"Smoke-chan!"
When the lanky male with rather long blond hair leaped at him, Smoker quickly swerved on the motorbike he rode. He didn't even care if his actions had made the boyish young adult, he knew to be Cain, land face first in the sand.
"Let me guess, you idiots are here on a so-called assignment," Smoker commented, his voice lacking any emotion; brown eyes scanning the numerous corpses scattered about. Some of the victims were already starting to become covered by the sands billowing in the wind. The harsh landscape would conceal what had happened here today.
They were all Baroque Works members, so he couldn't say he felt too sorry for them. But he did pity the poor sap who would eventually stumble across this graveyard of soon to be skeletons.
"Yep. Unfortunately, mister big and bad found out about our espionage and sent assassins after us," Deimos mused, lazily poking at one of the bodies with a stick. "Theo fooled the old reptile into believing we'd been killed. But by now the wars no doubt already started, and we majorly screwed up."
"And I for one am not looking forward to an angry Altair when he learns we were no help at all," Ashley pouted, twirling one of his silky silver strands around his finger. "Worse, that cutie Koza will probably not pay us or worse, praise me for my services..."
"Is there seriously any woman or man you don't find cute, Ash?" Deimos inquired with a snort.
"Of course. I'm looking at him right now~"
Smoker rolled his eyes when Deimos started to strangle Ashley, only for the two so called grownups to get into a full-on brawl. Turning his attention on the oldest of the brothers, Smoker noted how Theo looked like he was wishing he were somewhere else right about now, and the marine captain found that he couldn't blame the guy.
"Thought you said you'd never use that Devil Fruit Power of yours if you could help it?"
Theo gave Smoker his usual indifferent expression, yet there was a hint of exhaustion behind his eyes. "My Psychic-Psychic ability is a royal pain in the ass...but messing with Nyx's mind and making him think he had killed us seemed like the best action to take," Theo trailed off for a moment and motioned with his head toward a dark red-haired male who wore a look of wide-eyed horror on his motionless and scarred up face. "I killed him after he informed Crocodile we were dead...We're going to head for Alubarna, now. See if we can still assist in some way..."
"He just wants to get a shot at the Warlord himself," Ashley voiced with a smirk. He was pressing his foot down on a struggling Deimos, soon moving his limb to the back of his younger brother's head to force it into the sand, making sure the dirty blond got a mouthful of the desert.
Cain gasped, jumping up and down in a panic. "Theo! We have to go find Toffee! You heard that scary man! He said his partner was going to take care of our sister!"
Theo's thin lips creased into a frown. "I know. But it's better we don't see her now...I want to get her away from those pirates...Now just isn't the right time. And we have to find Koza," Closing his red and golden eyes, Theo spoke in a quieter tone. "There's a favor I need to ask of you, Smoker."
"I know what it is, and my answer is no."
"You have to go help, Toffee, Smoke-chan! She's scared of blood! I mean, super scared of it! If that assassin woman uses it against her..." Cain pleaded, his brown eyes shining with desperation.
The puppy-eyed look would have made most people cave, yet Smoker only felt more irritated. "You people seem to forget I work for the navy. What makes you think I won't just arrest her? On that matter, I should be doing the same with you,"
"Yet you won't. Not now, at least. You want Crocodile to pay for his sins just like we do," Theo voiced with a knowing smirk. "That's where you were headed now, I figure. To make sure Headquarters learns of Crocodile's crimes here. Do that after you make sure our sister is safe."
"Besides, it's not like it would be the first time you helped us. Namely Toffee," Ashley chimed in, chuckling from behind his hand.
Letting out a disgruntled sigh, Smoker pinched between his eyes. This is why I get a headache every time I have to deal with these morons...
Smoker uttered out a small "Tch!" when the scantily clad woman went painfully crashing down into one of the abodes below. Guess he'd have to leave some collateral for the person who lived there. He hadn't meant for the entire place to cave in like that.
