Smoker's Incognito Visit

The gate guard led Smoker and Wallace around in circles before finally bringing them to an unremarkable warehouse behind the Marine base.

"Go on in."

The gate guard pointed to the warehouse door, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

"This isn't your pirate ship, so watch yourselves!"

He had never heard of Wallace's so-called White Smoke Pirates, so he assumed they were just one of the countless insignificant pirate crews in the East Blue.

These small-time pirate crews that couldn't even get a bounty were weak and yielded very little profit, so the two gate guards' attitude toward Smoker and Wallace had quietly changed.

"Hmph!"

Smoker snorted coldly, glaring at them with a murderous look that made the two small fries retreat a few steps.

Smoker ignored the two gate guards and pushed the door open with Wallace.

As soon as the door opened, Smoker's expression became even more gloomy.

Inside the Marine base's warehouse, a large group of pirates dressed in all sorts of outlandish clothes and armed with various weapons stood packed together. It was a gathering of all sorts of monsters and demons.

Smoker and Wallace's appearance didn't attract much attention, as the pirates were busy shopping.

Indeed, they were shopping.

Smoker looked around and saw all sorts of supplies neatly arranged in the warehouse:

Food, alcohol, medicine, longswords, firearms... everything was available.

In front of these supplies, a small team of soldiers in Marine uniforms were busy negotiating 'business' with the pirates.

"What... is going on?"

Smoker couldn't help but tremble all over, his man-eating gaze fixed on the supplies.

The labels from the Marine logistics department hadn't even been removed.

"I had only heard that Commander Hammer was doing business with pirates before..."

Wallace also looked shocked and said, "I didn't expect him to directly sell the supplies issued by the Marines."

Smoker didn't say a word and walked over to a "stall" where a pile of sea charts were displayed.

He picked one up and examined it closely, his already gloomy face turning even darker.

"These sea charts are high-quality stuff."

The Marine soldier next to him began to explain and promote the charts on his own.

"Not only do they show the route from the East Blue to the Grand Line, but they also mark the defense maps of several Marine bases in the first half of the Grand Line!"

"With these sea charts, you'll have an easier time in the Grand Line!"

"These... are contraband, aren't they?"

Smoker asked slowly, his voice full of murderous intent.

"Of course!"

The Marine soldier's explanation even became a bit smug.

"This is top-secret information that Commander Hammer brought from Marine Headquarters! You can't buy it anywhere else!"

"We're only selling it now because Commander Hammer is about to be transferred away, so we're clearing out our stock!"

"You've struck gold!"

"Struck gold? Heh..."

Smoker's voice was full of danger, and the smoke from the cigar in his mouth suddenly became thicker.

The Marine soldier felt his hair stand on end from Smoker's gaze and had to grit his teeth and scold, "What, what are you looking at!"

"If you're not buying, get lost! Otherwise..."

Smoker's expression was so terrifying that the salesman couldn't finish his threat.

Wallace had already quietly hidden in a secluded and safe corner.

Because he could already tell that the Jitte in Smoker's hand was itching for action.

Just as Smoker was about to explode completely, a loud voice rang out in the warehouse.

"Everyone! Attention!"

"I am Lieutenant Charles of Marine Headquarters, the garrison officer of the Loguetown Marine Base."

The many pirates who were busy purchasing illegal supplies immediately quieted down and looked at Lieutenant Charles, who had appeared before them.

Smoker also looked over and saw a Marine officer in a Marine uniform and Justice Cloak, looking quite presentable, standing in front of a group of East Blue pirates.

His murderous gaze immediately shifted to a new target.

"Everyone here is aiming to challenge the Grand Line."

Lieutenant Charles casually glanced over the assembled pirates, then said in a deep voice:

"You should all be aware of our Loguetown base's policies, right?"

"Yes, yes!"

Many of the pirates nodded in agreement.

"However, this time, the purchase price for our Grand Line 'Transit Permit' has been slightly increased."

Lieutenant Charles said without changing his expression:

"Five million Beli per pirate crew."

As soon as he said this, the pirates became restless.

"Five million Beli?"

One hot-tempered pirate immediately questioned, "Why has it gone up so much?!"

"Because this is the last chance you'll get!"

