A group of Navy officers' eyes immediately lit up.
"Not bad."
Akihara Kagura nodded and said in a serious tone, "I was just about to assist Admiral Aokiji in escorting Clown Buggy to Impel Down, and report to Marine Headquarters Marineford. It just so happens I can take Colonel Smoker to Drum Kingdom for treatment on the way..."
"That would be excellent..."
A Navy Noncommissioned Officer from Log Town showed a hint of joy on his face.
"Emergency order!"
Just at that moment, the female adjutant Tashigi rushed over and said quickly, "Colonel Smoker has woken up! Everyone, assemble and prepare to set out, get the warship ready immediately, we are heading to the Grand Line to capture the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"Ah?"
The entire Log Town base was in chaos.
All the Navy officers thought they should indeed go to the Grand Line, but it was for treating Colonel Smoker's toxic injury, not to chase after a pirate.
However...
Smoker's attitude was very determined!
This Navy Colonel had woken up, completely ignoring his heavily poisoned and injured body, even putting a cigar back in his mouth: "Even if I die on the way, I must capture Straw Hat. That brat is more dangerous than any pirate I've seen!"
Yes!
Straw Hat Luffy is an extremely dangerous pirate!
Smoker was convinced that once Luffy entered the Grand Line, he would definitely transform there. That guy already has the potential to become a king!
However, Smoker's subordinates had different opinions, and they respected their supervisor very much: "Colonel Smoker, even if we want to capture Straw Hat, we need to treat your injuries first. We think we can go to Drum Kingdom of the Grand Line first; it won't take much time anyway..."
"..."
Smoker frowned, feeling pain all over his body. He didn't respond to his subordinates who cared for him, but muttered a command.
"Prepare the warship!"
"Yes!"
A group of Navy officers finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although Smoker didn't explicitly say, at least he tacitly agreed to the plan to head to Drum Kingdom for treatment first.
"But... there's still the matter of Clown Buggy..."
A Navy Squad Leader took the initiative to explain what happened after Smoker fell unconscious: "Lieutenant Kagura had already led people to ambush on Buggy Pirates' ship, and during Admiral Aokiji's freezing opportunity, successfully captured Buggy and his crew..."
"Lieutenant Kagura?"
"Yes."
The Navy Squad Leader continued introducing Akihara Kagura: "Lieutenant Kagura has reported everything to Headquarters. He has been promoted to a Lieutenant at Headquarters and is assisting Admiral Aokiji in escorting Clown Buggy to report for duty at Marineford..."
"He also proposed escorting Colonel Smoker to Drum Kingdom for treatment. We were just discussing this matter when we arrived..."
"That guy?"
Smoker raised his eyebrow, recalling the guy who had been monitoring him, and said indifferently, "I see. Has Kuzan returned?"
"Admiral Aokiji?"
A Navy Noncommissioned Officer wasn't like Smoker, able to call an Admiral by name, so he just shook his head and said, "He's probably been pursuing for twelve hours by now and hasn't returned yet."
"That guy's probably hiding somewhere asleep!"
Smoker mumbled, then ordered, "Bring Buggy and his crew along, so that after we capture the Straw Hat Pirates, we can directly send both pirate crews to Impel Down. Have that lieutenant join us so we can pass through the Gate of Justice and send that guy to Marine Headquarters Marineford..."
This was a favor Smoker took the initiative to repay.
Lieutenant Akihara Kagura proposed the plan to escort him to Drum Kingdom for treatment. Since it was uncertain when Admiral Aokiji would return, Smoker, a Headquarters Colonel, decided to help by escorting the lieutenant to Marineford.
After all...
The routes of the Grand Line are only so many.
Straw Hat Luffy's strength isn't much. After his detoxification at Drum Kingdom, that Straw Hat kid can't be his match anyway, and the journey won't take much time.
"Aren't we waiting for Admiral Aokiji to return?"
The Navy Squad Leader was somewhat worried: "Orders said to let Lieutenant Kagura assist Admiral Aokiji in escorting Buggy. After all, that's a pirate with a bounty of 730 million Belly..."
"Clown Buggy and Straw Hat's strength isn't much..."
Smoker lay back down, speaking in a deep voice, "I've personally tested them. Neither Buggy nor Straw Hat are powerful guys. Kuzan is probably napping somewhere and might not return to Log Town in this lifetime. You go prepare the warship!"
It must be said...
Smoker deserves to be Colonel Smoker.
Ordinary people wouldn't dare to mock an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters like he does, even complaining about an Admiral's laziness so boldly. It seems their relationship is quite good...
"But..."
"There's still one more troublesome problem..."
A Navy Noncommissioned Officer carefully looked at Smoker and cautiously asked, "Log Town is under Colonel Smoker's jurisdiction. If Colonel Smoker doesn't return here soon after recovery, what if Marine Headquarters inquires about these matters..."
"Then you tell them..."
Smoker snorted coldly, his brow still tightly furrowed, "You, as a Noncommissioned Officer, have no way to stop me, a Headquarters Colonel, from doing things, so you don't need to worry about the rest!"