After a brief farewell to Vivi, the Straw Hat crew set sail. Seeing this, Smoker's eyes showed a serious expression.
He immediately ordered the other Marines to change course and pursue the Straw Hat crew.
Seeing this, Sanji lit a cigarette, his brow furrowed.
"Those Marines are finally making a move. We have to speed up, or we might get caught between them."
Hearing this, Luffy didn't dare to delay. He unfurled the sail to its maximum and said:
"Everyone, hurry up and get moving!"
As soon as he said this, the Straw Hat crew members quickly got busy. Raynor took the helm and pushed the speed to the maximum.
Just as they turned the rudder and sped forward, Smoker's cannonballs suddenly came from behind.
However, without exception, they all landed in the water. Their aim was much worse than Tina's.
Raynor's lips curved slightly, and he looked back at Smoker's ship. Smoker was standing at the front, also staring in Raynor's direction.
Raynor smiled at him, then steered the ship forward at full speed, heading for the next checkpoint.
After chasing for a while, Smoker saw that the Straw Hat crew had gone far and ordered his ship to stop.
"The waterway ahead is narrow. Don't fall for the Straw Hats' trick. Our priority is to return and escort Crocodile to Marine Headquarters."
Hearing this, all the Marines turned their ships around and headed back the way they came.
Smoker sat on the deck, smoking a cigar. Suddenly, a bone-chilling cold erupted behind him.
He opened his eyes and felt like it was snowing all around the ship. Then, a figure slowly appeared behind him.
Smoker forced himself to stay alert and turned to look. His pupils contracted in shock.
On the Marine warship, wherever there was water, a thick layer of ice had formed.
The Marines recognized the person before them.
Their eyes widened in terror, and they all fell onto the ground.
"Why is that person here?"
"This can't be right, is this really Lord Nami?"
"Logically, we should have received news long ago if someone of that stature was coming here."
Smoker, bracing himself, stood up, gritting his teeth.
His cane, enhanced with Seastone, jabbed backward.
"Hey, hey, as a Marine Headquarters Admiral, why are you visiting our small warship?"
"Did the Five Elders send you to deal with me? Aokiji!"
Aokiji didn't waste any words. He grabbed the Seastone cane, exhaled a breath of cold air, and said:
"Don't misunderstand. I'm just here to see an old friend. Now that he's safe, I can rest easy."
With that, Aokiji released the Seastone cane and took a few steps back.
Then, he put on his sunglasses and grumbled:
"We're friends, aren't we? You invite me from afar, but you don't even offer a cup of tea. You attack me right away. It's truly disheartening."
Hearing this, Smoker's face was full of black lines. With him around, it was already cold enough. How much colder could it get?
Thinking of this, Smoker walked to the table, poured Aokiji a cup of green tea, and handed it to him with an unfriendly expression.
Aokiji didn't mind. He took the clear tea and drank it, then sat down on a nearby lounge chair.
Smoker, watching Aokiji's casual demeanor, showed a grave expression.
"Besides seeing off an old friend, you must have something else to convey, right?"
Hearing this, Aokiji's eyes suddenly deepened. He looked up at the flowing white clouds in the sky.
"It's not exactly a message. I just came to complain."
With that, Aokiji lay down, took a sip of tea, and said word by word:
"The Shichibukai meeting is about to begin. This time, they'll probably discuss Crocodile's replacement."
"There's a hot topic recently. Who was that person again?"
Hearing this, Smoker's eyes showed a serious look.
"Was it Blackbeard? Recently, Whitebeard's second division captain, Fire Fist Ace, seems to be relentlessly pursuing him."
As he spoke, Smoker offered Aokiji a cigar, which Aokiji waved away.
Seeing this, Smoker simply put two cigars in his mouth at once and lit them, taking a deep puff.
"Are you saying that guy might fill this vacancy?"
Smoker said, shaking his head.
"A nobody. The World Government probably wouldn't pay attention to him."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tashigi, who was standing nearby, placed another pot of fresh tea on the coffee table.
She then bowed to Aokiji and Smoker and stepped aside.
Aokiji sat up completely, placed his teacup on the coffee table, and his eyes were filled with black lines.
"You believe someone who's been unknown in Whitebeard's crew for decades is an ordinary person?"
Smoker poured Aokiji a fresh cup of tea and then sat down cross-legged.
He took two deep puffs of his cigar, his face serious as he looked out at the vast sea, and said:
"Silent for years, but a shock when he appears. That guy does indeed need strict prevention."
Smoker didn't dwell on Blackbeard.
He turned to look at Aokiji and showed a mischievous grin.
"Alright, let's stop talking about Blackbeard for now. Let's talk about your friend."
"Being friends with a pirate. That doesn't seem like something you, Aokiji, would do."
Smoker thought he had found a weakness and could turn the tables.
But at that moment, Aokiji's body suddenly began to elementalize.
From his feet to his head, his entire body turned into a giant ice sculpture.
Seeing this, Smoker's eyes showed a look of anger.
He then used his cane to shatter the ice sculpture. The real Aokiji had already disappeared.
Smoker bit the two cigars in his mouth in two, roaring.
"Damn it, that Aokiji..."
Seeing the enraged Smoker, Tashigi didn't pay him any mind. She just smiled knowingly.
Then, she began to clear away the ice fragments left by Aokiji.
...
Meanwhile, the Straw Hat crew, having narrowly escaped, were celebrating on their ship.
The Merry Go had turned its bow and was heading deep into the Grand Line without deviation.
To celebrate, Sanji used the remaining food to make a feast.
But before anyone else could eat, Luffy had already swallowed the entire table in one bite.
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