Smoker's eyebrow twitched, and his cigar trembled slightly between his fingers. He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the harbor: "Continue."
"Currently, they are split into several groups," Tashigi said, quickly flipping through the intelligence. "The long-nosed sniper and the green-haired swordsman went to the weapon shop. The blond chef is making large purchases at the food market. Straw Hat Luffy…" She paused, "is heading alone to Roger's execution platform."
Smoker spun around abruptly, his cigar leaving a deep teeth mark at the corner of his mouth: "What about that Ron?"
Tashigi shook her head, her bangs swaying. "No special movement yet. He and 'Cat Burglar' Nami are together, shopping for navigation supplies in the commercial street. They look very… ordinary." She hesitated before adding, "Just like a normal couple out shopping."
The office fell into a brief silence. Smoker walked to the bounty poster on the wall, his finger pressing heavily on the blank space where Ron's photo should have been—only a blank space remained.
"Ordinary?" Smoker sneered, cigar smoke puffing from his nostrils. "A man who can gild an entire ship, a man who can make his entire crew follow him, a man whom even the Marine intelligence department hasn't gathered any information about his actions…" His voice grew heavier, "You call that ordinary?"
Tashigi unconsciously straightened her back: "But Colonel, we really haven't collected any information about his actions…"
"That's precisely why it's more dangerous!" Smoker slammed his fist on the table, making the ashtray jump. "A hidden opponent is far more terrifying than those who bare their fangs and claws!"
He strode towards the coat rack, taking down the Marine greatcoat from behind it. The white characters for 'Justice' gleamed in the sunlight.
"Give my order," Smoker's voice was as hard as steel, "Immediately dispatch elites and blockade all main exits from the city. Focus on the execution platform and the commercial street."
He donned the greatcoat, his jitte weapon glinting coldly at his waist. "It's time to meet these new guys who don't know their place."
Tashigi stood at attention and saluted: "Yes, Colonel!" But a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes. "However… the Straw Hat's bounties…"
Smoker had already reached the door and stopped when he heard her. "Bounties don't mean everything, Tashigi." His voice suddenly deepened. "On this vast ocean, the truly dangerous ones are often not those with clear price tags."
With that, he pushed open the door, and blinding sunlight instantly flooded the office.
Smoker's figure paused at the doorway: "Remember, prioritize capturing Ron and Luffy. As for the others… act as the situation dictates."
Tashigi watched her superior's retreating back, unconsciously tightening her grip on Shigure. "Understood, Colonel Smoker!"
....
Everyone who had finished their shopping noticed something unusual.
Zoro stopped at the entrance of the weapon shop. He didn't buy a sword because there wasn't a good one there. The only decent one, Sandai Kitetsu, was so intimidated by his Meito that it didn't make a sound. So he walked out of the shop, intending to go to the execution platform, but then realized he was lost…
Sanji, carrying bags full of fresh ingredients, keenly noticed the gazes from the market corner. Usopp, clutching his newly bought sniping equipment, had fine beads of sweat on his forehead. They all noticed Marines secretly following them.
"Tsk, we've been targeted," Zoro whispered, pretending to casually adjust the angle of his bandana, his sharp gaze sweeping over the shadows in the alley.
A few plainclothes Marine soldiers hurriedly hid in the alley, but their clumsy disguise couldn't escape the swordsman's eyes.
"Should I grab a few Marines and ask for directions?"
On the other side,
Sanji lit a cigarette and cursed in a low voice as he exhaled smoke: "These Marine bugs… Luffy, that idiot, better not cause trouble right now." He quickened his pace, rushing towards the execution platform.
At the same time,
Inside a boutique clothing store on the commercial street, Nami was admiring the completely refreshed Ron.
His dark blue custom suit perfectly outlined his tall figure, a silver-gray tie gleamed with a subtle luster in the sunlight, and the well-tailored fabric flowed with elegant lines as he moved. His whole person exuded a mature and steady charm.
"It suits you well," Nami said, her arms crossed, her eyes shining with admiration.
Ron gently smoothed a tiny wrinkle on his cuff, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Thank you, I didn't expect your taste to be so good."
"What's this?" Nami waved her hand, her orange short hair playfully swaying at her neck. "Compared to the kindness of saving our village, this isn't even interest." She winked slyly, "Anyway, it's all your money."
As the two chatted and laughed, Nami suddenly noticed several furtive figures outside the display window.
She pretended to adjust her hair, and through the reflection in the window, she clearly saw the people's attire. Although well-hidden, their clumsy tracking techniques and the weapons at their waists exposed their identities!
"Ron…" Nami's voice suddenly tensed, her face instantly turning pale. "We're being watched by the Marines." Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her shopping bag, her knuckles white.
Ron, however, calmly adjusted his tie, not even twitching an eyebrow: "I know." His voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather. "From the moment we disembarked, the movements of every single ant on this island couldn't escape my perception."
"What?!" Nami turned sharply, her wide eyes filled with disbelief. "You knew all along? Why didn't you tell us?" Her voice was extremely low, but it couldn't hide her panic. "We need to quickly notify the others to evacuate!"
Ron suddenly chuckled, his laughter carrying absolute confidence and composure. He reached out and gently pressed Nami's shoulder: "Why run?" A sharp glint flashed in his deep eyes. "Do you think we, as we are now, would be afraid of these Marines?"
This question was like a bucket of cold water that sobered Nami.
She froze for a few seconds, then suddenly scratched her head awkwardly, a look of realization dawning on her face: "Ah… you're right." She gave a self-deprecating laugh. "It's become a conditioned reflex; seeing Marines, my first reaction is to run."
Her gaze gradually firmed, and her fingers touched the treasure map at her waist: "I almost forgot, we're 'cheaters' with a system now!"
Ron nodded in satisfaction, then reached out and pushed open the shop door. The afternoon sunlight poured in, casting a golden edge around his silhouette. He turned back to Nami, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit: "Let's go. Don't worry about them for now. It's time to hunt for treasure."