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'A grand plan?'
Smoker's mind reeled.
He sensed a foreboding feeling in his heart. The man before him, a member of the younger generation, seemed to harbor ill intentions toward the Celestial Dragons.
It was a simple truth: if the government obtained the Time-Time Fruit, who would ultimately benefit?
Without a doubt, it would be the Celestial Dragons!
"Oh, by the way, just so you know, the Fleet Admiral has tacitly approved this matter."
Suddenly, Rowen dropped another bombshell, leaving Smoker utterly stunned.
"Impossible! The Fleet Admiral... that loyal-to-the-government Akainu? How could he?!!"
In response, Rowen shrugged.
"Believe me, if you knew what transpired, you would understand. This is a last resort."
'Know what transpired?'
'A last resort?'
Smoker forced himself to calm down and looked seriously at Rowen: "Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), if I refuse, will you silence me?"
"No!"
"Why?"
"Because I will tell you the truth and compel you to join us. I have that confidence."
Rowen smiled lightly: "And even if you went to the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) to report this, it would be futile. They already know this in their hearts, but to prevent any accidents, they would silence you instead."
"What? Even the Gorōsei are...!!!"
This series of revelations shocked Smoker far more than the existence of the Time-Time Fruit!
He felt his heart racing from the tension, and the cigar in his mouth had unknowingly burned down to the end, ashes falling all over him.
Silence, endless silence.
After a long while, Smoker clenched his fist and asked, "What qualifications do I have to be recruited by you?!"
"Akainu" Sakazuki, a veteran Marine powerhouse, the current Marine Fleet Admiral!
"Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)" Rowen, a new-generation Marine Admiral, who, after Garp was knocked out by Luffy with a punch, is subtly known as the "Marine's strongest"!
With these two endorsing the plan, it must be significant.
Smoker asked himself what virtues or abilities he possessed to join them.
"What we need is not brute strength; we have enough of that. What we need is brains!"
After a moment of thought, Rowen replied.
"Fleet Admiral Akainu has always supported your rebellious style, but he dislikes the trouble you might cause by not knowing your limits."
"And now, having successfully found a balance between the two, you sit in the position of G-11 Base Head."
"Add to that, G-11 is deep in the New World, where the sky is high and the Emperors are far, making it perfect for our operations."
"Do you understand now?"
In terms of strength alone, Smoker was definitely not a qualified candidate.
But he occupied the right time, place, and people, inadvertently forming the most perfect combination, which brought him into the sight of the two.
Relying solely on one or two top-level fighters to suppress was not enough to complete Akainu's plans. They needed a larger army to possibly protect the world's peace.
Thinking this way, Smoker became the most excellent candidate.
He had begun to have his own ambitions, was willing to act on them, and harbored Justice, with almost no possibility of falling.
"So... that's how it is..."
Smoker weakly leaned back on the sofa, covering his forehead: "...So from the first day you came to East Blue to find me, you were preparing for this?"
"No, not really."
"Alright, I agree to join the plan! But I need to know the truth of the matter! If there are any actions that harm innocent people, even if it means death, I will stop you!"
"So I told you, it's not…"
"Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), I look forward to your guidance!"
Rowen's forehead twitched with annoyance, and he swung a fist.
"Listen to me, you jerk!"
...
New World, an uncharted island.
"How strange. There are clearly signs of habitation here, yet we can't see anyone."
Deep in the forest, inside a small cabin, Kin'emon scratched the back of his head, looking puzzled.
"The traces of charcoal were left not long ago. Maybe they saw us coming and hid?" Kanjuro emerged from the other side of the room, brushing dust off his shoulders.
"Really, we are not pirate scum! To be misunderstood like this?!"
"Rather than that, hurry up and cook, Kin'emon!"
Momonosuke sat on a chair, slapping the table, the large bump and bloodstain on his head making him look particularly miserable.
"Yes, young lord!"
Kin'emon nodded, walking to the corner to pick up the bag they had carried all the way.
"Although I don't know who left the shrimp traps by the sea, we will never forget the kindness of those who did. I will enjoy this with a heart full of gratitude, so excuse me!"
With that, he opened the bag and pulled out a lively little shrimp.
At that moment, Kin'emon's gaze sharpened.
"There's killing intent!"
"Who is it? Who's here?"
Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, Kin'emon said cautiously: "I am Foxfire Kin'emon, and these two are my companions! We unfortunately encountered a shipwreck and lost our provisions. We are not thieves! If possible, please show yourself!"
Samurai are a group who value their honor more than life.
As retainers of the Kozuki family, their every action is closely related to their master, so Kin'emon emphasized that they were not thieves.
However, the room remained quiet, with only the three of them present.
After waiting a while, Kin'emon lowered his hand and scratched his nose.
"Huh? Did I make a mistake?"
"What's that? Don't scare me, Kin'emon."
Kanjuro let go of the giant brush he was holding and said, "You handle the ingredients; I'll go outside to gather some firewood."
"Oh... oh! I understand."
Strange, Kin'emon looked around, then continued to squat down, taking out a shrimp.
At that moment...!
"Let go, you jerk! With so many fish, why must you eat shrimp?!"
From a blind spot, a pink unidentified object shot out, full of anger.
"Ouch!"
Caught off guard, Kin'emon cried out in pain, shaking his hand and dancing in place.
"It hurts, it hurts! Let go, let go!"
Momonosuke and Kanjuro exchanged glances, speechless.
"Hey, Kanjuro."
"Yes, young lord!"
"Am I seeing things? Is that... a stuffed toy on the cabinet?"
"Yes, young lord, it is indeed a stuffed toy on the cabinet..."
Suddenly, the two looked shocked, fearfully huddling together.
"A monster!"
"The stuffed toy is talking!!"
At that moment, seeing his attack ineffective, the pink stuffed toy's eyes flashed with indignation, releasing its grip and flapping its wings to fly onto the table.
"Don't be so surprised! I am Doff... Pink Feather-sama! Is it strange that I can talk?!"
"Yes, it is strange!!"
Looking at the flamingo stuffed toy's nonchalant expression, the three shouted in disbelief.
"Tch, as expected, a bunch of ordinary people, unaware of the Toy Toy Fruit..."
Doflamingo thought disdainfully, suddenly grinning widely, his beak exaggeratedly tilting up.
"But this is good too; it proves they can be trusted temporarily."
Thinking this, he crossed his wings in front of his chest, adopting an imposing expression.
"I originally wanted to steal your ship and leave, but it's in such a poor state. Sailing such a wreck in the New World, you must be a bunch of fools, right?"
"Hey, that statement is dangerous in many ways, you know!"
Kanjuro's mouth twitched, looking at the seemingly harmless but wicked flamingo doll on the table.
"But being able to say that proves you are indeed the owner of this house."
"Let me introduce myself. I am Evening Shower Kanjuro. If possible, could you give us some food? Naturally, we are not thieves, and as compensation, you can ask for anything you need."
(End of chapter)