"Armament Haki."
Smoker stared at the jet-black coating on Hawk's arm, shock written across his face.
He was trained at Marine Headquarters; he knew this power too well.
Armament Haki strengthened defense and offense, and it could seize hold of a Logia user's elemental body.
It was one of the most effective ways to deal with Logia types like him.
On the Grand Line this power wasn't rare.
But this was the East Blue—called the weakest of the seas.
Hawk…
The guy's grip strength was terrifying to begin with…
And he had such crisp, dense Armament Haki…
That depth of color and hardness was nowhere near beginner level.
Damn it, was this really a lieutenant colonel from the 16th Branch of the East Blue?
Not some Headquarters monster in disguise?
If every branch lieutenant colonel were this strong, the Navy would have conquered the whole sea already.
Tashigi was frozen too, lips parted, her eyes huge behind the lenses.
Armament Haki?
Lieutenant Colonel Hawk had mastered Armament Haki that even many Headquarters field officers struggled to attain.
And judging by Colonel Smoker's reaction, its strength wasn't low.
It was… incredible.
The 16th Branch marines collectively sucked in a breath, then squared their shoulders even higher.
They knew their lieutenant colonel was strong…
But Armament Haki was a word they'd only heard in rumors.
That was power reserved for the Headquarters elite.
Lieutenant Colonel Hawk had it too?
Their eyes on Hawk were no longer just reverent.
They burned with near-fervent trust and pride.
No wonder.
No wonder the lieutenant colonel could one-shot the fish-man Arlong.
To follow such a commander was a point of honor.
A lance of pain shot from Smoker's wrist and twitched the muscles of his face.
His elemental arm, suppressed under the black Haki, hurt straight to the bone.
Grinding his teeth, he used his free hand to pull a cigar from his chest and offered it to Hawk.
"Try one."
"Headquarters field-officer issue. Strong."
It was an olive branch—and a step down from an embarrassing posture.
"Thank you."
Hawk accepted politely and took the cigar with his free hand, clamping it between his teeth.
But the hand gripping Smoker's wrist never eased.
Steady, solid.
Heh—
One?
Smoker hissed and drew in a sharp breath; it felt like his wrist bones were groaning.
He pulled out a second cigar and handed it over.
"Two at once—hits harder."
"Thanks."
Hawk took the second cigar and held both between his lips.
His blackened hand kept its grip.
The taste in his mouth was indeed top-tier.
But, Smoker—
You picked this fight; I'm only giving a passive response.
The cost of action and damages—only worth two cigars?
Smoker felt his hand going numb and useless.
With a pained look he yanked out an entire box of cigars and shoved it into Hawk's arms.
"Here. Take it. The whole box."
"We're all Navy brothers. Don't be shy."
"Much appreciated."
Hawk finally smiled. "They are excellent cigars."
His grip loosened—just a hair.
Smoker steeled himself. That "kind" smile looked like the devil whispering in his ear.
He couldn't keep locking up like this.
Everyone else was watching the show…
And the one hurting, the one losing face, was him.
"One box is too little. Five boxes."
He all but ground it out between his molars.
"I'm not carrying that many. I'll have someone deliver them later."
"Don't be shy."
"Good brothers share the good stuff."
Smoker's heart bled.
Five boxes.
Five boxes of Headquarters field-officer issue cigars—
His entire monthly allotment.
All because he couldn't keep his hands to himself and had to teach someone a lesson.
He'd kicked a steel plate.
This kid wasn't a branch lieutenant colonel; he was a monster wearing a lieutenant colonel's skin.
Pay to ward off calamity. He could only swallow it.
"Many thanks."
Hawk finally released his hand and smiled. "Smoker. Good brother."
He hefted the weight of the box and slid it into his tunic, satisfied.
Not bad—quite a haul.
Headquarters field-officer issue cigars couldn't be bought on the market.
Today he'd had a "friendly exchange" with a colleague and walked away with five boxes for free.
Comfortable.
Smoker shook out his numb, aching wrist, flexed his fingers, and fished out a lighter.
Click.
He lit his own, drew deep, and forced down his feelings.
Then he leaned in and lit both of Hawk's cigars.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
For a moment the two heavy smokers puffed together; rich cigar smoke coiled and rose between them.
The taut air that had been on the verge of snapping faded at once.
"Folks, it's all right."
Hawk turned to the still-tense villagers, his voice calm and firm.
"We're all Marines, our own brothers. There was a misunderstanding; we've talked it out."
"Head back to the village. Leave things here to us."
"The goods Arlong plundered over the years will be counted by the branch and delivered back to you at once."
"Rest easy."
The villagers watched Lieutenant Colonel Hawk and the fierce-looking silver-haired marine find their peace, and worry drained from their faces, replaced by gratitude and relief.
As long as Lieutenant Colonel Hawk was fine, everything was fine.
"Good."
"We trust Lieutenant Colonel Hawk."
"If he says it's fine, then it's fine."
"Go on, go on, back home—don't crowd the lieutenant colonel."
"Go home, spread the word that Arlong is dead, and start a feast."
"Let's go."
The villagers broke up with noisy cheer and went their separate ways.
Smoker watched in silence.
He stepped up beside Hawk, goodwill in his tone. "A dead branch colonel isn't much on this sea."
"But Headquarters will likely send someone to get the details and decide what to do."
"Besides—"
Smoker pointed at Nezumi's cooling corpse not far away.
A specially shaped Transponder Snail lay by the pool of blood.
"An emergency Transponder Snail. The line goes straight to Marineford."
"Headquarters may already know the particulars."
"Insubordination, murder of a direct superior."
"No matter how much he deserved it, if that charge sticks, a court-martial is inevitable."
"Thanks for the reminder…"
Hawk turned his head and met Smoker's eyes. "But Smoker—how many times have you been insubordinate."
"Quite a few, right."
"???"