Smoker was doing his usual patrol around the town. Noting the ongoings that happens around him. Sometimes he would find a Pirate making ruckus, other times, it was the local gangs. With Loguetown being the last island of East Blue before setting to the Grand Line, it was a hub town for sailors and pirates alike.
Well, more of sailors.
Smokers had swore upon the emblem of Justice on his uniform that if he ever saw a Pirate, he will arrest them. For the safety of citizen.
Not to toting his own horn, but Smoker is proud of his pirate capture catch streak. His hard work ensure that Pirate activity in Loguetown dropped. Significanly. Less pirate means a safer world for civilians. Being stationed in Loguetown also help him to cull the number of pirates that making headway to the Grand Line.
It… may be have unforeseen consequences of smarter pirates making pit stop elsewhere before reaching the Reverse Mountain and skipped Loguetown entirely. Like the Don Krieg Pirate.
At least that bastard was caught and put behind the bar. Why he run back to East Blue, Smoker would never know but won't question much.
Well. If he ever break out of Jail, Smoker will just throw him back. His streak of capture was 100% result of his effort. Not him talking big and have nothing to show. Unlike Captain Morgan or Nezumi.
Ugh.
Thinking about them made Smoker scowls. Captain Morgan is an embarrassment. His boasting of capturing and executing Captain Kuro of Black Cat Pirates turns out to be false. A fall guy set up. A decoy. The civilian from Shells Town also shown sign of being scared of Marine. Reports from Marine stationed there reveal Morgan's tyranny on the people and callous regard of civilian. A clear violation of Justice.
The less said about Nezumi the better. Smoker can't believe that rat bastard ever made the cut, much less given station of power. That coward have no spine and instead of reporting about Arlong Pirates terrorizing villages and extorting them, he made under the table deal and kept mum in exchange of money!
The worst part?
The worst part was that it was not Marine who discover the heresy against Justice and enact the Karma. No. It had to be Pirates. PIRATES!A new and upcoming Rookie pirate crew, even if Jinbe of Seven Warlords of the Sea did personally come to collect Arlong but he still come too late. By the time he arrived, the rookie had beaten Arlong and his henchmen, freed the village, and expose corruption in the Marine.
Shocked, enraged, and ashamed. Those are Smoker's reactions to the news. In that order.
God above. To think there was a day that Marines are the bad guy and Pirates are the Paragon of Justice…
Smoker's head hurt just thinking about that.
"Oof!"
Preoccupied with his thought, he bumped on a kid.
"Sorry kid." He apologize.
"Huh? Oh! Smokey!" Smoker raised an eyebrow. Smokey? Is that… supposed to be him? Okay. It was one letter off of his name, and yes he's a chronic cigarette chomper, but seriously? This is the first time he heard it. "Whatcha doing here?"
"...just patrolling." The kid's casual greeting throw Smoker off kilter for a moment.
He's not the most friendly person. Smoker knew that. His perpetual resting bitch face, as Tashigi put it while under influence of alcohol, did a good job in scaring people. And yet this kid happily greets him. Even giving him a cutesy nickname!
"Patrolling? I see, I see." The kid bobbed his head. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Why this town is called Loguetown?" The kid asked. "Like, is it Logue like Log Pose, or Logue like Prologue and Epilogue, cuz Gol D. Roger was born and executed here?"
Smoker had to blink at the question.
"I have no idea." He answer truthfully. He never think much about it until the kid pointed out. Was this town called Loguetown because this is the only place in East Blue where you can get a Log Pose before setting out to the Grand Line, or was it because of the significance of this place to Pirate King's history?
Curious. Maybe he should read up Loguetown's history later. If anything, it would made an interesting read.
"Hmm… mmkay! Imma go see the place were they execute Gol D. Roger then. It's this way, right?"
"The execution site is at Plaza. And yes it's that way."
"Shishishishishi! See you later Smokey!"
And off the boy goes. Smoker notice a coloring on the boy's collar when he went. A tattoo. ASL. His initials?
Smoker shook his head and continue his patrol. It was after a few steps he realize something crucial.
That boy called the late Pirate King not Gold Roger, but Gol D. Roger.
A typo? Or…
"Captain Smoker!" Smoker turned to see one of his men waved at him. "The new Bounty Posters had just arrived!"
