In the sight of the Navy soldiers, even Captain Smoker—who had fought only briefly—was overwheld by this white-clad pirate, unable to strike back.
The Marines behind him watched in dread. This smiling pirate was stronger than Smoker himself. Such monstrous power could only belong to soone with a bounty exceeding 100??million Berries.
Accustod to the quiet life of East Blue, the Marines began to consider retreat. One trembling with a saber spoke:
"Captain, we should withdraw to base first and report to Headquarters. They can dispatch reinforcents."
Smoker turned, his gaze cold. "You want
to retreat?"
The Marine stamred, fear in his eyes. Smoker's voice was low but unyielding:
"When have I ever fled? If you're truly scared, leave—but don't expect rcy."
The Marine's fear faltered but he stayed.
Shirogai Yamikuro smiled. "Now that you see the gap... you still won't leave?"
Smoker gripped his large jitte. "I stand for Loguetown's peace. Your arrival threatens that. Even at the cost of my life, I refuse to let a nace like you run free."
Shirogai's grin widened. "Your stance is admirable... but also na??ve. You're too weak, Smoker. Weakness is the original sin in battle. You can't protect others—or even yourself. Let
shatter your beliefs, crush your pride, and make you understand true despair. Only from its depths can real justice be born."
With that, Shirogai elentalized into black smoke once more. This ti the darkness sprawled skyward—snuffing out clouds and swallowing Loguetown's harbor in minutes.
The Marines gasped, panic setting in. Smoker, his cigar fla stark against the gloom, transford into white smoke and hovered overhead. "So this... is the true extent of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit."
On the ground, townsfolk peered skyward in confusion. No wind blew—yet darkness ruled. In a nearby weapons shop, Ippon??Matsu cursed the sudden pall over the heavens.
High above, Shirogai's voice bood like thunder:
"Smoker! Do you still have the will to challenge ? Show
your justice!"
A colossal black smoke palm, the Brahma Demonic Palm, ford and descended toward Smoker's drifting white smoke.
"Justice never retreats!" Smoker declared, charging into the palm. But Shirogai had coated it with Armant Haki.
"Even smoke can be covered with Armant Haki," Shirogai observed, amused.
Smoker reinforced his jitte with Armant Haki and struck—but his strength was insufficient. The palm brushed it away like a pest. He sprayed white smoke, darted around, striking above and below—it was futile.
(I'm not sure if Smoker has Armant or not. It's a beginner type Haki anyways.)
Eventually, Smoker resorted to shielding his Marines with his jitte, reinforced with Haki—but it was like a mayfly shaking a mountain.
His inner voice seethed with regret: If I hadn't chased this pirate... our n wouldn't suffer.
As the massive palm hovered over the stranded Marines—many now trapped and helpless—the blow was imminent... until Shirogai withdrew it, the darkness receding.
"I've shown you what the Smoke-Smoke Fruit can do," Shirogai said from the dispersing clouds. "Next ti we et, I hope you'll be strong enough to uphold your justice—strong enough to break through your enemies."
The light returned. anwhile, Shirogai had moved all crates from the dock onto the Going rry. A tendril of black smoke drifted toward the execution platform.
---
Execution Platform Plaza
Luffy was bound atop the platform, surrounded by chaos in the dimd plaza. Without torchlight, the audience couldn't see. Buggy stood ready, sword raised, red nose prominent.
"Straw Hat, you die here!" he cackled—until he sensed movent. Zoro and Sanji burst through Buggy's n.
Zoro slashed foes aside, eyes fixed on Luffy.
Sanji kicked Alvida Pirates out of his path, eyes on the platform.
Luffy looked at Zoro and Sanji, realization dawning: death awaited. Then he smiled wide. "Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Nami, Shirogai—sorry, I'm going to die."
Buggy raised his sword, ready to strike "Die, Straw Hat!"
But a flash of lightning tore the sky. Faster than that bolt, black smoke descended, coalescing on the platform.
Shirogai gripped Buggy's blade with his left hand, Armant Haki coursing through him, crushing it to splinters. Buggy dropped in shock.
[Host observed: User of the Chop Chop Fruit. Ability to split one's body at will.]
Shirogai turned upward, watching lightning crack. His right hand unsheathed the Sandai Kitetsu, cloaked in Armant Haki.
"One Sword Slash Lightning!"
A black sword-aura struck the bolt itself—cleaving it midair. It didn't dissipate but soared into the dark canopy, slicing a path of light.
A sliver of sky erged. Light bathed Shirogai, giving him an almost divine aura. The crowd gasped.
"We'll save Captain ourselves," he said with a confident smile.
---
Beco a patron to get access to 50
chapters in advance.
Patreon/Zphyr_
Reviews
All reviews (0)