Time passed, and soon, a major event unfolded in Loguetown, East Blue.
"Straw Hat boy! Don't even think about setting foot in the Grand Line!" Smoker's voice thundered through the chaotic streets as he loomed over a battered and bruised Luffy, who lay sprawled on the ground. "Since you are the brother of that man, I will never allow a troublemaker like you to continue your journey!"
The determination in Smoker's eyes was fierce, and his words were laced with a mixture of frustration and resolve. The rank of Vice Admiral of the Naval Headquarters now adorned his shoulder strap, a testament to the significant leap in his career.
The journey to this rank had been anything but easy. After the intense encounter with Ace, Smoker had thrown himself into his training with a ferocity that bordered on madness. He roamed the seas, battling pirates with a relentless drive, pushing himself to the brink of death more times than he cared to count. Each near-death experience, each brush with danger, had honed his skills and hardened his resolve.
His desperate pursuit of strength had paid off. Smoker's abilities had grown, his mastery of the Moku Moku no Mi refined, and his reputation as a formidable Marine had skyrocketed. Now, standing as a Vice Admiral, Smoker was a force to be reckoned with.
This time, he had received word that Straw Hat Luffy was preparing to leave Loguetown and enter the Grand Line, a feat that could not be ignored. Smoker had traveled from Naval Headquarters with one mission in mind: to capture Luffy before he could set sail. But this wasn't just about Luffy's own reputation or potential threat as a pirate; it was about something deeper, more personal.
"Straw Hat boy!"
Smoker's voice echoed through the rain-soaked streets of Loguetown as he locked his gaze on Luffy, who stood at a distance, slightly disheveled but still defiant. Despite the apparent messiness of Luffy's appearance, Smoker didn't allow himself even a moment of complacency. The urgency in his tone was unmistakable, as if he were confronting a threat far greater than the young pirate before him.
The reason for Smoker's heightened vigilance was simple yet profound. This seemingly fledgling pirate, Straw Hat Luffy, was no ordinary troublemaker—he was the brother of a man whose very name sent shivers down the spine of the entire world. The man who, even now, made Smoker feel a deep, unsettling sense of powerlessness whenever he thought back to their encounter. No, it wasn't just Smoker who felt this way—Ace had the entire Naval Headquarters on edge, pushing them to the brink of despair.
This man was none other than the strongest in the world, the most powerful Devil Fruit user in history. A man capable of incinerating the very seas with his flames, the commander who stood as a rival to the World Government itself—Portgas D. Ace, the admiral of the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet, known across the world as the Flame Emperor.
Ace's terrifying reputation had only grown since the war in Wano. Despite the Navy's careful preparations, the battle had not gone as planned. The Naval Headquarters had dispatched its three admirals—Kizaru, Green Bull, and Tea Dolphin—along with their most formidable weapon, the "Seraphims," the strongest human creations. The plan had been simple: wait for the Entei Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, and the Big Mom Pirates to weaken each other in battle, then swoop in and seize victory.
But things had gone terribly wrong. The alliance between Kaido and Big Mom, two of the Four Emperors, had crumbled under Ace's might without any real resistance. Kaido, the so-called "Strongest Creature," and Big Mom, the ruler of Totto Land, had been defeated—no, obliterated—by Ace's overwhelming power. The three admirals, who had once seemed invincible, were forced to retreat before they could even engage in combat.
The Entei Pirates emerged from the war unscathed, just as they had in previous conflicts, their victory complete and indisputable. In that moment, the Navy realized that even with their strongest assets, they could not hope to defeat Ace. Any attempt to do so would only result in their annihilation.
Smoker had been there, in Wano, as a Vice Admiral, witnessing the devastating power of Ace and the despair that had gripped the Marines. The memories haunted him, fueling his determination to never again feel so helpless.
Adding to the complexity of the situation was the revelation that Ace had another sworn brother: Sabo, the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army. Sabo had become one of the top fighters in the world after consuming Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Beast Model: Azure Dragon. He was now known as the "Dragon King," and his strength rivaled even that of the Navy's greatest, with only Kizaru being considered a match, though even he struggled against Sabo's overwhelming power.
Sabo, alongside the Revolutionary Army, had sparked uprisings across the globe, further destabilizing the world order. And behind every one of those uprisings, every major event, was the influence of Ace. The world was caught in the fiery wake of these sworn brothers, each a force to be reckoned with.
And now, Smoker stood face-to-face with Luffy, Ace's other sworn brother. Although Luffy's current strength in the relatively weak East Blue was commendable, it paled in comparison to the terrifying power of Ace or the brilliance of Sabo. But Smoker wasn't naive. He knew that if Ace had recognized Luffy as his brother, then there was something within this straw hat-wearing pirate that was far more dangerous than anyone could imagine.
That's why, upon learning that Luffy was about to enter the Grand Line from Loguetown, Smoker had rushed to intercept him, leaving the Naval Headquarters behind. He couldn't afford to be careless, not with the shadow of Ace looming so large. This wasn't just about capturing a pirate—it was about preventing a potential threat from growing into something the world couldn't handle.
