"You've gone against your superiors quite a few times yourself, haven't you?"
Hawke asked calmly, the meaning in his words crystal clear.
You, Smoker, haven't you clashed with superiors and ignored regulations more than once?
Did anything happen to you?
Did you end up in a military tribunal?
"..."
The corner of Smoker's cigar-holding mouth twitched.
How many times have I disobeyed my superiors?
Honestly... I've lost count.
Clashing with Headquarters top brass, pretending to obey orders while secretly defying them, even outright tossing assignments aside...
But I'm different...
First, I've never killed anyone.
Second, I'm Zephyr-sensei's student, Kuzan's friend, I've got backing...
"Heh—"
Smoker suddenly let out a low chuckle.
"No wonder..."
He understood.
Regulations?
In this chaotic sea, regulations are important, yes—but what's even more important?
Strength!!!
This kid in front of him, still so young, stationed in the weakest East Blue—
Yet he's already cultivated Armament Haki!
He felled Arlong, worth twenty million Belly, in a single punch!
Facing a talent like Hawke...
That old stubborn Sengoku might rage over rules being broken, but in the end, he'd still put the bigger picture first...
As long as Headquarters confirmed this kid's strength and value, the punishment would likely be more bark than bite.
He'd definitely be transferred out of East Blue, but the punishment itself? Probably nothing serious.
What's more...
An image surfaced in Smoker's mind without him willing it.
That man, radiating magma's heat, eyes cold as ice, who upheld "Absolute Justice" as his only creed—
One of the Navy's three Admirals, the strongest force in Headquarters—"Akainu" Sakazuki!
Admiral Akainu.
If he learned of this...
A young marine who despised evil, used ruthless methods, and possessed overwhelming strength.
Who cut down a corrupt superior colluding with pirates.
That would be...
Exactly to that Admiral's taste!
"Damn it!"
Smoker cursed inwardly.
Hawke, you brat—seems reckless and impulsive, killing your superior outright.
But in truth, you already understood the inner workings of the Navy perfectly?
Relying on your own overwhelming power, utterly fearless?!
"No wonder you're not worried in the slightest."
Smoker looked at Hawke's face, calm to the extreme from beginning to end, and muttered,
"Turns out you were prepared all along..."
"Hm..."
Hawke gave a faint smile, tacitly admitting it.
Navy regulations?
Of course he knew them.
Disobeying superiors—indeed, that crime isn't light.
But it was also a fact that Nezumi colluded with pirates, greedy and corrupt.
Balancing the two, Headquarters would never truly sacrifice a potential "rising star" just to preserve a rotten bug in the name of regulations.
His own value far outweighed what corrupt Nezumi could drag down.
"Alright, I get it now."
Smoker nodded, his gaze holding far more approval for Hawke.
So young, yet ruthless and terrifyingly strong.
And his attitude toward the people—impeccable.
He had clearly seen the villagers defend him earlier.
A marine who could win the people's hearts—that sat well with him.
As for his stance toward pirates and vermin...
Smoker didn't like those scum either.
"Time I got going."
Smoker blew out a smoke ring and turned to leave.
After two steps, he suddenly halted, turned his head to look at Hawke.
"Hawke, I'm curious."
"What is your 'Justice'?"
"My Justice?"
Hawke met Smoker's probing gaze, eyes narrowing slightly.
In his mind, the cold prompt of the [Justice System] still seemed to echo.
That ever-dwindling survival countdown, once the sword hanging over his head.
Justice?
At first, it was nothing more than the chips he traded for survival.
Killing evil, gaining Justice Points, exchanging them for more days of life—just to keep on living.
Nothing more.
But... these past six months...
The marine brothers he had fought side by side with—their grins when sharing spoils, the silhouettes that unhesitatingly shielded him in moments of danger...
The people who had everything stolen from them, then regained it—their eyes full of gratitude and cautious hope...
And just now, the unarmed villagers of Cocoyashi, forming a wall with their bodies, glaring angrily at a Headquarters Captain, only to protect their own...
When... those simple faces stood in front of him.
He had been deeply, profoundly moved.
"..."
The corners of Hawke's mouth lifted slightly.
His inner conviction had never been clearer or firmer.
"Justice of slaughter."
He spoke each word slowly, steadily, yet with force that rang like steel striking stone.
"My Justice is the Justice of slaughter!"
"With slaughter, I will eradicate every evil, root and stem!"
"With Justice, I will uphold all that is good!"
"..."
"Hahahahahahaha—"
Smoker was silent for a few seconds after hearing this, then burst into hearty laughter.
He gazed deeply at Hawke, as if to engrave this young yet already steel-forged face into memory.
The firmly determined face was etched into his memory.
After that, he said no more.
With the complicated expression on Tashigi's face and the Loguetown Marines behind him, Smoker turned and left the ruins of Arlong Park.
Watching Smoker's back as he departed, the Marines of the 16th Branch finally felt their tense nerves relax.
Many of them let out long sighs of relief, their backs already soaked in cold sweat.
Just now, they had truly been ready to clash head-on with a Headquarters Captain.
Fortunately... conflict had not broken out.
"..."
Hawke watched Smoker's group completely disappear from sight before slowly turning back.
"Dane."
"Here, Commander!"
"Clean up the site, make sure the corpses are properly dealt with."
"Notify branch logistics to tally up the treasure Arlong plundered as quickly as possible. Seventy percent of it is to be returned along the same route to Cocoyasi Village and the nearby islands' residents."
"The remaining twenty percent, distribute immediately among the brothers who participated in the operation."
"Yes, Commander!"
Lieutenant Commander Dane accepted the order and immediately turned to direct the soldiers into action.
Cleaning corpses, moving treasure...
All over the ruins of Arlong Park, the Marine soldiers began working busily and in perfect order.
"Huuh—"
Hawke lit a cigar, one of Smoker's "sponsored" ones.
He glanced at the system panel.
[Current Justice Points remaining: 3024.]
[Remaining survival days: 3650.]
Killing Arlong and Nezumi netted him 3000 Justice Points.
Not bad.
Next would be to wait for Headquarters' reaction.
Hopefully, nothing unexpected would happen...
...
"Whooosh—"
On the Marine warship that had left the waters of the 16th Branch.
Smoker stood at the bow, the sea breeze whipping his silver hair, the cloak on his back with the word "Justice" snapping in the wind.
He pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed directly.
"Burururu~"
"This is Marine Headquarters Communications Division, please state your identity and purpose."
"Headquarters Captain, Smoker."
"Reporting the death of East Blue 16th Branch Captain Nezumi."
"The details are as follows."
Smoker paused a moment.
"When I arrived at Cocoyasi Village, the scene was already a complete mess."
"Marine 16th Branch Captain Nezumi and the fish-man pirate Arlong, due to long-term cooperation and disputes over dirty money distribution, broke out in violent fighting."
"The traces of battle at the scene were obvious, with heavy casualties on both sides."
"In the end, Nezumi and Arlong destroyed each other, dying together."
"16th Branch Commander Rayne Hawke arrived promptly with his unit after the fighting ended."
"He quickly brought the situation under control and wiped out the remnants of the Arlong Pirates."
"He safeguarded the safety of local civilians in time and upheld Marine justice."
"Report complete."
"..."
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, there was silence for a while, as if they were digesting this report that was entirely different from the contents of the emergency call.
"Captain Smoker, this differs greatly from the urgent communication we received..."
"Shut up—!!!"
Smoker's tone grew heavier.
"This is what I saw with my own eyes!"
"Tell Kuzan!"
"What I saw—is the truth!!!"