"Let's go. Nothing else worth watching here," Karl said casually.
"Since we've got nothing better to do, how about heading to the training grounds for a spar?"
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled.
Karl smiled back—but a sly glint flashed in his eyes.
Judging by his expression, Smoker clearly hasn't realized that I've already awakened both Armament and Observation Haki.
Figures. He's been out on missions—news doesn't always travel fast.
"From the way you look," Karl asked, "you've gotten stronger recently?"
Smoker sighed and waved his hand.
"Eh↑—↓ just a tiny bit of progress. Nothing worth mentioning."
Karl couldn't help but laugh.
Wow. Are you really trying to flex in front of me?
Training Grounds — Ten Minutes Later
The two stood empty-handed on opposite sides of the field.
Smoker had both hands in his pockets, a cigar clenched in his mouth, wearing the relaxed air of someone who didn't even consider Karl a threat.
"This time, I'll be using full Logia intangibility," Smoker said confidently.
"Hope you don't lose too badly."
Karl smiled faintly.
"Don't hold back."
"White Serpent!"
Smoker moved first.
His arms transformed into smoke, then twisted into two massive serpent-shaped tendrils that shot toward Karl.
This technique automatically tracked its target—dodging alone was useless.
"You won't escape!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Karl activated Observation Haki, sensed the twin smoke serpents closing in from behind, then suddenly pivoted and kicked.
"Rankyaku — Sever!"
A sharp blue blade of compressed air sliced cleanly through the smoke serpents.
But it was only temporary—
The smoke quickly reconnected, showing no real damage.
"Hahahaha! I told you—physical attacks are useless!"
What Smoker didn't realize was that, in that very moment, Karl had already used Geppo to leap into the air.
Karl appeared directly in front of him.
His right fist darkened, coated in Armament Haki—
BANG!
In Smoker's stunned gaze, Karl's punch landed squarely on his head.
Smoker was sent flying.
"AAAH—! That hurts!!"
That year, Smoker clutched his head with both hands, utterly stunned.
Pain.
Pure, undeniable pain.
It was easily the most painful hit he had ever taken since becoming a Logia user.
"Damn it… when did you awaken Armament Haki?!"
Smoker seriously began questioning his life choices.
He had joined the Marines young, endured years of ups and downs—
and yet here he was, outranked by Karl, outmatched in strength.
Just months ago, they could still fight evenly.
Even after reading that Karl had gone toe-to-toe with Marco and wounded Mihawk, Smoker assumed it was just superior physique and martial skill.
Who would have guessed Karl had already awakened Armament Haki?
"During an internship mission," Karl replied calmly.
"So early?!" Smoker's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Karl nodded.
"Yeah. That time… I nearly died."
Smoker fell silent.
He sat down cross-legged on the ground, staring ahead without a word.
Only now did he truly realize—
He had grown complacent.
Yes.
He had slacked off.
He obsessed over corruption, moral decay, and the darker side of the Marines—
yet forgot the most important thing a Marine must have:
Strength.
After graduating from the academy, he'd hardly fought real battles.
Suspended here, chasing pirates there—never truly training.
How could he possibly grow stronger like this?
Compare that to Karl—
His very first missions involved Kaido of the Beasts,
then Marco the Phoenix,
then Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman.
And what about him?
He had nothing but bullying low-level pirates with Logia powers.
Not a single battle worthy of pride.
Even Tashigi—who graduated at the same time as him—was now in the New World with Advisor Tsuru, facing monsters head-on.
Standing before Karl, Smoker felt like a complete failure.
A weak man who blamed the world instead of himself.
"Karl," Smoker said suddenly,
"as your friend… I want to ask you for a favor."
"Go ahead," Karl replied. "If it's within my power, I'll help."
Smoker took a deep breath.
Then—
he bowed deeply.
"I want to become your aide."
"…What?"
Karl stared at him, incredulous, even digging a finger in his ear to check if he'd misheard.
Did that really just come out of Smoker's mouth?
"Yes," Smoker said firmly.
"I want to serve as your aide. To fight pirates alongside you."
"Only by following you can I face stronger enemies."
"Only then can I become stronger!"
At that moment, Smoker discarded all pride.
He had only one goal—
To catch up to Karl.
Karl looked shocked on the surface—
but inside, he was already laughing his head off.
Perfect timing!
I was just thinking one powerhouse aide might not be enough—and here you come delivering yourself.
Left: Ain
Right: Smoker
This lineup was absolutely perfect.
Besides, following Karl meant Smoker wouldn't end up stuck guarding some rookie-filled East Blue branch.
He really should thank me!
Karl grabbed Smoker and pulled him to his feet, patting his bicep.
"Deal. Let's go! We'll talk to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Smoker felt oddly moved.
Karl really is a good brother…
A brother for life.
Fleet Admiral's Office
Knock knock.
"Come in."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there's something I'd like to ask."
Sengoku looked at Karl and Smoker entering together and already had a good idea why they were here.
"Go ahead."
"Smoker is currently suspended," Karl said.
"I'd like him to serve as my aide and join me in suppressing piracy."
Sengoku turned his gaze to Smoker, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the desk.
Smoker straightened instantly.
"Fleet Admiral! I swear I'll follow Karl's orders and never act on my own authority again!"
Sengoku nodded slightly.
In his eyes, Smoker was talented—
one of the most promising figures of the new generation.
The problem had always been his temperament: impulsive and arrogant.
Sengoku had intended to let him cool off and mature first.
But now—
Perhaps that time could be brought forward.
"Smoker," Sengoku said slowly,
"Karl is an excellent Marine commander. There's much you can learn from him."
"I hope you'll grow by his side."
"Very well. I approve your request."
He stood, looking at the two young men.
"The future… belongs to you."
Just like that, Karl gained himself another powerful subordinate.
From now on, for pirates with bounties under 200 million Berries,
he could simply send Ain and Smoker.
Karl, of course, would stay behind and—
Rest.
No.
This wasn't slacking.
This was—
Cultivating his subordinates.
Yes.
Exactly that.
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