Robin's gift for getting along with people soon helped her settle into the Straw Hat Pirates.
Meanwhile, at Nanohana's Port in Alabasta, Smoker ended a Den Den Mushi call with a dark expression.
The higher-ups were spreading the word that he had defeated Crocodile, foiled Baroque's plot, and prevented Alabasta's civil war.
Marine Headquarters had issued promotions on the spot: Smoker to commodore and Tashigi to Colonel.
The call had ended with Smoker's exasperated "Aw, hell."
Smoker himself had been saved by Rubick. How could a man like him accept a reward for defeating Crocodile?
Beside him, Hina urged, "Smoker, don't be so stubborn. This arrangement is about the reputation of the entire Navy."
Smoker lit a cigar and snorted. "What's that got to do with me? Hina, do me a favor."
Hina sighed. "All right. Hina is one of the few friends you've got, after all."
"Take the evidence against Baroque, Crocodile, and his two subordinates to headquarters. I have something to do."
Hina immediately thought of Rubick. "You're not planning to hunt down Rubick, are you? He has a billion-berry bounty. We can't handle him."
Smoker shook his head. "No. I'm going to train for a while, so I'm leaving this to you."
After a pause, Smoker forced out the words. "Failing to bring Rubick into the Navy was my mistake. I'll do everything I can to make up for it."
His voice hardened. "I'll arrest him myself!"
Smoker turned toward the gangway. As he passed Tashigi, he instructed her, "Tashigi, you're a Colonel now. You'll be stationed in Loguetown."
"Colonel, where are you going? Take us with you!"
It wasn't just Tashigi. The sailors Smoker had brought from Loguetown all wanted to follow him.
"What do you think you're doing?" Smoker roared. "Get back to Loguetown and