Observation Haki, Smoker learned, was useless for finding someone unless you knew exactly what you were looking for.

The minute Smoker realized he had missed his first (and possibly only) chance to speak to Straw Hat without interference he dashed out into the street in pursuit. But it was too late. Monkey D. Luffy was long gone.

So Smoker had done the only thing he could think of, and cast out his Haki to locate the boy; a tried and true method that Smoker had perfected over the years whenever he needed to find the pirate and lead ran dry.

He had thought it would be easy- he would recognize Straw Hat's presence pressing against his Observation Haki better than anyone except for maybe the Straw Hat Crew itself. Yet when he opened his senses to the spirits of the people around him, the familiar weight of Straw Hat's 'voice' overwhelming everything else around him was startlingly absent.

His first impulse was to blame his failing strength, since traveling back in time had weakened all his other skills. But he soon dismissed this since Observation was a purely mental skill, and should have been the only thing he wouldn't have to train back into shape.

Smoker's second thought, which was that it hadn't been Straw Hat at all, but rather a figment of his imagination summoned from his desire to find Straw Hat, was also disregarded. He knew what he had seen. He would recognize Straw Hat anywhere.

The only reason he hadn't identified him sooner was due to not getting a clear visual on the boy right away.

Besides, was it his fault the pirate looked so much younger? Smoker was used to the older Monkey D. Luffy. This one was practically a little kid!

He growled in frustration. Haki wasn't getting him anywhere.

And he couldn't figure out why.

The brat couldn't know how to hide his aura from Smoker, but he couldn't think of any other answer to how else the pirate escaped his senses when Smoker knew he was on the island- and what's more, was nearby!

Screw it. It didn't matter how. He'd just have to find another way.

It would be so much easier if he could just remember how he found Straw Hat the first time.

A harsh gust blew down the street. The frigidity brought goosebumps and the promise of rain.

Smoker glanced up. The sky was quickly growing overcast. He wouldn't have much more time before the Straw Hats left.

It seemed he wasn't the only person out anticipating the oncoming storm. While his focus had been turned inward on his Observation Haki, several citizens wrapped in brown cloaks had bumped into his still figure. And now that he was paying attention, many more people out seemed to have donned hooded cloaks themselves.

One benefit of the poor weather was that the streets were significantly less crowded. If an altercation occurred- and Smoker was dealing with pirates, fights were practically guaranteed- then there was less chance of civilians getting injured as a result.

Another strong gust blew through the street, catching on the hood of passerby and throwing it off. The person caught the hood before it could be removed completely and lifted it back over their head. The motion drew Smoker's eye, which widened when he recognized the lady in question as being a member of Buggy the Clown's crew.

No one else seemed to have noticed.

Smoker bit down on his cigars, frowning in suspicion.

He was willing to bet the other cloaked people around him were also pirates working for Buggy.

This all seemed so familiar, why...

Flashes of memory bolted through him.

- Lightning striking the execution stand. -

- Pushing his way through growing hurricane-force winds to chase Straw Hat. -

- Vainly trying to direct his overwhelmed subordinates to protect the city from the hundreds of pirates that seemed to spawn from no where. -

- That damnable grin as Straw Hat faced his own death. -

And then he knew.

Straw Hat was at the execution platform.

Smoker swore loudly and ran to the center of town, ignoring the startled looks sent his way. He remembered everything that had happened here years ago.

Iron Mace Alvida and Buggy the Clown teamed up to take down Straw Hat Luffy, managing to capture the other pirate and set up his execution, only for a freak bolt of lightning to streak from the sky, freeing Straw Hat from his binds and allowing him to escape with his crew.

But Smoker couldn't rely on another freak lightning strike to free Straw Hat again this time. There was no guarantee it would strike the same place at the same time as it did the first time around. For all Smoker knew something could have changed to influence it unfavorably. It was unreliable.

Without that strike Straw Hat would die, which would ruin all of Smoker's plans.

Smoker never put much faith in fate.

So it was up to him to stop the execution.

The sky grew darker. Smoker ran faster.

His legs blurred and billowed. He made his body lighter and the wind carried him faster than anyone in the Blues could run.

It began to drizzle, a light dusting of rainwater that did its best to soak everything it touched and weight it down. The wind blew faster and faster, compressed in the narrow streets.

