Justice Is More Than Just a Word

"Damn it, let me go!"

The girl struggled desperately, but the men were too strong, and she couldn't break free at all.

Kevin, standing to the side, explained nervously, "She's really not a pirate spy."

"She just wanted to deliver a letter."

As someone who was with this girl here, I am very clear about her situation.

But some people intend to make this girl responsible for this failure, which...

"Whether it's right or wrong isn't up to you to decide," the Marine Captain said calmly.

Clearly, he had no intention of letting the other person go.

Just then, Smoker, who had come up behind the group, calmly asked, "Tell me, what's going on?"

"Who are you... Ah, it's Smoker!"

Upon seeing who it was, the Marine Captain's attitude changed completely.

Then, looking at Smoker with a hint of obsequiousness, he said, "This girl is a spy delivering messages to the Straw Hat Crew, so we plan to capture her."

"I'm not a spy!" the girl struggled to say. "I just like Nami, so I wanted to deliver a letter to her."

Upon hearing this, the Marine Captain's eyes immediately lit up.

Then, he looked at Smoker with a smile, as if to say: See, I was right.

Smoker ignored the guy and instead looked at the marines holding the girl down, saying, "Let her go."

"She'll run away..."

Smoker frowned upon hearing this. How much did this bastard look down on him?

"Damn it, who do you think you are standing in front of?!" the Marine Rear Admiral yelled. "Let go right now!"

This is a terrifying being capable of defeating World head-on; how could he possibly let a little girl escape?

Do you really think the title "Admiral Candidate" is just for show?

The sailors paused for a moment upon hearing this, then released their hands together.

Smoker, observing the reactions of these guys, narrowed his eyes slightly.

Then, he crouched down to look at the girl, trying his best to make his expression appear gentle.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Smoker said.

As if sensing Smoker's goodwill, the girl paused for a moment before saying, "I just wanted to give Nami a thank-you note from the Straw Hat Crew; I didn't intend to do anything else."

"How could this be, she..."

"Shut up," Smoker said, glancing at the talkative Marine Captain. "Can't you see I'm the one asking the question?"

Sensing Smoker aura, the Marine Captain swallowed hard, then nodded to indicate that he understood.

Seeing that the other party had calmed down, Smoker glanced at the others, signaling them not to waste time talking nonsense.

After doing that, Smoker turned his attention back to the girl.

"Why are you thanking the Straw Hat Crew's Cat Burglar?" Smoker asked curiously. "Don't you know she's a pirate?"

"That kind of talk again..."

The girl bit her lip, then looked at Smoker with a hint of stubbornness and said, "That's right, she is indeed a pirate, and no one can change that."

"But... but she's different..."

"Nami changed my life!"

"She changed your life?"

Hearing the girl's words, Smoker's eyes flickered, thinking to himself, 'Could this be another person rescued by the Straw Hat Crew...?'

As if he had just thought of something, Smoker felt a toothache, something the Straw Hat Crew would do.

"That's right."

The girl lowered her head and said, "I don't have the power of Devil Fruit, nor am I as muscular as you... In this era where strength reigns supreme, I once thought I couldn't live freely without power."

"Until I saw Nami... she showed me my own potential!"

"She made me realize that I can also have my own adventures, and I can also choose my own life!"

"So... so I'm very grateful to her, and I really want to cheer her on!"

For her, that letter was not only to express her gratitude to Nami, but also an affirmation of her own life!

She... too can choose her own life and live it to the fullest!

Smoker remained silent for a long time after hearing the little girl's words.

This made the girl's expression gradually tense. Was this person also going to kidnap her, mistaking her for a spy?

Thinking about this, she had the idea of running away.

Before she could make a move, Smoker said, "Don't be nervous, I mean no harm."

"Huh?"

The girl was stunned for a moment. Wasn't this person going to arrest her?

He picked up the little girl's Crossbody Bag, dusted it off, and then placed it in her hand.

After finishing this task, Smoker stood up, glanced at the surrounding Marines, and said, "This person is fine. Let her go."

"Hey!"

"Would... would you let me go?" the girl asked in surprise.

"Um."

Having already understood the other party's situation, Smoker had no intention of making things difficult for them.

