"Hey, come out!"
Kuina drew her sword first, stepping onto the deck with Moonwalk, her face like frost as she sternly shouted:
"No matter who you are, come out and reveal yourself willingly, so we can talk. Otherwise, don't blame us for being unkind when we find you!"
Shano followed closely, stepping onto the main mast, a vantage point that allowed him to overlook and control the scene.
Looking at the silent cabin below, he slightly frowned.
This guy is really well-hidden.
Yesterday, he had just toured the entire cabin for installing the Hawk Statue, yet with his extraordinary hearing and keen insight, he hadn't found a single clue.
When did he start hiding...?
Could it be that he sneaked aboard from the Sherly Island dock?
"He's coming out," Kukalos suddenly said.
Hmm?
Everyone immediately kept a wary eye on the doors.
But unexpectedly, the doors remained still, while a wisp of smoke drifted out from a vent, falling onto the deck and transforming into a human shape.
"Smoker???"
Facing Kuina was the smoke, and upon seeing the face clearly, she looked surprised, "It's you?"
In the gradually dissipating smoke, Smoker's expression was complicated. He slowly raised his hands to show he had no hostility.
"Don't be nervous, I'm no longer a Navy Captain, as you should have confirmed from the warrant."
Then he looked up:
"Lord Shano, can you spare some time to come down and talk with me?"
......
Ten minutes later.
Everyone gathered in a circle on the deck, listening to Smoker sitting in front of the mast as he finished recounting his experience.
"So, that's what happened between you and that Altair," Nami realized, "and he was the one who ordered the Navy to fire. Despicable, serves him right being killed!"
She giggled, suddenly slapping Smoker on the shoulder:
"Not bad, kid, I approve of you. I had no idea we had an 'inside man' like you at Log Town!"
Kid?
Smoker twitched the corner of his mouth and silently lit a cigar. At thirty years of age, being called a "kid" by a girl sure felt...
"Indeed, the young truly have courage."
Crocus touched his chin, looking at Smoker with interest, "It's rare to see someone defect from the Navy due to not enduring the nobles over the decades."
The last one seemed to have stirred up quite a career, what was the name again...?
"That incident was just a fuse, after all."
Smoker, biting his cigar, slightly shook his head, "Even in the month before, I had already had enough. I joined the Navy to uphold justice in my heart and to protect the people from pirate oppression."
"But if the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, or even common nobles with Celestial lineage, committed evil, the Navy has to turn a blind eye, even protect and ingratiate. How is that different from pirates?"
"Even worse...it makes me nauseous to remember the words on that cloak!"
He paused, continuing solemnly:
"Killing Altair was in a moment of rage, to be honest, I was confused and scared. Not fear of being hunted, but the uncertainty of the future and the question... what was the point of those years of persistence?"
"It was then when I saw Lord Shano's Supreme King Awakening on the square and heard those words he said."
Smoker looked at Shano, speaking earnestly, "Those words enlightened me on many things."
He took a deep puff of his cigar, smoke swirling, yet his gaze was more determined than ever.
"Whether Navy or pirate, those who hold justice should never be confined by their position. Since following World Government means constant constraints in pursuing true justice, I'd rather follow someone who can uphold my beliefs!"
The deck fell into a brief silence.
"You mean..."
Kuina slightly furrowed her brows, looking at him, "You want to join our Endgame Adventurer Group? Why didn't you just come to us directly at Log Town?"
"I'm ashamed to admit,"
Smoker looked hesitant, "Originally, I was unfamiliar with everyone's temperament, or rather... feared you wouldn't accept a former Navy officer like me. So the night you set sail from Log Town, I didn't appear directly but chose to sneak onboard and wait for the right moment."
"What kind of right moment?" Shano raised an eyebrow.
"Well..."
Smoker turned his face, awkwardly coughing, "For instance, when you face a strong enemy, struggling because you lack people, I could pretend to pass by by chance, help out, then naturally join afterward..."
"Such a pretty thought."
Nami sneered, rolling her eyes, "But with my brother around, you'll have to wait a long time before you can play any hero-saves-the-day cliché!"
These words couldn't be refuted... Smoker smiled bitterly, taking a puff of his cigar.
As a top graduate of the headquarters' elite camp, he was indeed proud of himself.
Besides what was said on the execution platform, Shano's terrifying strength shown in defeating Onigumo was a major reason driving his desire to follow.
This world can't rely solely on rhetoric.
Only a true powerhouse can command respect and allegiance.