"Ah!!!"
Smoker's voice exploded through the restaurant, igniting an immediate uproar.
All eyes locked onto Ace in stunned disbelief.
"One of the Four Emperors—the Whitebeard Pirates?!"
"That guy… he's really the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Wait, that sleepy guy?!"
The restaurant owner, who had just gotten back on his feet, stared wide-eyed at the young man with black hair, tan skin, and freckles.
He struggled to reconcile the cheerful, sloppy eater in front of him with the infamous commander known across the Grand Line.
"So, he really came..."
Seated calmly, Shirogai continued to eat, entirely unfazed by the tension or the sudden entrance of Captain Smoker.
Yes, the curry had a rich, satisfying flavor. He'd already memorized the spice blend—he could replicate authentic Alabasta curry for the Straw Hats later.
"Marine, huh?"
Ace put down his wine glass, turned to face Smoker with a grin.
"Relax. I'm just here looking for my little brother."
Smoker narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it.
"Whatever you're planning in this country—stop it."
Ace raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what do you suggest I do?"
Smoker's voice was grim beneath the haze of cigar smoke.
"Surrender. Come quietly."
Ace burst out laughing.
"No thanks. That's not my style."
Smoker sighed. "Didn't expect you to. Pirates never surrender willingly. And besides, I'm not here for you..."
He cast a brief glance behind Ace.
"I'm tracking someone else."
Sitting at the table, cheeks puffed with curry, Shirogai continued eating without looking up.
"Hmm, I'll grab some spices later. Shame I don't have the Door-Door Fruit, it'd make storing ingredients a lot easier."
Ace laughed. "Then why not pretend you didn't see me?"
Smoker answered coldly. "Impossible. I'm a Marine... and you're a pirate."
Wisps of smoke began rising from his arms as his body started turning into vapor.
Ace's eyes gleamed with fire. He smirked.
"Such a boring reason. But fine—let's have some fun."
The restaurant went still.
Customers stared between the Marine at the entrance and the Pirate at the bar, frozen in their seats, torn between fleeing and staying quiet.
Then—
Clack.
A bag of coins hit the counter.
Everyone turned as Shirogai calmly wiped his mouth and stood up, nodding to the owner.
"Boss, that should cover our meal—and the repairs."
Smoker's brows furrowed. That voice… it sounded familiar.
"Th-thank you, customer!"
The owner quickly snatched up the pouch. When he opened it, his eyes widened.
Gold. A full bag of it.
"Sir, this is too much! What repairs?"
Shirogai pointed to the cracked wall and broken counter behind the man.
"For that."
Smoker's eyes sharpened.
That voice. That tone...
His eyes widened in realization.
"Shirogai! You're actually here?!"
But before he could rush forward—
"Gum-Gum Rocket!!!"
A shadow blasted through the open doorway.
Luffy shot in like a missile, slamming straight into Smoker's back—right where the Sea Stone Jitte rested on his shoulder.
The Sea Stone nullified Smoker's powers, forcing his body to revert to solid form.
"Damn it!"
Smoker stumbled, crashing into Ace. The impact knocked both men off balance.
"Huh!?"
Ace had tried to turn into fire to avoid the collision, but Smoker's contact disabled his powers too.
The two tumbled through the wall behind them, shattering it completely.
Boom!
The force of their bodies sent them crashing through the next building... and then the next.
They finally stopped after breaking through three walls.
Meanwhile—
"Woohoo! This really is a restaurant! Hahaha, meat!"
Luffy bounced up, sat beside Shirogai, grabbed a fork and knife, and shouted with glee:
"Uncle, meat! I want meat, meat, meat!"
The restaurant owner turned to Shirogai for guidance.
Shirogai nodded, smiling.
"Give him everything you've got. Roasted, grilled, sausages—just pile it on."
"Huh?! Shirogai, you came here to eat too?"!"
Luffy looked at him in surprise.
Shirogai chuckled, standing to stretch.
"This place has great food. But eat fast. We'll be running from Marines soon."
"Marines? Where?"
Luffy tilted his head, still scarfing down meat—bones and all.
Shirogai pointed to the gaping hole in the wall.
"Three... two... one."
"Huh?"
Ace emerged from the wreckage and tried to speak—but was immediately kicked back by Smoker.
"Shirogai! I've finally found you!"
Smoker surged back into the restaurant in a burst of white smoke.
He reformed, eyes burning with determination.
"I've been hunting you since Loguetown. I've trained, evolved. Let's finish this!"
Shirogai casually turned to Luffy.
"Well, Marine's here."
"Marine?"
Luffy paused, chewing. Then he recognized Smoker and burst out laughing.
"Oh! It's Smoke Guy! You got beat up by Shirogai last time!"
"You again... Straw Hat Luffy. So both the Captain and Vice Captain are here."
Enraged, Smoker slammed his fist into the meat-covered counter in front of Luffy.
"Hey! Smoke Man! Don't waste food!"
Luffy snatched a few plates before the rest were sent flying.
"Food is innocent," Shirogai said as he swiftly gathered the rest into his arms and dashed for the door.
"Luffy! Eat while you run!"
The three of them burst out of the restaurant.
Shirogai sprinted ahead, tossing meat over his shoulder.
"Catch!"
"A-woo!"
Luffy stretched his neck and swallowed the flying food whole.
"More!"
"Stop running and fight me, Shirogai!"
Smoker thundered after them.
"Damn Marines, ruining lunch!"
Ace, grumbling, grabbed his bag and joined the chase.
"Luffy, it's me! I'm Ace!"
---
A few minutes later...
In an open clearing, smoke and fire clashed violently.
Suddenly, both were split by a wave of black flames crashing down from the sky.
"Who's there?!"
Ace and Smoker halted, eyes darting toward the dark silhouette emerging from the smoke.
Shirogai, engulfed in black fire, stepped out.
"A fight between the Smoke-Smoke Fruit and the Flame-Flame Fruit, huh? Sounds boring. I was starting to doze off."
He casually patted out the flames on his coat, then smirked at the two stunned men.
Smoker's face twisted in disbelief, though he'd expected something like this.
Ace, however, was speechless.
Shirogai chuckled.
"If you're both so fired up... mind if I join the party?"
---
Thanks for the Powerstones....send more <(￣︶￣)>