"Hey! Come out!"
Kuina drew her sword in a flash, stepping onto the deck with Geppo, her expression ice-cold as she barked:
"I don't care who you are — if you show yourself now, we can still talk this out. But if we have to drag you out... don't blame us for being rough!"
Shanu landed atop the mainmast right after her, the perfect spot to oversee the entire ship.
He frowned slightly as he peered down toward the silent cabin.
Whoever it was — they were damn good at hiding.
Just yesterday, he'd finished inspecting every corner of the ship to install the Falcon figurehead. Even with his sharp Observation Haki, he hadn't noticed a thing.
So when had this person snuck aboard...?
Could they have stowed away back at Shelly Island Dock, before the ship even left port?
"He's coming out," said Crocus suddenly.
Everyone tensed, eyes locking on the cabin doors.
But instead of footsteps or a door opening, a wisp of smoke drifted lazily out of a vent, swirling until it formed the shape of a man.
"…Smoker?!"
Kuina's eyes widened. "It's you?!"
Through the thinning haze, Smoker's face appeared, expression complicated. He raised both hands slowly, showing he meant no harm.
"Relax. I'm no longer a Marine officer — I assume you confirmed that from the bounty notice."
Then he looked up.
"Captain Shanu… mind coming down for a talk?"
———
Ten minutes later.
Everyone was gathered in a circle on the deck, listening as Smoker sat cross-legged before the mast, telling his story.
"So that's how it was between you and that guy, Altair," said Nami, finally understanding. "And the order to fire came from him, huh? What a bastard — good job taking him out!"
She laughed and slapped Smoker on the shoulder.
"Not bad, kid! Guess we had an inside man back in Loguetown after all!"
Kid?
Smoker's eyebrow twitched as he quietly lit another cigar. He was thirty, for crying out loud — being called "kid" by this orange-haired brat felt... complicated.
"Impressive," Crocus mused beside him, stroking his chin. "Haven't seen many people with the guts to quit the Marines over their disgust for the nobles. Not in decades."
The last one, if he remembered right… had made quite a name for himself. What was his name again...?
"That was just the last straw," said Smoker, exhaling smoke. "Truth is, I'd been fed up long before that. I joined the Marines to live by justice — to protect the innocent from pirates."
"But if Celestial Dragons, or even nobles with their blood, commit crimes, we're ordered to turn a blind eye — or worse, protect them. Tell me, how is that any different from piracy?"
He paused, voice low and hard.
"It's even worse. Every time I saw that word 'Justice' on my cloak, it made me sick."
He took another puff. "Killing Altair was a moment of rage, sure. But afterward, I felt lost. Not because of being hunted… but because I didn't know what the point of it all was anymore."
"Then I saw you that day in the plaza, Captain Shanu — when your Conqueror's Haki awakened. I heard what you said."
Smoker looked up, gaze firm.
"Your words cleared my head."
Smoke curled around him as he spoke, but his eyes burned steady and sharp.
"Marine or pirate, justice isn't defined by the uniform. If the World Government won't let me follow my sense of justice, then I'll follow a man who can."
The deck fell silent.
"So what you're saying," Kuina asked, brows furrowing, "is that you want to join our crew — the Curtainfall Adventurers? Then why didn't you just come to us back in Loguetown?"
"Well…" Smoker scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Didn't know how you'd react to a former Marine. Thought I'd… wait for the right moment."
Shanu raised an eyebrow. "And that means?"
"Like… if you were in trouble or short-handed, I'd swoop in to help — you know, classic timing — and then it'd be natural for me to stay."
Nami snorted. "Sure, sounds great. Too bad with my brother around, you'll never get that chance. What kind of trouble could possibly need you to play hero, huh?"
Smoker could only give a bitter laugh — she wasn't wrong.
Strength ruled this world, and Shanu's strength had already convinced him to follow. Words alone meant nothing.
"Brother," whispered Nojiko, nudging Shanu's arm, "should we let him join?"
She didn't mind Smoker. He'd rebelled against corrupt nobles, was honest about everything, and most importantly — admired her brother.
Seemed like a solid guy.
Shanu stayed silent for a moment, still processing.
Honestly, when Smoker said he wanted to follow him, the shock was on par with when Kuzan joined Blackbeard in the manga.
The World Government and the Marines really were rotten to the core — driving away the very men who could've led them into a better future.
