Smoker: I wanted to refuse him loudly, but he gave me too much!

Although he felt Smoker was likely just being polite, Bane decided to test his luck and bring up his own requests, following the principle of "it never hurts to ask."

"If there is anything I need the Navy's help with, I do indeed have a few small requests," Bane said, sitting up straight and looking at Smoker with expectant eyes.

Smoker was taken aback. Wait, you're actually going to ask?

However, considering what Sengoku had said earlier, Smoker replied, "I wonder in what way I might be of assistance to you?"

"It's like this: as I mentioned before, I truly admire and yearn for our Navy, and I hope to dedicate myself to this cause of justice in the future. It's just that, given my current circumstances, for the time being..." Bane offered a few words of flattery.

He then shifted his tone. "I lack confidence in my own strength and hope to grow more during my travels over the next two years. I've heard the Navy possesses a formidable foundational martial art called the Rokushiki. If it's possible, ahem, I would like to study it. Colonel Smoker, would that be convenient for you?"

"Huh?" Smoker looked at Bane, bewildered.

He had estimated that since Bane could take down Thatch, his strength shouldn't be lacking. Why would he suddenly want to learn the Navy's Rokushiki?

However, while the Rokushiki were powerful, they were indeed considered foundational. More importantly, they weren't highly classified; they were widely circulated across the seas. The reason was that the Navy taught them as basic combat techniques to all commissioned officers. While not everyone mastered them, most were at least familiar with them.

With such a large user base, secrecy naturally waned. Over the years, many fallen members had betrayed the Navy and fled to the seas, spreading the Rokushiki to some extent.

As things stood, as long as you were willing to pay, you could buy a complete tutorial for the Rokushiki on the black market.

So, although Smoker was slightly puzzled, he didn't find Bane's request overly outrageous.

After a brief moment of thought, Smoker nodded. "Normally, we only teach the Rokushiki to Navy personnel. However, I can take the liberty of teaching them to you, Bane. I hope that once you have further strengthened your abilities, you will rid the seas of a few more scourges."

Bane was delighted. "No problem! I will be traveling through the East Blue during this time, and if I encounter any pirates or villains, I certainly won't stand idly by!"

Smoker nodded in satisfaction before asking, "Then, sir..."

He thought that was about it, but before he could finish, Bane looked at him with renewed anticipation. "Speaking of which, I also yearn for the power known as Haki. I wonder if Colonel Smoker might be able to provide some guidance?"

Smoker hadn't heard the word Haki in the East Blue for many years; for a moment, he felt a sense of nostalgia. In recent years, he had only encountered small-fry pirates, and as a base commander, the daily trivialities had consumed his energy to the point where he could barely remember the last time he had practiced using Haki.

Recalling this, Smoker rubbed his nose in slight embarrassment. "You haven't mastered the power of Haki yet?"

This truly puzzled him. If he didn't know the Rokushiki, that was one thing—curiosity was natural. But if he didn't know Haki either, how on earth did he take down Thatch?

Bane knew he had revealed his hand, causing Smoker to harbor some doubts.

But he didn't care. The Thatch incident couldn't be hidden forever; it would come to light sooner or later. Rather than trying to cover it up, he might as well seize the opportunity to gain more benefits.

"I can only say I have some slight insights," Bane said, feigning shyness. "I do know that Haki cultivation is a type of..."

He wove together some information from his past life with his own understanding, then added, "However, at the end of the day, these are all unorthodox methods. That is why I wish to compare them with the Haki techniques mastered by the Navy to verify my own findings."

Listening to Bane's insights on Haki, Smoker felt a touch of emotion. Based on his explanation, these were indeed unorthodox methods, muddled with many chaotic ideas.

Considering Bane's age and the fact that he seemingly had no formal master, it was no small feat for him to have stumbled this far on the seas. To maintain a sense of justice under such circumstances was truly rare.

"I understand your difficulties, but unlike the Rokushiki, I am not really in a position to teach you the power of Haki." Although Smoker thought highly of Bane, he couldn't just hand out Haki training, so he prepared to politely decline.

Bane caught the drift immediately. He wasn't disappointed; it had been a casual request. If he got it, great; if not, it was acceptable.

He could always try to find Koushiro later; it wasn't as if he had no other options.

However, after a moment of thought, a dark aura emanated from his hand, and a briefcase that had been stored in his dark space reappeared on the table.

"Regarding Haki, I don't want to take advantage of our Navy for nothing. There should be one hundred million Belly in this case. I would like to donate it to the Loguetown Navy as a token of my sincerity. I hope you won't refuse, Colonel Smoker," Bane said, looking at him with complete sincerity.

Smoker: ???

Good grief, you're using my own money to get what you want, aren't you?

But despite Smoker having handed over the bounty to Bane so readily, the truth was that the Loguetown Navy was indeed short on funds. What military force wasn't?

The problem was that the Navy had strict accounting; funds were earmarked for specific items and couldn't be diverted at will. Smoker was an upright man, and he certainly wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics.

That was why he often found funding to be a headache.

Now, he had already paid the bounty to Bane, but if Bane were willing to give back to the Loguetown Navy, that would be excellent. It would essentially be cash he could use at his own discretion without violating any regulations.

The quarterly budget hadn't arrived yet, but the families of Navy personnel who had been injured or killed in the line of duty were anxiously waiting. There was also a batch of old firearms Smoker had been wanting to replace, and he wanted to expand his base's manpower. Every single one of these things required money.

However, his long-standing integrity made it difficult for him to save face. He wanted to accept, but he felt awkward asking.

Seeing Smoker's hesitant expression, Bane knew he had a chance!

Before Smoker could speak, Bane waved his hand, and another briefcase filled with cash appeared on the table.

"You are...?" Smoker looked at Bane in surprise.

"I've heard that since you took office in Loguetown, not a single pirate has managed to escape your grasp. I imagine the Loguetown Navy must have paid a heavy price for the cause of justice during this time. As a person with a conscience, I hope to contribute a little more to our Navy and help build upon the foundation of justice. I believe that as long as everyone is willing to contribute, this chaotic Great Pirate Era will surely be quelled!" Bane said with a righteous expression.

Before Smoker could respond, Bane patted the case. "These two hundred million Belly are 'Belly of Justice.' I believe that under your leadership, Colonel Smoker, they will be transformed into bullets and blades against the wicked. They will become the high walls and fortresses protecting the people. Whether for justice or for the people, I hope you will not refuse!"

Bane had elevated the situation to such a height that Smoker felt he couldn't possibly refuse.

A moment later, Smoker said with sincere emotion, "Your sense of justice is admirable, and I am very grateful for your support of our Navy. In that case, I will accept this gesture on behalf of the Loguetown Navy!"

Then, before Bane could speak, Smoker continued, "Actually, I have my own understanding and insights regarding the power of Haki. As a friend, I can privately give them to you, Bane. I hope they will be of some help to you."

"I am eternally grateful!" Bane said, thanking him repeatedly.

Who said this guy was impossible to deal with? Isn't he perfectly cooked now?