Smoker was one of the first children to enter Pandora Island and become a psychic. Although his talent wasn't as great as Lucci and Monet, who were later called geniuses, his talent was still pretty good. He was considered among the top before those two arrived.
Zephyr specifically transferred him to the East Blue to prevent any particularly strong pirates from appearing there. Otherwise, with his strength, he could have gone to the New World.
The overall quality of people in this world had greatly improved. Super-soldier serum supplied all the high-ranking officers, and everyone in the psychic program was also injected with this serum. Combined with telekinesis and logia-type Devil Fruits, Smoker's strength was far greater than his original self.
To put it bluntly, with his current strength, he could have been a decent Vice Admiral in the original Marine. Becoming a Reserve Admiral would still be a bit difficult. Although the Marine in this world had changed a lot, someone like him could still be considered talented.
Dealing with pirates in a region like the East Blue was no problem at all.
Zephyr specifically transferred Smoker because he trusted his strength. Although Smoker was a little reluctant, he still had to follow Zephyr's orders. Not long ago, Uta mentioned that a very strong pirate would appear in the East Blue, and Smoker thought this was the pirate Zephyr had been waiting for.
That's why he was so eager to investigate. After seeing the scene of the battle, he was even more convinced that his guess was correct.
"From the traces of the battle, there were a total of three people. First, two were fighting, and then the one who died, Krieg, appeared and was killed in one blow by a swordsman," Smoker said to his Vice Captain, Tashigi.
"Mhm, Krieg disappeared for many years. His sudden reappearance this time seems different from before," Tashigi replied, looking at the data in her hand.
"Mm..." Smoker grunted. He could see the change in Krieg. It was 'Oni'. As the highest-ranking person in the East Blue Marine branch, he had indeed come across information about Oni, but it involved demons, which fell under the purview of The Black Order.
So Smoker didn't pay too much attention, only vaguely understanding what Oni were.
Before Krieg disappeared, he was one of the top pirates in the East Blue. After becoming an Oni, he must have become even more powerful. Yet, in this situation, he was instantly killed by a swordsman who had already fought a big battle.
"Hmph, to have such a master in the East Blue, no wonder Teacher Zephyr has always made me stationed here," Smoker suddenly realized. He had thought that pirates from the New World were secretly hiding in the East Blue, and Zephyr had kept him in the East Blue for so many years to find news of them.
Of course, he had no idea that Zoro, who had accomplished all this, was only a teenager and had nothing to do with Zephyr.
"Where do we go next..." Tashigi asked, looking at Smoker in deep thought.
Smoker took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled a large puff of white mist before saying,
"The Black Order."
"...The Black Order?" Tashigi exclaimed in surprise.
Smoker looked at the chaotic sea area in the distance, and suddenly lightning flashed across the dark sky.
"They're involved with Oni. The Black Order catches Oni, and we catch pirates."
Smoker said, "The Black Order has been investigating Oni for so many years, they can't have no information."
Tashigi wanted to say that even if they did have information, there was no reason for them to share it with you, but seeing Smoker's serious expression, she held back.
That was true. Although The Black Order and the Marine were different organizations and there was no reason to share intelligence, the Oni group had been around for a long time, and The Black Order must be anxious too, right?
Thus, the Marine warship sailed towards The Black Order.
The Black Order also had branches in the Four Seas. However, unlike the wealthy and long-established Marine, they only had one branch in each of the Four Seas, totaling only four branches for all of them.
So, it was relatively easy to find the person in charge of The Black Order.
...
As Smoker's warship sailed towards The Black Order headquarters, Luffy and his crew were also heading towards Cocoyasi Village.
The distance between the two islands was very short, so they arrived in no time.
"Should we take Bellemere?" Luffy asked, docking at the shore and looking at Bellemere, who was bound and unconscious.
"Who cares about you," Zoro got off the ship, bringing his three swords, and walked inland. "If you don't want her to die, take her. That way, she won't be controlled by the Demon King if she wakes up suddenly."
"You clearly care a lot," Luffy's comment made Zoro blush. He couldn't help but also disembark with the unconscious Bellemere and quickly followed Zoro.
"Great! Find Bellemere's daughter, and then we'll take them to beat that guy!"
Luffy looked excited.
Zoro stared at Luffy, looking defeated. "You're really going to take her and her daughter to find Muzan? If a fight breaks out, how can you protect them?"
"Auntie Bellemere?!"
Before Luffy could say anything, a woman's worried voice suddenly came from afar. She rushed over quickly and, upon seeing the unconscious Bellemere, looked at Luffy and Zoro warily. "Who are you people? Release Auntie Bellemere at once!"
The woman had short blue hair and dark skin. Although it was night, a cold glint flashed in her hands. It was the gleam of a blade!
The woman held two swords, but it was clear she was quite nervous. Her hands gripping the swords trembled slightly.
"Hey, if you can't even hold a sword steady, don't pretend to be tough," Zoro sighed. "And Bellemere's coma also has nothing to do with us..."
Zoro paused here because he realized he had unconsciously said 'us.' He then said to Luffy, "No, it has nothing to do with me."
Yes, it had nothing to do with Zoro because it was Luffy who made Bellemere faint.
"I'm the one who made Bellemere faint," Luffy admitted generously. "Before she fainted, Bellemere asked us to take care of her two daughters, named..."
What were their names again?
Luffy wasn't good with names and became a little stunned. Zoro couldn't stand it anymore and interjected, "They're called Nojiko and Nami. Do you know them?"
The woman looked at the two men suspiciously. "I am Nojiko. Hand Auntie Bellemere over to me."
She said this tentatively, as she wasn't sure if they were telling the truth, but she wanted to protect Bellemere first.
She knew Bellemere had joined Gato's group to protect them. Now that she was knocked out and tied up, she strongly suspected it was Gato's enemies who did this.
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