Chapter 27: Smoker
The salty sea breeze, carrying the unique clamor of Loguetown and the weight of its history, blew through the tavern's open window, ruffling the wisp of blue smoke rising from the cigar clamped between Smoker's fingers.
He sat bolt upright, his burly frame like an immovable reef, but his sharp, gray eyes churned with a fury so palpable it was almost physical.
The newspaper in his hand was slightly wrinkled, showing the bounties of three kids on the front page.
Kyle Link.
Killua Zoldyck.
Gon Freecss.
And below them, the glaring numbers: "60,000,000 Beli."
"20,000,000 Beli."
"15,000,000 Beli."
Like red-hot needles, they stabbed at his nerves.
"'The Pirate Hunting Crew'... Hmph."
Smoker's voice was eerily calm, a stark contrast to the fire in his eyes. He practically ground the words out from between his teeth.
"Are these just three more kids, brainwashed by that poison Roger left behind, chasing some ridiculous dream of treasure?"
"This sea... it's because of brats like these who don't know their place that there's never any peace."
He felt like he was seeing years ago, on the square in this very town, that red-haired kid in a straw hat... a kid who was now one of the Four Emperors in the New World.
The shadows of history always seem to repeat themselves in Loguetown.
"Captain Smoker..." a worried voice called out from beside him.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, which were always slipping. Her eyes behind the lenses were filled with concern.
She could clearly feel her superior's suppressed anger, like the low-pressure calm of the sea before a storm.
Smoker didn't respond, just took a deep drag of his cigar, letting the thick smoke swirl in his lungs as if to suppress his churning emotions.
Then, he shot to his feet, the wooden legs of his chair scraping harshly against the floor.
"We're leaving."
He commanded curtly, threw his heavy Marine coat over his shoulders, and strode out of the tavern.
Tashigi didn't dare hesitate, immediately signaling the dozen elite Marines waiting outside to follow.
The sound of their uniform footsteps echoed on the stone-paved street, causing passersby to look over and hurry out of the way.
"Captain Smoker, where are we going?"
Tashigi jogged a few steps to keep up, her hand on the hilt of her sword, 'Shigure', as she asked in confusion.
She had assumed he would first deploy patrols and search parties within the town.
"Loguetown Coast," Smoker bit out, his gaze sweeping the harbor like a hawk. He said no more.
According to intel intercepted and analyzed by the intelligence department, the news of Straw Hat's defeat, along with these fresh bounties for the 'Pirate Hunting Crew', was spreading through the East Blue at an alarming rate.
If things went as expected, the next target for these three arrogant brats was this very town. The gateway to the Grand Line. The iron gate he guarded.
He will not allow it! He won't let another group of deluded fools, following in the Pirate King's footsteps, break into that sea from here and repeat that sickening history!
He will crush them in the cradle before they can take that step. He'll show them, with cold steel cuffs, that reality is not a fairy tale.
Meanwhile, on the blue sea, a rather unremarkable medium-sized sailing ship was cutting through the waves, its sails full, heading for Loguetown.
Kyle stood at the bow, letting the sea breeze tousle his golden hair, a playful smile on his face.
Killua sat on the ship's railing, looking bored, his silver hair glinting in the sun. He licked a lollipop, his cat-like eyes narrowed as he mentally listed all the specialty sweet shops that might exist in Loguetown.
Gon was extremely excited, his hands gripping the railing as he leaned halfway over the side. His big, curious black eyes stared unblinkingly at the coastline coming into focus, trying to see every inch of the legendary town.
"We're finally here! This is where the Pirate King, Roger, was born and died!" Gon's voice was full of anticipation. "We're definitely going to see a lot of interesting stuff!"
"I just hope the candy stores here don't disappoint me," Killua put in lazily, though his voice held a hint of his own anticipation.
Only Kyle's eyes held a calculating glint that didn't match his age.
He didn't just see Loguetown's history; he saw a perfect 'stepping stone'.
"Killua, Gon," Kyle turned, his back to the approaching town, that familiar, slightly mischievous smile on his face.
"Do you want to make our bounties... jump up... a lot?"
"Hm?" Killua was instantly alert, catching the meaning in Kyle's words. "Is there some 'big shot' hiding in Loguetown?"
Gon also turned his head, his eyes shining as he looked at Kyle, ready for a fight.
"A big shot... well, not top-tier, but he carries more than enough weight."
Kyle lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret. "The Marine Captain stationed here, Smoker, is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user... the Smoke-Smoke Fruit."
"Think about it. In a place like the East Blue, what does a Logia user mean? It means 'invincible'! If we can defeat him head-on, what will the World Government and Marine HQ think?"
Killua instantly got it, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"They'll think we know how to fight Logia users. Like... Busoshoku Haki. Three rookies, not even in their teens, who already know Haki... Our bounties would have to skyrocket."
His own eyes sharpened. This wasn't just a game; it was proof of their strength and a ladder to their next goal.
"Here's my plan..." Kyle waved them over. The three heads huddled together, and he began to explain his scheme in a low voice, occasionally using hand gestures.
As he spoke, Killua's smile grew more and more like a cat that had gotten into the cream. Gon's mouth dropped open in surprise at first, then he, too, broke into an excited, mischievous grin.
"Kyle, you're a real bastard," Killua said after hearing the plan, punching Kyle's shoulder with a laugh. "But I like it."
"Isn't this a little too much?" Gon scratched his head, feeling a bit bad for their target.
"Hehe, it's fine. He's a great opponent for us to 'grind for experience.' It's an honor for him," Kyle said, completely serious.
This was a Logia Devil Fruit. Beating him wouldn't be that easy for them, even now.
Kyle was already starting to look forward to it.