Smoker watched that white-haired figure walk past him with his back completely unguarded. Every muscle in his body tensed to its limit, and he nearly bit through the cigar clenched between his teeth.
But in the end, he did not move-not because he did not want to, but because his body's instincts were screaming danger.
The shadow of that punch shackled him like cold chains, holding him firmly in place.
He raised a hand to wipe the dust-mixed cold sweat from his forehead, struggled to his feet, and watched Kirishima Bupai disappear around the street corner.
"Captain! Should we chase..." a Marine who had barely managed to get up shouted anxiously.
"Enough!" Smoker snapped, his voice carrying a barely perceptible rasp.
He took a deep breath, but even the cigar smoke seemed unable to dispel the chill in his heart.
"This is already beyond the jurisdiction of our Loguetown branch." He gazed in the direction Kirishima had disappeared, his expression complicated. "He didn't even draw his blade..."
As he spoke, Smoker took the Transponder Snail from inside his clothes and dialed an encrypted line, his voice low and grave. "This is White Hunter Smoker, Loguetown branch."
"Target V, bounty 1.6 billion Berries, has been confirmed present and has forcibly broken through our interception... Interception failed."
"His strength... is unfathomable. I repeat, interception failed. Requesting further instructions from headquarters."
Meanwhile, deep within the Grand Line, on the peaceful shore of an unnamed spring island.
The "former" World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, sat alone on a reef, gently wiping Yoru, his blade and one of the twelve Supreme Grade Blades.
The golden glow of the setting sun fell across his hawk-sharp eyes, yet revealed little emotion.
"Hey! Mihawk! It really is you!"
A hearty, booming voice broke the silence as a massive