East Blue, Loguetown.
The port where ships dock was swarming with Marines.
The small town had already seemed strict and rigid under Smoker's rule.
Now, it was filled with an atmosphere of tension and murderous intent.
All the Marine soldiers stood at attention, spirited and enthusiastic, leaving the pirates who had secretly come ashore to replenish their supplies timid and uneasy, not daring to entertain the slightest thought of causing trouble.
"Captain Smoker, Captain Smoker, we've received word from the Admi... Ow, that hurts!" The bespectacled Marine girl ran over excitedly, only to trip and sprawl flat on the ground.
"Idiot! You can trip even on a level road? Just how slow are you?" the Marine Captain roared from behind her, a Jitte strapped to his back and a cigar clenched between his teeth.
"S-sorry." The Marine girl got to her feet, adjusted her glasses, and apologized repeatedly in embarrassment.
"All right, go on."
"We've received word from the 177th Branch. Admiral Shirozou is heading this way."
"Really? It's been three years again!" Smoker sighed, using tremendous willpower to spit his cigar onto the ground and stamp it out.
The Marines who had not experienced what happened three years ago were all astonished.
Captain Smoker, the Chain-Smoking Captain, had actually thrown away his cigarette of his own accord?
Was he doing it to avoid being rude?
Yet their superior was supposedly a super thorn in the side who did not even give Commodores or Rear Admirals the time of day!
The Marine girl asked excitedly, "Mr. Smoker, I heard that when you were at Headquarters, Admiral Shirozou valued you very highly!"
"To be precise, my senior valued every person highly."
"I should have been considered the best among the recruits of my class, but there were countless seniors from the