After Renji Kai finished speaking, Smoker finally lost consciousness due to extreme weakness.
"Commander Smoker!"
The surrounding Marines, seeing their superior defeated, cried out in shock. However, intimidated by the strength of Renji and his companions, none dared to approach. They could only shout helplessly from a distance.
"Not going to kill this guy?"
At that moment, Crocodile raised his poisoned hook and asked.
"Why bother killing such a small fry? If word gets to the New World, those guys will just think we bully the weak," Renji replied indifferently.
In truth, he had no desire to kill Smoker unless it was absolutely necessary. Despite Smoker's strict and upright nature, he often overestimated his strength and got beaten half to death for it.
Besides, the Marine presence in the East Blue was already weak. If Renji took out a commanding officer here, the entire area would become a paradise for pirates—something Renji did not want.
He also had upcoming negotiations with the World Government and Marine Headquarters. Killing a Marine officer at this point would only strain relations and paint him as an enemy.
After careful consideration, he decided to spare Smoker.
"So, we're letting this guy go... does that mean we're letting all these small fries go too?" Crocodile asked, somewhat disappointed.
His reputation was already in shambles. Once a member of the Seven Warlords, he was now in an obscure pirate crew. He could imagine the other Warlords mocking him.
He had just taken down a Marine commander with a Logia Devil Fruit—even if just a branch captain, it was still something. If he could kill him personally, news would spread globally and he might regain some face.
"Leave them. I still have use for them," Renji said coldly, then walked over to the group of Marines.
The soldiers tensed immediately as Renji approached. Many of them were trembling visibly.
"Do something for me. Do it right, and Commander Smoker will be fine. Fail, and the entire Marine unit of Loguetown will share Roger's fate and be buried here forever," Renji said calmly and clearly.
His words sent a chilling silence over the scene.
No one doubted the seriousness or plausibility of his threat.
Finally, a middle-aged man who appeared to be the temporary leader of the Marines mustered his courage and said, "What do you want us to do? If it's something illegal or criminal, we'd rather die than obey."
Despite his fear, he wore the Marine uniform with pride. He would never submit to pirates just to survive.
"You bastard!"
Crocodile was about to lash out at the man's stubbornness, but Renji stopped him with a gesture.
"It's not too hard. You people wouldn't be able to handle anything big anyway. I just want you to find someone for me."
"Find someone? Who?" The man's tone softened slightly.
"His name is Bartolomeo. He's got bright green rooster-like hair, a tattoo under his right eye, wears a nose ring, looks like a demon, has a black wing-shaped tattoo across his chest, and wears a purple coat with a skull design on the back and plaid pants. He carries a short blade at his waist.
He also speaks with a regional accent and ends his sentences with 'bei'. His laugh is 'heh-hahaha.' If you see someone that strange, it's him."
Renji's description made the two men beside him exchange glances and frown—they clearly didn't know anyone like that.
Even Crocodile seemed unfamiliar with the name. That meant Bartolomeo wasn't a big shot, which made it puzzling that Renji would go to such lengths to find him.
"Do you want us to capture him and bring him to you?"
"Haha. You couldn't if you tried. Honestly, even Commander Smoker would struggle to land a hit on him.
Just deliver a message. I'll be staying in that tavern over there all day. If he doesn't come see me before midnight, he and his little gang won't live to see tomorrow's sunrise."
Renji narrowed his eyes as he spoke. His tone was calm, but his gaze carried dangerous weight.
The middle-aged man swallowed hard, then turned to the rest of the Marines and shouted, "Start searching the entire town—find that guy no matter what!"
"Yes, sir!"
The remaining Marines responded in unison and quickly scattered.
The commanding officer then rushed to help Smoker, lifting him from the ground.
Renji said nothing further and led the way into the nearby tavern.
The tavern owner had watched everything unfold and collapsed in fear as Renji approached.
"Why so scared? Hurry up and bring us your best food and drinks," Renji said, glaring briefly at him.
The owner immediately scrambled to prepare a feast, not daring to hesitate.