Then the street opened up into the plaza.

Smoker froze and everything was still. Absolutely still.

He was late.

The sky was black, but there was still enough light out to see the top of the stand and the figure looming over Straw Hat, sword in hand, posed to strike.

From the corner of his eye Smoker could see Roronoa and Black Leg burst out from another road and shouting for their captain even as they fought fruitlessly to make it to the top of the platform.

They wouldn't reach him in time.

But Smoker could.

He lunged.

Smoke filled the plaza. It tangled and surged around guns and blades and the cacophony of warfare even as marines arrived on its heels and joined the fray. Up and up it raced to reach the top of the stand.

It was just feet short when "Zoro! Sanji! Usopp! Nami! Sorry, I'm dead!"

No. No no nonono. No

Smoker manifested as much as he could on the platform. He drew his jitte from his back and swung. A grating screech erupted from the weapon as metal skidded over metal.

Buggy recovered from the block, rounding back with another strike. Smoker parried, preventing the hit to his torso. Sweat beaded up at his temples. Buggy had been to the Grand Line before with Gol D. Roger; Smoker couldn't be certain if he knew Armaments or not and couldn't afford a hit if he did.

Buggy was shouting at him now, but Smoker couldn't hear. It was taking too much energy to keep using his fruit. Black was encroaching on his vision. He wouldn't be able to keep this up much longer.

The air began to crackle and hiss.

The sky split open with a mighty CRACK!

Smoker fell apart as thousands of volts surged through him.

Rain poured down and he came to a minute later at the base of the burning rubble heap that used to be Loguetown's iconic execution stand. He groaned, pushing himself up off the ground. He was sore, but his Devil Fruit had saved him from the worst of the damage. He would say the same was true for Buggy, who was lying prone next to him.

Smoker looked around. Hundreds of pirates were staring in shock and awe at the remains of the platform that were still burning every in the torrential downpour. A spot of red and yellow on the ground stole Smoker's attention. It was the straw hat that Monkey D. Luffy took his name from.

Gingerly, Smoker went over and picked it up. He couldn't help but stare at it. In all the years he had pursued Straw Hat the young pirate had guarded his hat viciously. This was the first time Smoker had gotten to hold the thing himself.

It wasn't much to look at, just a simple straw hat with a single red band- indistinguishable from any other straw hat on the market. It was well worn too- obviously very old- and had been repaired more than once.

Yet despite appearances there was a weight to it. Smoker couldn't help but feel very small holding it.

Behind him something creaked, and before he could react that hat was snatched from his grip.

Smoker spun around. Monkey D. Luffy's arm snapped back into place and he set the hat firmly back on his head. "Shishishi! Thanks for holding that for me!" He laughed, grinning at Smoker like he had a day at the spa rather than nearly killed and then struck by lightning.

Straw Hat looked behind him to his crewmates, who unlike everyone else around them had recovered from the insanity that followed their captain, and his grin broadened. He raced past Smoker to meet up with his first mate and the cook.

That seemed to be the cue that spurred everyone back into action.

Iron Mace was shouting off to Smoker's right, and movement from behind suggested that the Clown had recovered.

Black Leg and Straw Hat took off, though only Black Leg seemed stressed.

Smoker swore and tried to catch them. "Straw Hat! Get back here!" He shouted. Dammit, he needed to get Straw Hat to agree to take him aboard! He couldn't very well do that if he kept missing his opportunities.

Roronoa hadn't moved from the mouth of the alleyway Straw Hat and Black Leg had disappeared into. Roronoa was watching him, one hand hovering over his swords.

Smoker slowed to a stop when he drew level with the unofficial first mate. Their eyes met for a moment, then two.

Roronoa's gaze was steady as he met Smoker. There was no fear in the Pirate Hunter's eyes.

Smoker grit his teeth. He knew when he was being assessed. "I need to speak with your captain." He bit out reluctantly.

Roronoa had the audacity to smirk. It wasn't very friendly. "I dunno what the hell you're asking me for then."

Smoker's eyebrow ticked. Insufferable, the lot of them.

Roronoa's smirk grew more wicked, but he didn't speak again before darting down the alley after his captain.

Smoker blinked and let out a string of curses. Those goddam pirates! He just might kill them himself and save a lot of frustration in the future.

