DXD: The Awakening Of Phenex

Loguetown

The orange glow of the setting sun streamed through the window of the Marine outpost in Loguetown, casting a warm light across Smoker's office. Sitting in his chair, he bore the visible signs of a recent confrontation: bandages covering wounds and an expression that mixed frustration and exhaustion. The heavy aroma of cigars filled the room as he gripped the Den Den Mushi firmly in his hands.

"Sengoku, this is Smoker. Reporting the situation in Loguetown," he began, his voice hoarse and marked by weariness. The Den Den Mushi mirrored his irritated expression, its eyes blinking in sync with the captain's words.

"Proceed, Smoker," Sengoku responded with his usual authority. His grave tone, however, carried a note of impatience.

"We managed to capture Buggy the Clown. He's in custody and will be transferred to Impel Down. However, the situation was more complicated than we anticipated," Smoker continued, pausing to adjust his tone. "A pirate named Monkey D. Luffy was responsible for defeating Buggy during the chaos in the central square. He escaped before we had the chance to detain him."

A sudden laugh echoed through the Den Den Mushi, interrupting the report. Garp, on the other end of the line, let out a booming laugh. "That's my grandson! Always stirring up trouble! Gurararara!"

"Garp, be quiet!" Sengoku ordered, slamming his desk. The irritation in his voice was palpable. "This is a serious matter. If you have nothing useful to say, stay silent."

Garp just laughed again, ignoring the reprimand. "I can't help it, Sengoku. That boy has the blood of a true D!"

Sengoku sighed deeply before turning his attention back to Smoker. "Continue."

Smoker narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed by the interruption. "There was another element in the conflict: Riser. He demonstrated abilities beyond anything I've faced before. He's extremely dangerous."

"Riser?" Sengoku repeated, his voice suddenly more attentive. "The pirate recently associated with Buggy?"

"Yes," Smoker confirmed. "But he's not aligned with Buggy. He seems to have joined the Straw Hat crew. During our confrontation, he neutralized my smoke with an unusual technique and easily took my jitte."

Sengoku remained silent for a moment, clearly pondering the situation. Finally, he asked, "What are Riser's objectives with the Straw Hat crew?"

Smoker frowned, reflecting. "We don't know yet. But he's calculating and strategic, unlike the other crew members. His presence makes Luffy considerably more dangerous."

"This complicates things," Sengoku admitted, his voice grave. "Riser is a variable we cannot ignore. We must intensify our efforts to capture and neutralize him."

"I suggest we immediately increase the bounties for Luffy and Riser," Smoker continued, his voice filled with determination. "Riser is already a growing threat, and Luffy could be the missing element to make them even more dangerous."

"I agree," Sengoku replied after a moment of reflection. "Luffy will receive his first bounty of 80 million Berries. As for Riser, his bounty will be raised to 50 million. This will ensure bounty hunters and other pirates are on high alert."

"And what about me?" Smoker asked, leaning forward slightly. "I want to continue pursuing the Straw Hats. I can't ignore what happened in Loguetown. I need to be the one to capture them."

Sengoku pondered for a moment before responding. "Very well, Smoker. You are authorized to follow Luffy and his crew. However, you won't do it alone. I'll assign someone to support you."

"Who will the reinforcement be?" Smoker asked, his expression hardening.

"I'll send Hina to assist you. She's capable and experienced enough to handle situations like this," Sengoku declared, his voice filled with authority. "Together, you'll have a better chance of stopping this group before they reach the Grand Line."

Smoker clenched his fists but nodded. "Understood. I'll make sure there are no failures this time."

The Den Den Mushi clicked off, leaving Smoker alone in his office, enveloped in cigar smoke. He massaged his forehead, trying to ease the throbbing pain lingering from the battle.

"Luffy, Riser... You can run, but you won't escape for long," he murmured, rising with difficulty and walking to the window. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and red, promising a new day filled with challenges ahead.

...

Going Merry

"Sanji! I want meat now!" Luffy shouted, stomping his feet on the deck like an impatient child.

"I'm on it, Captain," Sanji replied, lighting a cigarette as he balanced a tray full of food. "But if you keep yelling, I'll take longer." He walked gracefully, completely ignoring the commotion around him.

"Hey, who's that over there?" Zoro asked, pointing with his sword at Alvida, who was leaning against the railing, gazing at the horizon with an indifferent look. Her presence, though silent, exuded an aura of authority and mystery.

"That's Alvida," Riser replied, not turning his gaze. "She'll be with us from now on."

"What?" Luffy shouted, spinning around abruptly. "That's Alvida? No way! She was... fat!"

Alvida shot Luffy a cold glare, crossing her arms. "I've changed, Straw Hat. And I suggest you leave the past behind."

Sanji, completely unfazed by the tension in the air, approached with a charming smile. "Alvida-san, it's a pleasure to have you aboard. If you need anything, anything at all, just call."

