A smoke-filled room—Smoker's office.
He pushed open the window to let the air circulate. Biting down on two cigars, Smoker wore a fierce look that was nothing like a Marine officer's bearing, more like a turf-holding gang boss.
From his features and presence alone one could read the man: absolutely rebellious, a hard case who would never bow his head.
"Buggy the Clown—fifteen million beli. You've finally started on the bigger pirates. So, are you leaving the East Blue soon." Smoker took a bottle of red from a cabinet and poured Arthur a glass himself, speaking in a low voice to the handsome, composed youth before him.
"More or less. My next target is the Arlong Pirates." Arthur sipped and nodded, hiding nothing.
"The overlord of the East Blue." Smoker nodded and said no more.
People think Don Krieg is the overlord of the East Blue. In truth, the largest crew here is indeed the Krieg Pirates, but the real overlord is that band of Fish-Men from the Grand Line—the Arlong Pirates.
"Your thing is here. Do you want it now." Smoker seemed to recall something and addressed Arthur.
"Oh. That was fast." Arthur's eyes lit with a hint of expectation.
"Hmph. The Marines train courier gulls. Of course it's fast." Smoker snorted, pulled open a drawer, and tossed Arthur a box.
Arthur caught it and flipped it open. Inside lay the essential tool for island-hopping once you enter the Grand Line—a Log Pose.
"Thanks. Dock the cost straight from Buggy's bounty." Arthur thanked him, stowed the Log Pose back in its box, and planned to hand it to Nami once they entered the Grand Line.
"Keep your money. I just had it sent along." Smoker waved it off, then looked at Arthur intently. "Tell me—are you really not going to join the Marines. The higher-ups have noticed you. If you agree, you can enter the Naval Academy directly, study advanced Marine combat techniques, and graduate into an officer's rank."
Lately, because of Arthur's strength and the clean wind he brought—a fresh current among bounty hunters—Marine HQ had taken notice.
And they had done so because of Smoker himself.
The East Blue has only three branches, and two of those branch commanders are outright rotten. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Arthur always brought captured wanted pirates or bandits to Loguetown to claim the bounties.
Over time, he and Smoker became acquainted.
A little over a month ago, with no opponents left in the East Blue besides the three major pirate crews, Arthur issued Smoker a challenge.
Exploiting Smoker's pride and his belief that elementization made him invincible in the East Blue, Arthur defeated him.
Seeing that Arthur, born in the weakest sea, had grasped Haki—the capital to stand in the New World—Smoker naturally forwarded the intel to HQ.
Investigation found Arthur spotless, his reputation in the East Blue astonishingly good, and Smoker was told to extend the invitation.
Arthur, of course, refused.
Even so, Smoker began to view him in a different light.
An unquestionably uncommon man.
Such men often turn pirate.
Had Smoker sensed even a one-percent chance of that in Arthur, he would have strangled it in the cradle.
But he found no such ambition in Arthur—only open, upright candor, a palpable force of will that kept Smoker from feeling any hostility.
So when Arthur asked him for a Log Pose, Smoker did not refuse.
.....
Hearing Smoker out, Arthur smiled and shook his head. "You should know this. I will not join the Marines."
"Fine. Then don't stray from the path."
"By the way, there's something you need to know." Arthur seemed to remember, set down his glass, brought his hands together, and looked at Smoker with a grave face. "I've obtained intel. The Arlong Pirates haven't just occupied Cocoyasi Village—they've colluded with Captain Nezumi of the 16th Marine Branch. Bribed by Arlong, that captain ignores everything Arlong does, even using the Marines' name to cover for him."
"Something like that." Smoker's face changed at once.
That area wasn't under his jurisdiction, and Captain Nezumi had reported nothing to him or to HQ. Smoker had known none of it.
"Go investigate if you like. I'm telling you this to avoid unnecessary trouble." Arthur spoke evenly. "When I eliminate Arlong, his assets will naturally be mine. If I'm not mistaken, that Captain Nezumi will try to stick his hand in. When he does, I will clash with him. I should warn you—I will show no mercy to corrupt Marines."
"Hmph. If that's the case, then don't show mercy." Smoker's tone was cold. "I'll request a warrant from HQ. When we uncover his stains, we'll throw him in a cell."
"In that case, I hope you have it all cleared up before I deal with Arlong. Otherwise, if I meet him in Cocoyasi Village, I'll bring his head to you." Arthur stood, raised his stemmed glass to Smoker in a toast, and drained it in one go.
Smoker returned the toast, his expression ugly.
It wasn't Arthur's challenge to the Marines that darkened his face. It was the shame that those who wear the mantle of justice could sink so low.