"Wait a moment, Smoker!" the Marine Rear Admiral said. "Doesn't the fact that this person delivered a message to the Straw Hat Pirates explain her motives?"

"Also, listen to what she just said; she has the potential to become a pirate. If we let her go like this, another pirate will appear in the future!"

If we let this guy go, who will be responsible for the destruction of the new weapon?

Thinking of this, he glanced at the damaged warship rather discreetly.

Smoker, who had witnessed everything, was so angry he laughed.

Is this what you're thinking?

"Yes, Smoker!"

Smoker nodded, then turned to the other marines and asked, "And you?"

Some sailors opened their mouths as if to say something, but when they saw the expressions on the faces of the Marine Rear Admiral and the Marine Captain, they promptly shut their mouths.

"I understand," Smoker nodded.

"That..."

"Let her go."

"Huh?"

The Marine Rear Admiral paused, realizing this wasn't how the script was going to go.

Shouldn't they have arrested this girl? Why did they let her go?

"If we arrest civilians simply because they like pirates, then do we even deserve to wear those two words?!" Smoker said bluntly.

As they were talking, a gust of wind blew by, causing Smoker's coat, which was emblazoned with the word "Justice," to flutter, leaving the girl stunned.

'justice...'

This was the first time she had experienced those two words so directly.

"But she might become a pirate if she does that..."

"Liking pirates doesn't mean you'll necessarily become a pirate," Smoker said.

There are plenty of ordinary people on this high seas who love pirates; are we really going to arrest them all?

Stop joking, okay?!

Before becoming pirates, they had the right to like anyone!

"But..."

"No buts!"

Smoker interrupted bluntly, "If you really want to reduce the number of pirates in this world, then strive to be a competent Marine. That way, you won't force people who wouldn't otherwise become pirates to do so!!!"

Upon hearing this, the Marine Rear Admiral's face immediately turned ugly; this was a direct attack on him.

But the other person's rank was several levels higher than his, so he didn't dare to say anything.

Seeing that the other party was not going to waste any more words, Smoker's expression softened slightly, and he said, "If she really becomes a pirate, then I will personally capture her!"

"Do you have any more questions, Commodore General?!"

"That's all, Smoker!"

Since the other party has already said that, what else could he say?

Smoker nodded, then looked at the girl with a complicated expression and said, "Is your home far from here? If it is, I'll take you home."

The island is not safe right now, so it would be best if he took the other person back.

"Leave her to me, Smoker," Kevin immediately said, stepping forward. "I'll take her back."

It's best not to trouble Smoker this kind of thing, so let him handle it.

Smoker glanced at the young man upon hearing this, then nodded and said, "Alright, I'll leave it to you then."

This young man is the only one willing to speak up for this girl, and judging from his military rank and abilities, he's quite capable, so entrusting the task to him is perfectly fine.

Kevin looked flattered, then nodded and said, "Don't worry, leave it to me."

This Admiral Candidate so kind to him, he... he was truly honored!

Kevin then took the little girl and left.

After watching the other person leave, Smoker's expression immediately turned cold.

Then, he turned to look at the Marine Rear Admiral and said, "Do you think I don't know what you're thinking?"

"You think you can just use a little girl to fill in for someone else? How could you even come up with that idea!"

"If only they could put that energy into improving their strength, there wouldn't be so many pirates on this sea!"

Upon hearing Smoker's words, the Marine Rear Admiral and the Marine Captain both lowered their heads.

It's all been seen through, what's the point of arguing?

At this point, it's best to remain silent, otherwise you might anger Smoker.

Seeing that these guys didn't dare to utter a sound, Smoker ignored them and turned his attention back to the sea.

Seeing this, the Marine Rear Admiral said, "Smoker, that Straw Hat Pirates..."

"I will catch them," Smoker said bluntly.

Just as Garp captured Roger back then, he will also bring the Straw Hat Luffy to justice!

This time, the Marine Rear Admiral simply nodded and said nothing more.

A moment later, Tashigi ran over with her men and said, "Smoker, we're here! Where are the Straw Hat Crew?"

"They've already run away."

Tashigi:???

Is Smoker complaining that they're too slow?

However, seeing that Smoker's expression didn't reflect that, Tashigi felt relieved.

"That..."

"Arrest them," Smoker said, gesturing to the marines beside him. "Take them to headquarters for processing."

