Smoker's face flushed red.
Kane was the first person who had ever spoken to him like that.
"You're just an old soldier who's forgotten his ideals!" Smoker roared.
"A man who abandoned justice—what right do you have to lecture me?!"
The next instant—
Kane's fist, coated in Armament Haki, slammed forward.
Boom!
Smoker was sent flying before he could even react.
"Justice?"
Kane stepped forward, his voice cold.
"Let me tell you what justice really is in this ridiculous world."
Before Smoker could recover—
Kane had already appeared in front of him.
A Haki-infused kick crashed down onto his chest.
The overwhelming force made Smoker's body convulse in pain.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
His prized Smoke-Smoke Fruit was completely useless in front of Kane's Haki.
But Smoker didn't give up.
His seastone weapon swept toward Kane's leg.
Kane sneered.
His right leg turned jet black—
Crack!
The seastone weapon shattered on impact.
Smoker's eyes filled with shock.
Before he could process it—
Kane's hand shot forward like lightning, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
Smoker tried to disperse into smoke—
But Kane's Haki held him firmly in place.
He couldn't escape.
"With strength like yours… you want to talk to me about justice?"
Kane's tone was full of disdain.
The gap between them was overwhelming.
Kane tightened his grip.
Smoker's face turned red.
The cigar in his mouth fell to the ground.
Kane stepped on it, crushing it into dust.
Along with it—Smoker's pride.
"I told you… I've already quit smoking.
And you still insist on lighting up in front of me.
That pisses me off."
Smoker burned with humiliation, fury, and powerlessness.
The man before him was far beyond anything he had imagined.
"Vice Admiral Kane—what are you doing?!"
Tashigi stood frozen in shock.
The "fight" had ended almost instantly.
No—
It wasn't even a fight.
It was a one-sided beating.
Hearing her voice, Kane seemed to regain a bit of composure.
Smoker's words had stirred up memories—memories he didn't like.
He released him.
Smoker collapsed, coughing violently.
"Smoker… now you understand what justice is?"
"The justice you speak of—in front of a fist—means nothing."
"Without strength… everything you say is just empty noise."
"If you want to uphold your justice—then make your fists stronger than your enemy's."
"As for me?"
"When you surpass me—then come talk to me about justice."
"Right now… you're not even close."
Smoker fell silent.
Seeing that, Kane lost interest.
"Bogey. We're leaving."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Kane and his men departed.
Tashigi hurried over.
"Captain Smoker! Are you alright?!"
Smoker didn't answer.
He just stared at Kane's departing back—his expression dark.
Kane had taught him something.
"Power is justice."
But that kind of justice—he refused to accept it.
"…Damn old man."
"Captain Smoker!"
Tashigi's voice snapped him back.
He gradually calmed down.
Seeing this, she finally let out a breath of relief.
"Captain… who exactly is Vice Admiral Kane?
Why have I never heard of him?"
"A man who lost his justice…" Smoker said coldly.
"…but one thing he said was right."
Tashigi focused.
"If you want to uphold your justice—you must have the strength to do so."
"That damn old man… one day—I'll surpass him."
Meanwhile
Kane walked ahead, expression unchanged.
He was already thinking about one thing—
Money.
As for what just happened—he didn't care at all.
Once, he had been like Smoker too.
But reality was simple—
Without strength—you're nothing but talk.
At that moment, a figure in a black cloak appeared, blocking their path.
"Who are you? Why are you blocking us?" Bogey demanded.
"Bogey. Stand down."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Kane looked at the cloaked man.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes—then a faint, knowing smile.
"You're not afraid I'll arrest you?"
"I believe you won't.
And… I think that Marine captain already understood your meaning."
"Meaning?"
Kane rolled his eyes.
"I didn't have any deep meaning. I was just annoyed."
"Whether he understands or not has nothing to do with me."
"And don't act like you know me."
"You're speaking like that… because of your strength, right?
You think I can't catch you?"
The cloaked man paused, about to explain—
But Kane cut him off.
"Enough.
What do you want?
I don't have time to chat."
The man glanced at the Marines behind Kane.
"…Have them leave first."
"Bogey. You all go ahead. I'll catch up."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Once they were gone—
Kane spoke bluntly:
"Say it. My time is valuable."
"…Dragon."
The cloaked man was none other than—Monkey D. Dragon.
Dragon looked slightly surprised, but quickly grew serious.
"Vice Admiral Kane. I'll be direct."
"I invite you to join the Revolutionary Army."
He looked at Kane with expectation.
In his eyes, Kane had grown disillusioned with the Marines, tired of the Celestial Dragons' rule.
That's why he had become what he is now.
Yet—even so—Kane hadn't fallen into darkness.
Which meant he could still be brought over.
And now, seeing Kane's terrifying strength—Dragon wanted him even more.
Even failure would cost nothing.
Kane rolled his eyes.
"Are you joking?
I'm a Marine.
Why would I join the Revolutionary Army?"
"We need people like you.
People with justice in their hearts."
"Only then can we overthrow the Celestial Dragons and change this world."
Dragon smiled confidently.
Kane's response?
A blank stare.
"Save it. I'm not interested."
Dragon frowned slightly.
"Mr. Kane… the people of this world need you."
"I'm old. I just want to enjoy life."
"Then why hide your strength?
And why reveal it now?"
"You injured the world's greatest swordsman."
"How can someone like you… just want to retire?"
Kane paused.
So—his identity had already been exposed.
Not surprising.
He had expected as much.
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