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Seeing a mere Marine Captain wielding a Logia-type Devil Fruit surprised Alex.
"A Logia user… and he's just a Captain? Strange."
Crocodile scoffed.
"You want me to fight him?
You think a backwater Captain is worth my time?"
The difference between a Marine Headquarters Captain and a Four Seas Branch Captain was vast—both in rank and power.
A branch Captain, when transferred to Marineford, would only hold the rank of Lieutenant.
Their gap spanned several ranks.
Of course, if it was a Grand Line branch, that was different.
Grand Line branches reported directly to Marine Headquarters, with Vice Admiral as their highest rank.
Coincidentally, Smoker would eventually become a G-5 Vice Admiral.
But right now?
He was just an unknown branch Captain.
No wonder Crocodile looked down on him.
Crocodile was a notorious pirate, so powerful that the World Government had no choice but to recruit him as a Warlord.
Had Alex not interfered, Crocodile would still be enjoying himself in Alabasta.
Alex smirked.
"Don't underestimate him.
His strength is around a Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral level."
Crocodile sneered.
"Vice Admiral? Pfft, they're nothing."
He flicked his coat dramatically.
Then, he lit a cigar and strode forward.
Coincidentally, Smoker was also a heavy smoker.
His very Devil Fruit revolved around smoke.
As Crocodile walked up, Smoker casually pulled out a cigar and lit it.
The surrounding Marines froze.
They all recognized the man approaching them.
A Warlord of the Sea.
Crocodile.
Whispers spread among the ranks.
Then—
Crocodile stopped in front of them.
Smoker stepped forward.
He pointed at Alex.
"So, Crocodile…
Are you his lapdog now?"
Crocodile's eyes narrowed.
His expression darkened.
"Watch your mouth, Captain.
A mere branch Marine has no right to question me.
Even your Fleet Admiral speaks to me with respect."
Smoker chuckled coldly.
"Respect?
Your 'respect' comes from being a Government dog.
A so-called Warlord, reduced to a henchman.
Pathetic.
At least I answer to no one."
Crocodile exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Enough talk.
Since we're both Logia users, let's see your Haki.
Show me if a branch Captain is worth anything."
As he spoke—
A crimson aura erupted around Crocodile.
A manifestation of Armament Haki—Coating.
Armament Haki had four stages:
1. Hardening – A basic defensive and offensive reinforcement.
2. Coating – Wrapping Haki around a weapon or body.
3. Emission – Releasing Haki as a shockwave.
4. Internal Destruction – Bypassing defenses to attack internally.
A stronger Haki user could overpower another, even if both were at the same level.
Crocodile's deep crimson aura indicated his Haki's strength.
Smoker's eyes sharpened.
Without hesitation, he coated his Jitte—a weapon embedded with Seastone—in Armament Haki.
His Haki was lighter in color.
Many believed darker Haki meant stronger power.
Crocodile smirked.
"Hah… your Haki is weak."
Then—
He lunged.
Smoker bellowed.
"Stand down! Do not interfere!"
The Marines had no intention of interfering anyway.
They were terrified.
In an instant—
Crocodile's poisoned hook clashed against Smoker's Jitte.
BOOM!
A powerful Haki shockwave erupted.
Both men skidded backward from the impact.
But—
Smoker was pushed farther.