Ah right. The bounty posters he had been waiting all week long, ever since he heard about Pirates who do Marine's job better than actual marines. Considering they beat the likes of Captain Kuro and Arlong, they must be powerful. Powerful pirates mean they won't be an easy opponent.
He quickly went to his office at Marine Base and take a good look at the bounty poster and-
Wait.
This picture?
Isn't this the boy from earlier?
They had same face and attire, albeit his vest was of different color, but people change clothes all the time, and so what if his neck is bare of any tattoo? The kid can get it later.
It doesn't change the fact the boy from the earlier is the current holder of Highest Bounty in East Blue.
"Is there any report from the dock?!" Smoker called out. "Any disturbance? Pirate making statement? Anything?!"
"E-eh? No sir! We heard nothing from Dock Patrols!"
Smoker can feel shiver went down on his spine.
"Strawhat"Luffy… his appearance is unassuming. He doesn't behave like pirates. He didn't cower in face of Marine, or tried to posturing and assert dominance. Didn't flee, didn't even tried to hide. He… he walk to Smoker, greet him cheerfully, call him with a cutesy nickname and chatting with him as if they are old friends. In a short time, he completely disarm Smoker, making him lower his guard, without Smoker ever realizing it.
If it was not for the bounty poster, Smoker would never realized he was being tricked.
Terrifying. That boy is terrifying.
"Men! Gather up!" He barked. Grabbing his Jutte, he hurriedly went out. "We have a Pirate to capture!"
He order his men to canvas the town and look into the port. If Strawhat Luffy was here, so must be his crew. Though if they were as innocuous as their captain, capable of blending with the civilian with no one the wiser, Smoker was afraid this will be for naught.
Which is why he led a platoon and hurriedly ran towards the execution site.
Take the captain and the crew will come out. If they have any shred of loyalty, that is. If not then Smoker can sus out those who acts out.
"And where's Tashigi?!" Don't tell him the Klutz lose her glasses. Again.
"Sir! She went to get her sword!"
"Tell her to meet me at the Plaza!"
"Captain Smoker! We have a situation!"
"Report!"
""Iron Mace" Alvida and Buggy "The Clown" had been spotted in the plaza, sir!"
Smoker curses. "Of all times! What they are doing?!"
"They were attacking a boy, sir! Actually, Iron Mace Alvida and Buggy's Men did. Buggy himself was watching the procession."
They're attacking a ki-hold on. "The kid, describe his appearance to me!"
"Sir! He's about sixteen to seventeen sir! Wearing red vest, blue denim shorts and a straw hat!"
The appearance match! "That's Strawhat Luffy! The newest pirate rookie and current holder of highest bounty!"
Smoker can understands why his men look boggled.
"What? Are you sure, sir?!" Come the cries of disbelief. "But… but he looks like a kid! Are you sure he is a Pirate?!"
"Don't be deceived by his appearance!" Smoker learn the lesson the hard way. That unassuming appearance is definitely Strawhat's biggest asset.
Arriving in the Plaza, Smoker rushed past people, who clearly have no sense of danger because they were watching the pirates fighting as if it was a spectacle instead recognizing it as a dangerous situation, and find that, indeed. The kid, Strawhat Luffy, was engaging in deadly game of cat and mouse mixed with whack the mole: lethal edition, with a circus crew, Buggy's crew, and a woman who… Alvida? How-right. There's a report that her appearance changed while in the holding cell. Must be coming across a Devil Fruit and consume it. No other explanation.
Strawhat Luffy was chatting-shouting with Buggy.
"...made up your mind yet?!" Shouted the boy. "Did you get your dream back yet, Buggy?!" He turned and meet Smoker's eyes. A sunny grin break on his face. "Hi Smokey! We meet again!" He greets, all while dodging the assault of Buggy's men.
"You are Surrounded! Surrender!" Smoker shouted, breaking the fight while sending White Outto capture the pirates. He observed how Strawhat threw Alvida as his shield to evade the smoke.
"Nah! I think I pass!" Strawhat jumped and using his arm, that stretching and grapple on the platform, to pull him up. Devil Fruit user. Good thing Smoker grab his Jutte just in case. He follow Strawhat with his Devil Fruit. Locking him on the top of Execution platform.
"Hey Smokey! Mind letting me go?" Strawhat pouted. "I'm in a rush."
