Chapter 27 – The Smoker Who Charged, and the Sword Princess Who Stopped Him Cold
"The World Government and the Marines keep this platform standing as a warning to anyone thinking of becoming a pirate."
Aike snorted.
"But I think it does the exact opposite."
For timid rookies, sure, intimidation works.
But for the truly vicious, ambitious ones? This scaffold is a beacon.
It only hardens their resolve to chase the One Piece.
And those are the majority.
"An interesting take. So which category do you fall into?"
A low, gravelly voice exploded behind him.
"Neither."
"From beginning to end, I've only ever been a merchant."
"Devil Merchant is just a fancier title."
Smoker didn't buy it.
His eyes were locked on Aike—and the girl beside him.
No.
That's not Tashigi!
It only took a few seconds for him to discard the earlier report.
No glasses, different clothes, and most importantly—completely different aura.
The girl who looked almost identical to Tashigi carried the sharp, murderous edge of a veteran swordsman.
A pressure that made even Smoker feel danger.
As for the man himself, the primary target—Smoker couldn't sense a thing.
He was standing right there, yet felt like empty air.
No presence, no killing intent, nothing.
But Smoker was a Marine. He refused to lose in momentum.
"Branch 16. That was you."
It wasn't a question.
His right hand was already wrapped around the jutte.
The condescending tone pissed Aike off. He raised an eyebrow.
"Branch 16?"
Aike pretended to think hard, scratching his chin dramatically.
Smoker's veins started bulging.
Finally Aike shrugged.
"Sorry, doesn't ring a bell."
"I've stepped on so many ants, who keeps count?"
The square went dead silent.
Smoker's temples throbbed.
Arrogant.
Unbelievably arrogant!
He had expected denial, or maybe a confession.
Not this—this open contempt.
Treating an entire Marine branch like insects? Even the worst pirates he'd executed never dared say it to his face.
"So you've chosen to be pirate scum after all."
Smoker's grip tightened on his weapon.
The surrounding Marines raised rifles, eyes burning with fury.
One word from Smoker and a storm of bullets would follow.
"Whether I'm a pirate isn't for you to decide. Also…"
Aike lazily swept his gaze across the encirclement.
"You sure you want to do this?"
"I don't hate most Marines, but if you make yourselves enemies, I have zero problem wiping every last one of you out."
The word "wipe" carried a faint pulse of Conqueror's Haki.
The message was crystal clear.
Open fire, and he starts a massacre.
Smoker understood perfectly.
But death had never scared a Marine who wore the coat.
His men were supposed to feel the same.
White smoke billowed around him.
He abandoned any thought of recruiting Aike.
He would take this man down or die trying.
Aike shook his head slightly.
Sacrificing a decent batch of Marines for the scum at Branch 16?
Not exactly wise.
But he felt no pity.
Choices have consequences.
"Kuina, they're all yours."
"With your current swordsmanship, this rabble won't even slow you down."
Aike stepped back casually, giving the stage to his newest crewmate.
Employees exist so the boss doesn't have to fight.
"You bastard! Don't underestimate me!"
Smoker had been holding it in for way too long.
With a roar, his body dissolved into smoke and launched straight at Aike.
The sea-prism-stone tip of his jutte swung down with lethal force.
Aike didn't even bother dodging.
Clang!
A blade flashed out of nowhere, intercepting the jutte perfectly.
Smoker's eyes widened.
Standing between him and Aike was the black-haired swordswoman—Kuina.
One hand casually resting on her new tachi's hilt, she had blocked the full-force strike without moving an inch.
Sparks flew where steel met sea-prism stone.
"You're in the way."
Kuina's voice was calm, almost bored.
Then she moved.
One step.
A single, clean draw-cut.
Smoker barely turned back to solid in time to parry with his jutte.
CLANG!
The impact sent him skidding back several meters, boots carving trenches in the stone.
The surrounding Marines froze.
Their colonel—Smoker the White Hunter—had just been pushed back by a teenage girl in one exchange.
Kuina lowered her blade slightly, eyes sharp.
"Next one won't be so gentle."
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