"Mr. Rowan is right to lecture me. My path has strayed. From now on, I will dedicate myself to training my physical arts and will never let you down again."
After scrambling up from the sand, Smoker scratched his head like a child who had been caught doing something wrong. His face was filled with shame, and every trace of his previous arrogance had vanished.
Smoker had always been the most outstanding among his peers. This success had inevitably birthed a sense of pride within him. Especially after he obtained the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, became a Logia user, and secured the title of the "Strongest Graduate" of his year with an overwhelming lead, his internal ego had reached its peak.
It was this arrogance that had shaped his rebellious, independent personality. In Smoker's own mind, had he not volunteered to guard Loguetown, his strength would have easily qualified him for the rank of Headquarters Vice Admiral—and he even felt he had the right to contend for the position of Admiral.
Because of this, he maintained an attitude of equality even when meeting Admirals like Aokiji or Kizaru. The only reason he had been respectful toward Rowan initially was because Rowan's historical contributions to the Marines were simply too massive. Rowan's title as a retired Vice Admiral alone wouldn't have been enough to make Smoker act so submissively.
But just now, Rowan's simple punch had completely shattered his pride. It forced him to fundamentally re-evaluate the old man.
Although that punch had only caused minor injuries, it allowed Smoker to see the sheer abyss between their power levels. By his estimation, if the old man truly got serious, Smoker wouldn't last three moves.
If a retired Vice Admiral could make him feel such a staggering gap, Smoker felt like a clown for his previous self-importance. His "invincible" Smoke-Smoke Fruit counted for nothing in the face of Mr. Rowan.
"I was just speaking my mind. Whether you work hard or not is your business; I'm not the one who loses face in the end," Rowan said, his pipe between his teeth, acting completely indifferent.
Smoker's heart twitched. Does the old man... not care about me at all?
The moment this thought appeared, a wave of dejection washed over him. He had guarded Loguetown for so many years, yet he didn't even have the qualifications to be held in high regard by the legend.
But then, he realized it made sense. Who were the disciples the old man had raised?
Garp the Hero, Admiral Zephyr, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and Great Staff Officer Tsuru. Compared to them, what was a mere Branch Colonel? Why would Rowan look twice at him?
However, this disappointment didn't discourage Smoker; instead, it ignited a fierce fighting spirit. One day, I, Smoker, will shine with my own light and make you acknowledge me. I'll make you proud to admit that I am your most outstanding grand-disciple!
[System Prompt: Gained favor from Colonel Smoker. Faith Points +5][System Prompt: Gained favor from Colonel Smoker. Faith Points +7][System Prompt: Gained favor from Colonel Smoker. Faith Points +9][System Prompt: Gained...]
Listening to the rapid-fire notifications in his head and watching the shifting expressions on Smoker's face, Rowan's own expression became quite odd. I just beat the kid up, and now he likes me more?
Rowan didn't dwell on it. He waved a hand and said, "Alright, enough of that. It's getting late. Take those guys back to base."
He turned toward the mass of pirates squatting on the sand and spoke coldly, "Hey! You lot. Follow them back to the Marine base quietly. If I find out any of you are trying to be clever..."
The pirates shuddered in unison. Pearl, the Commander of the Second Unit, ran to Rowan's side, gave a mock-solemn salute, and fawned, "Don't worry, Great Sir! We will be the most obedient captives the Marines have ever seen. No cleverness, I swear!"
Pearl then turned to the thousands of squatting pirates and roared, "The Great Sir is talking to you! Did you hear him?!"
The pirates shouted back as one, "We heard him! Rest easy, Great Sir!"
Watching this, Smoker felt a surge of adrenaline. Is this the charisma of Mr. Rowan? To make thousands of cutthroats obey with a single sentence? Usually, when Smoker captured pirates, he only saw defiance in their eyes. He had never seen such genuine, terrified submissiveness. Smoker believed that one day, he too would reach a level where a single word from him could paralyze a pirate's will to resist. After all, he was Zephyr's student and Rowan's grand-disciple! (Even if the old man didn't seem to want to admit it yet.)
"Alright, Smoky-boy, get to work."
Rowan gestured to the training Luffy. "Luffy, stop practicing. It's time to go."
Zip! Luffy appeared in front of Rowan instantly.
Satisfied, Rowan nodded and introduced the boy to Smoker and Tashigi. "I almost forgot. This brat is Garp's grandson—and my great-grandson."
Vice Admiral Garp's grandson? No wonder his training method is so insane. Smoker and Tashigi felt a sense of clarity. With the blood of Garp the Hero, such monstrous talent made perfect sense.
The two greeted Luffy. Luffy grinned widely and said, "Hi! I'm Monkey D. Luffy. I'm the man who's going to be the Pirate King!"
"Huh?"
Smoker and Tashigi froze. Smoker took it better, but Tashigi nearly lost her eyes. Did I hear that right? The grandson of Garp the Hero just said he wants to be the Pirate King? Is he a traitor to his own bloodline? And Mr. Rowan, why are you laughing instead of stopping him?
Smoker, not wanting to hear any more, quickly ran off to supervise the loading of prisoners, leaving the rookie Tashigi to accompany the grandfather-grandson pair.
Pushing down her curiosity about Luffy, Tashigi looked at the prominent wreckage floating in the bay and couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Rowan, those pirate ship remains are..."
Before she could finish, Luffy chirped, "Heehee! Great-Grandpa sliced them all in one go! You missed it—he looked so cool!"
Luffy then mimicked the drawing and slashing motion again, even making the "Swish!" sound.
It really was the old man's handiwork. Tashigi looked at the famous blade "Frost Soul" (霜魄) hanging casually at Rowan's waist, and her heart trembled.
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