In the rain soaked square of Loguetown, Smoker deeply inhaled his cigar.

'It's kind of fucked up that Buggy is executing someone right where his former Captain was killed.' Smoker grinned to himself at the irony of the situation.

"Captain."

'It makes me wonder, when Buggy stabbed that hat during his fight with Luffy. Just what was he thinking? Was it simply some petty anger at Shanks, or something more? Is Buggy really a 4D chess master? And what's the deal with Shanks? The man can have a casual chat with the Gorosei, Whitebeard, and put an end to the Marineford War just by showing up. Did he teleport there after delaying Kaido? Man is mad sus.'

"Captain!"

"What is it Tashigi?" Broken from his train of thought, Smoker replied lackadaisically.

"Sir! What are your orders! Are we to apprehend the Straw Hats?!"

"Not yet, I have something I want to see." Smoker lazily took a drag on his cigar, puffing rings into the air.

"Any last words, brat?!" Buggy's voice echoed.

"I'M GOING TO BE KING OF THE PIRATES!" Luffy shouted for all to hear.

Luffy's confidence and energetic voice in the face of his imminent death stunned the crowd who came to witness his execution to silence.

"Puah ha ha ha!" Smoker burst out laughing.

"C-captain?"

"What, Tashigi? Look at everyone's stunned faces! A boy about to be killed spouts off some nonsense, and everyone freaks out!"

"Your journey ends here, Straw Hat!" Buggy swung his sword downward.

"Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Nami! Sorry. I'm dead." Luffy wore a big grin on his face as Buggy's sword was about to connect with his neck.

*BOOM*

Lightning struck the execution platform, saving Luffy, and electrocuting Buggy.

*puff puff*

Inhaling the smoke from his cigar, Smoker squinted his eyes.

"Clear the civilians from the square. Tashigi, with me." Smoker ordered his men.

"OH!" The Marine's rushed forward, pushing the civilians out of the town square.

"Captain Smoker, I'll apprehend the Pirate Hunter!" Drawing her sword, determination glinted in her eyes.

"Don't do something unnecessary. Our targets are the Buggy Pirates. Adventurers aren't our concern." Drawing his seastone tipped jitte, Smoker jumped into the air, smoke jetting out of his feet.

Struggling to stand up from the destroyed scaffolding, Buggy's hair was a wild mess. His clothes were burnt black, and blood dripped down from the side of his head.

"D-d-don't think you've won brat! I've got this whole square rigged with explosives! Do it Cabaji!" Buggy's voice squeaked.

"Boss, the matches won't light!" The greasy green haired man cried out. He attempted to light match after match, but the rain was to strong.

*click click click*

Standing behind Cabaji, Smoker held a metal lighter, and lit himself a second cigar.

"You, gimme that!" Cabaji reached forward to steal the lighter.

"Hey, let go you bastard." Cabaji struggled with all his might, yet he couldn't take the lighter from Smoker's grasp.

"Stop playing around Cabaji!" Buggy shouted in desperation. Luffy had risen from the rubble, and had started kicking Buggy's ass.

"Okay, no more games!" Drawing his sword, Cabaji sliced right through Smoker's arm.

"Ha, take that, bastard! H-huh?!" Cabaji's eyes widened in shock and surprise.

Grabbing Cobaji by the head, Smoker slammed him into the ground, creating spider web cracks all along the cobblestone.

Wearing a sadistic grin, Smoker leaned down and whispered in Cobaji's ear.

"I heard you need a light."

"What are you-hiiiii!"

Smoker pressed the tip of his cigar into Cobaji's forehead, and roughly twisted it left and right. The tip of the cigar glowed brightly in the dim rain soaked square.

"You would cripple someone over a lighter. How pathetic can one man be?" Smoker ended his statement by kicking Cobaji roughly in the ribs.

"As for the rest of you." Smoker turned to glare at the Buggy Pirate's.

"We get it, we get it!"

"I surrender!"

Smoker frowned. 'This was my chance to really let loose.'

"Tch. Men, put these clowns in handcuffs!" Smoker spat to the side unhappily.

"Sir!" The Marine's saluted, and got to binding the pirates.

Approaching Luffy and an unconscious Buggy, Smoker wore a grin.

Noticing his arrival, Luffy assumed a combat stance.

"They say you have a 30 million beri bounty for taking out Axe Hand Morgan."

"What about it? If you want to fight, then fight already!" Luffy cocked his fist back, preparing to launch an attack.

"Good job." Smoker walked right past Luffy to collect Buggy.

"Huh?" Luffy tilted his head to the side in confusion.

"But if I ever see you enslave, rape, or kill indiscriminately, your head is mine." Turning his back to Luffy, Smoker walked away.

"Oi! I'll see you around…Smokey!"

"Kuh!" Smoker coughed, and staggered to the side for a second.

"Captain!" Tashigi ran up to him, and drew her sword.

