"Major General Bai Yu, you asked for me?"
His tone had changed completely—firm, respectful, and without his usual aloofness.
Now that he had pledged loyalty, he no longer addressed Bai Yu by name alone.
"You know Maya and the others are training using courses I designed," Bai Yu began.
"I've prepared something similar for you."
As he spoke, Bai Yu reached into his coat, and with a silent mental command, drew a portion of Smoker's exclusive system training manual into reality.
It was time to elevate Smoker to a new level.
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