Does this kid has no situational awareness? Or was he thinking he can use his appearance to deceive Smoker? If so then sorry, but Smoker already knew his identity! He won't make the same mistake!
"No." Smoker replied. "This is end of your journey." He flew to the platform. "Any last words?"
Strawhat look surprised, before shaking… and laughing. "SHISHISHISHISHI! YOU'RE SO FUNNY SMOKEY!" He laughs. "This can't be the end! After all, I am going to find One Piece and be the Freest Man in the Sea! I am Going to be The Pirate King!"
Smoker staggered backwards at the proclamation.
W-what the… that presence-
"Hey, Smokey?" Strawhat smiles. "Grit your teeth,"
A thunder struck.
The last thing Smoker could see, could remember, was a bright radiant smile on Strawhat's face. One that resemble a certain's man smile right before his execution.
"My treasure? You can have it! Search for it! I left it in that one place!"
Smoker blinked.
He was lying on the ground. His body slowly reform from being struck by thunder. Never have Smoker been grateful being a Logia as he was right then and there. And even then it's still hurt like bitch.
Strawhat, to his surprise and ire, was looking no worse for wear.
"Hey, Smokey! That didn't hurt you, right?"
"Aah?"
Strawhat nodded. "Yep. That's Vice-Admiral Smoker for you." He nodded and run past him. Pushing a man with green hair out of his way. "See you in the Grand Line. I'll be waiting."
Realizing that he should be doing something, Smoker gritted his teeth and pulled his body together, before getting up and chasing Strawhat.
"STRAWHAT!"
Smoker's roar snapped his men out of their stupor, and making them chase after Strawhat while Smoker gather his bearing, capture the still shell-shocked pirates, except Buggy who went to god-know-where, before using the shortcut to the port. He winces as he can still feel the after-effect of being struck down by a thunder.
What he saw is Tashigi being bested by Roronoa Zoro, Bounty Hunter-turned-Pirate, who then ream her for her whinings. Smoker is not supposed to say this but… he hope Roronoa can get through Tashigi's skull that gender has nothing to do in the battlefield. Skill is what matters.
He saw Strawhat over there, running toward a caravel with sheep head, and sent his smoke to capture him.
"Luffy! Watch out! The Vice-Admiral is after you!" Shouted the guy who's on the ship.
A surprise kick to his side send Smoker a few meters back and Strawhat evade the smokes while Smoker is preoccupied. The Marine glanced in surprise at the blonde who just kicked him. A Logia. By account the attack should have bypassed him so how? Haki? Seastone-lined shoes?
"Sorry Vice-Admiral." The blonde apologizes, but also not. "Can't have you capture captain."
Strawhat's crew. Who? No bounty. No information.
"Hi Vice-Admiral." The orange haired girl, Smoker know her, another of Strawhat's crew, passed by. "Come on Sanji. Storm will hit the port in ten minutes . Hope Usopp already undock Merry. Bye-Vice Admiral."
"Coming Nami-chan!" Grinned Sanji, following after her.
Roronoa passed him by.
"See you later," he smirked, "Vice-Admiral Smoker."
Smoker can only watch dumbfoundedly as Strawhat sail away from the port, catching the tailwind that carry them to the direction where Reverse Mountain lies.
It was not until later that Smoker get his bearing.
"Sir." Tashigi approached him. "We've captured Iron Mace Alvida and Buggy's men. Some spotted Buggy lurking around in Loguetown, planning to sprung out his men from the jail."
"Tighten the Security." Smoker gruffed. Power walk to the Marine base.
Once he reached his office, he open a drawer that contain a letter he received a month ago. Of upcoming relocation to the Grand Line base.
Smoker had been planning to accept it, once he find suitable replacement. But now…
Now he must set sail to the Grand Line, Yesterday.
"Tashigi! Pack your things!" He growled. "We're going to the Grand Line."
He have to chase Strawhat.
He have to ask why did Strawhat smiles during his "final moment". How did he know about the incoming thunder, and yet still grin fearlessly, and even warn Smoker.
And most important of all…
WHAT VICE ADMIRAL?! WHY ARE STRAWHAT AND HIS MERRY BAND OF CREW CALLING HIM VICE-ADMIRAL?! HIS RANK IS CAPTAIN FOR FUCKS SAKE!