Loguetown, East Blue.
The salty wind from the coast carried urgency through the streets as Usopp, Sanji, and Luffy sprinted toward the harbor.
"I see it, the exit," Usopp shouted while running, panic clear in his voice. "The coast is right there, guys, don't slow down."
Earlier that day, Luffy had crossed paths with Buggy and his crew, who were still clinging to their grudge. Sanji knew better than to let that nonsense drag on. Fighting Buggy here would only waste time, draw in Marines, and ruin their departure. So he made the call, run straight to the port and leave immediately.
They were almost there when the air suddenly changed.
At the end of the street stood a lone Marine.
Short silver hair, a long coat with the word Justice printed boldly on the back, a jitte resting in his hand. Beside him was a three wheeled motorcycle parked casually, as if the man had all the time in the world.
Vice Admiral Smoker.
Sanji's steps slowed. "Oi… who the hell is this supposed to be now?"
Luffy's Observation Haki stirred instinctively. A dense, oppressive presence rolled off the Marine without restraint, making his expression tighten for once.
Smoker raised an eyebrow when he saw them.
He remembered Rolan's words clearly.
Years ago, Rolan had told him that in two years, a pirate with terrifying potential and an absurd background would pass through Loguetown. At the time, Smoker dismissed it as nonsense spoken by a powerful but arrogant pirate. But after Rolan rose to become one of the Emperors of the sea, Smoker understood better.
Rolan never spoke without reason.
Because of that warning, Smoker returned to Marineford and trained relentlessly, mastering Armament Haki and Observation Haki. He then requested to be stationed back in Loguetown, waiting for the day that pirate would appear.
Two years had passed.
During that time, countless pirates had come through. None of them mattered. None of them felt like the one Rolan had warned him about.
Until today.
Straw Hat Luffy, the rookie whose name had swept across the entire East Blue, now stood before him.
As Smoker watched the three rushing toward the harbor, he removed the cigars from his mouth and exhaled slowly, smoke curling into the air. The pressure coming from the man in the straw hat was unmistakable.
Strong. Far stronger than anyone who belonged in this sea.
He could not allow this pirate to leave.
"So you finally showed up," Smoker said calmly. "Straw Hat Luffy."
The trio skidded to a stop.
"A M… Marine," Usopp stammered, legs shaking violently. "And a Vice Admiral. We're dead. We're actually dead. Luffy, run."
Even Sanji, usually composed, felt it. The man in front of them was like a wild beast standing still, restrained but lethal.
"If you want to pass," Smoker continued, raising his jitte and pointing it straight at them, "you'll defeat me first."
Luffy understood immediately. This wasn't someone Usopp or Sanji could deal with.
He stretched an arm out, blocking them. "Usopp, Sanji, you go on ahead. I'll catch up."
Sanji clenched his teeth. Luffy had told them about Haki before, but knowing about it and using it were two different things. None of them could help here.
As much as he hated it, this was the right call.
"Don't die," Sanji muttered. Then he grabbed Usopp and ran.
"Did I say you could leave?" Smoker's body dissolved into smoke as he surged forward. "White Snake."
"Sanji, we're going to die," Usopp screamed. "I'm too young to die."
Just as the smoke solidified into an arm aimed at Sanji, a sandal slammed down on it.
The smoke stalled.
"Go," Luffy said evenly. "Set sail. I'll be there."
Smoker looked up.
Luffy's foot was coated in Armament Haki.
His eyes narrowed.
In the East Blue, Logia users were considered invincible. Almost no one here could even touch them. Aside from Rolan, of course.
Yet this rookie pirate not only knew Haki, he used it naturally.
Strong. Confident. Not reckless.
That confirmed it.
This was the pirate Rolan had spoken of.
Sanji glanced back once, understanding the weight of what he was seeing. He pulled Usopp harder toward the harbor. "Move."
Luffy turned his attention fully to Smoker.
Smoker's expression darkened. "So you're Luffy. It seems Rolan was talking about you."
Luffy's eyes lit up immediately. "You know Rolan? Are you friends with him?"
Smoker scoffed. "Friends? Hardly."
"Really," Luffy said with genuine excitement. "I'm friends with him too. If you're friends with him and I'm friends with him, that makes us friends, right? We should have a party."
He lifted his foot off Smoker's arm without hesitation.
Smoker snapped.
"Are you stupid?" he barked. "Marines and pirates don't have parties. He's my enemy, the man I intend to defeat."
Luffy froze. His mouth fell open in exaggerated shock.
"Oh. So you're not friends. I got excited for nothing."
Smoker felt a headache coming on. Talking to this man was exhausting.
"Enough," he growled. "Your journey ends here."
His arm surged forward again, smoke condensing into power.
"White Punch."
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