Escape! (13)

New World, G11 Branch.

"Smoker, you really look like a mess!"

Setting foot on what had once been the Seducing Woods of Whole Cake Island, now the port district of G11 Branch, Ron glanced at the several warships docked in the harbor and raised an eyebrow.

It was clear that these warships had gone through a brutal battle not long ago.

A heavy, mournful atmosphere permeated the branch. Victory had come as usual, but this time, without a doubt, it had been a pyrrhic victory!

"With your strength, how did you suffer such severe losses? Who did you run into?"

At that, Smoker, his body wrapped in bandages, took a deep drag on his cigar and blew out a ring of smoke.

"'Magician' Basil Hawkins, one of the six Supernovas who arrived at Sabaody two years ago."

"Oh, that superstitious guy!"

Ron nodded, recalling the man. "And then? Did he get away?"

"How could that be!"

Smoker rolled his eyes, then turned around. "Come on. I arranged for them to stay in an empty house in the residential district... but I really never expected this to alert you!"

Ron's status was more than that of a Marine Admiral. Even among the upper ranks of the Government, he was an influential figure of immense importance.

Every word and action of his carried tremendous weight. If he so much as stomped his foot, the whole world would tremble three times over!

Smoker had known that the arrival of those people from Wano Country would draw the attention of Headquarters, but he had never expected them to dispatch an Admiral—and such an exceptional one at that!

"Actually, I took the initiative and applied to the Fleet Admiral myself."

Ron took the cigar Smoker offered him, lit it, took a puff, and spoke.

"Oh?