He had only just taken off after Roronoa when he felt the unpleasant sensation of not one, but two people barreling through him.

Iron Mace and the Clown.

That was the final straw on Smoker's patience. He saw red.

Smoker chased after the pirate captains. He first caught up to Buggy the Clown.

Buggy was difficult to catch only because he was difficult to hold. Smoker didn't have that issue and enveloped Buggy in a thick blanket of smoke, holding the chop-chop man in place as he struggled futilely in Smoker's grasp.

"Why you flashy bastard!" Buggy gasped, glaring at Smoker. He tried to separate, only to get snared again by Smoker. "You're that guy that stopped me from giving that Straw Hat brat what he deserved! You'll pay for embarrassing me like that!" He snarled, infuriated. "You think your logia protects you?" Buggy mocked, eyes gleaming as his hands and knives were covered in a shiny black material.

A less experienced marine would have dropped the pirate in shock. A less experienced logia user would've gotten cocky.

Smoker was neither.

"Oh no you don't." He warned, and in a flash he had drawn his jitte and dug the seastone tip into the back of the Clown's neck. Immediately the Clown went limp. Armaments faded as Buggy struggled to remain conscious, still cursing Smoker even as he grew weaker and weaker and finally fell still.

Smoker grinned at the pirate's quick defeat. With Armament's Haki at his disposal, Buggy could've been a difficult opponent, especially with Smoker as he was. It was fortunate then that the pirate was already severely weakened from the lightning blast, otherwise Smoker would've had to waste even more time with this farce.

But he had been delayed long enough.

Smoker left Buggy where he lay. No doubt someone would come by to get him sooner or later. He didn't really care.

Smoker wasn't sure where the Straw Hats were docked, and he hoped they hadn't already left.

He wiped the rainwater from his eyes, not that it made much of a difference. It served as a reminder though that no one would be sticking around for long in this weather.

Smoker stuck to the road he was on. It was his best bet for catching up to the Straw Hats.

All around him he found evidence of fighting. Marines and pirates alike slumped on the ground, defeated. More than once he had to force himself to not stop and check on some. They weren't his men anymore. The Marines had brought in his replacement already. They would take care of them.

But then he came across Tashigi, on her knees in the dirt, and he had stopped before he was even aware of it.

She was staring at her sword. Smoker didn't have to be a genius to know she had just experienced her first defeat at Roronoa's hand.

He kneeled next to her, and put his hand on her shoulder.

Tashigi flinched, and her head snapped up. Her grip tightened on her sword and she brought it up to defend herself.

Smoker would've been surprised, but he doubted she could see anything through the water that clung to her glasses. "Tashigi!" He snapped.

Tashigi faltered, recognizing his voice. "Ah! Cap- I mean, Smoker, sir! I didn't see you."

Smoker rolled his eyes. "Take off your damn glasses before you take someone's head off." He said, not nearly as harsh as he once would have.

She nodded jerkily and once more fumbled around an aborted salute. She took her glasses off and put them in their case. They were useless to her in the rain.

They both ignored the way her hands shook.

"Why didn't he kill me?" She asked quietly. She clenched her fists and dug them into the ground under her. "How did I lose? Am I that far behind him? Am I really so weak?" If it looked like she was crying, it was just the rain.

Smoker sighed. He was shit at this kind of thing and he knew it. "Look, don't think too hard about it." He told her. "Pirates do whatever the hell they want and don't give a damn about anyone else." He stood up. He needed to go now, but he couldn't just leave Tashigi as she was. "So what if he's stronger?"

Tashigi flinched. "You say that like you expected me to get beaten!" She accused.

"I did."

Tashigi recoiled. "W-what?" She said, devastated.

"Don't take it personally." Smoker scolded. "Roronoa's got a reputation for his skill. If you're that upset by it then surpass him. Now that you've fought him you know how far you need to go. So quit moping about and get to it!"

Internally he winced. That might've sounded a bit too harsh for what he meant.

Miraculously though Tashigi didn't look offended. Instead, she straightened up, picking herself off the ground and standing to face her old boss.

Then she did the last thing Smoker expected, and bowed. "You're right, sir." She said. "I've disgraced myself as a swordswoman with my behavior!" There was no hesitation this time as she snapped him a perfect salute. "Don't worry about me, sir! I will surpass Roronoa Zoro and defeat him!" She proclaimed to the world.