Turning his attention off the enemy and onto Toffee, the white-haired male marched over to her. Kneeling down on one leg, Smoker scowled since Toffee's eyes were completely dim. The girl had no clue what was going on around her. Most likely having escaped into her mind for safety.
"Oi. This isn't the time to be spacing out," Smoker scolded, giving a small shake to her shoulders. When Toffee didn't respond, he shook her with a bit more force. Twitching when she remained motionless, Smoker pulled back a fist and slammed it hard enough into her cheek that he nearly sent the girl skidding right off the roof. "SNAP THE HELL OUT OF IT ALREADY!"
Her body colliding with the hard tiles of the shop, not to mention the throbbing coming from her cheek-actually her body hurt all over once reality returned to her-Toffee groaned and steadily sat up. Tears were in her eyes and a hand moved to her face that was starting to swell already.
"Wha-what was that for?! Why did you hit me?!"
"Glad to see your back in present time," Smoker said gruffly. Peering back at the deceased male, he frowned. "Is that what set you off? You're really scared of blood like Cain said..." Honestly, he had doubted it a little at first...Then again, recalling the state he witnessed Toffee in years ago, he supposed he couldn't fault her.
The relief Toffee felt to hear that her brothers were okay quickly departed, and she flinched. "Y-yes...It's my fault that he died...I should have stopped my attack in time. I'm a monster...a monster just like that woman told me...I'd forgotten all about those words she said to me years ago, but it's true..."
Gritting his teeth, Smoker was upon the startled girl before she could react, clutching at the front of her shirt and lifting her a little off the ground. "Knock it off! You don't have time to be wallowing in self-pity right now! If you don't want any more lives to be lost, then take out the reason that man lost his before it happens again!"
Staring into her wide and trembling pink orbs, Smoker sighed and placed Toffee onto her feet a bit more gently. "Losing lives in fights is inevitable. If you blame yourself for every single one, you'll never save anyone in the end," His eyes narrowed down at Jadis when he heard her unleashing a shrill scream, rubble flying off her form. "The one at fault here is that woman for causing this mess in the first place...Anyways, stay here. You're in no state to fight and you'll just get in my way."
Gripping at her arm, Toffee cast her gaze downwards after Smoker had jumped off the building. She blinked when feeling someone patting at her arm, giving a small smile to her shadow seeing him standing at her side.
"I really am pathetic. Luffy said similar words to Vivi, yet I let my fear get the better of me...If it weren't for Smoker-san showing up, who knows what would have happened to everyone else here if I'd died," Toffee spoke softly. Placing a hand on Neoshadow's head, she took in a deep breath, her brows furrowing. "Maybe...there's something even a screw up like me can still do..."
"Whoever had the nerve to lay a hand on me, you're going to suffer pain like never before once I'm done with you!" Jadis snarled out, dusting off her slightly cut up form.
"Puppet Master Jadis...Has a 20 million bounty while her partner, Silent Ripper Nyx, has one of 40 million," Smoker berated, crushing his dying cigar underneath his boot. "Unfortunately, I can't bring your partner into custody unlike you."
Jadis' eyes narrowed. Was he saying Nyx had been killed? No. That couldn't be possible...More to the point...
"Aren't you quite the handsome catch~ Maybe I should be honored that someone like you hit me. Now I have someone new to add to my little puppets," Jadis contemplated, her smile flirtatious. "Yes. I think I'll enjoy playing with you until you break like all the others."
Smoker said nothing to this, his face hardening when he was surrounded by the villagers this psychopath had taken control of. Jitte in hand, Smoker's lower body turned into vapor as he shot toward Jadis. Not to his surprise, the people were trying to intercept him, and he didn't hesitate in hitting them with his weapon or fist to knock them to the side.
"You're a lot more merciless than that girl. Are you certain you're a marine?" Jadis chortled, hand moving to her lips that were curved upwards in a playful smile. "Then again, you do look like a delinquent. And I do love a bad boy~"
"I'm getting sick of hearing you talk!" Smoker uttered with a growl, disgust twisting within him when he had to knock out a small girl. He could understand why Toffee had been so shaken. Hurting innocents never sat well with him either. And the people he'd thought were knocked out were getting up once again. Smoker could see why this annoying female was considered dangerous, now.
