Chopper looked at the scattered fragments on the ground, then glanced at Zoro beside him, silently complaining in his heart: "You're the one who's been wandering around… I wonder who hesitated for so long at the crossroads just now…"
But before he could speak, his attention was drawn by a more urgent situation.
"Zoro!! Perfect timing!" Luffy waved excitedly, but the next second he became a bit flustered, "But now is not the time to talk about that! Water! Water is flooding in!"
After the door was destroyed, the speed at which the seawater on the other side poured in clearly accelerated, already beginning to submerge many people's ankles.
And more Banana Crocodiles swam out from the water, staring intently at everyone in the room.
"Everyone, run!"
Nami was the first to react, then began to step over the fragments of the door that Zoro had cut, "Run, run, while it hasn't completely collapsed yet!!"
Under Nami's command, the Mugiwara group began to rush out of Rain Dinners' secret room, jostling each other.
Zoro then noticed the shriveled silver-haired Marine Luffy was carrying on his shoulder, and began to recall scenes from the East Blue, "He is… Smoker?"
This winding, snake-like staircase made Usopp complain breathlessly as he ran, "Why is this path so long! We got down here in an instant when we fell!"
Buggy ran in the middle of the group, occasionally looking back to see if the seawater was still rising, his voice full of disdain: "Why save this guy! Wouldn't it be better to just leave him down there forever?!"
However, Luffy just adjusted Smoker's position on his shoulder as he ran, then said somewhat stubbornly, "No, this guy, um…"
He paused, "Anyway, it's just not okay."
Then Luffy seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to Chopper: "Chopper, he seems to be poisoned, is there anything you can do?"
Chopper, who was still running, suddenly braked and looked at Smoker. As a doctor, he immediately sensed the danger of this body, "Ah! That's right! His condition is not optimistic! His face is pale, and his breathing is very weak!"
Seeing everyone stopped, Sanji picked up the halted Chopper, "Let's get out first, don't stop!"
…Finally, Usopp was the first to rush out of the passage and back into the casino hall. He rested his hands on his knees, panting heavily: "Finally… finally here!"
However, the sight before him stunned him.
The once luxurious and lively casino hall was now in a mess, with people in waiter uniforms and security uniforms lying haphazardly on the ground, some groaning, some already unconscious.
Fancy gambling tables were overturned, chips and playing cards scattered everywhere, and the crystal chandelier hung crookedly, flickering on and off.
"What! What exactly is going on here?" Usopp stammered, looking at this scene which bore no resemblance to Rain Dinners.
Zoro was the last to emerge from the passage, scratching his ear, his face calm: "After you guys went in, I only saw Crocodile come out later. When we tried to come back in, we couldn't find the way."
He pointed at the people on the ground, "So we just had to beat them all down and ask for directions."
Just then, a billionaire lying on the ground seemed to have a moment of lucidity, struggling to lift his head and pointing a trembling finger at Zoro, his voice hoarse:
"De…mon…"
Then his head tilted, and he completely lost consciousness.
Zoro shrugged indifferently and walked towards the casino entrance first. The others also said "demon, demon, demon" in unison and followed.
However, as soon as they rushed out of the casino door, they had to stop.
Right in front, Tashigi was leading a Marine unit, standing ready. She tightly clutched a familiar long sword, shigure, which, though re-forged, was still recognizable as that blade.
"Straw Hat and Buggy! Where do you think you're going to run?!" Tashigi raised shigure, facing the Straw Hat, but her voice still trembled slightly in Smoker's absence.
The Straw Hat's newest crewmate, Chopper, saw this formation for the first time. It was his first time as a pirate encountering a Marine chase, and he was so scared that he hid behind Zoro's leg: "Oh no, oh no! It's the Marine!"
Zoro rubbed his forehead, sighing helplessly: "They really are persistent, aren't they? Always chasing after us, and her too."
Buggy, in the middle of the crowd, was initially a bit cowardly, but his eyes darted around, and he suddenly remembered the weak Smoker on Luffy's back, instantly feeling confident:
"Hahahahahahaha! Your boss is down for the count, who's afraid of you guys?!"
"Chop-Chop Festival!"
Immediately after, Buggy's upper body instantly separated and flew quickly towards Tashigi, a smug smile on his face.
"What are you trying to do to a beautiful lady?!"
Sanji leaped into the air almost simultaneously, delivering several precise kicks that sent Buggy's upper body flying back to its original spot, where it reattached to his lower body.
This left the bruised and swollen Buggy lying on the ground, muttering with a wronged expression: "Aren't we on the same side… we're all pirates… those hateful Straw Hat…"
After landing, Sanji immediately twisted his body, his eyes turning into heart shapes: "My beautiful lady, please rest assured, I won't let such a rude fellow harm you~"
However, Tashigi completely ignored Sanji's eagerness. She stood frozen, Buggy's words echoing in her mind.
Captain Smoker… went into Rain Dinners with Buggy and that person she didn't know… and only Crocodile came out… now the Captain is gone… Her gaze swept over everyone and noticed Luffy at the back of the group, and the shriveled silver-haired man on his back, that familiar jacket, and his hair color.
It can't be… Captain Smoker… Tashigi's heart almost stopped beating. She forced herself to calm down and quickly began to analyze the situation on the field.
If the person Straw Hat was carrying truly was Captain Smoker, then the chances of winning a battle here were very small, and she absolutely couldn't let her subordinates see the Captain in this state… "Retreat, all of you, retreat." Tashigi began to order the Marines behind her, her voice unusually calm.
"Sergeant Tashigi, aren't we arresting them here…?" a Marine soldier asked doubtfully.
However, Tashigi just turned firmly, almost shouting: "Listen to me! Everyone retreat, I have something to discuss with them!"
This was a Tashigi the Marine soldiers rarely saw. Since she left Loguetown, there had indeed been an indescribable change in her; sometimes she was more decisive, and also more composed.
The soldiers and subordinates looked at each other, but still obeyed the order, retreating in an orderly fashion.
Tashigi took a deep breath, gently placed shigure on the ground, and stepped forward, coming before everyone. She lowered her voice and asked:
"That's… Captain Smoker, isn't it?"
Her voice trembled slightly, unable to believe that this shriveled and dying person before her was the Captain Smoker who always held a cigar and was trusted by everyone.
Luffy just nodded, "Yes, it is."