One piece: Dark Smoker

Hina stepped forward and took Smoker's hand.

"Smoker..."

Smoker's bloodshot eyes fixed on Ol, his forehead vein bulging, and his fists clenched tightly, making cracking sounds.

Though he wanted to tear the pirates apart, seeing the devastation in the town made him grit his teeth and give orders.

"Everyone off the ship, rescue the townspeople!"

"Team 1, create a safe zone!"

"Team 2, search for survivors!"

"Team 3, search the area, see if there are any pirates hiding. Stay alert!"

"Hina, come with me to put out the fire!"

"Yes!" The moment everyone received their orders, they moved into action.

Smoker and Hina headed toward the area where the fire was the worst.

"Dark Hole!"

Smoker unleashed his darkness, swallowing debris and helping those trapped escape.

Hina released thick white smoke, using it to smother the flames.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

The island was almost under control when the Celestial Dragons finally arrived.

Bancroft, riding a new slave, led a procession of guards and attendants as they disembarked.

As soon as they set foot on land, he covered his nose in disgust.

Though the fires had been extinguished, the smell of charred remains and rotting bodies still lingered heavily.

"This is such a filthy, chaotic island… Lead the way!"

Just as he finished speaking, a CP agent appeared.

"Bancroft-sama, please follow me!"

The agent led the way toward the gathering of survivors.

The CP agents certainly had their skills.

Though they hadn't even set foot on the island, they seemed to know exactly where everyone was.

After winding through several streets, they arrived at the safe zone.

It seemed the Fang Pirates had made this area their base when they landed, as it was the only intact part of the town. Now, the injured were being treated here.

Smoker was already waiting at the front.

He knew how the Celestial Dragons were—he had made sure to hide the women and children early on.

The remaining people who could still move were lined up, kneeling to greet them, while the severely injured were hidden at the back.

Bancroft scanned the area and then muttered to himself.

"Why..."

"Why..."

Smoker thought he was referring to the town's destruction and quickly stepped forward to explain.

"Sorry, esteemed Bancroft-sama."

"When we arrived, the pirates had already burned the town. The casualties among the civilians are devastating!"

"Hmph, who cares about that!"

"Ah?!"

Smoker was stunned, not knowing how to respond.

"What I'm talking about is why those filthy peasants aren't kneeling?!!"

"..."

Looking in the direction Bancroft pointed, Smoker's eye twitched slightly.

Of course, he had to pick the worst place.

Those people were the most seriously injured, in danger of dying just from moving.

They were left there because they couldn't be moved.

So far away, and yet, the Celestial Dragon had spotted them?!

Now he wanted them to kneel?!

Why not just let them die?!

Bancroft coldly said, "Bring them here, execute these disrespectful scum!"

Zephyr rushed forward, "Bancroft-sama, they are just the injured!!"

"Hm?!" Bancroft glared at him, then turned to the CP agent beside him, "Tell me, which is more important—the life of these peasants or the dignity of the Celestial Dragons?!"

"Of course, the dignity of the Celestial Dragons is more important!" the CP agent responded sharply and without hesitation.

"Did you hear that, Zephyr?"

"Mm... I suddenly have a great idea. You'll carry out the execution. It'll be very interesting!!"

"What?!" Zephyr's face changed dramatically.

"Exactly, exactly! That's the kind of expression I was hoping for!!"

Bancroft wore a sickly smile on his face.

"I prefer the expression you have now, rather than the fear the peasants show when facing death!"

"Of course, you can refuse, but... they still have to die. And your words represent the Navy's stance!"

"You...!"

Zephyr gritted his teeth, trying hard to hold back his anger.

The Navy now had three Admirals and others of equal strength. Sengoku was wise and smooth, Garp was reckless and straightforward, while Zephyr was determined and honest.

The three had different personalities, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

But when it came to the World Government, Zephyr's personality was always the one at a disadvantage...

Just as things were at a standstill, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Bancroft-sama is right!"

Both Zephyr and Bancroft turned to see Smoker.

Zephyr's face darkened. "Smoker, do you know what you're saying?!"

Bancroft, on the other hand, laughed loudly.

"Well said, Smoker! I'm starting to like you more and more!"

Smoker smiled. "This is my first time meeting a Celestial Dragon. How about I take this honor upon myself?"

"Oh?!" Bancroft nodded in satisfaction. "Since that's the case, you can carry out the execution yourself!!"

"Gladly…"

The conversation wasn't quiet, and the civilians kneeling nearby heard it, causing them to feel cold all over.

When the Fang Pirates attacked, the young and strong were either dead or severely injured.

The remaining people were either elderly, weak, women, or children.

Though they were filled with grief and anger, the fear of the Celestial Dragons' centuries of power made them too scared to speak.

As for the injured in the back...

They were too far to hear or know that they had been sentenced to death.

Taylor lay at the back, struggling to lift his head and look at the others.

He was an ordinary merchant from Pumiso Island.

He had been busy selling goods, making money, and supporting his family, living a peaceful life.

But the arrival of the pirates shattered that peace.

He had hidden his wife and daughter in a cupboard, but he hadn't been able to escape in time and was captured by the pirates.

Not only did the pirates loot his savings, but they also beat him severely.

What made him even more desperate was that the pirates eventually found his wife and daughter.

For their amusement, the pirates locked them in the cupboard, knowing the fire would soon consume everything.

As for Taylor, the pirates broke his arms and legs and threw him onto the street, forcing him to watch as his wife and daughter were burned alive.

As the fire spread toward him, Taylor couldn't move, only able to hear his family's cries as he let out helpless screams.

Just when he was at his lowest, two young Navy soldiers arrived.

With seemingly magical abilities, they put out the flames and saved his family.

Afterward, they took Taylor for medical treatment.

While being treated, he heard that the Celestial Dragons were coming, and fear filled him instead of gratitude.

To most people, the Celestial Dragons were gods—untouchable and wielding absolute power.

Though they knew of the Celestial Dragons' behavior, it wasn't something spoken about often.

But Taylor, who had traveled far and wide, knew better. He was well aware of the Celestial Dragons' true nature.

He looked at his beautiful wife and daughter, filled with worry.

At that moment, Smoker ordered all the young women to hide in the forest at the back of the mountain.

"No one is to come out unless ordered!"

Taylor was deeply grateful to Smoker. If there were such a thing as a god, this was what one would look like...

This was Taylor's most sincere thought.

Suddenly, he saw the Celestial Dragons arguing. Smoker stepped in, said a few words, and then came toward Taylor.

As Smoker stopped by him, Taylor struggled to lift his head.

"Smoker-san…"

Smoker nodded at him, then greeted the others. "Taylor, everyone…"

"Now, in the name of the World Nobles, I sentence you all for great disrespect! The execution will be carried out immediately!!"

Everyone was in an uproar. "What?!"

Taylor's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Smoker.

The next moment, a wave of black darkness engulfed him...

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