Marine Rear Admiral:???

No, haven't all the misunderstandings been cleared up? Why arrest them?

"Smoker, what do you mean by this?" the Marine Rear Admiral asked anxiously. "Why are you arresting us?"

"That's right, Smoker."

The Marine Captain, looking anxious, said, "We haven't committed any crime."

Tashigi looked at Smoker with a puzzled expression, wondering why he wanted them to arrest their colleagues.

"You've all labeled civilians right in front of me, and you still say you haven't committed any crimes?" Smoker said sternly. "I will not tolerate this abuse of power!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Marine Rear Admiral and the Marine Captain froze.

So after all that, this person had no intention of letting them go?

However, in order to survive, they still wanted to try one more time.

"Vice Admiral, we were wrong..." the Marine Rear Admiral said. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Please, just let us off the hook since this is our first offense."

"That's right, Vice Admiral, we're not having an easy time either..." the Marine Captain said. "If we don't find someone to take the blame, we low-ranking officers will be punished..."

Once he's burdened with this false accusation, his life is over, which is why...

Upon hearing this, Smoker sneered at the Marine Rear Admiral and said, "You dare to do this in front of me? You dare say this is the first time?"

Do you think I'm a three-year-old?

He then looked at the Marine Captain and continued, "Furthermore, this is no excuse for you to bully civilians!"

After saying that, Smoker looked at Tashigi and said, "Make your move!"

"Yes!"

Having already understood what had happened, Tashigi did not hesitate to walk towards the marines with her subordinates.

The Marine Rear Admiral and the Marine Captain were silent for a moment, then looked at each other and immediately saw the same meaning in each other's eyes.

'Escape!'

Their Fleet Admiral is Admiral Akainu, who once hated evil and had zero tolerance for such behavior!

If that person finds out what they're doing now and what they've done in the past... they're absolutely dead!

With that thought in mind, the two of them fled into the distance without hesitation.

"Shave!"

"Whoosh~"

In just a moment, the two disappeared from the spot.

"Shave?"

Tashigi paused for a moment, then exclaimed, "They're going to run away!"

"Trying to run away from me?" Smoker said coldly. "Isn't that a bit too disrespectful of me?"

Do you really think his title Admiral Candidate was just a handout from someone else?

Smoker then launched an attack without hesitation.

"White Smoke - Exploding Diamond Kill!"

"Weng~"

As soon as he finished speaking, two puffs of white smoke appeared beside Smoker. These puffs then began to condense and eventually turned into two spinning cones.

"Weng!"

The next moment, Armament Haki enveloped the two cones, and they rushed towards the two who were trying to escape!

"Whoosh~"

"Puff!"

One hit from each of them sent them sprawling to the ground!

"Ah!!"

"My leg!!"

The Marine Captain clutched his broken leg, groaning in agony, his face deathly pale.

The Marine Rear Admiral sat on the ground, utterly despondent, completely oblivious to his broken leg.

Because he knew he was finished.

If the Admiral Candidate mercy, the blow would have pierced his heart.

Thinking of this, he gave a wry smile and said, "If only I had known..."

"Don't say things like that."

Smoker, standing before him, calmly said, "Because it makes no sense."

There's no going back in this world, so saying things like that is pointless.

Then, without looking back, Smoker walked away, saying, "Cuff him!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, the navy officers immediately rushed to the Marine Rear Admiral's side and handcuffed the man whose leg had been broken by Smoker in a single blow.

"Take him for treatment first, then escort them to Navy Headquarters!"

"Yes!"

After watching her subordinates take the men away, Tashigi turned her gaze to Smoker and asked, "Smoker, what are your plans now?"

"I plan to go to the New World to hunt down these guys," Smoker said without hesitation.

Just like when he left Loguetown to hunt down the Straw Hat Crew, this time... he's going to the New World to hunt Straw Hat Crew!

"I understand," Tashigi nodded and said.

"If you don't want to come with me, you can apply..."

"Smoker!" Tashigi interrupted Smoker without any politeness, saying, "I am your adjutant!"

"Besides... I also need to hunt down Roronoa!"

Seeing Tashigi's serious expression, Smoker paused for a moment, then turned his head and said with a smile, "Then don't you dare hold me back."

