When Hyaku spoke with such a hostile tone, Smoker's expression changed instantly as he studied the other man with interest.
"I don't care which royal family or noble house you're from. In my domain, if you want to advance, you have to work your way up properly." Smoker stated matter-of-factly.
Hyaku suddenly understood — the other man had mistaken him for some privileged kid trying to climb the ranks through connections.
Whoosh!
Hyaku slowly drew his Tachi.
"Since Captain Smoker doesn't believe I captured those people myself, why don't you test me personally to find out the truth?" His voice carried a strong tone of provocation.
"Interesting." Seeing this, Smoker had no reason to back down.
He gestured for his subordinates to step back while drawing his special weapon — the Nanashaku Jitte.
Smoker's custom Jitte had Kairōseki embedded in its tip, designed to counter Devil Fruit users. The Kairōseki also granted the weapon formidable defensive capabilities.
The weapon was primarily designed to counter swords — catching blades, breaking them, and choking opponents.
Even if Hyaku's swordsmanship proved impressive, Smoker remained confident the young marine couldn't gain any advantage.
"Captain Smoker, we're here to take custody of prisoners! We can't have conflicts with marines from other branches!" As Hyaku and Smoker readied themselves for combat, Tashigi rushed forward to warn her captain.
"Stand down, Tashigi. I won't allow anyone to falsely claim credit. If he can last ten minutes against me, I'll personally apologize to him!" Smoker declared.
Without waiting for Tashigi's response, he moved her behind him.
"Then let's begin. Let's see if your skills match your bold words." Smoker said to Hyaku, both fighters now ready.
Bang!
Smoker struck first, bursting forward with his Nanashaku Jitte raised, charging at Hyaku with explosive speed.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Smoker closed the distance between them.
Gripping his Nanashaku Jitte, he thrust its tip at Hyaku's throat from a deceptive angle.
Only then did Hyaku move.
"Too slow." He said calmly.
Just before the Jitte could make contact, Hyaku tilted his neck slightly to the right.
Whoosh...
With that minimal movement, he completely evaded the Jitte's attack!
Smoker instantly realized Hyaku was no ordinary opponent.
Whoosh!
In a flash, Smoker's weapon arm transformed into smoke. His missed strike eerily extended through the swirling smoke behind Hyaku.
The smoky hand flipped, turning the weapon around and thrusting quickly at his opponent's back.
This sudden change of direction left the Jitte completely in Hyaku's blind spot!
However, as the new attack launched, Smoker saw Hyaku's contemptuous smile up close.
Whoosh!
The Jitte whistled through the air, striking rapidly toward Hyaku's back.
Another extraordinary scene unfolded. With perfect timing, just before the Jitte's tip could touch his body, Hyaku stepped slightly to the side. The attack missed completely.
Smoker's face showed shock as he hurriedly withdrew his weapon.
"My turn." Hyaku wouldn't give him a chance to fully retreat.
He rotated his palm holding the Tachi half a turn, using the back of the blade to strike heavily at Smoker's body.
Whoosh!
Unable to dodge back in time, Smoker could only grit his teeth and quickly transform his body into smoke. As a Logia Devil Fruit user, he had absolute confidence in his immunity to physical attacks.
✣ Busōshoku no Haki: Matou ⭄ Armament Haki: Imbuement! ✣
Seeming to see through his thoughts, Hyaku's smile widened. With a single thought, Armament Haki instantly coated the back of his blade.
The once-gleaming metal back of the katana turned deep black. His heavy strike connected with the opponent's body.
Bang!!
A dull impact sound rang out.
Smoker's body took the full force of Hyaku's strike. He flew backward like an arrow released from a bow, completely out of control.
His form traveled quite a distance before he managed to stop himself by bracing against the ground with his retrieved Jitte.
After stopping, Smoker felt an intense pain in his chest, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Everyone present fell silent, especially Smoker's subordinates, their faces frozen in disbelief.
This was their commander — a Logia Devil Fruit user with the Moku Moku no Mi! The previously undefeated White Hunter had been injured in just one exchange with a marine rookie!
Moreover, the crowd remained unaware of Haki's concept, completely baffled as to how Hyaku had managed to strike the elementalized Smoker.
"Haki... You actually know Haki!" After regaining his composure, the experienced Smoker recognized the technique.
It was unmistakably the Haki he had heard about — an advanced technique he hadn't even mastered yet!
And here was a marine rookie wielding it!
"It seems I underestimated you. I take back what I said earlier." Smoker said, wiping blood from his mouth.
He removed his marine uniform jacket and raised both hands toward his opponent.
"Now, I'm going to get serious."
Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh!
As he spoke, Smoker's arms transformed into smoke, and his hands began to continuously extend through the transformation.
✣ Moku Moku no Mi: White Snake ⭄ Smoke Serpent! ✣
With a shout, Smoker's smoke-transformed hands shaped themselves into two white snakes, shooting toward Hyaku at high speed.
✣ Kenbunshoku no Haki: Ito Kankaku ⭄ Observation Haki: Intent Sensing! ✣
As Smoker's left fist and Jitte-gripping right hand approached, Hyaku remained composed and activated Observation Haki.
Whoosh, Whoosh!
With the precise detection of his Haki, he easily dodged both attacks.
"Hmph!" Smoker let out a cold snort as his attacks missed again.
He redirected his fist and Jitte that had passed Hyaku, commanding them to strike from behind.
Clang!
A sharp metallic sound rang out.
Without even looking back, Hyaku deflected both Smoker's fist and Jitte with a precise backward sweep of his sword.
The attack had failed completely!
'Let's see how many times you can block!' Smoker thought to himself.
The smoke billowing from his arms intensified.
✣✣✣
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