The Buggy Pirates remained completely absorbed in their premature celebration, oblivious to the fact that their location had been under constant Marine surveillance for hours. Even the young Seaman assigned to monitor them was beginning to doubt the Sky Screen's dramatic claims. Hidden in the shadows across from the tavern, he observed what appeared to be nothing more than a group of third-rate pirates drinking themselves into a stupor.
If Buggy really possessed advanced Observation Haki, the surveillance officer thought skeptically, wouldn't he detect a Marine without any Haki training? The supposed "future Yonko" showed no awareness of being watched, even as the Seaman brazenly pulled out his Den Den Mushi to file his report.
"This is surveillance post three," he whispered into the communication device. "Target group remains at the tavern location. No signs of departure or unusual activity. Requesting further instructions."
The response crackled through immediately from Loguetown Marine Base: "Seaman, your mission is complete. Captain Smoker is en route to your position. You are ordered to withdraw immediately and avoid potential combat zones."
"Understood, sir." The young Marine quickly packed his equipment, eager to escape before whatever confrontation was about to unfold.
This particular Seaman had joined the Marines specifically because of Captain Smoker's inspiring example. In his mind, the white-haired captain was an invincible force of nature, capable of subduing any pirate threat in East Blue without breaking a sweat. The idea that some ridiculous clown could challenge such a legendary figure seemed absolutely preposterous.
As the conscientious Marine retreated from his position, Captain Smoker arrived at the scene with characteristic dramatic flair. His body transformed partially into billowing white smoke as he propelled himself through the air, two cigars clenched between his teeth and smoke trailing behind him like a contrail.
"Tashigi, clear the surrounding area of civilians," Smoker commanded as he prepared for confrontation. "When real fighting breaks out, I won't be able to protect bystanders. I can handle the Buggy Pirates single-handedly."
Seaman First Class Tashigi snapped a crisp salute before drawing her sword and moving to comply with orders. Her combat abilities ranked second only to Captain Smoker among Loguetown's Marine forces, making her the ideal choice to handle crowd control and capture any pirates who might attempt to flee.
"Buggy the Clown, let me introduce you to reality," Smoker announced with cold satisfaction.
The Marine captain's limbs separated from his torso, transforming into streams of white smoke that left ethereal trails in the air. He crashed through the tavern's front door like a battering ram, his smoke-formed fist aimed directly at Buggy's face with devastating force.
Buggy barely had time to register the attack before impact. The tremendous force launched him backward through the air, his body crashing through chairs and tables before slamming into the wine cellar wall with bone-jarring violence. The sudden assault shocked everyone in the tavern into stunned silence, broken only by their captain's agonized screams.
"Captain Buggy!" Mohji cried out in panic. "Are you injured?"
"Who dares attack our captain?" Cabaji snarled, his unicycle spinning as he prepared for battle. "Everyone, attack this Marine dog!"
Captain Smoker stepped through the destroyed doorframe, white smoke curling around his imposing figure as he surveyed the pathetic scene before him. "Exactly as I suspected," he declared with vindictive satisfaction. "The entire world has been deceived by the Sky Screen's lies. You're nothing but a mediocre clown playing dress-up as a pirate."
Recognition dawned on the faces of Buggy's crew members as they identified their attacker. In East Blue, Captain Smoker's reputation preceded him like a storm front.
"It's Marine Captain Smoker!" someone screamed in terror.
"Oh God, it's that monster! I don't want to be tortured in Marine prison!"
"Captain Buggy, save us!"
Throughout East Blue, Smoker's name carried the weight of absolute authority. As a Logia Devil Fruit user, he dominated local pirates with such overwhelming superiority that resistance seemed futile. His track record of capturing every pirate who dared enter his territory had become legendary among both Marines and criminals.
In the early days before Haki became widespread, Smoker had chased the future Pirate King across multiple islands without suffering a single meaningful defeat. His Moku Moku no Mi abilities made him virtually untouchable against opponents lacking advanced techniques. Unfortunately, as the world evolved and Armament Haki became more common, his relative power level had declined significantly.
Buggy activated his Bara Bara no Mi, his segmented torso emerging from the wine cellar debris while his head remained buried in splintered wood. The Marine's punch had left a massive purple bruise across his face, testament to Smoker's overwhelming physical power.
"Marine scum!" Buggy roared through his pain and humiliation. "How dare you interrupt my celebration! You'll pay for this insult!"
Blinded by rage and alcohol, Buggy retrieved one of his specially crafted Buggy Balls and hurled it directly at the Marine captain. The explosive projectile flew with surprising accuracy, but Smoker didn't even attempt to dodge.
"Without Armament Haki, how do you expect to touch me?" Smoker asked with casual contempt.
The Marine captain deliberately transformed his torso into smoke, allowing the Buggy Ball to pass harmlessly through his elemental form. The explosive crashed into a clothing shop behind him, detonating with tremendous force that reduced the entire building to smoking rubble.
"A logia-type Devil Fruit user," Buggy gasped as understanding dawned. "You're Captain Smoker of Loguetown!"
"You realized too late, clown," Smoker replied coldly. "Hakuen!" (White Smoke)
His right arm extended and transformed into a serpentine column of white smoke, lunging toward Buggy's torso with lightning speed. The technique was one of Smoker's signature moves, designed to capture and restrain Devil Fruit users through overwhelming physical constraint.