"Stay away from me," Alvida replied disdainfully, turning to Riser.

Sanji froze, clearly offended.

Nami joined the conversation, crossing her arms with an ironic smile. "Before you start complaining, Sanji, you should know it was Alvida who saved us from the Marines in Loguetown."

"It's true," Usopp added, still catching his breath. "She appeared out of nowhere and got us out of that mess. We wouldn't be here without her."

Luffy, still suspicious, scratched his head. "So... you helped us? Why?"

"Because it was Riser's order," Alvida replied firmly.

Luffy stood still for a moment, trying to process the information. He frowned, as if trying to connect the dots, but soon gave up, his expression returning to his usual carefree smile. "Ah, whatever. Sanji, where's the meat? I'm hungry!"

Sanji rolled his eyes but quickly brought the plate, placing it before Luffy with a theatrical touch. "Here it is, Captain. I hope you enjoy it."

Luffy grinned ear to ear, grabbing a large piece of meat and biting into it enthusiastically. "This is amazing, Sanji! You're the best cook ever!"

As he devoured the food, Luffy picked his nose without any shame. "What do you think, Usopp?" he said, flinging the booger at his friend without warning.

SPLAT!

"Luffy! That's disgusting!" Usopp shouted, wiping his face with a cloth. His expression quickly shifted from surprise to anger. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"

Nami put her hands to her face, visibly annoyed. "Luffy, you're unbearable! Someone needs to teach him some manners."

"That's absolutely revolting," Alvida commented, crossing her arms as she shot Luffy a disapproving look. "If this is what you call a captain, I'm reconsidering my choices."

Luffy, however, seemed oblivious to everyone's reaction, continuing to eat as if nothing had happened. "Relax, Usopp. It's just a joke!"

"A joke? I'll show you what a joke is!" Usopp shouted, grabbing a bucket of water nearby and throwing it at Luffy.

SPLASH!

Luffy was drenched but laughed as if he'd just heard a great joke. "Good one, Usopp! You're getting better at attacking!"

Usopp crossed his arms, huffing in frustration. "You're impossible, Luffy."

Riser watched the scene from a distance, an enigmatic smile on his face. "You're a peculiar group... But maybe that's exactly what makes you unique."

Sanji, returning from the kitchen, lit another cigarette as he glanced at the now-wet deck. "Peculiar doesn't even cover half of what we are. But somehow, we always keep moving forward."

"And we'd better keep it that way," Nami said, pointing to the horizon. "The Grand Line won't wait for us."

Luffy jumped from his chair, raising his fists in the air. "That's right! Let's go to the Grand Line!"

...

Marine Headquarters

"Garp! Explain yourself now! How could you let your grandson become a pirate?!" Sengoku roared, his voice reverberating through the imposing hall of Marine Headquarters. He was visibly furious, slamming his hand on the desk as he glared at Garp with a mix of frustration and disbelief.

"Hahahahaha!" Garp's laughter filled the room, echoing with a lightness that contrasted sharply with the seriousness of the situation. He threw his head back, slapping the table as if he'd just heard the best joke in the world. "Do you really think I have control over that brat? He's always been as free as the wind!"

"This is no laughing matter, Garp!" Sengoku shouted, his face turning red with anger. "We're talking about Monkey D. Luffy, your grandson, the man who declared he's going to become the Pirate King! Do you have any idea of the shame this brings to the Marines?"

Garp stopped laughing for a moment, scratching his chin as he looked at the ceiling. "Well, at least he has ambition. You can't deny that."

"Ambition?" Sengoku clenched his fists, almost trembling with frustration. "He's traveling with Riser! A man associated with Buggy, who brutally destroyed the 16th Marine Division! Do you think that's something to laugh about?"

Garp remained silent for a few seconds, his smile slowly fading. He crossed his arms, adopting a serious posture. "Riser, huh? I've heard of him... a dangerous man. If Luffy's with him, it means he's entered even deeper waters."

"This is unacceptable, Garp!" Sengoku continued, slamming the desk again. "You need to do something about this!"

Garp sighed deeply, resting his elbows on the table and intertwining his fingers. "Sengoku, I've always believed everyone should walk their own path. Luffy chose his. I'm not going to interfere."

"This isn't about philosophy, Garp! It's about duty and loyalty!" Sengoku said, pointing a finger at him. "If you do nothing, the Marines will act. And there will be no mercy."

Silence filled the room for a moment, the tension between the two men reaching its peak. Finally, Garp stood up, adjusting his uniform with a calm motion. "You do what you have to do, Sengoku. But remember, Luffy is stronger than you think. And he'll never be tamed by anyone."

With that, Garp left the room, leaving Sengoku alone to contemplate the implications of his old friend's choices. As the doors closed, the silence in the hall felt heavier than ever.

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