Former Marine Admiral and Current Admiral Candidate: Doflamingo Chooses Caution

Upon seeing Smoker appear before them, a glimmer of hope immediately shone in the eyes of these marines.

This man has arrived! They're saved!

"Fufufufufu~"

"Who do we have here..." Doflamingo tilted his head and looked at Smoker, saying, "Isn't this the Admiral Candidate of the Navy?"

As he spoke, Doflamingo gave Smoker a thorough once-over, his eyes filled with a hint of disdain.

Clearly, Doflamingo didn't take Smoker seriously.

After all... this man was defeated by the Blood-Eyed Ninja two years ago!

Therefore, in his opinion, Smoker wasn't anything special, even though he had defeated the great pirate World.

"Doflamingo, why are you here?" Smoker looked coldly at Doflamingo and said, "And... what were you trying to do just now?"

Although he didn't know what this guy was up to, he still sensed the killing intent emanating from him just now.

Therefore, he had reason to suspect that this person wanted to take action against the navy.

"It's nothing, just saying hello to these marines," Doflamingo said.

Unfortunately, Smoker didn't believe that.

"Tell me, what just happened?" Smoker asked, looking at the G5 Branch Navy standing nearby.

"We don't know the specifics either," the Navy replied. "All we know is that after he arrived here, he muttered something to himself, and then said to us: 'Dead men have no right to know too much.'"

"Then... you arrived."

Upon hearing the Navy's explanation, Smoker immediately frowned.

Although he didn't know exactly what Doflamingo had said, he could tell that Doflamingo wanted to take action against the Navy.

Thinking of this, Smoker's eyes turned cold.

"Doflamingo, are you planning to start a war with our Navy?" Smoker said coldly.

Don't try to label me.

Doflamingo's face darkened as he said, "I'm in a very bad mood right now, so you'd better not mess with me."

Saying these things to this guy is already giving him a lot of face; it's best not to push your luck.

After all... he's extremely angry right now because of Luo!

"What do I care whether you're happy or not?" Smoker retorted, looking at Doflamingo defiantly. "Let me tell you, the title of Shichibukai is useless to me!"

The World Government has instructed the Navy not to easily take action against the Shichibukai, but that is on the premise that the Warlords will not become enemies of the Navy!

Once the other party shows signs of being hostile to the Navy... then he can take action and defeat them!

"Are you threatening me?" Doflamingo asked coldly.

Did I give them too much kindness?

You can understand it that way too.

Doflamingo fell silent, but his eyes grew even colder.

At that moment, he really wanted to kill this Highland and ignorant navy man on the spot!

But he also knew that fighting someone like Admiral Candidate would be a losing battle in a short time, so there was no need to waste time here.

After all... he needs time to execute his plan!

Thinking of this, Doflamingo forcibly suppressed his anger and coldly said, "I hope you can maintain this arrogance."

Admiral Candidate...

Heh, I'll find a chance to deal with him later.

However, Smoker's expression didn't even change when faced with Doflamingo's threatening words, clearly showing that he didn't take the other party seriously.

Then, Smoker said in a deep voice, "Doflamingo, you'd better not have any special contact with this island."

"Otherwise, I will definitely arrest you!"

He had already learned some of the gist of what had happened on the island from his subordinates via Den Den Mushi, so...

If he discovers that Doflamingo is the mastermind behind it all, then he won't be polite to this guy!

Doflamingo fell silent upon hearing this.

contact?

Of course we're in contact!

After all, the man standing behind Caesar was him!

'If the Navy finds out about this, it will indeed be quite troublesome,' Doflamingo thought to himself.

Although I have a way to solve this problem, being targeted by someone like Smoker is still a problem.

With that thought in mind, Doflamingo turned his attention to the Marines watching him, pondering whether or not to kill them all.

After all... the other party might know something.

But if they acted immediately, they would immediately clash with Smoker, the Admiral Candidate, and then he might not have time to complete his own plan.

Thinking about this, Doflamingo became somewhat conflicted.

Then, as if realizing something, he thought to himself, 'Wait a minute... the children aren't here!'

Does this mean that a group of naval personnel have already taken the children away from here?

If that's the case, then there's no point in him killing these people.

With that in mind, Doflamingo abandoned his plan to make a move.

As for whether the Straw Hat Pirates took those children...

This option never even crossed Doflamingo's mind from the beginning. After all, no pirate in this world would do something so unnecessary, right?

"Um?"

Smoker, observing Doflamingo's changing expression, instinctively assumed that the man might indeed be connected to the island, and thus prepared to make his move.

Before he could say anything more, Doflamingo said, "Whatever you want."

Although this matter was also quite troublesome, it seemed insignificant compared to the matter of Caesar.

Therefore, Doflamingo chose to ignore this matter for the time being and deal with Law and the others before figuring out how to resolve it.

"Whatever..."

Smoker frowned. Could it be that this matter really had nothing to do with him?

So what is the reason this person is here?

Thinking of this, Smoker asked, "Doflamingo, what is your reason for appearing on Punk Hazard?"

"You're asking a lot of questions, Smoker."

This time, Smoker didn't say anything, he just stared at Doflamingo.

Unfortunately, Doflamingo did not answer the question this time, but instead turned and walked towards Baby 5 and Buffalo.

However, just as he was about to leave the Navy's side, Doflamingo stopped and said, "Navy, tell me which direction that group of pirates went?"

If he could find out their location, he could then join Buffalo and the others in hunting down the Straw Hat Crew and Law.

The navy officer being questioned glanced at Smoker instinctively, and seeing no change in the other's expression, replied, "I don't know."

