In the deserted streets of Alubarna, the royal capital, tall cylindrical buildings with yellow domed roofs stood in rows. Gray-white marble covered the ground, lending the city an exotic air.
"There!"
"We've spotted the Straw Hat Crew! Get after them!"
Lina and the others sprinted down the street, with scattered Marines appearing every now and then.
After Smoker and his men arrived at the palace, the guards refused to let them in. Only Smoker managed to sneak inside on his own; the rest of the Marines stayed outside.
Now that Lina and the others had left the palace, Marines kept popping up wherever they went.
"Are there really this many? Fire Star!" Usopp fired a shot from his slingshot, then frowned and said, "Isn't that smokey guy a captain? How can he have so many men?"
"He probably called in reinforcements."
Lina ran behind the others. Chopper had grown huge, and with his thick arms, he knocked down every Marine who charged at them with a single punch.
Just then, a pink-haired woman blocked their path. She wore a fitted red suit, and her sexy figure was matched by delicate features. She lightly bit a cigarette between her rosy lips.
What a mature beauty. Lina recognized her as Hina, a captain at Marine Headquarters and a user of the Cage-Cage Fruit.
"Honestly, that idiot Smoker. He's always doing this." Hina watched the Straw Hats with an exasperated expression.
She'd been on a mission in the nearby waters when Aokiji called her over. When she asked what was going on, she found out she'd once again been summoned to clean up after that smoke-spewing idiot.
"Hina is very angry right now." Hina raised a hand and removed her red glove. She faced the Straw Hats as they charged toward her, coolly