"Don't worry, Smoker!" Tashigi said earnestly, "I'm very strong now too!"

"Good."

Smoker nodded, then walked away, saying, "Let's go back to headquarters first."

On this ship, besides him and Tashigi, no one could control that Marine Rear Admiral, so he had to come along.

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, the New World.

"What?! News of the Straw Hat Pirates?!" Upon hearing her subordinate's report, Galette's eyes lit up with joy.

"Yes."

The subordinate nodded and said, "Our informants in the Sabaody Archipelago just reported that the Straw Hat Pirates appeared there not long ago and are now heading towards the Sabaody Archipelago -Fish-Man."

I reckon that group should arrive at Fish-Man Island soon.

"Is that so...?"

Galette thought for a moment, then said, "Then... is there any news about Xi Yan?"

"This..."

Seeing the hesitant look in her subordinates' eyes, Galette's expression immediately darkened.

Katakuri, standing to the side, glanced at his sister upon hearing this, then looked at his subordinate, Zorro, and said, "Speak!"

The subordinate paused for a moment, then cautiously said, "No..."

"We found no trace of the Blood-Eyed Ninja."

Hearing what the other person said, Galette felt her head buzz.

"Could he really be dead...?"

Seeing his sister's distraught state, Katakuri frowned instinctively, then said, "Are you sure you haven't spotted any Blood-Eyed Ninja?"

"No."

The subordinate shook his head firmly and said, "That person indeed didn't detect the Blood-Eyed Ninja."

"But..."

"But?"

Upon hearing this, Galette's eyes lit up.

Then, she looked at her subordinates and said, "But what?"

"However, the Straw Hat Pirates have two new members," a subordinate said. "One is a user of the Moku Moku no Mi, and the other is Devil Fruit User."

"It's unclear where the former came from, but the latter should be one of Gecko Moria's subordinates."

Galette was taken aback. Two Devil Fruit User?

"Show me their Wanted Order."

There is no Wanted Order.

"What about the documents?" Galette said. "There must be photos."

"Yes, we do have that."

The subordinate nodded, then took out the photos he had secretly taken earlier and placed them on the table.

"This was transmitted from the Sabaody Archipelago via Fax Den Den Mushi," the subordinate said. "The Straw Hat Pirates are all in here."

Galette didn't speak, but began to carefully observe the figures inside.

The moment she saw Xi Yan's face, she was completely stunned.

'This feeling...'

"Is everything here?" Katakuri asked, glancing at his subordinates.

"Yes."

The subordinate nodded and said, "It's all here."

Katakuri nodded upon hearing this and said nothing more.

Then, he turned his attention back to Xi Yan's photo.

'From this angle... has this man already spotted the person taking the picture?' Katakuri murmured to himself.

Not minding being photographed... it seems this person wants to become famous overseas.

Before he could say anything, Galette said, "You can go now."

"Yes."

The subordinate nodded upon hearing this, then turned and left, thoughtfully closing the Great Gate behind him.

"What's wrong?" Katakuri asked Galette, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

What was Galette planning to say to him?

"Katakuri-gege, I feel that this person is Xi Yan," Galette said.

Katakuri frowned upon hearing this and subconsciously picked up the photo to examine it closely.

After a moment, he said, "How did you figure that out?"

Why didn't he sense any similarities between this person Xi Yan?

Galette paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "Intuition."

Although she didn't know what was going on, she felt that this person was Xi Yan.

Katakuri paused for a moment, then said, "Intuition, you know..."

Although this claim was somewhat outrageous, Katakuri couldn't bring himself to refute it after seeing his sister's serious expression.

With that in mind, he said, "Then let's find an opportunity to make contact with them after they arrive in the New World."

"Can't we go now?"

"Galette, you've already been willful once, are you planning to be willful again?" Katakuri said, "Don't make Big Mom angry."

Galette paused for a moment upon hearing this, then lowered her head and said, "Okay, I understand, Katakuri-gege..."

Seeing his sister's expression, Katakuri paused, then sighed silently.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on this."

"Yes, Katakuri-gege!"

Katakuri as he watched his sister gradually regain her energy.

Then, he turned to look at the sky outside, thinking to himself, ' Xi Yan... I hope you're really still alive.'