New World
After Shiro defeated Tashigi, Smoker, who had been promoted to Vice Admiral of the Navy's G-5 branch, followed closely behind. His first sentence, however, left Shiro slightly taken aback.
Did Smoker see through his god-level disguise?
Impossible.
"… What do you mean, Shiro? Is that the guy who destroyed Navy Headquarters?"
Shiro was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure. With his psychological resilience, it was naturally impossible for Smoker to expose him with a single sentence.
"Uh, I was just speaking casually. You don't need to worry. I get spooked when I see strange young devils. You're young and able to defeat Tashigi so easily. No wonder you have the guts to compete in the Navy Admiral selection."
It seemed like a harmless observation, and Smoker smoothly changed the subject. In reality, he had only mentioned it casually. After the war at Marineford, Smoker learned from Sengoku the Buddha that Shiro had quietly infiltrated Marineford, hidden among the ranks. He was the masked guy from back then.
And after learning this shocking truth, Smoker was so ashamed that he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in. After all, it was because of Shiro that the Navy Headquarters suffered such an unprecedented defeat in the war.
Marineford was in ruins, justice disgraced! All of this weighed heavily on Smoker, turning into an obsession. Whenever he saw someone suspicious, he subconsciously wondered, Could it be Shiro in disguise?
But the young man standing before him looked plain, with no trace of camouflage. There was no way it could be Shiro.
"This isn't something you should joke about, Vice Admiral. If it affects my chances of becoming an Admiral, there will be consequences."
Shiro crossed his arms, his expression indifferent with a touch of arrogance. Unlike Tashigi, there was no need for polite conversation with someone as direct as Smoker. A fight would settle it.
"The brats these days are really getting on my nerves. Even Shiro was only a Rear Admiral before he betrayed the Navy, and you think you can become an Admiral at your age?"
Smoker, cigar in hand, surrounded by lingering smoke, looked at Shiro with a mix of dissatisfaction and ridicule. There were too many self-righteous punks in the seas now. The Straw Hat crew, supernovas like Trafalgar Law and Eustass Kid—they'd all been causing havoc recently. And now, another kid who hadn't even fully matured wanted to compete for the title of Navy Admiral?
Did these people even understand the weight of being an Admiral, or challenging the Four Emperors of the New World?
Even Smoker, a Logia Devil Fruit user, was only a Vice Admiral of a Marine branch after the war, promoted through exceptional merit. And yet, this young upstart was acting as though he had already earned the title.
"If you don't like it, you can try me, Vice Admiral. Rest assured, when I become an Admiral, I won't make things hard for you."
Shiro's sneer dripped with sarcasm. He didn't truly disdain Smoker, but he didn't want the Vice Admiral to hold back either. That would be boring.
He still hadn't tested his god-level disguise and the abilities he'd gained in actual combat. Before challenging top players like Fujitora and Kizaru, Smoker would be a good test.
"Brat! You're courting death!"
Smoker erupted in anger. He was a Vice Admiral, a Logia user! To be disrespected by some upstart who had joined through conscription?
"Vice Admiral Smoker, be careful! He's a rare Three-Sword Style swordsman. If he knows Haki, he could cut you. Don't underestimate him!" Tashigi shouted from the sidelines.
Despite being reprimanded earlier, she had stayed to watch the fight, eager to grow stronger. From the way Shiro fought her earlier, she had sensed that he wasn't taking her seriously. This young man had another ability beyond his swordsmanship.
"Got it!" Smoker responded, activating his Devil Fruit powers. Smoke filled the entire test arena in an instant.
Three-Sword Style swordsman, huh?
Smoker thought to himself. His smoke powers, developed through years of training, could even interfere with the Kenbunshoku Haki to some extent. He could melt into the smoke, making it difficult for his opponent to find him.
After the war, Smoker had pushed himself to improve. His former comrade, Shiro, had grown so powerful that he stood toe to toe with the Four Emperors and the Admirals. If Smoker didn't keep progressing, how would he ever face his past?
"It looks like Smoker has improved," Shiro thought as he watched Smoker's battle tactics. Smoker's combat IQ and mastery of his fruit had certainly developed, but it still wasn't enough—not even close to being Shiro's opponent before the awakening of his system powers.
And now? Smoker didn't stand a chance.
"If you can last against me, then you might pass the test. But if you get beaten in a few moves, maybe try your luck registering as a Captain," Smoker taunted, hiding in the smoke. He held a Seastone-Nanashaku Jitte, looking for an opening.
But something felt off.
Shiro wasn't moving.
Has he given up?
Smoker couldn't predict what Shiro was planning, but he decided to strike first. Better to end the fight before anything strange happened.
Quickly, Smoker rushed in from behind, his weapon aimed at Shiro's back. But as he struck, Shiro still hadn't moved.
At the last moment, Shiro's body hardened with Armament Haki, just as Smoker's weapon made contact.
Clang!
A loud sound echoed through the arena, and Smoker's weapon bent as if it had hit solid steel. In the next instant, Smoker felt a heavy impact on his back.
Boom!
His body slammed into the ground, half-buried into the arena's surface.
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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg