A distant horn echoed through the air.
The crowd immediately stirred with unrest.
Smoker and Kuzan turned their heads toward the source.
"They're here!"
"Kuzan, let's bear witness to history together, right here!"
In the distance, Gol D. Roger walked steadily toward the execution platform under escort. Just like in the original history, he faced death without a trace of fear. Instead, a carefree and content smile rested on his face.
Though shackled with Sea Prism Stone cuffs and clearly suppressing his Haki, everyone who crossed his path instinctively shrank back. Anyone who met his gaze felt as though they were standing before a primordial beast. No matter their status or rank, they couldn't help but avert their eyes.
After all, in this vast sea, only a handful could look him in the eye as equals...
Roger slowly ascended the platform and plopped himself down at its center, overlooking the entire plaza.
He sat like a lion surveying his domain.
Suddenly, ceremonial music began to play. The executioners raised their spears slowly.
Kuzan stood tensely, muscles coiled and ready.
From the moment Roger stepped off the prisoner ship until now, Kuzan's heart had been pounding in his throat. Only now, right before the execution, did he feel a sliver of ease.
"Maybe... I was just being too paranoid."
Then, a loud voice broke through the silence. No one knew where it came from:
"Pirate King! Where's your treasure?! Where did you hide it?!"
Everyone froze.
All eyes snapped toward Roger, filled with eagerness, greed, longing, and tension—even the executioners momentarily lost focus.
Smoker narrowed his eyes and glanced toward the voice.
As expected, that man must've been planted by Roger himself.
This was a gamble with his life on the line, Roger would never allow any variables.
Even if that man hadn't spoken up, Roger likely had other backup plans.
On the platform, Roger, who had calmly accepted his fate, raised his head.
He looked down at the crowd below and chuckled.
The chuckle turned into laughter, louder, bolder, increasingly wild and a glint blazed in his eyes.
"You want my treasure? You can have it! Go find it! I left everything I own... all of it... at that place!"
"Damn it!"
The executioners thrust their spears forward, piercing Roger's heart in an instant.
The legend ended then and there.
But it was already too late.
Roger's words had swept across the plaza, and within seconds, were relayed throughout the entire world via countless transponder snails.
Silence fell.
A stunned hush took hold, then erupted into a thunderous roar of cheers that seemed to shake even the clouds from the sky.
The previously sunny sky suddenly darkened.
Winds howled. Storm clouds gathered overhead.
As if nature itself was responding to the birth of a global storm.
Smoker silently scanned the crowd.
"Kuzan... did you see that? We just witnessed history."
Kuzan finally shook off his initial shock and regret, scratching his head with a wry smile.
"Gol D. Roger... what a terrifying man. Even at the end, he stirred up such chaos. Garp is definitely going to be pissed."
Smoker nodded, but gave no comment.
The seas were about to fall into chaos.
But whether that chaos was good or bad, no one could say.
After witnessing the execution, Smoker left with satisfaction.
He patted his pocket. A transponder snail had appeared inside, left behind by Kuzan just for him!
Smoker grinned. His trip to Loguetown had been worth it.
He didn't know the original path the previous Smoker had taken, but most likely, he'd joined a local branch, been discovered, and later transferred to Marine Headquarters—only to get demoted to East Blue for clashing with a superior.
For a regular youth, that would've been fine.
But with Smoker's current strength, staying at a branch would be wasting time. He needed to get to Headquarters as soon as possible—to learn Rokushiki and Haki!
Of course, selection wasn't just about strength. Anyone who understood the system knew that.
If Smoker were a third-generation military kid like Luffy, or had an Admiral for a foster father like Corazon, he wouldn't need to work so hard.
But he had no backing.
And Smoker refused to be buried in some forgotten branch for years.
That's why he came to Loguetown during Roger's execution, to find a way in.
Luckily, his fortune had turned.
Or maybe it was fate.
He'd met the future Admiral Aokiji.
With Kuzan's help, as long as Smoker performed well enough, getting into Marine Headquarters would be within reach!
After parting with Kuzan, Smoker stayed in Loguetown for a few more days.
Roger's last words had caused a storm bigger than anyone imagined.
In just two days, Loguetown descended into chaos. Pirate attacks erupted like wildfire.
Smoker casually captured a few foolish pirates and sought out Boris.
This time, instead of returning to Suikin Island, he headed straight for—
Base 161.
The Marine 161st Branch.
Captain Cole was deeply focused on the documents before him.
Thanks to Smoker's prior efforts, the number of pirates in the region had sharply declined. They'd actually had a brief period of peace.
But with the dawn of the Great Pirate Era, pirates sprang up like bamboo after rain.
Pressure on Base 161 skyrocketed. Cole was either out hunting pirates or buried in paperwork.
Just then, a communication came through.
"Captain, there's a boy named Smoker asking to see you!"
Cole groaned impatiently. "Tell him to leav—"
"Wait! Smoker?! Have him wait! I'm coming down!"
Cole scrambled to his feet and rushed Smoker into his office.
"Smoker-kun, why aren't you hiding your identity this time?"
Smoker took a sip of tea. "Uncle Cole, you look tired."
"Sigh... it's the damn pirates. If only you were in the Marines already, Smoker-kun! On behalf of Base 161, I officially invite you to join the Marines once again!"
"Alright. I'll join."
"Hm?! It's fine if you don't wan- wait, what did you say?!"
"I said I'll join."
"Re-re-really?!" Cole's eyes went wide with disbelief.
But then, pure joy burst across his face. He was practically dancing with excitement.
"That's fantastic, Smoker-kun! Trust me, this is the smartest decision you've ever made!"
"Come, come! Let's get you registered and give you a tour…"
Worried Smoker might change his mind, Cole practically dragged him toward the records office.
Smoker was only fourteen.
By regulations, he could only join as a trainee at the 161st Branch, with promotion to seaman in two years.
After the paperwork, Smoker officially became a Marine.
Cole couldn't hide the joy on his face, excitedly showing him around.
Before, Smoker only visited the base to collect bounties—at most, visiting Cole's office. Other areas were off-limits to bounty hunters.
But now, it was different.
Smoker was one of them. With Cole at his side, he could go anywhere.
They arrived at the training ground.
A group of Marines was in the middle of target practice.
As a volley of shots rang out, an entire row of targets toppled.
Cole grinned. "Not bad, right? We don't have many men at Base 161, but every one of them is elite."
Smoker smiled and nodded.
Indeed, this base hadn't appeared in the original timeline, but it left an unusually strong impression.
Not only was Captain Cole brave and sharp, but his subordinates were also courageous and tenacious.
Cole gave a quick rundown of the training regimen.
"Smoker, these drills are too easy for you. No need to join—nobody will mind."
Smoker smiled calmly.
"No need for special treatment, Captain. I'll train alongside everyone else."
Cole's eyes lit up.
In the Marines, strong individuals often trained separately—and that was understandable.
Cole respected that, but didn't entirely approve.
To him, all Marines were comrades. Rewards and punishments were fine, but the line had to be drawn somewhere.
Otherwise, the strong would feel entitled, and the weak would stop trying—damaging morale and unity.
And Smoker, powerful as he was, with a deep hatred of evil and such a clear sense of duty—Cole couldn't help but admire him.
Cole gave a crisp salute.
"Smoker-kun, welcome to the Marine 161st Branch of the East Blue!"
Smoker returned the salute with precision.
"Yes, sir!!"
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter