Savage and Evil

Loguetown.

Marine Branch Garrison.

"Colonel Smoker, you're back?"

"Mhm~"

Colonel Smoker, just back from capturing pirates, responded with a sound and then took off his leather gloves, tossing them aside.

He then lazily sprawled onto a large sofa, crossed his legs, removed the cigar from the corner of his mouth, flicked off the ash, and stared expressionlessly at his deputy, Sergeant Tashigi.

He said plainly, "How is the matter I asked you to handle progressing?"

"Yes! Colonel Smoker~" Hearing Colonel Smoker inquire about work, Tashigi quickly stood at attention and said, "The docks and port have been arranged with Marines garrisoned, and we've also regulated and ordered the rectification of shops selling illegal goods at the port, prohibiting bounty hunters and pirates from entering port shops. However..."

At this point, Tashigi seemed hesitant, but after adjusting her unfashionable glasses, she continued with a tone of helplessness.

"Many shop owners are very displeased, believing this has severely impacted their business. Especially the owner of the weapon shop, Yisong, who said Colonel Sean never did this before and that they're going to complain about you!"

However.

"Sean? Hmph~" Smoker snorted, then, with the cigar back in his mouth, impatiently said, "Pay them no mind."

"Yes!" Hearing Colonel Smoker's dismissive words, Tashigi could only sigh inwardly with resignation.

She knew Colonel Smoker didn't care about complaints at all.

And rightly so, he was demoted for talking back to his superior, so why would he be threatened by such things?

As for Colonel Sean, no, he should be called Commodore Sean now. Because of the matter with Colonel Xia Che, Colonel Smoker suspected that Commodore Sean had known about it for a long time, and they might have even cooperated, which caused him some dissatisfaction.

At this moment, Tashigi seemed to recall something, hesitated, and said, "Also, we've investigated and found that the weapon shop seems to export a large quantity of weapons periodically, shipping them overseas. We suspect cooperation with large pirate groups from outside the island and are currently investigating."

"Large pirate groups from outside the island..." Hearing Tashigi's words, Smoker's brow furrowed immediately. After a moment of thought, he said, "Investigate in secret. If there is indeed cooperation with pirates, notify me."

As he spoke, as if remembering something, he looked up at Tashigi again.

"I asked you to apply for military funds from Marine Headquarters. Was it approved?"

"Eh..." Facing Smoker's question, Tashigi had a conflicted look on her face. Finally, after a moment of hesitation, she said softly, "It's already been sent back."

"Military funds sent back? So quickly?"

"The application has been returned."

"..."

"Marine Headquarters said our application requirements were not met, and they also said Marine Headquarters has its own judgment on the allocation of military funds to branches." Seeing Smoker's face darken again, Tashigi said softly and helplessly, "The military funds for this year were already allocated to us before we came to the East Blue. They told our Loguetown Branch not to make unreasonable demands and hoped we would fulfill our duties and guard the entrance to the Grand Line."

"Those scoundrels... Marine Branch 16 applied so many times, and we can't even get one approved?"

"Well... after all, we did change our equipment when we left Headquarters. Marine Headquarters probably didn't expect Commodore Sean to move the entire branch out." Seeing her superior's darkening face, Tashigi hesitated, then said, "Why don't we do as Colonel Xia Che did..."

"Shut up, I'm a Marine!" Seemingly guessing what suggestion Tashigi was about to make, Smoker directly interrupted her with a cold face. "No matter what, I will not cooperate with pirates."

"No, Colonel Smoker, I meant we could just pick a pirate at random and ask for some military funds for urgent use first."

"Ridiculous. Pirates from the weakest sea, can't I catch them like that Dander Xieche fellow? Are you asking me to slap myself in the face?" Smoker waved his hand impatiently, then said irritably, "Getting involved with that guy never leads to anything good!"

Sean and Xiashe, those two definitely have a connection.

He thought that after sending Vice Admiral Garp to Goa Kingdom, he wouldn't be involved with that scoundrel anymore. He didn't expect to encounter such a situation upon arriving in Loguetown?

He emptied the entire armory?!

Flicking the ash from his hand, he said expressionlessly, "Forget it, let's leave it at that for now! Have everyone stay alert, and we'll reapply after some time. As for that guy... once I find out what bad things he's done..." His eyes narrowed slightly, "Don't blame me for being impolite."

With that.

"..."

Hearing Colonel Smoker's words, before Tashigi, who looked regretful, could say anything.

At this moment.

Suddenly.

"Bururururu, bururururu."

A Den Den Mushi rang.

Smoker's brow furrowed again. He took out his Den Den Mushi from his chest and said calmly, "This is the Loguetown Marine Branch."

As soon as he finished speaking.

"This is Marine Headquarters, Colonel Smoker." The Den Den Mushi, with its appearance changed, spoke in a serious tone, "Marine Headquarters is issuing an important mission. Colonel Smoker must execute it."

"Please proceed."

"Marine Headquarters has received intelligence from the East Blue. A group of pirates in the East Blue is gathering pirates from nearby seas. According to the intelligence, this group of pirates will attack Marine Branch 16 in the near future and have declared they will bloodbath Marine Branch 16. Please, Colonel Smoker, proceed immediately to provide support, thwart the pirates' ambitions, and uphold the honor of the Marines."

"Marine Branch 16?" Hearing the Den Den Mushi, Smoker's face froze, and then a hint of schadenfreude flashed across his lips.

Of course~

Although he was very dissatisfied with a dignified Marine Colonel harboring pirates, as a fellow Marine, he wouldn't stand by and watch a Marine branch be bloodbathed by pirates.

This was practically slapping Marine Headquarters in the face.

Why would that guy suddenly face retaliation from pirates?

Could it be that the pirates in the East Blue found out about the Marines harboring pirates and then capturing them?

"Received." Colonel Smoker mused for a moment, then continued with a serious expression, "I will head to Marine Branch 16 to provide support as soon as possible. Have you already identified which pirate crew is retaliating against Marine Branch 16?"

"We have identified them." The den den mushi didn't hide anything when faced with Colonel Smoker's inquiry, its tone heavy with gravity. "The new overlord of the East Blue – the Moke Pirates! If possible, please arrest this vicious pirate crew!"

However.

As soon as the words were spoken.

Colonel Smoker: ???

He blinked in confusion, then lowered his head, looking at the den den mushi in his hand with a serious expression.

What the heck?

The Moke Pirates massacred Marine Branch 16?

What is that guy trying to do now?

Meanwhile.

As Moke's pirate post went out, countless pirate crews across the East Blue received invitations from this new East Blue overlord, all shocked by his ambition.

A pirate's revelry seemed to hang over the skies of the entire East Blue.