Shichibukai

"Big news! Big news!"

A young newspaper boy weaved through the streets and alleys, hawking the latest papers to passersby.

"Gimme one!"

A gruff voice called out from behind him.

"Coming right up!"

A man with white hair, two cigars in his mouth, handed money to the boy and took a steaming hot newspaper.

"Mr. Smoker, Loguetown has been so peaceful lately. Everyone's living so freely!" a bespectacled girl on patrol said with a delighted expression.

"It's probably because of this guy!"

Smoker handed over the newspaper he was holding.

Black Winged Great Demon—Ulquiorra Cifer defeated one of the Shichibukai, the Tyrant—Bartholomew Kuma, and was invited by the World Government to become the new Shichibukai member.

Several days ago, on the Grand Line, Marineford.

"Bartholomew Kuma, are you sure you want to relinquish your Shichibukai position?"

Sengoku never expected that Cifer's target would be the Tyrant, whose whereabouts he himself didn't even know.

"I lost to him. He spared my life and told me to give up my Shichibukai position myself."

Kuma's defeat by Cifer was within Sengoku's expectations. It just seemed like he surrendered without even a real fight.

However, Kuma's choice was somewhat satisfactory to Sengoku. The other Shichibukai were either connected to nations or had caused major incidents in the past, serving as a significant deterrent to ordinary pirates.

Kuma rarely appeared in public, and moreover, he completely obeyed the World Government. Even without the Shichibukai title, he could fulfill the role of a Shichibukai.

Giving this position to Cifer might not be a bad thing. Hopefully, he wouldn't cause any more trouble, as long as he didn't cross paths with the Celestial Dragons again.

Sengoku and the Gorosei had already discussed Cifer's Shichibukai matter, so the World Government announced that day that Cifer would replace Kuma as the new Shichibukai.

Various factions stirred upon hearing the news, with the Whitebeard Pirates being the most agitated.

"Old man! That guy Cifer refused your invitation, and now he's become a Shichibukai. What does that mean? Is he looking down on us, the Whitebeard Pirates?"

Jozu, with his short temper, was furious and felt indignant on Whitebeard's behalf.

"Don't try to understand Cifer with common sense, Jozu. He's not someone who would be content with being subservient!"

Whitebeard knew very well that a man with such immense power and astonishing presence would never submit to the World Government.

Fish-Man Island.

"Father, Brother, look! Lord Cifer and Old Man Jinbe are both Shichibukai now!"

Shirahoshi was overjoyed because the great Jinbe had said that Shichibukai were recognized by the World Government.

"What exactly does Cifer-kun want to do?"

Compared to everyone else celebrating, Jinbe was more curious about why Cifer had become a Shichibukai.

Of course, no one could have imagined that he was simply doing it for convenience of travel.

"A new Shichibukai? This pirate seems to be very active lately!"

D tashigi flipped through the newspaper in her hands, habitually pushing up her glasses.

"The pirates in Paradise call him the Butcher. It's because any pirate who encounters him either gets their bounty collected or is killed outright if they don't have one."

"This has caused the pirates in Paradise to be on edge, afraid to set sail. And pirates in the Four Blues who know of him are hesitating whether to enter the Grand Line."

This was why Loguetown, which he guarded, had been so peaceful recently. While it was good that everyone was living peacefully, it was achieved through the deterrence of a pirate. He felt that the authority of the Marines had diminished too much.

Smoker's expression was grim. As Aokiji's good friend, he naturally knew more about Cifer than the average Marine.

He was a lawless individual!

"It seems my reputation isn't small, huh!"

A figure emerged from a nearby alley, holding a newspaper and carrying a huge package on his shoulder.

"Ulquiorra, why are you here?"

Smoker's eyes held no fear, only confusion and displeasure.

The confusion stemmed from the fact that he had heard Cifer had a promise to guard Paradise for a year and shouldn't be in the East Blue.

The displeasure was because this guy had abducted Hina for nearly two months. She was his contemporary, one of his few friends!

"Too impatient, Captain Smoker. It took me quite some effort to get to the East Blue." Cifer slapped the newspaper onto Smoker's chest and brushed past him, leaving.

Loguetown was not Cifer's destination. The place of beginning and ending was merely a return to one's roots; he had no interest in watching a dead man's execution platform.

He came to town to purchase some supplies. The food on the ship couldn't withstand the appetites of two big eaters.

Their journey here had not been easy. Fortunately, they encountered a little old man at sea who was heading to Loguetown, allowing them to reach their destination smoothly.

Otherwise, with their methods, they would have been drifting in some unknown corner of the Grand Line by now.

Smoker wouldn't interfere with Cifer. The whereabouts of a Shichibukai were not for him to question. Moreover, this man at least wouldn't attack Marines or civilians.

Cifer, who had only taken two steps, suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Smoker, who was staring at him.

"I just remembered, my ship doesn't have a navigator, and the journey ahead won't be easy. Smoker-kun, would you like to accompany me for a while?"

"I refuse!"

What a joke! He was the Marine branch commander of Loguetown. What would happen to Loguetown if he left?

Besides, he was unwilling to associate with pirates.

"Then lend me your second-in-command for a period of time."

Smoker drew his jutte from his back. Seeing this, Tashigi also drew the katana at her waist, and the atmosphere became tense.

"Still unwilling? Then I'll have to grab a random civilian from Loguetown to accompany me. I wonder who will be so lucky..."

"Wait!"

Pirates were pirates after all!

However, Smoker couldn't fight him. As a good friend of Aokiji, he was quite aware of Aokiji's strength and could infer Cifer's strength.

If he were alone, he would fight Cifer. At worst, he would die. But he was the commander of Loguetown, and every action he took had to be for the sake of the civilians of Loguetown.

"Tashigi, are you willing to make this trip?"

Naturally, he couldn't leave. Having Tashigi go wouldn't have any disadvantages. According to Hina, he wasn't exactly a pirate, more like a bounty hunter.

He wouldn't harm Tashigi, and Tashigi could supervise him, provided he was truly as Hina described and not just pretending to become a Shichibukai.

Tashigi couldn't believe that Colonel Smoker, who was full of integrity, had actually caved. When she saw Smoker's murderous gaze, she let go of her disbelief.

As Marines of Justice, they naturally had to prioritize the safety of civilians. Moreover, she had heard about Cifer and knew he wasn't a terrible person.

"Understood!"

Tashigi saluted Smoker to show her obedience to the order.

Cifer told them where his ship was docked and then strode away. Tashigi also bid farewell to Smoker and returned to the branch to pack her things.

"Don't be afraid. Sailing with me will have no downsides."

This was the last thing Cifer said to Smoker.

There would naturally be no downsides; Cifer was just. After this trip, would Tashigi still be able to uphold the Justice in her heart?