Learn a Little More

East Blue.

A stretch of sea near Loguetown.

At that moment, a Marine warship was slowly sailing toward Loguetown.

On the deck, a man with short silver hair, dressed like a biker in a long coat emblazoned with the word "Justice" on the back, held a cigar between the corner of his mouth while gripping a Den Den Mushi with an ashen face.

"So, even with your assistance, the East Blue Overlord still managed to escape?"

"...Yes!"

"Marine Branch 16 suffered heavy losses this time? Its base and warships were damaged by pirates?"

"...For that, go ask that guy yourselves!" Listening to the voice coming from the Den Den Mushi in his hand, Smoker's face alternated between dark and green. Finally, he said impatiently, "Stop bothering me! And what about the military funds we applied for? Why hasn't Headquarters sent them over yet?"

"Marine Branch 16's report was submitted on the morning of the second day. Although Marine Branch 16 is the East Blue branch that requests the most military funding, it must be admitted that they are quite serious when it comes to following Marine Headquarters regulations. They submit every report promptly, and even their funding applications are handled strictly according to procedure! Perhaps Colonel Xia Che became somewhat lax after leaving his post at Headquarters. His achievements at sea over the years have not been particularly remarkable, but there is no denying that he is worthy of being called a former Marine Headquarters Genius. He still follows Marine Headquarters' rules."

"..."

To hell with following Marine Headquarters' rules.

There was probably no one in the entire East Blue who disregarded Marine Headquarters' laws more than that brat.

Hearing the earnest voice from the Den Den Mushi, Smoker's face darkened further. If he had not promised Vice Admiral Garp, witnessed what happened in the Konomi Islands, and been somewhat curious about what that brat had said back then, he would have long since cursed into the Den Den Mushi.

"I only called this time to ask for a more detailed account of what happened. Although this battle wiped out quite a number of East Blue pirates, it must be admitted that that East Blue pirate truly had some skill, managing to escape from both Vice Admiral Garp and you." The Den Den Mushi continued in a reflective tone. "And pirates like that are the most dangerous existence on the seas."

As it spoke, it seemed to notice Smoker's ugly expression and adopted a stern look. "Colonel Smoker, I am questioning you about important intelligence. Please take this seriously as well!"

However—

"What else do you need to ask? Hurry up and ask it!" Faced with the Headquarters investigator's rebuke, Smoker remained impatient. "For the specifics, go ask that guy yourselves, or ask Vice Admiral Garp. And send over the military funds I applied for last time already!"

"Both of you are geniuses assigned from Marine Headquarters, but Colonel Smoker, you should learn more from Colonel Xia Che when it comes to dealing with people!" The Den Den Mushi let out a long sigh, then raised its head and looked sternly at Colonel Smoker. "There is a strict review process for Marine funding applications. It is not something that can be sent over just because you want it sent, Colonel Smoker!"

After a brief pause, before Colonel Smoker—whose face had grown even darker—could say anything, the Den Den Mushi continued sternly, "According to the review just completed, Colonel Smoker, your branch currently does not meet the requirements for a funding disbursement. The result of your application will be sent over shortly. If you need to apply again, please carefully complete and prepare all required documents before resubmitting!"

"I—"

Hearing the reply from the Den Den Mushi, Smoker, who had already been irritated by the questioning, went from dark-faced to livid. Just as he was about to demand to know exactly what was wrong with his application—

"Brring, brring, brring~"

The Den Den Mushi in his hand was hung up directly.

"!!!"

Colonel Smoker stared blankly at the Den Den Mushi in his hand. Then his face darkened even more, and just as the words on his lips were about to burst out—

"Colonel Smoker, Colonel Smoker." Sergeant Tashigi suddenly hurried over. "The last application was sent back again. Marine Headquarters still says our application does not meet the requirements. How strange—I clearly wrote it exactly according to the guidelines!"

After muttering that to herself, she raised her head and seemed to notice that Colonel Smoker's expression was off. Confused, she asked, "Colonel Smoker, what's wrong?"

"..."

Hearing Tashigi's words, Smoker fell silent. Then he waved his hand impatiently and removed the cigar from his mouth. "I... I'm fine!"

As he spoke, he took a hard drag and stared expressionlessly at the sea before him.

"Nothing good ever happens when I run into that guy."

Learn from him?

Learn what?

How to keep pirates in captivity, or how to swindle military funding?

Hearing Colonel Smoker's words only made Tashigi more confused. She could not understand why he had suddenly lost his temper for no reason.

Still, she understood who the person Colonel Smoker meant was and said helplessly, "Colonel Xia Che is actually quite a good person. Although there are some things he... really does improperly, he is still protecting justice in his own way. And even though we did not help much this time, Colonel Xia Che still specially prepared gifts for us! Colonel Smoker, please do not speak of Colonel Xia Che like that in the future. Oh, right."

As though recalling something, she hesitated. "What should we do with the gifts Colonel Xia Che sent?"

"Gifts? Fifty finely crafted new swords, fifty crates of important medical supplies, fifty crates of general training resources, fifty crates of commonly needed supplies, and ten boxes of premium special-issue cigars." Colonel Smoker sneered. "What a generous gesture. Is that guy trying to buy me off? Tell him to—"

However—

Before he could finish, Tashigi, who had roughly guessed what Colonel Smoker meant, was about to nod regretfully in agreement when—

"Report, Colonel Smoker, Sergeant Tashigi!" A Marine soldier hurried over, his face grave. "We received a distress signal from the island ahead. A group of pirates is attacking the island. Should we go provide support?"

"You idiot, this is our jurisdiction! And you still need to ask me whether we should provide support?" Hearing the Marine's moronic question, Smoker kicked him without hesitation and snapped, "Get us over there now!"

"Yes!"

After the Marine answered with an embarrassed grin and went below to arrange for the ship to head there—

"I'm in a very bad mood right now!" Smoker waved his hand and stared at the sea ahead. His eyes flashed slightly, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. "Whatever it is can wait until I've blown off some steam!"

Ever since he had been assigned to the East Blue and met that guy, nothing good had happened.

Well, whatever. He had already delivered the so-called genius with the potential to become a Marine Hero—the one that brat had mentioned—to Vice Admiral Garp in the Goa Kingdom. They probably would not meet that brat again from now on.

Next time...

"Send reinforcements... reinforcements my ass. I, Smoker, am never doing that again."

Smoker flicked the cigar in his hand, a cold sneer curling at his lips. "I'd like to see which pirate has the nerve to come into my jurisdiction..."

However.

Before he could finish.

As he looked at the island drawing nearer and the pirate ship docked beside it, Smoker fell silent again, his expression turning grim once more.

Just then.

"Colonel Smoker... we've spotted the pirate ship." A marine hurried over again, reporting with a strange look on his face. "It's just..."

"I can see it too," Colonel Smoker said darkly, staring at the island ahead. "No need to tell me!"

"Then... should we head over?"

"What kind of stupid question is that? Get us... over there!"

After Smoker gritted his teeth and gave the order, the Marine warship slowly approached the island. Smoker turned his head again to look into the distance, seeming to mutter something under his breath through his ashen expression.

The pirate ship right before them, and the pirate flag swaying above it...

It was unmistakably the newly risen overlord of the East Blue they had encountered not long ago—the Moke Pirates.