"Oh? May I ask why you're looking for this pirate crew, Mr. Victor?"
He wanted to understand the reason—mainly to gauge how much effort he should put into this matter. After all, some things took priority over others.
"This pirate crew killed my parents. I want to eliminate them." Victor's voice was calm, so calm that it carried no trace of emotion.
But Ben felt a chill run down his spine. This was a blood feud! Prioritizing the affairs of a noble's parents was absolutely the right move.
Rebecca glanced at Victor, her eyes filled with concern. Over the years, Victor had never mentioned this matter—he had simply trained silently, honing his strength. It turned out he had never forgotten his parents' deaths, waiting until the day he was strong enough to take revenge. And now, Victor was finally capable of it.
"Understood, Mr. Victor. I'll investigate immediately. I should have news by tonight!"
As long as Ben spread the word on the island that this was for Victor, many people would be willing to help. The search would go much faster.
"Good. I'll come back later, then." Victor stood up.
"No need for you to come in person! Where will you be? I can deliver the information to you."
"No need. We'll be wandering around the island, so there's no fixed address. I'll come to you."
"Understood. Then I'll start the investigation right away!"
"Mm."
With that, Victor left with the three girls, ignoring the burning gazes of the onlookers. The girls remained silent, the atmosphere heavy.
"You don't need to be like this. The dead can't return. I've already made peace with it. For me now, revenge is something I can accomplish easily."
Victor smiled at them. Seeing that his smile didn't seem forced, the girls gradually relaxed.
---
Once they arrived at the amusement park, the three girls eagerly rushed to try out the rides. Victor could only shake his head—entertainment in this world was far too limited.
Sabaody was a fascinating island. The bubbles here could be used to create all sorts of practical tools, and the amusement park's attractions were no exception, incorporating bubble technology into their designs.
The girls had a great time, but Victor kept a close watch. This was no safe haven—three young, beautiful women were prime targets in a place notorious for human trafficking.
Sure enough, some slave traders took notice of them—but the moment they spotted Victor standing nearby, they shuddered, immediately suppressing any wicked thoughts.
That was not someone they could afford to provoke. Even their bosses' bosses would think twice before crossing him!
"Smoker's so slow. He still hasn't shown up. How boring." Hina complained as she stepped off a ride.
"Heh, maybe he's got some… 'special' hobbies."
Victor smirked, remembering Smoker's flushed face earlier.
---
Meanwhile, Smoker had finished buying his cigars and was making his way toward the amusement park in Grove 30—albeit at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights along the way.
"Hey, beautiful, why don't you come aboard our ship? We've got a 'big treasure' you'll love. Heh heh heh!"
"No! Let me go—!"
"Come on, you'll love it, I promise..."
"You're pirates! I don't want to! Help—!"
"Hey. Beard-for-brains pirate. You forcing someone? Can't just ignore that."
Smoker's arm turned into smoke as his fist shot toward the pirate.
Caught off guard, the pirate took the hit, stumbling back two steps—but only laughed it off.
The rescued woman quickly hid behind Smoker. She had deep blue hair, striking features, large eyes, and stood around 170 cm tall—undeniably attractive.
Smoker was one of the elite Marine recruits, far from weak. His strength was considerable—which meant this pirate was no pushover.
"Oh? A Devil Fruit user? Mind your own business."
"I'm a Marine. If I see injustice, I act."
"Hahaha! A 'righteous' Marine, huh? You ready to die for this?" The pirate smirked confidently.
"The day I became a Marine, I accepted that risk. I'll give my life for justice. Right now, 'you're' the one heading to prison."
"Big talk for a rookie. You've got no idea how cruel this world is. You can't win."
"Enough chatter. Take this—!"
Smoker launched another punch, but this time, the pirate dodged easily.
Seizing the opening, the pirate closed the distance in a flash and drove a fist into Smoker's chest.
"Kid, you're 'way' out of your league. Hahaha!"
His fist went straight through Smoker's body—and the pirate froze.
Only then did Smoker react, countering with another punch that sent the pirate flying.
The pirate drew a flintlock pistol from his waist and fired several shots—all passing harmlessly through Smoker's smoky form and disappearing into the sky.
"A Logia, huh? No wonder you're cocky. But do you know 'who' you're dealing with?"
The pirate tossed the gun aside, stood up, and dusted off his spotted coat, glaring at Smoker.
"Don't care who you are. Evil is evil."
"I'm Avalo Pizarro. The 'Tyrant' everyone fears. You think some random Marine can capture me? Fine—let's play!"
Pizarro lunged at Smoker with terrifying speed, his fists coated in Armament Haki. One punch slammed into Smoker's stomach—far too fast for him to dodge, surpassing even Soru.
Smoker had no idea this pirate even knew Haki. After all, this was just the 'first half' of the Grand Line! He never expected it. He had let his guard down.
The punch landed with brutal force, sending Smoker flying. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Smoker had never trained his body as rigorously as he had his Devil Fruit abilities. Now, he paid the price.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up, staring at Pizarro in disbelief. That single strike had done serious damage.
The blue-haired woman he'd saved watched in horror, her face pale with fear.
"You... know Haki?" Smoker wheezed.
"What do 'you' think?" Pizarro sneered. "Thought Logia made you invincible? I 'told' you to mind your own business. But some fools just won't listen."
Without another word, Pizarro charged again. He wasn't here for a fair fight.
Smoker desperately used Soru to evade, but Pizarro was faster—and with Armament Haki, every hit hurt. Smoker took blow after blow.
He tried counterattacking, but Pizarro's thick hide shrugged off the damage like it was nothing. No wounds. No pain.
The battle dragged on, Smoker growing exhausted while Pizarro remained fresh. He was completely outmatched.
Dodging a flying kick, Smoker turned to smoke and shot upward, planning a dive attack—
But Pizarro leaped after him.
'CRACK!'
A Haki-infused fist smashed Smoker back into solid form, cratering the ground beneath him.
Blood sprayed from Smoker's mouth. His organs were battered. Trembling, he struggled to rise—
Only for Pizarro's foot to slam into his ribs.
'THUD!'
Smoker skidded across the dirt, coughing up more blood.
"HELP! SOMEONE, PLEASE—!"
The blue-haired woman screamed, realizing the young Marine stood no chance. He was being slaughtered. And she was still in danger—Pizarro's crew lurked nearby.
"Hahaha! Scream all you want!" Pizarro grinned. "No one's saving him today. He's dead. Shouldn't have pissed me off."
He strode toward Smoker, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
Smoker's legs twitched weakly before going limp. Haki strikes had wrecked him.
His reliance on his Logia powers had made him complacent. Now, blood poured from his forehead, his lips, dripping steadily onto the dirt below—
'Drip. Drip.'
Pizarro's grip tightened, excitement flashing in his eyes.
Smoker's vision darkened. Breath fading. Mind going blank.
The blue-haired woman crumpled to her knees, tears streaming.
A crowd had gathered—but no one dared intervene. They'd seen Pizarro's power. Speed beyond Soru. The ability to crush a Logia. To them, Logia users were untouchable.
"Is this… where I die?"
The thought flickered through Smoker's fading consciousness—