"Stand down Tashigi. Didn't I say not to do something unnecessary?" Eyeing Tashigi from the corner of his eye, Smoker kept walking away from the square.

"And someone put some seastone cuffs on this trash!" Tossing Buggy to a group of Marine enlisted men, Smoker strode away.


Sitting on a swivel chair in a cramped office, Smoker stared listlessly at the ceiling.

'Fucking paper work. Fucking action reports. I'd rather get shot at then deal with this, this bullshit!'

Taking a long drag on his cigar, Smoker calmed himself.

Slamming the door open, Tashigi came in, and then slammed her hands down on the desk, scattering the papers.

"Captain…Smoker, why, why did you let them get away?!" Face awash with fury, Tashigi flashed her teeth.

Eye twitching, Smoker suddenly stood up, prompting Tashigi to fall back. She subconsciously put her hand on her sword.

"This is about Pirate Hunter, isn't it?" Smoker questioned with a knowing smirk.

"N-no." Tashigi weakly denied.

Smoker continued to smirk at her condescendingly.

"We should strive to bring all pirates to Justice!" Slamming the desk once more, Tashigi recovered, and attempted to stand on the moral high ground.

"Stop slamming my desk godamnit!" Smoker deeply inhaled his cigar in anger.

"Every Marine has their own Justice Tashigi! Some follow Absolute Justice, doing anything they can to destroy their enemies. Others like Axe Hand Morgan follow Corrupt Justice. They seek to abuse the power and prestige of the Marine's to seize power. At the end of the day, what makes a Marine capable of following their dreams is personal strength! If you wanted to capture that swordsman, you should've been strong enough!" Slamming his hand down, Smoker cracked his desk in half.

"Then, what kind of Justice do you follow Captain?" Tashigi questioned.

"Stoic Justice. It's an attempt to balance your emotions, and see the world for what it is. Sometimes the bad guy isn't such a bad guy. Sometimes the good guy isn't such a good guy. The world isn't black and white Tashigi, it's complex.

My style of Justice focuses on understanding. Sometimes, a thief is capable of great bravery, rescuing hundreds from disaster. In some parts of the world, the so called 'good' enslave thousands and force them to live in horrific conditions.

I'm not a Saint or some savior. I've done terrible things in the name of Justice, and likely will continue doing terrible things in the name of Justice. To me, Stoic Justice means evaluating what's feasible, and doing what's within my means to create a better world."

Silence dominated the room as the pair entered an impromptu staring contest.

"Sorry Captain, I've overstepped my bounds." Looking down and to the right, Tashigi wore an embarrassed look on her face.

Face stoic, Smoker appraised his subordinate.

'Huh, the tomato red is quite cute with her blueberry hair. I'll have to tease her sometime in the future. In fact, I think I'll do so right now.'

"I watched your fight with him. Pirate Hunter that is. You're pathetic."

"I. I'm sorry…Captain…" Tashigi didn't dare raise her head. Her voice trembled, and a tear ran down her cheek."

"You should be sorry. Sorry to yourself for making up excuses." Smoker retorted, real anger entering his voice.

"H-huh?" Looking up, she had confusion on her face.

"Saying shit like 'a woman can only go so far.' Bullshit! Big Mom, Charlotte Smoothie, and Boa Hancock are among the top twenty strongest in the world." Smoker shouted out.

*sniff*

"You're saying I'm not a waste?" Wiping her cheeks, Tashigi looked hopefully at Smoker.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, Smoker gave her a confident grin. "You're not a waste. I've got this book recording some interesting abilities. Ever hear of the Six Powers? Every officer has access to this knowledge, and since I believe in you, we'll be learning this together."

"Eh heh, thanks Captain!" Tashigi beamed at him.

"No problem. It is a superior officer's duty to take care of his subordinates. Oh, and one last thing before we train. I need you to do something very important for me."

"What is it Captain Smoker? I'll do anything!" Fired up and ready to go, Tashigi shouted with gusto.

"Clean up this mess, and take care of the paperwork." Turning into a cloud of smoke, Smoker disappeared through the window.

"CAPTAIIIN!" Tashigi stuck her head out the window, and shouted at the top of her lungs.

Floating above the city, Smoker had his thoughts to himself.

"Heh heh, thank God I don't have to do that paperwork. It's been a week since I transmigrated. Even if I inherited some of his memories and his fighting techniques, he's pretty fucking weak as it is. So little time, so much to do."

"Give me all your money bitch!" A teenager in an alleyway was beating up a kid.

"A hooligan in the backstreets?" Descending from the clouds, Smoker dropped down right in front of the kid.

"W-what?!" Was all the kid got out before being punched straight in the jaw.

"I hope you have a medical plan." Lifting the teenager up without another word, Smoker slammed him into the ground once, twice, three times.

When he was done, Smoker casually tossed the would be mugger into a nearby wall.

The teen bled profusely from his nose, and fell unconscious.

