One Piece Thundergod Marine

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"Vice Admiral, you called for me?"

Not long after Koby left, Smoker appeared at the courtyard door, wearing a jacket with no buttons, exposing his chest and a head of silver spiky hair, looking more like a gang leader than a Marine Rear Admiral, a cigar clenched between his teeth.

The "Rooster Head" General's private courtyard was significant not just in importance, as even those like Storno Belly, who rarely returned to Headquarters, had their own small courtyards in this area.

This was the Marine's recognition of their status and achievements, not just a show of surface-level honor; hence the area was moderately sized and not extravagant.

Beyond the gate lay the courtyard, and behind that was the main house, the overall structure easily visible.

So, when Smoker spoke and looked up, he met Zephyr's furious gaze.

Smoker: "…"

Cool!

It slipped Smoker's mind that he was in Zephyr's home while he was busy running back and forth.

"Smoker! Recite the Marine uniform regulations for me!" 

Zephyr slammed his hand on the table and fixed Smoker with an authoritative glare.

Silently taking the cigar from his mouth, Smoker innocently blinked at Rowen.

You called me for a reason, right? 

Then stop standing there and watching the show! 

"Cough cough, Sensei, I think that's not the main point right now."

"What do you mean it's not the main point?!" 

Before Rowen could finish speaking, Zephyr interrupted angrily. Then, looking at Smoker, he lamented, "I thought sending you to East Blue to hone your skills for a few years would help you rein in that bad temper, but looking at you now, I already know the outcome."

"…"

'You can't judge a book by its cover, old man! Haven't you heard that a warrior shouldn't be judged too harshly after a three-day absence?!'

Of course, Smoker didn't have the guts to say such things.

His bad temper was primarily directed at those officials and Marine scoundrels he couldn't stand. He wouldn't forgive himself for continuing to act that way toward Zephyr, an old veteran who had devoted himself to Marine.

Not to mention, he was also one of Zephyr's disciples!

Rowen gave him a sympathetic look before sitting down to continue drinking.

Leaving Smoker, who hadn't said a word after entering, to be bombarded by Zephyr, starting to question his life choices.

It was as if he had been possessed by Perona's negative ghost.

After a long while, once Zephyr was done venting, he indicated that they would leave it at that for today and continue the discussion another time.

Taking this opportunity, Rowen cleared his throat. "So, Smoker, uh? What did I want to find you for?!"

"…"

"Seriously, stop messing around!" Smoker's eyelids twitched furiously. "Did I just come here to get scolded?!"

'No, I really forgot! '

Rowen's expression turned serious, wondering if he had been affected by Sugar's Hobi Hobi no Mi (Toy Toy Fruit) again.

Fortunately, Orrick had not abused Sugar's abilities, as Zephyr raised an eyebrow and reminded him.

"That Shichibukai…"

"Right! Jinbe!"

Rowen suddenly realized, clapping his hands.

He then turned to Smoker and said, "Here's the thing: after learning the details of this war, the 'Sea Hero' Jinbe, who was supposed to come and assist in accordance with the Shichibukai treaty, has made some rather inappropriate demands to the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars)."

"Inappropriate demands?" 

Smoker blinked slightly, then his expression grew serious. "I understand."

"Sea Hero" Jinbe, that's not a strange name.

As the only Fish-Man among the "Oka Shichibukai," Jinbe, is known for his chivalrous ways and a sense of heroism and he is renowned across the Grand Line.

Had it not been for the later emergence of the "Benevolent Hero," "Fujitora" Issho, he would have been the sole standard for "heroes" at sea.

However, this very Jinbe was initially not much different from those "extreme Fish-Man Pacifista" who believed in racial superiority.

Just like Arlong, who enslaved Nami's hometown, Cocoyasi Village, and its surrounding villages.

It was under the influence of the "Great Hero" Fisher Tiger that Jinbe gradually let go of his hatred for humans, transforming into the chivalrous figure he is today, taking on the role of a Shichibukai and becoming a vital link between Fish-Man and humans.

During a certain period, right when the Age of Pirates was just beginning, Fish-Man Island owed a huge debt to Whitebeard!

