Chapter 205

"Calm down, Tashigi."

A steady, masculine voice rang out.

The instant he heard that voice, an image surfaced in Luo En's mind not far away — a fellow with a cigar dangling from his lips and white hair slicked back, looking insufferably smug.

The corner of Luo En's mouth lifted slightly.

So it's him…

"Captain Smoker!"

Seeing him was like seeing a lifesaver. Tashigi said urgently, "You've come at just the right time. You can testify for me, right? I'm a Sergeant of Marine Headquarters Academy, my service record is right here — I'm definitely not that woman swordsman from the Sky Calamity Brigade, and I have absolutely nothing to do with that fellow called Kuina, right?"

"Need you even ask? How could you possibly be that Kuina? Don't you lot be fooled by these pirates either."

Smoker, a cigar dangling from his lips, picked at his ear and said, "That woman swordsman called Kuina actually defeated Vice Admiral Spider. Where does this one get that kind of strength?"

Hearing this, the marines behind Tashigi all nodded in sudden understanding.

"Indeed."

"That's right too — Sergeant Tashigi simply doesn't have the strength of a swordsman."

"As I thought, she just looks similar."

"Sergeant Tashigi, my apologies — I actually doubted you."

Listening to their words, Tashigi's mouth twitched.

Although the misunderstanding was cleared up, why did it feel so unsatisfying?

You lot were actually almost taken in by these pirates, and in the end what proved my identity was my own strength?

Sorry for being so weak!

While Tashigi was inwardly fuming.

Smoker had already turned his head toward the pirates: "So it was you lot who looted the supplies from those shops, planning to head for the Grand Line, right?"

"Not good — it's the White Hunter!"

"Run!"

Staring at Smoker standing beside Tashigi and hearing his words, that group of pirates turned pale with fright. Forgetting to argue further with Tashigi, they hurriedly scattered in all directions.

"You think you can escape in front of me? Arrest them all!"

Smoker instantly transformed into smoke and flew toward those pirates.

Under his fists and his ability, those pirates — whose bounties added together didn't even reach thirty million Berries — were soon all beaten to the ground.

Tashigi led the marines in restraining and binding them, to be sent together later to the Marine branch's prison.

Smoker sat on a rock, cigar in mouth, puffing out clouds of smoke as he watched Tashigi and the others bind the pirates.

"It's been eight, nine years since I came to Loguetown. Spending every day dealing with these weak East Sea pirates, my body's almost going stiff."

"Maybe it's time I went back to Headquarters?"

Smoker thought to himself.

His expression suddenly changed, and he whipped his head around to look behind him.

He saw a figure that, at some unknown point, had already come to stand behind him.

A drop of cold sweat instantly broke out on Smoker's forehead, and a chill ran through his heart.

When?

I didn't notice a thing…

His body's trained instinct overtook the thinking in his head.

By the time he reacted, he had already thrown a white fist at that person.

The white fist, propelled by white smoke and bursting with force, was easily caught by a single hand. At the same time, a young voice that sounded quite familiar to Smoker rang out, making him freeze.

"Hey, hey — do you really have to come at an old acquaintance with the real thing the moment you see them?"

Hearing that familiar voice and seeing that person's face clearly, Smoker's eyes went wide, his face full of shock.

"It's you!"

"It's been a long time."

Luo En, eyes closed, smiled at him and released the hand gripping his fist.

"Captain Smoker?"

Tashigi — blue short hair, a pair of glasses on her face — noticed the commotion here and cast a curious, puzzled look over.

But she couldn't see Luo En's face; most of his face and figure were blocked by Smoker.

"Let's talk somewhere else. I'll wait for you at that tavern where I drank before."

Having said that, Luo En didn't wait for Smoker to reply before turning and leaving.

Smoker stared fixedly at his retreating back.

So… you're still alive.

Tashigi, who had walked to his side, gazed at that tall, broad-shouldered figure in a black coat, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

"Captain Smoker, is that your friend?"

"Friend? How could that be — just someone I know."

So saying, Smoker stepped past Tashigi and walked off in another direction.

"Captain Smoker, where are you going?"

"Just taking a stroll. You go ahead and send these fellows back first."

Smoker waved a hand at her without turning around.

…………

Inside a tavern in Loguetown.

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