"Hmm, maybe I went to far…Nah, the people in this world are pretty durable. An attack like that would fracture any normal persons bones back on Earth, but he seems just mildly concussed. Oh well, a night in jail will do this kid some good." Smoker muttered to himself, and slung the teen over his shoulder.

*sniff sniff*

"Almost forgot about you kid. You okay?" Reaching down with his other hand, Smoker lifted the crying brat up.

Lifting his head, the kid revealed a familiar face.

"That, that was so cool. You're a Marine, right?! I want to be a Marine, just like you! I came to this town to sign up with the local base!" The pink haired kid said each word at the speed of light without any breaks.

"Oh by the way, I didn't introduce myself! My name's Koby!" Despite the cracked glasses, and dirt, grime and blood smearing his face, the bright eyed youth smiled wildly.

'If me not messing with Dragon counts as a minor plot divergence, then this is another. Tch, whatever, all I need to do is get stronger.'

*puff puff*

"You want to join the Marines? Fine, I see some fire in your belly kid, come with me back to the base."

"For real?!" Koby gripped the side of Smoker's jacket in a death grip.

"For. Real." Smoker grunted out.

"Yeah, just one step closer to making my dream come true!" Koby fist pumped.

'Hm, maybe this is a good thing? Koby, much like Smoker was hyped up big time, but had very little payoff. Garp is a madman trainer, yet Koby was to soft, and lacked that killer instinct. If cannon is already slightly off the rails, maybe I should go all in. Maybe I should assemble my own special unit? Hmm.'


After dropping Koby off at the Loguetown Marine HQ, Smoker took the teen he had beat up, and threw him into an empty cell.

Afterwards, he turned his attention to the Buggy Pirates.

Drifting into the prison cell holding the Buggy Pirates, Smoker didn't bother entering with a key.

'So while I'm in a fight and say my jitte is locked in a power clash. I could direct smoke from my body directly into their eyes and airways? That's a start.'

Drifting between the bars in a cell, Smoker approached a random pirate.

"Oi, oi, what are you doing, I have rights man!"

Lifting the man up from the floor Smoker held him close, face to face.

"Uh, ah, I don't swing that way man!" The pirate plead desperately.

"Neither do I." In an instant, smoky tendrils extended from Smoker's body, and were directed into the pirate's nostril.

"S-stop, what are you! Kuah!" The pirate slammed his fists into Smoker, only to be hitting air.

Gasping for breath, the pirate futility kicked his legs against the ground in an attempt to gain some distance.

Ten seconds of concentrated smoke later, and the pirate was unconscious.

'Hmm, it would be unethical to see how long it would take to kill a prisoner. Besides, this is the trash of East Blue, I'm sure someone in the New World would last much longer. I'll need to find someone that I could use a breath attack on. I feel like a smoke based attack launched out of my mouth would be super effective for some reason.' Smoker mused to himself.

Tossing the pirate to the ground like one would toss a paper plate into the trash, Smoker turned to the group of other pirates who were in the holding area.

"S-stay away!" A pirate screeched.

The rest remained silent, pushing and shoving each other to hug the wall, and get as far away from Smoker as possible.

"Crocodile is also a logia, yet he could somehow dry someone out. Maybe I could do something similar and inject my smoke directly into the pores in their skin?" Flexing his fist, Smoker took one deliberately slow step after another toward the pirates. His boots echoed across the prison room.

"No, please!"

"Don't!

"Don't worry. I won't kill you. Probably." Smoker snapped his neck to the side, and wore a murderous expression on his face.

His stoic disposition, and deeply masculine voice did nothing to alleviate the pirates fears.

"Kidding." With a smirk, Smoker turned on his heel, and left the prison cell.

"He was kidding. Huh." A pirate muttered to himself.

"Uhm, guys?" The same pirate muttered, only to see everyone else was passed out on the floor from fear.

"Keep up the good work." Smoker lazily saluted a pair of Marine's who were standing guard at the entryway.

"Y-yes!" The duo gulped, and hurried to salute. Sweat poured in torrents down the back of their spines.

'Now to have a few choice words with our resident clown.'

Away from the common cells, and behind a thick iron door was a prison cell comprised entirely of seastone.

"Buggy The Clown, how did someone like you end up on Roger's crew?" Smoker leaned against the wall, and crossed his arms. His beady brown eyes glinted in amusement.

"And why should I answer you, you bastard!" Buggy's voice started off deep, and transitioned to a high pitch at the end.

Uncrossing his arms, Smoker leaned in close.

"That's because I'm the only one here who knows that you were on that crew. Tell me what I want to know, and I leave that out of my report. Otherwise…get what I'm saying?" Smoker whispered quietly so that only Buggy could hear.

"Y-you!" Buggy snarled, before his face went white as a sheet.

"What do you want to know?" Buggy whispered in a quiet voice.

"Let's start with Shanks."


AN: Remember kids, smoking kills.