As soon as he finished speaking, a terrifying aura erupted from Doflamingo, instantly knocking out some of the nearby Marines.

"Conqueror's Haki..."

Smoker's expression changed, and he shouted, "Doflamingo, what do you want to do?"

"It's nothing, just teaching these guys a lesson," Doflamingo said calmly, "So they don't die without knowing why."

After saying this, Doflamingo prepared to leave.

"Doflamingo, do you really think I wouldn't dare to touch you?"

As he spoke, Smoker's body transformed into smoke, spreading his ability's contents across the area where the Marines were located, dragging them all away into the distance.

While doing this, Smoker kept his eyes fixed on Doflamingo, his gaze incredibly sharp.

"Fufufufufu~"

"If I didn't have other things to do, I really wouldn't mind sparring with you, this so-called Admiral Candidate," Doflamingo sneered.

Others may be afraid of this guy, but he isn't!

After all... he's the Chosen One Awakening his Devil Fruit powers, he's a god!

It's Kami!

Therefore, his opponent could not possibly be his match!

"Is that so?"

"Then I'd rather keep you here," Smoker said coldly.

Using Conqueror's Haki against the Navy without their consent is already a provocation.

If it weren't for the fact that the other party held the title of Shichibukai, he would have taken action and captured him immediately!

"Is that so?" Doflamingo sneered. "Then Smoker, you..."

"Ah la la~"

"It's really lively."

The sudden sound interrupted Doflamingo's words.

"Former... former Marine Admiral Kuzan?!"

The navy men were stunned when they saw the man who had appeared beside them.

Why would a former admiral be here?

Smoker looked at Kuzan with some surprise, clearly not expecting him to come here.

Could it be... that they've come looking for him?

"Kuzan, huh..."

Doflamingo looked at Aokiji. What was this man's purpose in appearing here?

Is it possible that they want to help the Navy?

But didn't he already resign?

No... that's not right!

It's precisely because he resigned from the navy that this guy is even more dangerous!

After all... the other party can attack him, Shichibukai, without any restraint!

With this in mind, Doflamingo decided to leave with his men to avoid any further complications.

However, he still had to say something before leaving.

"I didn't expect someone like you to appear here." Doflamingo stared into Kuzan's eyes and said, "Kuzan, what is your identity now?"

If the other party wants to become a pirate, then I...

Smoker also looked at Kuzan, wanting to know what this man's true identity was.

What exactly does that friend who once championed justice want?

Unfortunately, Kuzan did not answer the question; he simply stared calmly at the group.

Seeing that Kuzan remained silent, Doflamingo knew that the other party would not answer the question, so he decisively gave up waiting and turned to walk towards Baby 5.

After casually removing the chains from Baby 5, Doflamingo said, "Kuzan, I look forward to the day you make your choice!"

"Fufufufufu~"

"Fufufufufu!"

"Buffalo, baby 5, let's go!"

"Yes, young master!"

Upon receiving the order, Buffalo immediately activated the power of his Devil Fruit, taking Doflamingo and Baby 5 into the air and flying towards the distant sky.

Smoker frowned as he stared at Doflamingo's retreating figure. After a moment of silence, he decided against attacking Doflamingo.

Then, he turned his gaze to Kuzan and said, "Kuzan, what's wrong with you?"

"You mean resigning from your position as Marine Admiral?" Kuzan approached Smoker, hands in his pockets, and said, "I never considered the World Government my whole life, so..."

"That's not what I wanted to ask," Smoker interrupted. "I wanted to know why you left the Navy!"

He was eager to know why Kuzan resigned from his position Marine Admiral.

Has he become utterly disillusioned with the World Government or the Navy?

Kuzan was silent for a moment, then said in a complicated tone, "Smoker, there are some things you can only see clearly if you're not in the Navy."

Smoker frowned upon hearing this. Are there things one can only truly understand by leaving the Navy?

What exactly is Kuzan trying to figure out?

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Smoker said, "You wouldn't happen to have connections with the Dark World, would you?"

"Tell me, Kuzan!"

"Is this why you came here?"

As he spoke, Smoker thought of the Poisonous Gas experiment his subordinates had mentioned before.

Could Kuzan's presence here be related to that?

Kuzan's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness upon hearing this; this guy was still the same as ever.

However, Kuzan didn't answer the question immediately. Instead, he turned to look at the G5 Branch Navy who were still staring at them and said, "Go away, we're just having a chat. What are you eavesdropping on?"

The Marines, who had just been pondering Smoker's words, were immediately startled by his words and ran away without hesitation, leaving Smoker and Kuzan to their own devices.

If they could, they wouldn't want to know things they shouldn't know.

Smoker didn't stop him, and just calmly watched Aokiji.

After everyone had run far away, Aokiji turned around and looked at Smoker.

After a moment of silence, Aokiji said, "I am who I am, Smoker..."

Although I'm no longer in the navy, my sense of justice remains the same.

Smoker, having understood Aokiji's meaning, smiled slightly, and his expression immediately relaxed.

"That's good."

That one sentence is enough.

Aokiji nodded, then said, "Anyway... you need to keep a close eye on Doflamingo."

"What's the meaning?"

"Although he is both Shichibukai and the current King of Dressrosa," Aokiji said, "He is not the same type of pirate as the Snake Princess of Amazon Lily."

"So... tell Akainu to send out Admiral."

"If anything unexpected happens, they will immediately turn hostile."

"And this... could very well be the biggest challenge Akainu has faced since establishing the Neo Marine Headquarters!!"

Having learned what had happened here not long ago, Caesar already had some guesses in his mind.

Therefore... the best course of action would be to dispatch Marine Admiral!!

This is the only way to minimize the impact and civilian casualties.