"Due to the fact that he saved Fish-Man Island from the lawless zone back in the day, Jinbe has a deep admiration for Whitebeard. Even after becoming a Shichibukai, he has secretly helped Whitebeard multiple times to repay his debt."

Rowen handed Smoker a couple of high-quality cigars and said, "The requests he made this time are something the government absolutely cannot agree to. I believe Jinbe understands this as well; it's just an attempt to express that he won't participate in the war against Whitebeard."

"The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) are furious about this and have ordered us to capture him. Fleet Admiral Sengoku handed the mission to me, so I called you over."

So this is a mission passed down the chain like a hot potato?!

Smoker's mouth twitched, but he soon perked up. "Jinbe, huh? I've been wanting to have a real fight with a true master!"

Since he met Rowen and started working hard, Smoker believed his strength was already on par with those seasoned figures; he just hadn't had the chance to prove himself despite having great skills.

Now,

"No, it's precisely because it's unlikely to turn into a fight that I suggested Rowen give the mission to you."

Zephyr doused his enthusiasm with cold water: "With Jinbe's character, doing something that neither side benefits from, he must have had a plan in mind all along. He's willing to sacrifice his life to protect Fish-Man Island and prevent the Gorōsei from having an excuse to settle scores later."

"So this mission just requires you to go and talk to him. I believe he'll willingly allow himself to be imprisoned in Impel Down."

"Rowen doesn't want you to act as the Base Head for G-11 and work against him, does he? This misison is neither light nor heavy, but since it was directly ordered by the Gorōsei, it's perfect for boosting your record."

Smoker: "…"

'Give me back my enthusiasm!!!'

After all that, it's just a formal mission; I got all excited for nothing! 

Seemingly aware of his thoughts, Zephyr let out a cold laugh: "If it were a mission that truly required action, do you think I would suggest giving it to you?"

"Don't forget, your record at Headquarters is clearly written: you've been deployed thirteen times, beaten two senior officials, and caused damages totaling 10 Billion!"

Among the characters from Marine who are portrayed positively in the original story, Smoker's record is undoubtedly the worst, bar none.

Disobeying orders has become second nature.

He is clearly capable of coercion and persuasion, he insists on making arrests forcefully.

When a senior official had a problem with him, he beat the senior official up. When a senior official colluded with pirates, he beat the hell out of them.

Half-dead = disabled!

It's this "hopeless" Smoker who, despite waving the flag of being Zephyr's disciple, was still tossed to East Blue, the "weakest sea," akin to being exiled to the borderlands in ancient times.

Otherwise, just because he considered himself above the fray and despised the Headquarters' scoundrels, wanting to go to East Blue to live as a free spirit, it would be strange if Zephyr didn't arrange for him to understand that clearly! 

Smoker looked horrified.

'You remember such trivial matters so clearly?!'

"The Fleet Admiral is very busy, I'm also busy with being a dual Dictate. So don't waste this opportunity, Smoker. Don't you want to carry out your own justice in Marine? Then seize the chance to rise up!"

Rowen calmly reminded him.

Outside the Marines, he already had enough influence, but within the Marines, he didn't have many allies.

However, he wouldn't take just anyone as an ally.

To become his support, one's status couldn't be too low.

Upon hearing this, Smoker nodded seriously.

"I understand!"

To forge a path, one must be strong enough; without sufficient status, whether a Celestial Dragon or a Marine, no one would take him seriously.

"Just…"

Suddenly, Smoker blew out a smoke ring and chuckled, "In that case, the Shichibukai system is somewhat nominal!"

First, Kuma's betrayal, then Mihawk's downfall, and now Jinbe's breach of contract; three out of the seven are of no use to the government— almost half.

Rowen and Zephyr exchanged silent glances but said nothing.

In fact, it hardly has any significance left.

On levels Smoker couldn't reach, everyone knew that Fujitora and Law were also Rowen's allies.

The pirate Empress is far away in the Calm Belt, only supplying domestic resources and not caring about others. The West Blue's Don Sai is said to be a Shichibukai, but he's more of an arms dealer directly connected to the government.

So what's the point of having these Shichibukai? 

(End Of Chapter)