Buggy's head and upper body split apart reflexively, narrowly avoiding capture by the smoke serpent. However, his evasion was only temporary—the white smoke construct immediately curved through the air like a living creature, its jaws opening wide to pursue the pirate's floating head.
The alcohol was rapidly wearing off as adrenaline flooded Buggy's system. The overwhelming information from the Sky Screen had left him confused and disoriented, but reality was providing brutal clarity. He possessed no Haki abilities whatsoever, making him completely helpless against a Logia-type opponent. If I'd known this was coming, he thought desperately, I would have fled hours ago.
After several increasingly frantic evasion attempts, Buggy finally succumbed to Smoker's superior technique. Tendrils of white smoke wrapped around his segmented body parts, holding him suspended in the air like a puppet on strings.
"You can't escape this time, Buggy the Clown," Smoker declared with satisfaction. "You're pathetically weak—exactly what I expected."
"Release Captain Buggy!" Mohji shouted, his fear overcome by loyalty to his leader.
The beast tamer charged forward with reckless courage, wielding his whip like a weapon. Behind him, Alvida swung her massive mace toward Smoker's head with bone-crushing force, while Cabaji attempted to pierce the Marine's chest with his sword. Richie the lion, despite his recent laziness, roused himself to bite at Smoker's leg. The three strongest officers of the Buggy Pirates attacked simultaneously, their combined assault representing the crew's full combat potential.
None of their attacks had any effect whatsoever.
Alvida's mace passed harmlessly through Smoker's smoke-transformed head. Cabaji's blade sliced through the Marine's elemental torso without resistance. Richie's powerful jaws clamped down on nothing but wisps of vapor. Against the intangibility of a natural Logia-type Devil Fruit, their conventional weapons were utterly useless.
"A pathetic captain and his equally pathetic subordinates," Smoker observed with contempt. "Perfect match. Hakuryū!" (White Dragon)
Massive quantities of white smoke erupted from Smoker's body, instantly filling the entire tavern with dense vapor. The technique created a localized weather phenomenon, lifting every pirate present into the air through sheer pressure and volume. Even Alvida, despite her Sube Sube no Mi's slippery properties, found herself caught in the overwhelming current.
Buggy's situation became even more desperate. His feet, which had been hidden beneath tables and debris, were located and wrapped in smoke tendrils. Every segment of his divided body was now under Smoker's complete control, suspended helplessly in the white void.
"Smoker, wait!" Buggy cried out in desperation. "I'm the sworn brother of Red-Haired Shanks! You can't arrest me! Aren't you afraid of a Yonko's revenge?"
The claim was technically false—they had never sworn brotherhood—but Buggy hoped their shared history might provide some protection. Unfortunately, Captain Smoker remained completely unmoved by the threat.
"Shanks is currently operating in the Grand Line," Smoker replied with cold logic. "By the time he learns of your capture and travels to East Blue, you'll be safely imprisoned in Impel Down. No one is coming to save you today."
The Marine captain's tactical assessment was sound. Stronger pirates would require stronger Marines to handle, but Smoker was more than adequate for dealing with East Blue threats. Controlling over twenty pirates simultaneously through his Devil Fruit abilities, he was genuinely surprised by how easily the supposedly legendary crew had been subdued.
Captain Smoker emerged from the smoke-filled tavern to find Seaman First Class Tashigi waiting with her assigned task completed. The surrounding streets had been cleared of civilians, ensuring no innocent bystanders would be harmed by the confrontation.
"Did you bring Seastone handcuffs?" Smoker asked as he maintained his smoky grip on the captured pirates. "We have two Devil Fruit users here who need proper restraint."
"Captain, I only brought one pair," Tashigi replied apologetically.
"Secure the clown first," Smoker decided. "His fruit abilities make him particularly troublesome if he escapes. The woman can wait—I don't recognize her from any recent wanted posters."
Smoker had failed to identify Alvida due to her dramatic transformation after eating the Sube Sube no Mi. The beautiful woman bore no resemblance to the obese terror who had once terrorized East Blue shipping lanes.
Seaman First Class Tashigi approached the suspended Buggy and secured the Seastone handcuffs around his wrists, immediately draining his Devil Fruit abilities and returning his body segments to normal configuration. As she worked, curiosity got the better of her professional demeanor.
"Are you somehow connected to the Sky Screen?" Tashigi asked directly. "You're incredibly weak for someone supposedly destined to reshape the world. Whoever created that broadcast really doesn't know how to choose their subjects."
"How should I know who's responsible?" Buggy replied with genuine anguish, tears streaming down his face. "I'm the victim here! Someone's been spreading outrageous lies about me, and now I'm suffering the consequences!"
His confusion and distress were completely authentic. Buggy genuinely had no idea why the Sky Screen had featured him so prominently, and the experience of being praised as a legendary warrior while being effortlessly defeated was deeply traumatic.
"This pirate doesn't even understand basic Haki principles," Smoker concluded with satisfaction. "There's no need to bother Admiral Sakazuki with such a minor threat."
As Captain Smoker finished speaking, the Sky Screen began to shimmer and change once again. To the Marine captain's shock and dismay, his own image suddenly appeared on the global broadcast, his white-haired figure clearly visible to every person in the world.
The implications hit him like a physical blow. Whatever force controlled the Sky Screen was now turning its attention to him, and given what had happened to Buggy's reputation, Smoker realized he might be about to become the next target of the mysterious broadcaster's agenda.
What could they possibly want with me? he thought as the world watched his image displayed across the heavens. And what kind of lies are they planning to spread this time?