The boss sighed helplessly, then, with trembling hands, retrieved a bottle of dark brown rum from the liquor cabinet and placed it in front of Cheng Xiaoyu.
"Captain Roger liked this kind," he said, "claiming it reminded him of home."
As soon as Cheng Xiaoyu twisted open the cap, a rich aroma of alcohol wafted out.
He took a small sip, and a spicy flavor exploded on his tongue, then transformed into a warm current that spread throughout his body.
"Not bad," he nodded in approval; although he didn't like to drink, the taste was something he could immediately perceive.
Just then, the wooden door of the pub was pushed open again, and a thick cloud of smoke poured in, causing Cheng Xiaoyu to cough a few times.
As the smoke cleared, a tall man clutching two cigars was revealed: it was Marine Captain Smoker.
"Boss, two rums!" Smoker bellowed gruffly.
"Sorry, no service. I'm already planning to close up and retire."
"You sure pick your days, do you have to retire today? I don't believe it." Smoker raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the boss's excuse.
"When you get old, retiring is normal, isn't it?" the boss spread his hands helplessly. "Thanks to you, there's no point in me staying open."
Ever since Smoker was stationed in Loguetown, pirates had avoided the area, and his business had plummeted.
Smoker didn't care about any of that; he simply used his smoke to snatch a bottle of rum from the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass.
He glanced at Cheng Xiaoyu next to him and asked, "You, kid, you're a pirate, aren't you?"
Cheng Xiaoyu didn't have much aversion to the Marine in front of him; in fact, he admired Smoker's personality.
He had considered whether to turn him into his shadow, but ultimately decided against it; this person would be useful later.
"What if I am?" Cheng Xiaoyu replied blandly.
Smoker pushed the other glass of rum towards Cheng Xiaoyu. "Drink up and come with me. I really admire you pirates, daring to come here knowing how dangerous it is."
Cheng Xiaoyu gulped down the rum in one go. "Wow, refreshing! Boss, can I buy all your stock?"
Then, he pulled out 1 million Berries and slapped them onto the bar. Having money made him willful.
1 million Berries was already the bounty for many minor pirates.
Seeing Cheng Xiaoyu's generous spending, Smoker began to suspect his identity. "Who are you?"
"Cheng Xiaoyu."
Smoker heard that name and instantly exploded!
A person's name is like a tree's shadow; Cheng Xiaoyu, Captain of the Shadow Pirates, a pirate rookie with a 60 million Berries bounty!
"Those pirate ships at the dock, were they all your doing?!"
Cheng Xiaoyu looked indifferent. "So what if they were? Didn't I just help you complete your mission?"
"Not all pirates deserve to die; they should be arrested and brought to justice! What do you take us Marines for?!" Smoker roared.
"What you Marines do has nothing to do with me…"
"You're asking for death!" As smart as Smoker was, he couldn't stand being openly mocked like this. Smoke surged out from his body like a beast unleashed, instantly engulfing the entire pub.
Cheng Xiaoyu waved his hand impatiently. "If you want to fight, go outside. Don't ruin the good wine here."
He picked up his glass and slowly finished the remaining rum, as if completely unconcerned by the swirling smoke around him.
"This wine is quite strong, but it's a pity it doesn't have much of an aftertaste. Just like you, it peaks at the start and then loses its punch."
The two came out of the pub.
Smoker stood in the center of the street, arms crossed, with large amounts of smoke pouring from around his body, swirling and coiling like snakes.
He clenched his cigar and sneered, "To deal with an arrogant and presumptuous pirate like you! If I don't take you in today, I'll truly be unworthy of this cloak of justice!"
"Justice?" Cheng Xiaoyu scoffed. "Justice can only be achieved with strength; otherwise, it's not worth mentioning."
Before he finished speaking, Smoker had already gathered his strength and moved. His body transformed into solid smoke and rushed forward, heading straight for Cheng Xiaoyu's face.
The speed of the smoke was terrifying, almost instantly closing in.
With such speed, it was no wonder Luffy was tormented by him at this stage.
Cheng Xiaoyu snorted coldly, his foot tapped, and his figure, like a swift ghost, slid sideways, evading the attack.
This was precisely the new move he had devised these past few days, named Ghost Shadow Step!
Seeing this, Smoker's smoke suddenly contracted, then lunged at Cheng Xiaoyu. This move had an extremely wide range, like the sharp claws of a giant beast swinging down, bringing with it a suffocating sense of oppression.
Cheng Xiaoyu's eyes narrowed slightly, and a dark glint flashed in their depths.
He raised his hand, and a wisp of dark shadow, like a living creature, flowed out from his sleeve, instantly covering the ground, as if transforming the street into a deep sea.
The corners of his mouth curled upwards. "Since you're so eager to fight, I'll indulge you."
Smoke and shadows collided in the center of the street!
In just a few breaths, the violent force caused roof tiles to fall, and several hideous cracks appeared on the ground.
The air on the street was completely suppressed and became stagnant by their auras; all shouts and fleeing sounds became background noise.
Smoker, wielding his Jitte, weaved through the smoke, each move fierce.
But Cheng Xiaoyu remained completely unperturbed, forming a Shadow Dagger in his hand to meet the Jitte, firmly blocking it.
"You've got some skills," Cheng Xiaoyu chuckled, his voice still clear amidst the clash's reverberations. "But that's all."
Smoker frowned; only then did he realize that his smoke was being eroded little by little.
Those black shadows tightly coiled, like venomous snakes, devouring his smoke completely.
"It's not over yet!"
Smoker roared, his entire body's smoke surged, and he stomped his foot, charging towards Cheng Xiaoyu. The tip of his Jitte suddenly transformed into a hook blade, aimed directly at his opponent's head.
However, the moment Smoker closed in, Cheng Xiaoyu suddenly shifted sideways, and the Shadow Dagger collided with the Jitte, producing a piercing shriek.
Then, Cheng Xiaoyu stood calmly within the smoke, his fist clenched, its surface covered in a layer of pitch-black Armament Haki.
To deal with Logia Devil Fruit users, using Armament Haki is the best option.
Smoker was greatly alarmed; he didn't even have time to dodge before Cheng Xiaoyu's powerful punch landed squarely on his chest!
His body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, creating a deep crater in the ground.
The smoke gradually dissipated. Smoker struggled to get up, but the sharp pain in his chest made his movements as sluggish as a discarded doll.
He looked up, his eyes filled with unwillingness and shock.
He was a Marine Captain, yet he had been defeated by a rookie!
"How is this possible… h-this is impossible…"
At this stage, Smoker relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit ability and physical talent, and his cultivation and application of Haki were insufficient, which was the main reason for his defeat against Cheng Xiaoyu.
Cheng Xiaoyu slowly approached, looking down at him from above. "If you're weak, you need to practice more. Smoke less often."
With that, he turned and walked towards the pub.
"Why don't you kill me?!" Smoker gritted his teeth.
Cheng Xiaoyu gave a cold laugh. "Sigh, I told you, don't make a fuss. I'm here to buy wine. Why bother yourself like this? Aren't you tired?"