From the moment Smoker saw Lucas Moore casually catch a bullet with his bare, Armament Haki-infused hand that morning, he had already made up his mind.
If Lucas wasn't a pirate, then he'd recruit him into the Navy at all costs!
What caught Smoker's attention wasn't just the boy's impressive Haki talent at such a young age. It was also his composure under pressure and razor-sharp observational skills.
Bullets travel at incredible speed.
Even if someone could block one with Haki, accurately tracking and catching it mid-flight required almost inhuman perception.
A single misjudgment would've led to a bloody outcome.
But Lucas had done it effortlessly.
That was why Smoker had set his sights on him.
If this encounter gave him a chance to recruit Lucas into the Navy, then it would be a win with no downside.
Smoker had made his intentions clear.
Lucas, however, felt more exasperated than flattered.
So this guy had been plotting all along. He'd been waiting for Lucas to fall into his trap.
If Lucas had ever wanted to be a Marine, he would've accepted Garp's offer back in the Baratie. Why wait until now?
Lucas had no interest in a duel, and even less in joining the Navy. He was just about to decline when a lazy voice cut through the air.
"This kid's not a pirate," Aokiji drawled, "No bounty, no crimes. Seems like bullying to me, Smoker. That's not really your style, is it?"
Smoker glared at Aokiji, clearly annoyed.
"Whose side are you even on?"
"I'm on the side of justice, of course," Aokiji replied with a nonchalant wave. "No need to fight all the time. Beautiful weather like this... wouldn't it be better to find a sunny spot and take a nap?"
Smoker: "..."
The way Aokiji phrased it made it sound like he really was bullying Lucas.
Smoker felt a cold bead of sweat trickle down his temple.
He was only in his twenties still young enough to care about saving face.
"Hey, Lucas," Smoker cleared his throat and tried again, "Just a spar. Nothing serious. You wouldn't say no to that, would you?"
"I would," Lucas answered flatly.
Smoker choked on his own cigar smoke, coughing violently.
"Cough- Fine, no sparring then. Just join the Navy instead"
"No."
"You little brat, don't push your luck!"
Aokiji interrupted again, voice as lazy as ever.
"Pretty sure you're the one pushing your luck here, Smoker."
Smoker: "..."
Smoker snapped.
"Are you here in Loguetown just to ruin everything I try to do?"
"Nope." Aokiji scratched his head, looking genuinely innocent. "Just calling it like I see it. The kid's not interested in the Navy. Why force him?"
"But with that kind of talent if we don't bring him in, and one day he does become a pirate..." Smoker frowned deeply. "We'll regret it."
Aokiji turned to Lucas.
"Hey, kid. You planning to be a pirate?"
Lucas gave a deadpan response.
"No interest."
"See?" Aokiji looked back at Smoker. "He said he's not into piracy. Let him go already."
Smoker was utterly speechless.
Several Navy soldiers standing outside the door watched awkwardly.
He was stuck couldn't move forward, couldn't back down.
If he really insisted on fighting Lucas, win or lose, his reputation would be in the gutter.
What made it worse was that damn Aokiji, who wasn't backing him up at all.
If Lucas had been a pirate, or even had a bounty, Smoker would've had a valid reason to act.
But the kid was clean. No bounty, no criminal record.
It was a dead end.
Weighing all his options, Smoker clenched his teeth around his cigar, frustrated.
"Fine. Go. But if I ever catch you doing anything shady, I don't care if you're at the ends of the earth I'll come for you myself!"
Lucas: "..."
With that strength? Save it.
Lucas simply gave a disinterested "Oh."
Smoker stepped aside, letting him pass.
Lucas exited the office. Outside, a few Marines escorted him to collect his bounty.
Once out of the Navy base, Lucas retraced his steps back to the Roger Tavern.
Inside, Rayleigh was chatting casually with the barkeep. When he saw Lucas return, he smiled.
"So, how much did you get?"
Lucas pulled out the stack of Berries he had separated earlier he kept two million for himself and handed the remaining 2.55 million to Rayleigh.
After all, Rayleigh had captured one more criminal than he did.
Rayleigh took a million for himself and passed the remaining 1.55 million to the tavern owner.
"Wha- That's way too much, Mr. Rayleigh. I can't accept this," the owner stammered, trying to give the money back.
Rayleigh just chuckled. "I'll be staying in Loguetown for a few days. Consider this my tab room and drinks included."
"But... but this is too generous," the barkeep said, flustered. "I really can't accept this."
"If you don't, I'll take Lucas and go drink somewhere else."
As he spoke, Rayleigh actually started to get up.
The barkeep had no choice but to give in.
"Alright, alright. I'll take it. Just don't leave."
He turned to Lucas.
"Kid, you're not from around here, are you? If you've got nowhere else to stay, just do what Mr. Rayleigh's doing and crash here. Drinks are on the house until you both leave."
Lucas nodded. "Sure."
Didn't matter to him where he stayed.
"Lucas," Rayleigh suddenly said, "You owe me a drink, remember?"
Lucas sighed. "I know."
Rayleigh went on.
"Well, since the boss is covering all our drinks while we're here, I'll just let you treat me next time we meet."
Lucas: "..."
Rayleigh laughed heartily, cracking open a bottle and sliding one across the table toward Lucas.
Lucas picked it up and took a sip.
Then, the tavern door slammed open with a loud bang.
A gang of thugs stormed in, shouting loudly.
"Bring out all your booze!" The leader, a fat man with a pair of giant axes at his waist, looked like someone not to be messed with.
"Sorry," the barkeep said, face calm. "This place is reserved. Try another tavern."
"Hey! Do you even know who our boss is? Talk to him like that again and you'll be begging for mercy!"
"Be smart and hand over the drinks. Or we'll smash the place up!"
The thugs behind the fat man jeered and shouted, their voices filling the room.
At that moment, a thin man wearing a long vest with a red snake emblem and a blue-and-white striped headscarf stepped through the crowd and appeared in the doorway.
"Move," the man said coldly.
Two of the thugs blocking his path turned and sneered.
"Who the hell's this guy?"
"No idea."
"He tells us to move? What a joke. Scram if you don't wanna get hurt!"
They burst into mocking laughter.
Without a word, the man in the headscarf pulled out a double-barreled gun and without even blinking shot both of them clean through the head.
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