Smoker recoiled. "Quit that! You're embarrassing yourself!" He said, smacking her hand down. Why did she have to do such embarrassing things? Saluting him when he wasn't even her captain anymore... She even had the audacity to smile while he was scolding her!

Smoker growled. "How about instead of making a fool of yourself with that salute you capture Buggy the Clown?" He suggested, pointing his thumb back where he left Buggy's unconscious form.

Tashigi blinked, surprised. "B-Buggy?"

"I knocked him out a ways back there. Pick him up and get him out of the way for me." The ordered.

Tashigi scrambled to comply. "O-of course! Right away!" She stammered, already hurrying to where he was pointing.

"Hey wait a minute!" Smoker shouted after her.

Tashigi looked back. "Sir?"

"Quit running off before you have all the information!" He yelled. "He's a devil fruit user and his power makes him difficult to detain. I'd suggest sticking him in a bag if you don't want him escaping." He told her. "Which you would've known already if you weren't busy running off before I've finished speaking!"

Tashigi blushed. "Ehe. Right. I knew that." Then she was back to looking for Buggy.

Smoker returned his focus to his own mission. He had lost a lot of ground to Buggy and Tashigi. Iron Mace better not show up and delay him further, for her own good.

He tried to ignore the small voice in the back of his head that said the Straw Hats were long gone.

Despite that though, he was still surprised to catch up with Straw Hat, Roronoa, and Black Leg so soon, their path blocked by another cloaked stranger.

"Get the hell out of our way." Roronoa snarled at the figure, one sword already drawn.

"Move, or we'll move you." Came Black Leg's threat.

The cloaked figure just smiled. Then their attention switched to Smoker for a brief second and oh, Smoker knew who that was.

Monkey D. Dragon had a face no one could forget.

The Straw Hats were alerted to another person approaching the party. Black Leg shifted, trying to keep his eye on both Smoker and Dragon. Roronoa didn't bother looking away from Dragon. Like Smoker wasn't even a threat. That kid was really starting to piss Smoker off.

And Straw Hat himself?

The brat completely ignored Dragon in favor of grinning at Smoker like he had just made his day.

"Oi! You're that guy I ran into earlier! Shishishi, sorry about that!" He snickered.

"Tch. Whatever." Smoker said. Like he really cared about getting run into. Out of all his grievances against Straw Hat and that was the thing the pirate decided to apologize for?

"You know, you still haven't said what you wanted." Roronoa cut in. It wasn't directed at Smoker, but at Dragon, who had been watching everything with a growing grin.

For the first time Smoker was beginning to see the resemblance between the father and son.

"Relax, I have no intention of harming your captain." Dragon told him calmly. Roronoa didn't look very calmed.

"So what the hell are you here for then shitty bastard?" Black Leg snarled.

Straw Hat looked at Dragon too, curious to hear the answer.

Dragon turned his attention to Straw Hat.

"It's only right that a father should see his son off." Dragon's face became a fraction more kind. "Pirate King, huh? I approve."

Black Leg spluttered and even Roronoa seemed taken aback.

Smoker was sure that if he hadn't already known, he would've been just as surprised as Straw Hat's crewmates.

"You're his dad?!" Black Leg yelled in shock.

Straw Hat looked confused. "Wait, who's his dad?"

Black Leg looked like he wanted to strangle Straw Hat. Smoker sympathized. "He's your dad, idiot rubber!" Black Leg cried out, teeth grinding on the remains of a cigarette that had long since burned out.

Finally that drew an appropriate response from Straw Hat. "He's my dad?" Straw Hat gasped. "I have one of those?" He asked, completely boggled.

"Everyone's got a dad, dumbass." Roronoa said.

Straw Hat frowned. "Nuh-uh." He said, sticking out his tongue. "Lots of people don't have dad. Ace doesn't. He doesn't want one." Straw Hat suddenly seemed worried he'd offended his own father, because he turned back to Dragon, who had been watching the whole exchange with something akin to amusement, "But I don't care if I have a dad or not, so you don't have to worry." He said, as if that would reassure any sane person.