"Oh, that isn't very nice. Not when I find myself enjoying that rough tone of yours!" Jadis exclaimed with a dark grin, sending her whip right through the villagers. Smoker gritted his teeth seeing their blood being spilled, quickly grabbing up some kids before they were injured in the onslaught.
Ignoring the sharp pain at his arm from the slash she had placed upon him, the angered marine captain tossed the kids into a nearby house before propelling himself toward the assassin. He shot his smoke at her, yet Jadis only laughed while twisting her limber body to dodge all of his attacks that tried to grab hold of her.
"Is that really the best you can do? I'm a little disappointed!" Jadis mocked.
Her deadly whip struck at him again, and Smoker remained solid as he dodged her attacks. He occasionally allowed some of the strikes to connect, his eyes remaining focused on her sharp, snake-like movements. Knowing she was beginning to get cocky, not believing he could counter her speed, Smoker took the blond-haired female by surprise when his glove gripped tightly onto her whip. The assassin didn't seem to comprehend she had a tell. He'd noticed she'd strike from the right, moving downwards and then upwards before coming in for another right strike, with her final attack being aimed toward the left. Jadis would then repeat that pattern.
"H-how...? L-let go this instant!"
"I have a better idea. Why don't you come here instead!"
Jadis shrieked when Smoker used surprising force to pull her toward him. His tightened fist connected with her gut hard enough to cause Jadis to gag. Not showing any mercy to the assassin, Smoker placed a few more well-deserved punches on her. He then forced Jadis to the ground, his jitte pressing into her scratched up back to make sure she couldn't escape.
"You're done. The tip of my weapon contains sea stone. Your ability is no longer active,"
Jadis' wheezing form managed to let out a few coarse chuckles. "I-I love when a man is completely wrong. I...I may not be able to use my powers on any new targets...But I'm still conscious, aren't I? So long as I...can think and speak...my dolls are still under my control!"
Brown eyes filled with alarm; Smoker saw that he was surrounded. The inhabitants were close enough they'd stop him before he could knock Jadis out. And he wasn't certain if he could capture all of them with his smoke in time...
"What a shame I won't be able to add you to my collection...Oh well! Take him out, my pets!"
Preparing himself as they came at him on all sides with various weapons in hand, Smoker's brows quickly lifted up when he noticed the residents were struggling to move. Though he soon enough understood why, a small smirk painting his lips.
"Why are you idiots standing there! I just gave you a command!"
"Sorry, but they're all paralyzed right now," Toffee spoke up, her hands clasped together while she stood a few feet away. She had to thank the sun for being in a position where she could latch onto all of the citizens shadows. And having them all together made capturing them much easier.
The shocked, but angered assassin was about to say something, but Smoker silenced her; his impact hard enough to cause Jadis' eyes to roll into the back of her head.
Letting out a sigh, Toffee released her own technique, watching as those once under Jadis' control fell to the ground, something that made her gaze around with worry.
"They're fine. Just unconscious for the moment," Smoker voiced, placing two fingers on the wrist of the closest person at him. "Can't say when they'll wake up, but with any luck, they won't remember what happened here."
"Thank goodness...But um, maybe we should move them inside the buildings, so they at least won't be out in the sun." Toffee suggested, scratching at her cheek with a finger.
"I need you to send a medic team over to the west gate of Alubarna. And make sure they bring a pair of sea stone cuffs with them," Smoker spoke through a small transponder snail, eyes peering over at a rope bound Jadis.
"Right away, sir!"
Carrying a first aid kit in her hands, Toffee smiled faintly over at the marine captain who was seated upon a crate, waiting till she heard the 'catcha' sound of the unique communication device being hung up.
"You only asked for one set of cuffs? I figured you'd want to arrest me on the spot, too..."