Charles gave the troublemaker a cold look:

"Once the garrison forces in Loguetown are rotated, you won't be able to pass through so easily anymore."

"Easily?"

The pirate persisted in questioning:

"You call a five million Beli passage fee 'easy'?!"

The other pirates couldn't help but nod in agreement, and the scene became even more chaotic.

"Heh..."

Charles sneered and continued:

"You want to bypass our Loguetown Marine base and head straight to the Grand Line?"

"You're welcome to try!"

Loguetown is the bridgehead before Reverse Mountain, controlling the end of the waterway from the East Blue to the Grand Line.

Any pirate without sufficient strength who tries to escape the Marines' guard and break through Loguetown's waters is practically throwing themselves into the tiger's mouth.

After hearing Charles's words, most of the pirates shrank back timidly.

They didn't want to risk their lives to test the strength of Marine Headquarters' Commander Hammer and the Loguetown Marines.

The pirate who had acted as the troublemaker was immediately put in an awkward position, as Charles's threatening gaze lingered on him.

After a moment of silence, he simply went all-in and burst out, shouting loudly at the assembled pirates:

"Aren't they just a bunch of Marines?!"

"There are so many of us here! Why should we obediently give them money!"

Bang!

With a loud booming sound, the foul-mouthed pirate was suddenly kicked to the ground by Charles, who had moved in a flash, creating a human-shaped crater in the solid concrete floor.

The pirate immediately spat out blood, unable to say another word.

"Ugh, there's always some hothead like this!"

"We take your money and do our jobs, at least we won't take your lives! Why do you have to court death?"

Charles slowly withdrew his foot from the half-dead pirate, his heart full of disdain and contempt:

Trash from the weakest sea, the East Blue, dares to try to reach the Grand Line?

These ignorant ants have no value except to be offered as tribute to Commander Hammer.

In the past, Charles would have been more restrained for the sake of the "shop's reputation"; but now that he and Commander Hammer were about to be transferred, why would he care about his attitude towards these pirates?

"I'm just a Lieutenant."

Charles's voice was full of pressure:

"I don't think anyone wants to force Commander Hammer to take action personally, do they?!"

The pirates all lowered their heads.

"Then..."

Charles's face remained as cold as ice: "Is there anyone else who doesn't want to buy a 'Transit Permit'?"

The pirates remained silent.

"Yes!"

A voice filled with anger rang out from behind the crowd.

The pirates turned to look, unconsciously making way for the man.

Smoker, gripping his Jitte tightly, with a cigar in his mouth emitting hot sparks and wisps of smoke, walked out from among the pirates.

"Fine, fine!"

Charles laughed in anger:

"Since you're choosing money over your lives, don't blame me—"

"Follow the law!"

The air in the warehouse instantly filled with the heavy scent of gunpowder, a battle about to erupt.

Just then, another Marine rushed over:

"Lieutenant Charles, Commander Hammer needs you urgently!"

"He's not far outside, please go to him immediately!"

Charles paused slightly, then glared at Smoker:

"You just wait! I'll be right back."

With that, Charles turned and left the warehouse.

About a minute later, Charles quickly returned to the warehouse.

His expression had soured considerably, and he no longer possessed the easy confidence he had before.

"What?"

Smoker said, full of anger, "Going to 'follow the law' on me?"

"No."

Charles, his momentum diminished, carefully sized up Smoker:

Biker jacket, exposed large muscles, silver buzz cut, big cigar.

This was definitely an unyielding, rebellious pirate, the kind who would dare to kill even Marines when enraged.

"Since you refuse to pay..."

"I have a proposition, I wonder if you dare to take it?"

Charles looked around and then focused his gaze back on Smoker:

"Not only will you not have to pay, but you'll also get a reward of thirty million Beli?!"

"What kind of business?"

The pirates were instantly aroused by the number thirty million, their greedy ferocity ignited.

Smoker, however, gripped his Jitte tightly, ready to strike the Marine scum in front of him.

"Kill Marines!"

A touch of ruthlessness flashed in Charles's eyes:

"In a little while, go and help us intercept a Marine squad!"

"Intercept a Marine squad?"

Smoker's expression instantly became very interesting.

After a moment of hesitation, Smoker said in a deep voice:

"I'll take this deal!"