In the war room of the Navy headquarters, the atmosphere was tense. The four highest-ranking members of the Navy were gathered around the large round table, with a world map laid out before them. The room was quiet except for the sound of a pen tapping on paper and the rustling of papers as they prepared to discuss the most urgent matter: the increasing influence of Smoker and the unexpected path of justice he was following.
Sengoku, the former Fleet Admiral now serving as the Marshal, sat at the head of the table. He looked at the gathered officers with a serious expression.
"Let's begin," Sengoku said in a firm voice. "Smoker's recent actions have made him a threat, not just to pirates but to us as well. We need to decide how to deal with him before things get out of control."
The three admirals were already seated, each displaying a different type of authority. Aokiji, the calm and reflective admiral, sat relaxed in his chair, arms crossed. Meanwhile, Kizaru, the indifferent and sarcastic admiral, fiddled with a lollipop, his eyes half-closed. And Akainu, the sharp and fiery admiral, clenched his hands together, his usual expression showing deep discontent.
"I don't trust him," Akainu said first, his deep voice resonating. "Smoker is dangerous. His methods are too extreme. The justice he promotes is no different from the pirates we fight. If we let him grow any further, it won't just be the pirates who suffer, we'll suffer too."
Sengoku nodded in agreement but remained calm. "I understand your concerns, Akainu, but we can't act in haste. Smoker is still loyal to the Navy, and while his actions are extreme, they've yielded results. He has wiped out entire pirate fleets on his own."
Kizaru, still playing with his lollipop, spoke with a smile despite his tone being filled with sarcasm. "Seems like he's making waves, huh? But I can't say I agree with Akainu. Smoker's methods aren't that different from ours. I've seen worse, and I think we should just let him do what he wants... as long as he stays under control. But we need to monitor him, right?"
Akainu shot Kizaru an angry glare. "Stay under control? If we let him continue down this path, there won't be a Navy left to control. He'll think he's above everyone. His justice is based on power, not reason. We can't allow this to go unchecked."
But Akainu paused for a moment before adding in a less intense tone, "However... the results he's achieved can't be denied. He's taken down pirate fleets efficiently. He's doing the work we've often failed to do."
Aokiji, who had been observing in silence, finally shifted in his seat and spoke in a calm and measured tone. "Smoker is not a simple case of black and white, Akainu. He believes in justice, even if his methods are harsh. But we've all been through tough battles, and we know the consequences of extreme actions. If we make the wrong move against him now, we risk pushing him away. If we don't handle this carefully, we could lose him as an ally, or worse — he could become an enemy."
Sengoku added, raising his hand to silence everyone. "We all understand the risks, but we also know that Smoker's influence is growing. He's no longer just fighting pirates; he's begun recruiting people within the Navy. His supporters are increasing."
The door to the room creaked open, and Vice Admiral Crane, Sengoku's right-hand and Deputy Chief of Staff, entered. She had been briefed on the situation and immediately took a seat at the table, her sharp eyes scanning the group.
"I've been closely monitoring his activities," Crane said in a calm but firm voice. "Smoker has built a strong network within the Navy. It's clear he's not just fighting pirates; he's gathering supporters. His influence is growing, not just in the New World but in the Grand Line as well."
Sengoku nodded. "Exactly. Smoker is attempting to reshape the Navy from the inside. If we don't take action, he may become a force we can no longer control."
"That's why I say we need to get rid of him now! Before things get worse. He's a threat to the entire balance of power!" Akainu slammed his fist on the table but kept silent after saying that.
Aokiji sighed and shook his head. "You always want to solve things with violence, Akainu. Smoker is still one of us, even if his methods are extreme. We need to deal with this carefully."
Crane glanced at Kizaru, then at Sengoku. "What do you think, Sengoku? Should we let Smoker operate as he is, or intervene directly?"
Sengoku thought for a moment, his eyes focused. "Smoker's methods may not align with our principles, but we can't deny his effectiveness. The question now is: Do we confront him and risk pushing him to become an even greater threat, or do we give him the freedom to continue, possibly turning into something we can't control?"
Crane added, "We need to think about the bigger picture. If we intervene now, it could cause a rift within the Navy. If we don't intervene, we risk Smoker's ideology becoming the new standard."
Kizaru smiled, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and indifference. "Seems like it's really complicated, huh? But I'd say let him continue doing what he's doing. If it gets out of hand, we'll deal with it. Until then, I'm happy watching him stir up some chaos."
Akainu's anger was clear. "You're not serious, Kizaru. This is a matter of life and death. We can't allow someone like him to continue unchecked!"
Sengoku stood up, raising his hands to calm the room. "Alright, I will make the final decision. Smoker will remain under surveillance. We'll allow him to continue his missions, but we'll have more oversight. If we notice any signs that he has gone out of control, we will intervene. But for now, we will keep him close and monitor what he does next."
The atmosphere was charged as the decision was made. Smoker was still a tool for the Navy, but his growing influence was becoming a cause for concern. The looming question was: How long could they control him before he became an unstoppable force?
The fate of the ad
miral was now in his hands.
— End of Chapter —