Chapter 593
At the Marine branch in Loguetown.
Though the outside world was in an uproar and people everywhere could no longer keep calm,
the Marines at the Loguetown branch continued their training in orderly fashion.
Not one of them dared let their attention wander.
Smoker stood before them, keeping a strict watch over their training.
He rested one foot on an iron rack, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
Smoke drifted from his body and rose into the sky.
Beside him, Tashigi held the latest newspaper and read it carefully.
Smoker narrowed his eyes, took the cigar from his mouth, and murmured, "That Chris has caused another sensation!"
"He's filled an entire edition of the World Economy News Paper with stories about himself."
"Chris certainly knows how to command attention!"
Smoker had already read that day's paper, carefully going through every article.
The news had hit him hard.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses and could not help saying, "I never thought he'd actually come this far."
"When we first met him, I never imagined Chris would stand at the very top of the world!"
Astonishment filled Tashigi's face.
Smoker took a hard drag on his cigar and gave a soft laugh. "I know!"
"Who would've thought a wet-behind-the-ears kid who isn't even twenty could be so formidable?"
"If I'd known how strong Chris was back then, I wouldn't have gone looking for humiliation!"
A trace of regret flashed in Smoker's eyes.
His crushing defeat at Chris's hands remained seared into his memory.
That time, Chris had nearly killed him on the spot.
For a while afterward, Smoker often woke with a start from his dreams.
It showed just how deeply Smoker feared Chris!
Faint smoke drifted from Smoker as he continued, "How long has it been?"
"And that guy has