Smoker: Would You Consider Joining the Marines?

Bane followed Smoker to his office at the Marine base, while Smoker instructed his men to retrieve the money.

Just as Bane had guessed, Smoker was quite fair and had no intention of pocketing the bounty. Nor did he plan to make things difficult for Bane by demanding proof.

Perhaps this also showed that the Marines currently held a fairly friendly attitude toward him.

And Smoker's next words indeed proved it.

With three cigars clenched between his teeth, Smoker poured Bane a cup of tea and sat down openly on the sofa.

"Come to think of it, I'm rather curious. That darkness-related ability you used earlier—was it a Devil Fruit you seized from the Whitebeard Pirates?" Smoker opened with a topic, taking the opportunity to gather more information.

Bane drank his tea without intending to hide anything. Sooner or later, people would learn about this Fruit ability anyway. Besides, he felt that the Marines' attitude was fairly good. Perhaps there really would be room for cooperation between them in the future, so there was no harm in showing a little goodwill.

"That's right. I did seize it from the Whitebeard Pirates. It's the Logia-type Dark-Dark Fruit," Bane replied.

"A Logia?" Smoker was somewhat surprised. As a Logia user himself, he naturally knew just how rare they were.

Because of that, Bane's potential and value rose even higher in his assessment.

He did not press for details. Going any deeper would have been rather impolite, so Smoker changed the subject. "Come to think of it, the Marines have never heard of your exploits before. That would mean you were probably a law-abiding citizen before this. Did you only recently become a pirate hunter?"

"Yes. More precisely, Thatch was my first achievement," Bane answered casually.

"I see. What an astonishing debut," Smoker said, somewhat stiffly.

He wanted to build a good relationship with Bane, but he was straightforward by nature and not the sort to flatter people. If asked to praise Bane, he could not come up with any particularly fresh words.

Unable to think of anything else to say, Smoker decided to get straight to the point. After a brief pause, he looked at Bane and said seriously, "To be honest, the Marines have always held a friendly attitude toward, and warmly welcomed, capable civilians such as yourself—people of noble character, upright conduct, a hatred of evil, and great strength. Being a pirate hunter is not a bad profession, but it truly cannot compare to the prospects offered by the Marines. As a Logia user with the combat achievement of killing a Whitebeard Pirates commander, if you are willing to join the Marines, I believe Marine Headquarters would certainly be willing to offer you a highly sincere package."

Bane had not expected Smoker to directly invite him to join the Marines so soon after meeting him.

Was he interested in the Marines? Of course he was.

After all, the Marines possessed an enormous military force. They were known as the overlords of the seas and wielded broad influence across the ocean. It was good to have a big tree for shade. At the very least, if he made his way into Marine Headquarters now, the Whitebeard Pirates would have to think twice before making a move against him.

At the same time, the Marines had abundant resources and a mature training system. They could fully help Bane learn and master Rokushiki, Sword Arts, Haki, Martial Arts, and all sorts of other techniques, steadily increasing his strength.

However, Bane had no intention of joining the Marines right now.

On one hand, although the Marines prided themselves on justice, the darkness hidden behind them was equally not to be underestimated. They were too restricted by the World Government. They might be called the overlords of the seas, but bluntly speaking, they were essentially the Celestial Dragons' watchdogs.

On the other hand, now was not the best time to join the Marines. Smoker's words sounded nice, saying the Marines would offer a sincere package and all that.

But just how sincere could that package be?

Could they give Bane the treatment of a Vice Admiral? Clearly not. And even if the Marines dared to offer it, would Bane dare accept it?

His true strength had yet to be exposed. Everyone on the seas believed that Bane was the one who had killed Thatch. Whether it had been an ambush or some other method, the achievement was there. Thus, Smoker included, people generally believed Bane possessed strength comparable to a Whitebeard Pirates commander.

Without that level of strength, hunting Thatch would have been nothing but suicide.

But others did not know the truth. How could Bane himself not know it? At his current level, even a random Marine Rear Admiral could probably grind him into the dirt. That might even have been an overestimate.

Still, Bane believed his room for growth was enormous. If he could master powers such as Haki, then combine them with his Dark-Dark Fruit and his own physical abilities, which could continue to improve, he would undoubtedly shine brilliantly as long as he was given time to develop.

Although he had eaten the Dark-Dark Fruit himself, affecting the course of the world to some extent, there was still room to maneuver.

Next year, Straw Hat would set sail. If Bane could successfully help bring about the Summit War, then the changes to the Marines afterward would present an excellent opportunity for him.

That opportunity was the Marines' World Military Draft, meant to address the changing times and the growing threat of the New World, as well as replenish the losses suffered by the Marines during the Summit War.

For two years after the war, the Marines conducted a sustained large-scale recruitment drive and offered the most generous terms in their history.

Whether it was Fujitora Issho or Aramaki, both had originally been civilian experts with no Marine background whatsoever. Yet through their individual strength, they seized the opportunity of the World Military Draft and rose straight to the top, becoming the Marines' two new Admirals.

Now that was what you called sincerity!

If Bane chose to join the Marines now, he might only end up as a colonel, then slowly accumulate seniority and merits while improving his strength step by step. Becoming a Marine Admiral within two years would be nothing but a dream.

Only the World Military Draft could offer that sort of opportunity.

According to Bane's plan, perhaps his strength would not be enough by then to compete for an Admiral's position, but securing the position of Vice Admiral should not be a problem, right?

And if he developed well over the next two years, it was not as though he could not replace an Admiral!

Everyone needed dreams. Otherwise, what was the difference between them and salted fish?

If he became a Marine Admiral, he could later consider pacifying the New World, then rebelling against those damned Celestial Dragons, wrecking the World Government as well, and thoroughly taking control of this world's resources and power. Perhaps afterward, he could even lead an army back to The Empire and strut around in style.

Of course, that was merely one opportunity and one option. If he later discovered that being a pirate offered greater benefits, Bane would have no psychological burden about throwing himself into the pirate trade.

Smoker had no idea what Bane was thinking. He only saw Bane sitting on the sofa in deep thought after hearing his invitation, his expression occasionally turning excited and thrilled. Smoker assumed Bane was very interested and that this was practically in the bag.

But just as Smoker was indulging in that pleasant fantasy, Bane quickly gathered his wandering thoughts, calmed himself, and replied in a steady, serious tone, "I'm very sorry, Colonel Smoker, but I have no plans to join the Marines at present. I'm only twenty years old and have just set out to sea. There is still much scenery I have not seen, and I cannot yet make up my mind to devote my future time and energy to the cause of justice. Perhaps in a couple of years. In a couple of years, I should consider joining the Marines. After all, I really do like the Marines."

Although Smoker was somewhat disappointed by those words, he could hear the sincerity in Bane's tone. He had never been someone who liked to force others, and Bane's words were also filled with goodwill toward the Marines.

Thus, after a moment of regret, he said, "There is no need for you to apologize. I understand your feelings and thoughts. On behalf of the Marines, I can make you this promise: as long as you continue to uphold justice, the doors of the Marines will always remain open to you."

"Thank you for understanding," Bane said with a smile.