Apparently Dragon wasn't sane, because he visibly relaxed at Straw Hat's declaration. "Thank you." He told Straw Hat graciously. "I had hoped you wouldn't hold my absence against me."

Straw Hat shrugged. "Eh, I don't really care. I didn't miss you, so it doesn't matter to me."

Dragon took his statement with a quiet acceptance. "Still, it is a father's job to provide for his children. Should you need any help, I will do what I can to assist you."

Straw Hat glared for the first time at his father. "Don't you dare or I really will hate you!" He shouted. "I don't need your help and if you give it I'll give up on piracy and join the marines like Gramps wanted!" Straw Hat bellowed, chest heaving from anger.

Smoker had never heard of anyone yelling at Monkey D. Dragon, and wondered if Straw Hat was about to meet an unfortunate end despite how genially Dragon had been acting before.

But to everyone's surprise- with the exception of two- Dragon burst out with a sharp bark of laughter. "Shrahaha! I wouldn't expect anything less of my son!" He gave Straw Hat a considering look over. "I expect I'll see great things from you." He said.

"I'm not doing anything for you." Straw Hat warned.

Dragon nodded. "No, you wouldn't. I won't do anything for you as my son either."

Straw Hat grinned. "Yes!"

Dragon stepped aside, opening the street to them again. "You've got an interesting crew." He told Luffy, his eyes flitting to Roronoa and then lingering on Black Leg. "With interesting origins, I bet."

"They're the best!" Straw Hat declared firmly, puffing up his chest in pride.

Was it Smoker's imagination or was Roronoa blushing at the unexpected compliment? Black Leg didn't seem entirely unaffected either, muttering to himself about shitty captains just saying things to get more meat at dinner.

Dragon smiled. "I'm sure they are, if they're following you so steadfastly." He looked down the alley in the direction of the ship. "If you hurry and leave now you should have a tailwind."

Straw Hat grinned. "Thanks old man!" He said, clutching his hat to his head and took off down the street. "See ya later!" Cursing, Roronoa ran after him, Black Leg not far behind.

Smoker followed.

"Wait." Dragon commanded.

Had it been anyone else Smoker would've told them exactly where they could shove their orders, but Smoker hesitated.

"I won't delay you for long, but I'm sure you realize that I must ask what an ex-marine captain wants with my son. I have a few theories, but..." He trailed off meaningfully.

"Nothing that concerns you." Smoker growled out.

"You know who I am, don't you?"

"Yeah, and I don't care. I'll fight anyone who gets in my way." He was realistic enough to know he'd lose in a fight between them, but he was hoping Dragon would take it spirit it was intended and fuck off.

Dragon smirked. "I saw you defend my son back there." He said, ignoring Smoker's threat. "I admit I wondered why you would risk your life to defend him, a pirate, when you so clearly still hated all other pirates." He gave Smoker the most infuriatingly aggravating knowing look. "Somehow I doubt it was a coincidence you retired the day after reports concerning particular marine captains were released."

"You don't know anything." Smoker growled.

Dragon smiled. He reached into his cloak.

Smoker flinched, his hand automatically moving to his jitte.

Dragon smirked and retrieved a folded piece of paper.

Smoker narrowed his eyes when Dragon held it out to him.

"Take this. My son won't accept it, but you may find use for it yet." Dragon smiled wryly. "You seem trustworthy enough for it."

Smoker snatched it out of his hands and shoved it in his pocket, not bothering to open it or read it. "Is that all?" He asked, scathing.

"Yes, you're free to go. My son and his friends wouldn't have gotten far, I doubt you'll have any trouble catching up with them." Dragon said mildly.

Before Smoker got a chance to say anything else there was another flash of lightning landing right in front of his eyes. When his vision cleared Dragon was gone.

Smoker grumbled and ran after Straw Hat, cursing the whole family as he did. It seemed every man in the Monkey D. line had a natural talent for getting on every one of Smoker's nerves.

Smoker was not a religious man, but he couldn't help but send up a silent prayer to whatever deity that may be listening that there wouldn't be any more surprise Monkey relatives showing up for a good long while, if hopefully ever.

Sorry about the late update! This chapter was a bit longer than the others, not to mention a lot happened, so hopefully that made up for the wait a bit!

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! You guys are the best!

Like always, feel free to let me know what you think, any suggestions, questions, etc!