In the waters near Kanapas Island, a Marine warship lay at anchor.
On deck, Captain Tina paced restlessly, her long pale-pink hair swaying with each turn. Her men whispered nervously in a corner.
"What's wrong with Captain Tina? She looks so tense.""If you don't know, how would I?"
They thought themselves discreet, but Tina's sharp ears caught every word. She snapped her head toward them.
"Tina is angry! Have you cleaned the deck yet? And you dare gossip here?"
Startled, the two seamen stammered. "B-but we're corporals now, we don't have to swab decks—"
"Oh?" Tina's eyes went cold, dangerous. "So Tina was wrong?"
"No, ma'am! We're wrong! We'll clean it right away!" They seized mops and scrubbed furiously.
Watching, Smoker sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Was that really necessary?
He had just lit a cigar when Tina plucked it right from his lips. Odd—she usually smoked cigarettes, not cigars. Still, he dismissed it as a whim.
When he tried to light another, she snatched it too.
"What's your problem?" he growled.
"Senior Aizen is about to arrive. Tina won't allow smoking on her ship."
…
When Aizen and Uta joined them, both Tina and Smoker stepped forward with their aides.
"Senior Aizen! It's been so long. Tina is so happy!" she beamed, eyes glittering with admiration—an unabashed fangirl.
Smoker, towering behind her, scowled. His mouth was conspicuously empty of cigars.
"Tina, Smoker. It's good to see you again." Aizen's smile was warm, his voice gentle.
Before Tina could gush, Smoker cut in. "Vice Admiral, can I smoke now?"
Her smile froze. She shot him a glare, then quickly turned back to Aizen with her sweetest expression. Uta, watching from the side, nearly laughed aloud at her friend's performance.
"He's just joking, senpai," Tina said nervously.
"You may," Aizen told Smoker with a nod. Then, turning to Tina, he spoke softly: "Don't deny your true self. Don't force your will on others. Especially with friends—friendship is strong, yet fragile."
Shame flushed Tina's cheeks. She bowed her head. Senpai is as wise as ever.
Even Smoker's irritation ebbed. Only a trace remained—the old frustration of being lectured by Aizen, just like in their training days under Zephyr.
…
Soon, the prisoners were transferred aboard. Shackled in seastone cuffs and surrounded by armed guards, Crocodile sneered at Aizen.
"So you're the Vice Admiral in charge? Never seen you before. Is the Navy short on real men?"
"Captain Tina is angry!" Tina snarled, ready to lash out.
Aizen stopped her with a hand. "Don't let anger rule you. Allow me."
As he passed Smoker, he plucked a cigar from his chest pocket. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Suit yourself," Smoker muttered, looking away.
"Thank you."
Aizen stepped before Crocodile. Under a dozen shocked Marine gazes, he calmly lit the cigar—for the prisoner.