Colonel Smoker Annihilated!?

"Hehehehe~, Lord Wang Shi said I'm his friend!"

Bartolomeo shouted excitedly to his underlings on either side, his eyes filled with sparkling stars.

Beside him, the red-haired boss lady Dezaya and the small-time gang leader Gambia were equally ecstatic.

This was a big shot who dominated the East Blue.

To think that Wang Shi would actually pay attention to small-time underworld thugs like them.

It was like a high-ranking official shaking hands with a naive and foolish college student; it was impossible to stay calm.

"Hey! You punks, get lost!"

Colonel Smoker had no love for these underworld thugs and immediately ordered them to disperse.

Since these thugs didn't have bounty posters, they weren't under the jurisdiction of his Marines.

There was a security force from the Polaris Kingdom in Loguetown, but they clearly couldn't control a Devil Fruit user like Bartolomeo.

Seeing the line of Marine soldiers blocking their path, Bartolomeo and his gang felt a sense of immense dread.

Smoker, a Logia-type user, was a nightmare for every pirate and gangster in the East Blue.

They couldn't land a single hit on Smoker, yet Smoker could beat them to a pulp.

Even the fearless Bartolomeo didn't dare to provoke a Marine Colonel like Smoker.

"Colonel Smoker, this friend of mine is clearly a hero who cares about the rise of the East Blue."

"I, Wang Shi, love making friends with such heroes."

Wang Shi waved his hand, dismissing the Marine soldiers, and walked toward the green-haired, cockscomb-headed man.

"Hehehehe! Lord Wang Shi said I'm a hero!"

Bartolomeo shrieked with excitement, acting like a child seeing his idol, his hands nervously wiping against his clothes over and over again.

"Hmph, him? A hero?"

Smoker frowned as he watched Wang Shi's actions, but he quickly understood Wang Shi's intent.

This guy had even managed to subdue a pirate like El Drago.

It seemed Wang Shi had his sights set on Bartolomeo, the Devil Fruit user.

He hadn't expected Wang Shi to pay attention to such underworld thugs.

His ambition was truly vast; he was recruiting subordinates everywhere.

"How about it, hero? Would you like to take a stroll to the Pirate King Execution Platform together?"

Wang Shi smiled faintly and took the initiative to invite Bartolomeo, giving the underworld boss plenty of face and emotional validation.

"I-I-I... Yes! Let me lead the way for Lord Wang Shi; I know Loguetown like the back of my hand!"

Bartolomeo felt a bit flustered by the invitation, but he quickly composed himself.

He absolutely could not lose face in front of his idol.

He was, after all, the underworld boss of Loguetown.

A "Hero of the East Blue," as Lord Wang Shi called him.

Hehe, he liked this new nickname.

He decided right then that he would abandon the title of "Cannibal."

From now on, he was Bartolomeo, the Hero of the East Blue!

He would follow closely behind his idol, the Emperor of the East Blue.

Eric and El Drago looked at the green-haired cockscomb with surprise; they hadn't expected Wang Shi to value this guy so much.

Eric, who had been active in these waters, had heard of this underworld boss.

Rumor had it that no one could break his barrier.

He wondered if his Wind Blade could defeat this underworld boss.

Zoro and Saka each stroked their new swords, following silently behind as they observed the bustling island known as the "Island of Beginnings and Endings."

Having trained on Shimotsuki Island for many years, they hadn't truly visited many islands or seen much of the world.

"Lord Wang Shi, that is the execution platform where the Pirate King Roger was put to death."

Bartolomeo acted like a loyal underling, excitedly introducing the famous landmark of Loguetown to Wang Shi.

Dezaya, Gambia, and the other thugs followed closely, hoping Wang Shi would notice them more and give them a word of praise to make them famous as well.

"Pirate King Roger, died at the age of 53. Life is truly fragile..."

Wang Shi looked at the unremarkable execution platform, his eyes filled with a longing for immortality.

These powerful great pirates were either tormented by illness or limited by age, eventually turning into nothing but a handful of dust.

Even someone as strong as Roger had succumbed to a terminal disease.

Whitebeard Newgate, known as the strongest man in the world, was now seventy years old and already suffering from incurable internal injuries, hooked up to IV drips.

What is the point of dominating for twenty or thirty years?

To be invincible, immortal, and hold absolute power...

This is the goal that Wang Shi desires.

"Roger the Pirate King opened the Great Pirate Era, and his life was full of legends! He was a great her..."

Bartolomeo said with a hint of worship; most pirates and underworld thugs still desperately crave the fame and fortune that Roger the Pirate King attained.

"Hmph, a criminal who ushered in an era of chaos!"

Hearing Bartolomeo praise Roger, Smoker spoke up coldly, already marking this underworld boss as a potential pirate in his eyes.

Someone who worships Roger like this will sooner or later head out to sea to become a pirate!

It seems he will have to keep a close eye on this green-haired freak.

However, Wang Shi was actually lamenting Roger's short life, lamenting the fragility of existence.

This perspective was truly unique and rare.

This was the first time Smoker had ever heard such words.

After all, most ambitious people want to become big shots who shake the world, just like the Pirate King.

Fame, wealth, power... these are the things the world struggles and chases after.

"Roger, what was the point of the Great Pirate Era you staked your life to begin?"

"Are you certain that blockhead can change the world?"

Wang Shi whispered softly, walking step by step toward the execution platform, wanting to experience the perspective of Roger the Pirate King from back then.

"Stop! Wang Shi, no one is allowed on the execution platform."

Smoker's face darkened, and he immediately moved to block him.

"No one can stop me, Smoker!"

Wang Shi waved his hand without even looking back, and Smoker, who was just about to draw his Jitte, vanished from the spot.

This scene left Tashigi and the rest of the Marines frozen in place, dumbfounded.

Their Colonel Smoker had been banished?

What should they do! What should they do!

Could it be that Smoker will never be able to come back?

"Smoker was insta-killed??!!"

Bartolomeo's eyes widened; Colonel Smoker, who was nearly invincible in their eyes, had been casually disposed of by Wang Shi!

This made Bartolomeo and his underlings gaze at Wang Shi, who was walking up the execution platform, with even greater worship.

This is the aura and strength of the Emperor of the East Blue!!

"Even a Logia-type user couldn't stop His Majesty's power of banishment! It's too unsolvable!"

Eric and El Drago were equally shocked; they had assumed that the renowned Smoker would at least be able to put up some resistance.

Yet, he was banished in an instant.

It's too strong, too cheap!

"Being an enemy of His Majesty is truly frustrating and dangerous."

Saka chuckled, and Zoro deeply agreed; to be banished directly without even a chance to fight was indeed frustrating, leaving absolutely no room for retaliation.

He wondered how one could even resist Wang Shi's ability.

Is staying far away from him the only path?

"Your Majesty Wang Shi, please, I beg you to release Colonel Smoker."

Tashigi pleaded with Wang Shi in terror, her eyes filled with panic; she had never imagined that even Colonel Smoker would have no power to resist in Wang Shi's hands.

Even a Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters couldn't have insta-killed Colonel Smoker, a Logia-type user, that quickly!