His orders from Garp had been to keep an eye on his grandson.
He had complied with his mentors orders. Following Straw Hat's trail, only interfering when he caught up too the boy. He was to never actually capture the boy, just make sure he was protected.
He made sure to call Garp weekly.
Then when he met up with Ace, another charge was added to his care. Both boys were equal frustrating. Ace with his flirting and Luffy with his destruction, but both earned Smoker respect.
Maybe that was why he came here to see his charges roles play out.
By Lady Kasha
One Piece is not mine. It is the great and powerful Eiichiro Oda.
Takes Place after my fiction "Shirts are for Squares"