Chapter 57
In the bustling crowd, Smoker was still shouting Jepack's name. Even Guina and Nami, who were in the training room, heard it and came out to ask Jepack what was going on.
Jepack, who knew very well that Smoker was like sticky gum, originally didn't want to have too much contact with him.
But now that he had come knocking, there was no avoiding it. Before Guina and Nami appeared, he could have secretly slipped into town and ignored Smoker.
Now it was hard to explain, so he could only tell the two girls he didn't know him, then waved toward Smoker to indicate he was over here.
On the other side, Smoker's eyes were stung by the smoke from the cigar in his mouth. It took him a while to finally spot Jepack waving.
Jepack thought: Bro, my hand's about to fall off—smoke a little less, you chain-smoking guy!
After seeing Jepack, Smoker flash-stepped right in front of the three of them.
What the three of them saw was a figure emerging from the middle of the smoke, looking fierce and menacing—like a demon in their eyes.
When Smoker arrived, he first looked at Jepack and didn't notice the two girls behind him.
"You're Jepack?"
The blunt question made Jepack raise an eyebrow. He wondered if Tashigi had been forced to rat him out, but he felt that wasn't likely.
If it was Tashigi, Smoker wouldn't have come so quickly—after all, he wasn't a pirate.
A righteous Navy like him had no reason to arrest him. If it was for a spar, Tashigi didn't even know his strength.
With that doubt in mind, Jepack answered Smoker and then asked his own question.
"Yes—if no one else is named Jepack, then I think you've got the right person!"
"But I'm very curious, Navy sir—I don't know you. Why did you come looking for me?"
Smoker took a drag from his cigar and snorted coldly: "You know exactly what you did!"
Hearing Smoker say that, Jepack immediately felt a wave of cold air from behind. He quickly said: "No no, bro! I remember I've never seen you before. Please don't say things that could be misunderstood, okay?"
By the end of his sentence, Jepack's tone clearly carried some exasperation as he emphasized it to Smoker.
Smoker snorted again and said: "Whether you did it or not—you know in your heart!"
Jepack felt the terrifying aura behind him growing stronger. He spoke to Smoker again: "凸(艹皿艹), I already said don't say things that cause misunderstandings! I don't know you. What exactly did you come to find me for?"
After saying that, Jepack felt the scary aura behind him disappear.
At that moment, Smoker noticed Guina behind Jepack and shouted toward her: "Tashigi, why are you here? Where are your glasses? Didn't you say you can't see the road without them?"
Guina was puzzled and pointed at herself: "Me?"
That was when Smoker realized this wasn't Tashigi. The two had completely different styles—they just looked extremely alike.
"Sorry, wrong person. I thought you were my subordinate!"
Nami and Guina suddenly remembered what Jepack said yesterday about meeting a girl who looked very much like Guina. Even this Navy had mistaken her—looked like Jepack mistaking her yesterday was understandable after all!
Guina was also very curious about this girl who looked exactly like her, so she asked Smoker: "Do I really look that much like her?"
"Super similar—practically identical. You two could be twins and still not look this alike!"
Hearing Smoker's answer, Guina grew even more curious. She now had the urge to meet this "twin sister" whom so many people mistook her for!
At that moment Jepack cut in: "Enough chit-chat. I don't know you. What exactly did you come for?"
Smoker finally realized he hadn't introduced himself. He solemnly said: "I'm the highest-ranking Navy stationed in this town—Smoker. The person you met yesterday is my subordinate Tashigi!"
"I heard your name from her, and I heard the story between you two! But…"
Afraid of spoilers, Jepack thought: No way, girl! You told him everything? Smoker might look like he keeps his mouth shut, but you can't just spill everything!
He casually interrupted Smoker's "but": "But what? If it's about Tashigi, no need to say more. I already told them the whole story last night. I even invited Tashigi to visit our ship."
"I didn't expect the first person to show up early in the morning would be you!"
While Jepack was rambling on, Smoker didn't interrupt him.
Smoker wasn't good with words anyway, so he waited for Jepack to finish before speaking.
"No—that's not why I came today. It has nothing to do with Tashigi. I only remembered your name after hearing it from her."
"And then I recalled how Vice Admiral Garp was full of praise for the three of you when he passed through here a few days ago!"
Hearing Garp's name, the two girls behind Jepack quickly asked Smoker where Garp was now!
Smoker replied: "He's probably already reached the Red Line by now. He should be heading back to Navy HQ soon!"
Then he heard Jepack say: "So? Garp was probably praising his two disciples. Even though he only took them on halfway and didn't teach them much—he's a pretty lousy teacher in other aspects, but otherwise he's not bad!"
"So you're here to spar with Garp's two disciples? If that's the case, I'll reject on their behalf. I won't let them get hurt even a little!"
Smoker waved his hand, then pointed at Jepack and said: "No no no—not them. What Vice Admiral Garp kept mentioning with regret was you, Jepack!"
"Not them, then it's me. In that case I also refuse! I'm not bored enough to fight you. Do I look crazy?"
Smoker exhaled a cool puff of smoke and said calmly: "Refuse? I'm the least afraid of people refusing me!"
"I'm the hot-headed guy who got kicked out of Navy HQ. If refusals worked on me, I'd probably be a Rear Admiral by now!"
Jepack helplessly rubbed his forehead and said: "Looks like refusing won't work. Then let's change locations—this place isn't suitable for fighting."
"Then follow me to the Navy base. There are plenty of open areas there for us to spar!"
Hearing Jepack's helpless words, a smile finally broke through Smoker's usual poker face!
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