"You've been hiding in the air ducts this whole time?" Shanu asked.
"Yes, Captain," Smoker admitted, blushing slightly. "More precisely — above the kitchen. It was the only place the wolf wasn't allowed to enter, so I could eat without being found..."
"Arf!" barked Gin, glaring at Zeff — See? This is what happens when you never let me in the kitchen!
"Oh, that explains it!" Zeff slapped his forehead. "No wonder our food stores didn't add up, and the smoke was so thick while cooking! Turns out you were the exhaust fan problem!"
"Yeah…" Smoker admitted sheepishly. "The smoke got bad sometimes, so I turned into smoke myself to avoid choking. I also, uh, fixed the fan at night. It really was broken."
"You fixed it?" Shanu asked, a little surprised.
"I used to love tinkering as a kid — especially with bikes. Learned mechanics inside and out to customize mine."
Then his eyes lit up. "Captain Shanu, you mentioned you still needed a shipwright, right? I'm not a pro, but I can handle repairs and maintenance. Let me take the job!"
Shanu didn't reply. He stretched, facing the rising sun.
"Captain?" Smoker asked carefully.
"Everyone's hungry, right? Zeff, let's throw a feast!" Shanu grinned. "To send off Crocus and Laboon — and to welcome our new shipwright, as our newest crewmate!"
"OOOOOHHHH!!!"
"Feast time!!!"
Cheers erupted across the deck as morning sunlight bathed the ship.
Crocus chuckled, patting Laboon's massive cheek. "Looks like we'll stick around a bit longer, huh? Can't sail on an empty stomach — that's dangerous at sea."
Laboon nodded happily.
"Hey, big-nose!" Crocus shouted toward the galley. "Don't forget the salt this time!"
"Big nose?!" Zeff roared back. "Relax, old man! I'll double the damn salt just for you!"
"Hahaha! Good! My taste buds ain't what they used to be!"
The deck filled with laughter and noise.
Only Smoker stood there, dazed.
They really… accepted me?
A smile tugged at his lips as he blew out a puff of smoke. But before he could relax, Kuina's calm voice came from behind:
"Hey, Smokey — smoking's fine, but not near Nami, got it? She's still underage. If she picks up your habit, the Captain'll beat you into the ocean."
"Got it." Smoker quickly stubbed out the cigars, bowing slightly. "And… sorry for startling everyone earlier. I really didn't mean to cause a scare."
Kuina sheathed her blade. "Scare? Nah. We were tense at first — but once we saw it was just you, everyone relaxed."
Nami and Nojiko both nodded furiously.
"…'Just me'?" Smoker blinked, insulted. That hurt more than he expected.
"And one more thing," Kuina added firmly. "A real apology isn't about words. You ate our supplies, spied on us, and gave everyone a fright — so you'd better earn our trust back by working hard."
"Of course…" Smoker began — then froze.
Wait. The ship was fine. The exhaust fan was fixed. What work was left for him?
———
Hours later, after the feast ended and everyone passed out drunk, Smoker stood alone on deck, broom in hand, staring at the mess of plates and bottles.
So this is what she meant by 'working hard,' huh…
He'd watched the broom pass from Kuina to Nojiko, then to Nami, then to Gin — who trotted over and dropped it in his hands, patting his shoulder like a senior welcoming a rookie.
Well… he had earned it.
Sighing, Smoker started sweeping.
With each stroke, a strange nostalgia welled up inside him.
He remembered the days when he'd first joined the Marines — a teenager full of ideals, sweeping decks just like this. Back before the fruit, before the training camps, when justice still meant something pure.
Now, it felt like he was right back where he started.
He grinned, lit two cigars, and looked up toward the second deck — toward the Captain's quarters.
Let's hope this time… I won't be disappointed.
———
Meanwhile...
Not far from Twin Cape, on a tropical island—
"You heard the instructions — especially the last two, right?"
In a dimly lit room, a tall woman in a wide-brimmed cowboy hat sat across from two figures. Her face was hidden behind a veil, her presence dark and commanding.
"Yes, ma'am," said the man with the afro nervously. "No digging into the boss or any senior agents' identities."
The girl beside him twirled her umbrella, grinning. "And during missions, no real names — only code names."
"Perfect," the veiled woman said, smiling faintly. "Then sign the contract, Jem, Mikita. From this moment on, welcome to Baroque Works. You're now Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine."