Vivi: Am I the Sucker?

Then, before the stunned eyes of Smoker and Crocodile, a powerful, muscular figure stepped out of the lightning.

"Long time no see."

"Crocodile!"

The familiar voice rang out, and the figure ahead finally came into full view.

"You seem to have been busy while I was away."

Xia Le glanced at Smoker first, then slowly turned his gaze to Crocodile.

"You!"

"You?!"

Crocodile's pupils contracted. His whole body trembled.

An indescribable rush of emotion seized him, leaving him speechless.

"I vaguely remember what happened in Whitebeard's territory back then."

"You did something that surprised me there, too."

Xia Le paused, then added with a teasing edge,

"After all these years,"

"you're still just as foolish!"

Chapter 195: Vivi: Am I the Sucker?

Silence. Deathly silence.

Both Crocodile and Smoker stood utterly still.

Only their expressions changed, their faces shifting from grim and cold to shocked disbelief.

"Admiral Xia Le!"

Smoker cried out in delight.

The last man he had expected to see had appeared right before him. The surprise left his mind reeling.

"It seems you haven't neglected your training over the years."

With his back to Smoker, Xia Le spoke with a smile.

"I've always looked up to you! I've worked desperately hard to follow your example!"

Smoker's voice shook with excitement.

Joy and excitement overwhelmed him, and tears spilled from his eyes.

To him, the man before him was family. Xia Le had brought him into the Marines and helped him become the man he was today.

Throughout his career, Smoker had taken Xia Le as his example, tirelessly pursuing the justice he believed in.

But as time passed, he had come to understand just how hard it was to uphold that kind of justice.

That knowledge had only deepened his admiration and respect for Xia Le. He