After his victory over the Red Phantom Pirates, Smoker barely had any time to rest. He had just returned to the Marine base when an urgent order from headquarters arrived.
"White Beast, report to the Fleet Admiral's office immediately."
That single sentence was enough to make him feel uneasy. Smoker was not the type who enjoyed dealing with superiors, but he had no choice.
He arrived at Marineford aboard a fast ship, his steps heavy as he walked through the long corridors of headquarters.
Finally, he stood before the massive door of the Fleet Admiral's office.
He knocked. After a brief moment, a deep, commanding voice responded:
"Enter."
Smoker pushed the door open and stepped into the spacious room.
Inside, a massive man sat behind an equally massive wooden desk. His body seemed as if it had been carved from stone, and a deep scar ran across his right eye.
Marshal "Iron Force"—the current Fleet Admiral, the man who wielded unparalleled authority within the Marines.
He regarded Smoker with cold eyes before slowly lifting a cup of tea and taking a measured sip.
"Smoker… I hear you've been stirring up some trouble in the East Blue recently."
Smoker showed no reaction, simply standing in silence, observing the admiral.
"You took down the Red Phantom Pirates, stopped Rex, and now you're causing your superiors another headache."
Marshal rested his elbows on the desk, intertwining his fingers in front of him.
"Tell me… how far are you willing to go in your pursuit of justice?"
Smoker narrowed his eyes before answering in a calm yet firm voice:
"As far as necessary."
Marshal smirked sl
ightly, though it was far from a warmsmile.
"That's what concerns me."
Then, he tossed a folder onto the desk.
"These are your new orders."
Smoker picked up the file and skimmed through it quickly.
His eyebrows raised slightly.
"This…?"
"A special assignment," Marshal interrupted. "We need you to investigate the movements of a dangerous organization operating within the New World."
"The Black Shadow Organization."
Smoker didn't react outwardly, but he had heard the name before. A secretive group that worked from the shadows—no one knew their leader, but they had considerable influence among pirates… and even some corrupt Marines.
Marshal continued:
"We can't allow them to continue unchecked, but we don't know who's truly pulling the strings. That's why… I need you to find the answer."
Smoker closed the file slowly, his gaze locking onto the Fleet Admiral.
"And if I find them?"
Marshal let out a low chuckle.
"Do what you do best."
Smoker remained silent for a moment before turning and heading for the door.
But just as he reached it, Marshal spoke again:
"Smoker… don't let justice blind you."
Smoker paused for a brief second before walking out without a word.
He knew this mission wouldn't be easy.
But he wasn't the type to
run from a challenge.
— End of Chapter —