Fortunately, the Den Den Mushi only had speaker mode, so Smoker's utterly frustrated roar immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Smoker?"
Garen finally remembered just how urgent the word "help" in Pudding's report had been.
He hurriedly picked up the receiver and asked in quick succession:
"What happened?"
"Where are you?"
"Were you attacked by pirates?"
Garen fired off several questions in a row, then proactively offered Smoker an emergency suggestion:
"If it's pirates, let them speak into the Den Den Mushi."
"I'd like to see which little punk dares mess with my friend in the New World."
Smoker was a Marine. If he ran into trouble in the New World, it was most likely because he had been attacked by pirates.
And after Garen had killed Big Mom, taken over Totto Land, and been heavily promoted by Morgans, people had publicly recognized him as the new Emperor of the Sea.
The Four Emperors' authority loomed over the New World. Their reputation worked even better there than the World Government's, and most small-time pirates would tuck their tails between their legs at the sight of a Four Emperors' flag.
So Garen could now wield part of the power of the Face-Face Fruit.
Unfortunately, Garen confidently put on a big face, hoping to enjoy the prestige of a neighborhood boss, only to punch empty air.
Because Smoker's answer was quite unexpected:
"No, the one attacking me isn't a pirate."
"It's complicated. Anyway..."
"Teacher Zephyr is chasing me down and beating me up."
Three days earlier, on an island somewhere in the New World.
After a long voyage, Smoker and Tashigi finally arrived at the hometown of the last few children.
However, the Marine warship abruptly stopped while still offshore.
Because a skull-and-crossbones pirate flag was hanging prominently over the island's dock, and the