"You want to be arrested?' Smoker muttered, letting out a snort when the gray-haired woman rapidly shook her head. He noticed she hadn't tended to her own wounds. The girl had probably been too focused on helping the townspeople. She had been rushing around in a panic when seeing all the injured. "Don't you think you should use that on yourself?"
"I'll be alright for now. Chopper can tend to them later," Toffee responded, approaching the muscular male. "I can tend to your wounds for you, though. My bandaging is kind of crude, but at least it'll help until your medic team arrives."
"If it's that bad, I'm not sure if I want your help,"
"E-eh?! But that mark she left on your arm looks really bad! It even ripped through your jacket! I-I know I'm no medic, but you can at least let me spray antiseptic on the wound!"
"I was joking."
A look of astonishment formed on Toffee's freckled face. "You...know how to joke?"
Sending the now sheepish looking woman an annoyed expression, Smoker grumbled to himself as he removed his thick jacket. Sitting slightly hunched while he allowed Toffee to nurse his wounds, the two remained in silence. It was peaceful in a way, almost as if the earlier battle had never occurred.
"Um...Thank you..." Smoker's brow rose up, and Toffee smiled shyly. "For quite literally knocking some sense back into me...I know it's silly. For a former assassin and now a pirate to fear blood like that...But I'm going to try to overcome it. If I fight more, I'm sure I can...My brothers would have continued slicing through that boy if it meant taking down the enemy. If I had done that, I could have ended the battle faster..."
"From what I can tell, you're not your brothers' or your father for that matter," Smoker remarked, turning his attention to face forward. "I agree that you shouldn't screw up like that again and put your own life in jeopardy...but that isn't any reason to go against your own principles."
Even if Smoker's attention wasn't on her, Toffee stared at him startled, her cheeks a little pink. He really is kind...Even with that rough disposition of his. Maybe there wouldn't be so many criminals getting away with their atrocities if there were more marines like him...
"That boy...did you bury him...?"
Smoker shook his head. "I thought about it. Thinking he just went missing might've spared any family he has some grief, but it's better they know the truth than waiting around and hoping he'll one day contact them. His body is in one of the shops. They should find him right away there."
So, this is why you said he's one of the few people you can respect, huh, Theo...?
Holding back from thanking him for taking care of the body for her, knowing Smoker possibly would have just scolded her if she had, Toffee instead said, "A-all done! You should put your coat back on. Your chest being exposed in this heat is already pretty dangerous..."
"You should be talking when your shirt barely looks like it's clinging to your form."
Toffee blinked in confusion, getting a better look at her clothing where she let out a loud squeal. "Wh-when did that happen?! N-no! Why didn't you tell me sooner?! I need to find something to change into! Oh...Nami didn't give me any more money. And I can't steal from the people here after what they just went through!"
Smoker merely watched as the gray-haired pirate ran back and forth in a mad panic, soon enough falling flat on her face. Maybe she's more like her brothers' than I gave her credit. She lacks basic common sense just like them...
Rolling his eyes since her shadow was just as bizarre, having laid down on her back as it stared up at the clear blue sky, Smoker grabbed up his jacket and surprised both of them when he tossed it onto Toffee's head.
"If you're going to make that much of a deal about it, put that on,"
Toffee sat up once Heartless had rolled off her back, noticing her shadow was sniffing at the clothing. Yet she wasn't sure if he could actually smell since her shadow lacked a nose, but her companion flinched nonetheless, no doubt from the cigar smoke that covered it.
"I...thank you, but I can't take it from you. I-isn't it important?"
"Not really. I have more just like it," Smoker said carelessly, taking one of the cigars he had stuck in his back pocket and lighting it up. "I'm sure your crew would freak out more if they saw you in that state...Hurry up and go find them. I won't arrest you now, but I can't say the same about later if you don't hurry up and end this war soon."
Placing the jacket that practically covered her form on, Toffee smiled affectionately at the male who's back was turned to her, thanking the gruff male before she was taking off; her shadow staring at Smoker almost as if he were analyzing him before he slinked into the ground to quickly catch up with his master.