Chapter 23: Undercover
Loguetown
Navy Base
The White Hunter, Smoker, sat behind his desk, a thick cigar clenched between his teeth. Smoke filled the room so densely it was hard to see anything.
On the desk in front of him sat a stack of bounty posters. If someone with sharp eyes were present, they would immediately recognize several familiar silhouettes.
Smoker gritted his teeth on the cigar, his face slightly flushed with frustration.He suddenly slammed his hand on the desk and shouted:
"Ridiculous!!"
He stared at the beautifully crafted images on the bounty posters. To an outsider, it would seem these pirates had created a masterclass propaganda campaign to seduce the youth into idolizing them.
Beautiful women? Even he—an iron-willed, straightforward man—was starting to feel conflicted.
As if on cue, the door creaked open. A girl with glasses peeked in—Tashigi. She bore an uncanny resemblance to Kuina, her tone was soft and resentful.
"Captain Smoker, something happened again?"
Smoker waved her off."Nothing. Go back to your post."
But Tashigi's gaze caught the stack of bounty posters. One of the girls looked eerily similar to her—she could have been her older sister.
Unable to resist, she walked in and picked up the stack, flipping through each one.
There was Cold-looking Kuina, Wild-grinning Zala, Pipe-smoking Sanju, Rifle-wielding Yasha, Posing Nami, Glasses-wearing intellect Kaya, and finally, the smiling, magnetic presence of Luffy.
Tashigi's cheeks flushed. She muttered under her breath:"They're so beautiful… even the man is ridiculously handsome…"
Smoker's face darkened.
"What are you looking at? Focus on the bounties. These are criminals. They need to be brought to justice!"
Tashigi pouted, unconvinced."They're the famous Straw Hat crew, right? Why are they suddenly labeled as criminals? They seem like good people. And come on—how can people that beautiful be bad? These bounties feel unfair."
Smoker glared."Wake up, Tashigi! They're pirates! Lawless! It's our duty as Marines to arrest them and send them straight to Impel Down!"
Perhaps Tashigi might have believed that once. But after the Navy's recent scandal, even the higher-ups at Marineford had been exposed. The image of 'justice' had shattered.
Even Smoker had to admit—without his firm convictions, his faith might've wavered too.
This was East Blue—Garp's hometown. If corruption could run this deep here, the other seas must be hellholes.
Tashigi lowered her voice."But they didn't do anything wrong. They only took down pirates… and corrupt Marines."
"They're still pirates. And all pirates are damned."
"So… corrupt Marines shouldn't be punished? Just because they're Marines, it's okay to commit evil?"
"Damn it!! Pirates and corrupt Marines are both damned!"
"Then you are confused, Captain."
"You're the one who's confused, Tashigi! Hand me those bounty posters—they're toxic. You're still young, easily influenced."
Just then, the door burst open. A pale-faced Marine soldier barged in.
Before Smoker could shout in irritation, the soldier snapped to attention and said:
"Captain Smoker—report! The Straw Hat crew's ship, Baphomet, has docked at the port! They're already on the island!"
Smoker's anger vanished. He grabbed the seastone-tipped jitte from his desk and stood up, a manic smile on his face.
"Finally… they're here. Good. Good. Assemble all units. Today will be the Straw Hats' last day in East Blue. Impel Down is their final destination!"
Tashigi bit her lip but followed. Though mesmerized by Luffy's charm, she was still a Marine. She could only hope she might meet him first… maybe even warn him.
What she didn't know—was that Smoker's fury was just a mask.He too had nearly been seduced by beauty… and now, blinded by pride, all he could do was shout.
Elsewhere in Loguetown
The Straw Hat crew had landed. Each member scattered to explore the town.
Luffy, however, made his way toward the execution platform. He was curious.After wandering through a few alleys, he reached the site.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. Thunder cracked. The clouds churned ominously.
Luffy's lips twitched. He sensed a strong presence.
"A storm? Impossible. The weather wouldn't dare ruin my mood... It's definitely that cheap father—Dragon."
He narrowed his eyes."He's strong—stronger than Hawkeye, slightly. But not by much. And this is the world's most dangerous man? The World Government is being generous with titles."
He climbed the platform with a shake of his head.Since he'd inherited everything from Luffy, he wouldn't embarrass his father.
At the top, he looked around, unimpressed.
"I thought this platform would be something special. But… nothing. No devourable traits. Even the hat on my head—an ancient relic—is devoid of characteristics. Only certain characters or Devil Fruits arouse my black hole appetite…"
As he turned to leave, the area below filled with Marines.
At the front stood a white-haired man in a Captain's coat, looking up with that smug everything is under control expression.
Luffy chuckled and called out:
"My name is Monkey D. Luffy! I'm the man who's going to become the Pirate King!"
