"Armament Haki!"
Smoker stared at Hawke's pitch-black arm, his face full of shock.
He was from the Headquarters Training Camp — this kind of power... he knew it all too well.
Armament Haki is a form of Haki that enhances one's defense and attack, and allows its user to strike at the flowing bodies of Logia-type Devil Fruit users.
It is one of the most effective means against Logia powers.
This ability, on the Grand Line, is nothing rare.
But... this is the East Blue!
The so-called weakest sea of them all!!!
Hawke...
This guy already had monstrous grip strength...
And he also possesses such refined, solid Armament Haki...
The color and density of this Haki is far beyond the level of a beginner...!
Is this man really just a Commander of the East Blue's 16th Branch?
Not some monster from Headquarters disguised as one?!
If every Commander in a branch had this kind of strength, the Marines would've conquered the entire sea long ago!
"..."
Tashigi was stunned as well, her lips slightly parted, her eyes wide behind her glasses.
Armament Haki?
Commander Hawke had mastered even the Armament Haki that many officers in Headquarters struggled to achieve?
And judging by Captain Smoker's reaction, the strength of this Armament Haki... was not low!
This... this was incredible...!
"..."
The sailors of the 16th Branch collectively gasped, then stood taller with pride.
They had known their Commander was strong...
But "Armament Haki" was something they'd only ever heard of in rumors.
That was a power only possessed by the elite of Headquarters!
And yet Commander Hawke had it too?!
In that instant, the way they looked at Hawke was beyond reverence.
It was a trust and pride bordering on fervor.
No wonder!
No wonder Commander Hawke had been able to take down the Fishman Arlong with a single punch!
To follow such a superior — it was an honor!
"Hiss—"
The sharp pain from his wrist made Smoker's face twitch.
His arm, in elemental form, felt pain drilled straight to the bone under the suppression of Armament Haki.
Forcing down the pain, he used his other free hand to slowly pull out a cigar from his chest pocket, offering it to Hawke.
"Want a taste?"
"A special supply cigar for Headquarters officers — strong stuff!"
Smoker took the initiative to show goodwill, hoping to end this humiliating stalemate.
"Thank you."
Hawke accepted politely, taking the cigar with his free hand and clenching it between his teeth.
But the strength in his grip did not ease in the slightest.
Steady, firm.
Heh—
Just one?
"..."
"Hiss—"
Smoker gasped again, feeling as if the bones in his wrist were groaning.
He quickly pulled out another cigar, handing it over.
"Two at once!"
"Thank you."
Hawke accepted the second cigar politely and held both between his teeth.
His pitch-black hand still gripped Smoker's without relaxing.
Hmm, the flavor in his mouth was indeed top-tier cigar.
But, Smoker...
You picked this fight, I was just countering passively.
And for the trouble fee and mental damages — just two cigars?
"..."
Smoker felt like his hand was about to be ruined.
Grinding his teeth, his face twisted in obvious pain, he finally pulled out an entire box of cigars and shoved them into Hawke's chest.
"Here, take it — the whole box is yours!"
"We're all Marine brothers here, don't be polite!"
"Much appreciated."
Hawke finally allowed a faint smile.
"These cigars are truly excellent!"
And with that, the force of his grip slightly loosened.
"..."
Smoker braced himself, staring at Hawke's "kind" smile, but it was like hearing the whisper of the devil.
This couldn't go on.
Everyone else was just watching the show...
The only one embarrassed and in pain was him!
"One box is too little — five boxes!"
He nearly ground the words out from his molars.
"I don't have that many on me right now. I'll have someone deliver them to you later!"
"Please, don't hold back!"
"Good brothers share blessings!"
Smoker's heart was bleeding!
Five boxes!
Five boxes of special supply cigars for Headquarters officers...
That was his entire monthly quota!
All because his hand was too quick, trying to teach someone a lesson...
And now?
This brat wasn't some branch Commander — he was a monster in a Commander's skin!
Losing wealth to avoid disaster... he could only swallow it!
"Smoker, my good friend."
Hawke finally released his grip, smiling.
"Many thanks."
He took the full box of cigars Smoker had given, weighed it in his hand with satisfaction, and tucked it into his coat.
Not bad, quite the harvest.
These were special supply cigars for Headquarters officers — impossible to find on the market.
Today, just through some "friendly" exchange between colleagues, he'd freeloaded five boxes.
Wonderful!
"Oooh—"
Smoker shook out his numbed, aching wrist, flexed his fingers, then pulled a lighter from his pocket.
Click.
He lit his own cigar first, taking a deep drag to steady his emotions.
Then he leaned over and lit the two cigars in Hawke's mouth.
"Fwooo—"
"Fwooo—"
In that moment, the two heavy smokers puffed away together, thick cigar smoke coiling and rising between them.
The sharp, hostile tension that had nearly turned to blows dissipated in an instant.
"Villagers, it's fine now!"
Hawke turned to the tense villagers behind him, his voice calm and firm.
"We're all Marines, brothers in arms. There was just a small misunderstanding — now it's cleared up."
"Return to the village. Leave everything here to us Marines."
"As for what Arlong has plundered all these years — once the branch tallies and sorts it, it will be returned to you immediately."
"Rest assured."
"..."
The villagers looked at Commander Hawke and the fierce-looking silver-haired Marine, who now seemed reconciled, and the worry faded from their faces, replaced with gratitude and relief.
As long as Commander Hawke was safe, everything would be alright.
"Good!"
"We trust Commander Hawke!"
"If Commander Hawke says it's fine, then it is!"
"Let's go, let's go! Don't crowd here and bother the Commander!"
"Go home! Spread the word that Arlong is dead, and start preparing a feast!"
"Go!"
The villagers chattered and slowly dispersed, heading back home.
"Fwoo—"
Smoker silently watched this scene.
He walked up to Hawke, his tone carrying goodwill.
"The death of a branch Captain isn't much on this sea."
"But at Headquarters, they'll most likely still send someone to investigate the situation, then decide how to handle it."
"Besides..."
Smoker pointed to the cold corpse of Nezumi not far away.
"See what fell from his chest?"
A strangely shaped Den Den Mushi lay quietly in the pool of blood.
"An emergency Den Den Mushi. Its line goes directly to Marineford."
"Headquarters may already know the situation."
"Defying authority, murdering a direct superior."
"No matter how damnable Nezumi was, once this charge sticks, you won't escape a military tribunal."
"Thanks for the reminder..."
Hawke turned his head, meeting Smoker's gaze.
"But Smoker, the times you've defied authority yourself?"
"They're not exactly few, are they?"
"???"
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