Smoker's mission was clear: to stop Luffy from ever reaching the Grand Line and to eliminate this hidden danger before it could rise to challenge the justice he fought to protect.
"Huff! Huff! Damn it! This guy's way too strong! None of our attacks can even touch him!"
Luffy's frustration was palpable as he panted heavily, trying to catch his breath. Beside him, the three main fighters of the Straw Hat Pirates—'Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro and 'Black Leg' Sanji—stood equally winded, their faces etched with frustration. They had thrown everything they had at Smoker, but nothing seemed to work.
"Is this what Luffy mentioned? A Logia Devil Fruit power?" Zoro muttered, his swords ready but useless against Smoker's intangible form.
Sanji, fists clenched, gritted his teeth. "Damn it. We can't even touch him…"
Beside Luffy, the three main forces of the Straw Hat Pirates—'Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro and 'Black Foot' Sanji—stood breathlessly, their faces etched with frustration. Zoro and Sanji, despite their formidable skills, had yet to learn Armament Haki. Against a Logia user like Smoker, they were utterly helpless.
Among the Straw Hat Pirates, only Luffy had a grasp of Armament Haki, a skill he learned thanks to Ace's teachings.
However, even with this advantage, Luffy was no match for Smoker, who had risen to the rank of Vice Admiral at Naval Headquarters. Ace had not yet gained the Field of enlightenment when training Luffy, and his guidance mainly involved intense, practical combat. Luffy's natural talent, though remarkable, still paled in comparison to that of Ace or even Sabo. Thus, Luffy found himself outmatched by the seasoned Smoker.
"Damn it! The Vice Admiral of the Naval Headquarters is here! If they know Luffy is Ace's brother, powerful Marines will hunt him relentlessly! What should we do?!" Usopp, watching his comrades struggle, was consumed by anxiety. Having joined Luffy's crew after learning from Ace about their bond, Usopp had always aimed to help Ace and become a true man of the sea. Though stronger than in the original story due to Ace's influence, Usopp could only watch helplessly from a distance against an opponent like Smoker.
"Ha! Ha! My brother, Ace? Hey, I want to be Ace's right hand and find the One Piece! How can I fall here!" Luffy stood up, eyes locked on Smoker. Despite his heavy breathing, he adopted an offensive stance, determination burning in his gaze.
Smoker, his expression grim, eyed Luffy with a mixture of respect and determination. "Becoming the right hand of that man, huh? Just as troublesome as your other sworn brother. 'Dragon King' Sabo, who's already one of Ace's right hands, is your brother too, isn't he, Straw Hat?"
Luffy's eyes widened in shock, his breath catching in his throat. "!!!"
"S-Sabo?! Sabo… is alive?!" Luffy stammered, his voice trembling with emotion. The revelation hit him like a tidal wave.
Ace had told him the truth. Sabo, their long-lost brother, was really alive!
Smoker's voice was cold and unyielding as he responded, "Hmph. So you didn't know… but it doesn't matter. You won't have the chance to see them again."
With a flick of his wrist, Smoker activated his Smoke-Smoke Fruit, shrouding the battlefield in thick, white smoke. The area around them became an impenetrable fog, making it impossible for anyone to see through the swirling haze.
"Your voyage ends here!" Smoker declared, his voice echoing ominously through the smoke.
Luffy, refusing to back down, yelled into the void, "I can't fall here! I still have to see Ace, Sabo, and Shanks! I won't give up!"
Luffy's determination blazed like a beacon in the darkness. Despite the overwhelming odds, despite the strength of his opponent, he refused to yield. He would continue fighting, pushing forward, no matter what it took. He wasn't just fighting for himself—he was fighting for the promise he made to his brothers and for the dreams that still lay ahead.
"Let's end this!" Smoker's voice echoed with finality as he prepared to strike.
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap roared through the skies above Logue Town.
BOOM!!!
Dark clouds rapidly gathered, swallowing the sky in a blanket of darkness. The ominous clouds morphed into terrifying thunderclouds, alive with a fury that crackled through the air. Lightning snaked violently between the clouds, illuminating the scene with a menacing glow. The atmosphere was thick with an almost palpable, magical energy radiating from the heavens above.
Under the influence of this strange and overwhelming power, the battlefield that Smoker had created with his Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability dissipated instantly, leaving behind nothing but tension and anticipation.
"Huh?!!!" Smoker's eyes widened in shock, his pupils shrinking as he recognized the phenomenon. The sight of the chaotic lightning, coupled with the intense energy in the air, caused sweat to bead on his forehead. There was only one person on this sea who could command such a force.
From a distance, Usopp stood frozen in place, staring wide-eyed at the scene unfolding before him. A light, almost playful laugh echoed through the air, causing Usopp's heart to skip a beat.
Buzz!
The very atmosphere seemed to warp as two figures slowly emerged from a rift in space.
"Nami?!!!" Usopp gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief as he recognized one of the figures.