Thunder cracked behind him. Light illuminated his form—grand, majestic, sacred.
The crowd stared in awe. Even Dragon was stunned—he momentarily lost control of his Devil Fruit powers.
His hands trembled, clasped tightly in shock.
Smoker, gritting his teeth, felt his heart pounding.For a terrifying moment… he believed this man could actually do it.
"You won't! Your fate is to rot in Impel Down!" he shouted, though his voice trembled.
Luffy chuckled, touching the brim of his hat.
"Nah. You can't stop me. Your Marines can't stop me. Impel Down can't hold me."
Cracks formed under his feet. The platform creaked dangerously.
Tashigi flushed. Her heart fluttered.'So handsome!!'
Around her, others were just as entranced—including Bartolomeo, tears streaming down his face.
"So damn bright! Am I looking at God?!"
Luffy looked down calmly.
"I suggest you back off. I won't be responsible for what happens next…"
Instinctively, Tashigi stepped back. So did the crowd. Even some Marines hesitated.
Smoker's face darkened, furious.
"Marines, attack!!"
Rifles were raised—but some Marines stood frozen, hypnotized by Luffy's overwhelming presence.
Luffy sighed—and the platform exploded beneath him.
Debris flew everywhere. Marines who didn't heed the warning were blasted away.
Smoker's Logia body barely saved him. If not for his Devil Fruit, he'd be in pieces.
A ten-meter crater now gaped beneath the wreckage.Luffy landed lightly on the ground.
He stared at Smoker with interest."Nature-type Devil Fruit. Looks strong."
Smoker, trembling with rage, barked:"Back off! I'll handle him myself!"
His subordinates quickly retreated—too stunned to speak. Smoker's rage burned hotter at their cowardice.
At least pretend to care, you traitors. And you, Tashigi! Stop looking at this criminal like you're in love!Idiots, all of you!
He shot forward, legs turning to smoke. In a blink, his jitte was inches from Luffy's head.
But Luffy tilted his body, dodging effortlessly. His foot snapped up, slamming into Smoker's jitte arm.
With a sudden bulge in his neck muscles, he released a shockwave that blasted Smoker through the air and into the dirt, carving a trench behind him.
The jitte flew from his grip. Smoker wasn't injured… but he now knew—he wasn't a match.
Gritting his teeth, he muttered:"Rubber… Devil Fruit…"
Luffy nodded shamelessly."I am. You're quite smart."
Suddenly, a shout:
"Captain Smoker, I'll help you!!"
Tashigi threw herself at Luffy, wrapping her arms around him.
Her flushed face turned slightly, voice trembling.
"Captain Smoker, run! I'll hold him off! I'm not afraid! Go!"
Luffy raised an eyebrow as she… casually let her hands roam places they shouldn't.
Didn't expect protagonist charm to be this lethal…
Smoker's face turned dark. The crowd looked away in shame. Noble act? Maybe. But no one felt inspired.
"Tashigi… get down."
Reluctantly, she let go. But as she pulled back, Luffy gave her head a mysterious tap.
'Let's see how far this little undercover girl can go…'
Just then, the rest of the Straw Hat crew arrived at the now-ruined plaza.
They surrounded Luffy, each glaring at Smoker.
Zala's tone was icy."Luffy, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Luffy grinned."Nah. Just a little sparring match."
Smoker was overwhelmed—not just by their power, but their beauty. His will wavered.
He muttered:"Strong…"
He suddenly remembered—the girls were only given small bounties for "minor roles" in the Navy scandal. Now he realized how stupid Headquarters was.
And this captain, worth only 45 million?
Insane.
Smoker was humiliated. He didn't even know what to do.
Luffy turned to his crew."Tour's over?"
They nodded.
"Then let's go. Doesn't seem like we're welcome."
They chuckled—and before leaving, several glanced at Tashigi with amusement.
Not just because she looked like Kuina—no, they saw it: Luffy's favor.
She hadn't transformed yet… but she would.
As the Straw Hats left under the awestruck gaze of the crowd, Smoker stood frozen in shock.
"What… happened?"
Tashigi giggled beside him."While you were thinking, they left."
Smoker's face burned with shame.He had been ignored.
Just as he turned to chase, a presence appeared behind him.
A familiar one.
"You!! What are you doing here?!"
Dragon, his face shadowed by a hood, smirked.
"Just a father… bidding farewell to his son."
Smoker's eyes widened."Monkey D…!!! No wonder… No wonder!!"
Suddenly, he recalled Aokiji's call from days ago—he had warned him not to act rashly.
That annoying guy is Garp's grandson…
Still… Smoker was unconvinced.
He would catch that Straw Hat punk. One day.
Dragon just stood there, smiling with anticipation.
"Looking forward to what you'll become…"
And with a gust of wind, he vanished.