After the topic of joining the Marines was set aside, Light and Smoker shifted their conversation to other matters.
Not long after, a Den Den Mushi rang.
Smoker took it out of his pocket, glanced at it, then stood up with a faintly apologetic look.
“Excuse me, Light, I…”
Light understood immediately.
“Looks like I’m interrupting your work.
I can step out for a walk if needed.”
They were inside a Marine base, after all.
Although Smoker did not distrust him, he had no intention of letting Light wander freely through the premises.
Smoker shook his head.
“No need.
You can stay here.
I’ll step outside to take the call.”
With that, he left the room and walked a short distance down the hallway.
He stopped near a window at the corner and answered the Den Den Mushi.
“Smoker?” came the voice of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Hearing that familiar voice, Smoker felt a trace of nostalgia, though his expression did not change.
“Yes, Fleet Admiral.”
At Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Sengoku sat in his office at the top of the Justice Fortress.
Documents were piled high on his desk as he handled them while speaking through the Den Den Mushi.
As Smoker’s voice reached him, Sengoku’s gaze softened slightly.
Smoker had once been a standout within the Marines.
He possessed both talent and a Logia-type ability.
By all logic, he should have remained at Marine Headquarters rather than being stationed in a quiet place like East Blue.
He had trained under Zephyr, maintained a close relationship with Kuzan, and was well known among figures such as Garp.
He had both ability and connections.
However, his personality was too rigid.
Smoker could not tolerate injustice.
Whenever he saw something wrong, he acted.
Marineford, however, was entangled with the World Government, and its internal politics often strayed far from the ideal of justice.
There were many things Smoker could not accept.
Because of this, his career had been unstable.
He would earn merit and rise, only to be demoted again after clashing with authority.
Over time, he became known as a troublemaker within Marine Headquarters.
In the end, Sengoku transferred him to Loguetown in East Blue, assigning him as a base commander.
At that point, with some adjustment in his attitude, Smoker could be brought back and prepared for greater responsibility.
But Smoker proved stubborn.
After arriving in East Blue, he settled in without complaint, never once requesting a transfer.
He remained there, holding to his own sense of justice.
Sengoku returned his focus to the present.
“I’ve received a report,” he said.
“The individual who eliminated a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates has appeared in Loguetown.
Is that correct?”
“Yes,” Smoker replied.
“Are you certain?”
Smoker considered briefly.
“There shouldn’t be any mistake.
He came to claim the bounty for Thatch.
His appearance matches the portrait released by the Whitebeard Pirates.
However, the rumor about a spatial ability is incorrect.
He is a Logia user, specifically the Dark-Dark Fruit.
According to him, he obtained it from the Whitebeard Pirates.”
“A Logia user…” Sengoku paused, then continued, “What is your assessment of him?
Is he suitable for recruitment?”
Smoker exhaled lightly.
“His name is Light.
He works as a pirate hunter.
I’ve already discussed the matter with him.
He holds a favorable view of the Marines, but he has no intention of joining at the moment.
He is twenty years old and wants to experience more of the sea.
He said he might consider joining in a couple of years.”
“I see.
That is unfortunate,” Sengoku said.
The remark carried little weight.
As Fleet Admiral, Sengoku would not normally concern himself with someone like Light.
However, the involvement of the Whitebeard Pirates made the situation different.
After a moment of thought, Sengoku spoke again.
“In that case, extend our goodwill.
If he has any reasonable requests, fulfill them within your authority.
Let him understand that the Marines value him.
It may influence his future decisions and reduce the chance of him straying onto the wrong path.”
“Understood.”
After addressing Light’s matter, Sengoku hesitated before bringing up another topic.
“Marine Headquarters is preparing for a new round of personnel adjustments.
As for you in East Blue…”
“No need,” Smoker interrupted, frowning slightly.
“I’m doing fine here.”
Sengoku fell silent for a moment.
“Are you certain?”
“I am.
At least here, I can follow my own sense of justice.”
Sengoku let out a quiet breath.
“Very well.”
The call ended.
Smoker lowered the Den Den Mushi and took a long drag from his cigar.
Smoke filled the air, briefly obscuring his expression.
After a moment, he composed himself and returned to the room as if nothing had happened.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said.
In his hands were four suitcases, three large and one smaller.
He set them down on the table.
“Your bounty.
362,200,000 Berries.
Do you want to check it?”
Light glanced at the cases and smiled.
“No need.
I trust the Marines.”
As he spoke, he extended his hand.
A swirl of darkness emerged and spread over the suitcases.
In an instant, all four were swallowed into the void.
The Dark-Dark Fruit was extremely convenient for storage.
Smoker showed no reaction.
He tapped ash from his cigar and continued, “In recognition of your actions, the Marines are willing to offer assistance within our capabilities.
If you have any requests, you can state them.”
Light’s eyes sharpened slightly, interest flashing across them.
“If that’s the case,” he said, leaning forward just a bit, “then I won’t hold back.”