He recalled the time back in Syrup Village when Ace had used his unparalleled understanding to help him create the Clima-Tact, the ultimate weather weapon. Now, that same Nami stood before him, no longer the same person she once was.
But it wasn't just Nami who had caught their attention.
"That… that is…!" Zoro's gaze was locked onto the second figure standing beside Nami, his breath catching in his throat. The familiar face, the unmistakable aura, and the extraordinary sword she carried...
"Ku-Kuina?!!!" Zoro's voice trembled as he struggled to believe what his eyes were seeing.
The Marines of Logue Town, who had accompanied Smoker in his mission to capture the Straw Hat Pirates, recoiled in terror at the sight of the new arrivals. "Yes… it's her! The second-in-command of the Entei Pirates, 'Little Thief' Nami, with a bounty of 3.5 billion berries!" one of them screamed, his voice laced with fear.
After the Wanokuni incident, Nami's notoriety had skyrocketed. Her bounty was now a staggering 3.5 billion berries, a testament to her power and influence as Ace's right hand. Over the past year, she had proven time and again that she was a force to be reckoned with—on par with the mightiest of the Four Emperors.
"And… that's Tashigi, the 'Silent Swordsman' with a bounty of 850 million berries! A cadre of the Entei Pirates!" another Marine cried out, his voice tinged with panic.
The Marines couldn't comprehend why two of the most feared figures in the New World had appeared in East Blue. The Marine Colonel stationed in Logue Town stared at Nami and Tashigi with sheer terror. These were not opponents they could handle. Even a Marine Admiral would think twice before engaging these two in battle.
"Hey, hey… are you kidding me?! 3.5 billion berries?!!!" Sanji muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. Even his usual admiration for beautiful women was overshadowed by the sheer terror that gripped him. In East Blue, a bounty of 20 million berries was considered enormous. But 3.5 billion? That was a number reserved for monsters of unfathomable power.
This was no longer the simple world of East Blue. They were now entangled with forces that could reshape the very fate of the seas.
"Tashigi?"
Zoro's brow furrowed as he heard the name. His mind raced. Isn't that... Kuina? The resemblance was uncanny. But how could it be? Kuina had died before his eyes.
Could it be... just a resemblance? he wondered, a mix of confusion and sorrow stirring within him.
As Zoro grappled with his memories, Tashigi's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Excuse me, is your sword the Wado Ichimonji?" she asked, her tone respectful yet curious.
"Hmm? Yeah, that's right. It's Wado Ichimonji," Zoro replied, momentarily stunned. He glanced down at the sword in his hand, its gleaming blade a reminder of the promise he had made to Kuina. This sword wasn't just a weapon—it was a symbol of his vow to become the world's greatest swordsman, a vow made in honor of his fallen friend.
Tashigi's eyes sparkled with recognition. "It really is one of the twenty-one Great Grade swords, the Wado Ichimonji!" she exclaimed, her admiration for the legendary blade evident.
But Nami, standing beside her, gently redirected her focus. "Tashigi, we have business to attend to," she reminded, her gaze shifting to Luffy.
Luffy, sensing something familiar about Nami, though they had never met, couldn't shake the feeling that they shared a connection. He looked at her curiously, then his eyes widened as realization struck. "Are you Ace's crew members?" he shouted, recognizing the titles associated with Nami and Tashigi.
Despite his usual forgetfulness, the name of Ace's pirate group—the Entei Pirates—was etched deeply in Luffy's mind.
"Yes," Nami confirmed, her voice steady. "Ace asked us to give you something."
Before Luffy could respond, Smoker, who had been silently observing, suddenly erupted in fury. "Don't look down on me! Tashigi!!!" he roared, charging at them with a burst of anger.
Clang!
In an instant, Tashigi unsheathed her sword, meeting Smoker's attack head-on. The clash of metal echoed through the air.
"If you want to continue, Smoker, I won't show mercy," Tashigi warned, her voice cold and determined.
"Do I need your mercy?! Don't look down on me, Tashigi!" Smoker bellowed, his pride wounded.
Tashigi sighed, a look of resignation crossing her face. "Is that so?" she murmured, her gaze sharpening with resolve.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Tashigi's figure vanished, leaving the battlefield eerily silent.
Puff!
A deep slash appeared across Smoker's chest, blood spurting from the wound as he staggered backward. The attack had been swift, precise, and devastating.
The Marine Colonel, witnessing Smoker's sudden defeat, could barely contain his horror. "In the midst of killing and silence... this is the cadre of the Entei Pirates, the 'Silent Swordsman' Tashigi?!!!"
Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp stood frozen in shock, unable to comprehend how easily Tashigi had taken down Smoker.
"This... this woman's swordsmanship..." Zoro muttered, cold sweat forming on his brow. The speed, the power, the precision—it was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Ignoring Smoker, who lay bleeding on the ground, Nami turned her attention back to Luffy. A warm smile graced her lips. "Ace wanted me to give you something, Monkey D. Luffy," she said, her voice gentle yet firm.