Ch. 81Smoker's Visit (Part 2)
Key Plot Points and Events
- Smoker visits Garen's territory and is surprised by its transformation from a pirate den to a well-organized, positive community.
- He sees former pirates undergoing 'reform-through-labor' as prisoners, supervised by Garen's subordinates.
- Garen presents himself as a pioneer of justice, distributing a newspaper article written by Wallace that praises his actions.
- Garen proposes a 'League of Heroes' organization to Smoker, aiming to recruit heroes dedicated to punishing evil and promoting good.
Character Developments
- Garen: Reinforces his image as a just and righteous leader, expanding his influence and power through the 'League of Heroes' idea.
- Smoker: Becomes more open to the idea of collaborating with Garen, seeing the potential benefits for maintaining order in the East Blue.
- Tashigi: Struggles with the harsh treatment of former pirates, questioning the morality of life imprisonment for all.
Significant Themes
- The power of propaganda and perception management, as seen in Wallace's article and Garen's use of it.
- The blurred line between justice and tyranny, as Garen's methods raise questions about his true intentions.
- The struggle between maintaining order and upholding individual rights, as seen in Tashigi's discomfort with the treatment of former pirates.
Character Interactions
- Garen and Smoker: Their interaction shows Garen's ability to persuade and convince others, while Smoker is open to collaboration but maintains a level of skepticism.
- Tashigi and Garen's subordinate: Tashigi questions the morality of the 'reform-through-labor' system, while the subordinate defends Garen's methods.
- Garen and Wallace: Although not present, Wallace's article highlights Garen's influence and manipulation of public opinion.