Chapter 7: Sengoku – I Have a Bad Feeling
Luo Ye was not good at comforting women. Seeing Nami crying so sorrowfully, he didn't push her away but let her vent freely.
Two hours passed.
Nami followed Luo Ye to the port, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
Since Arlong had come to Cocoyasi Village, he had ruled with an iron fist, murdering Bell-mère—Nami and Nojiko's adoptive mother—and forcing the villagers to live in constant fear.
At a young age, Nami had been forced to set out to sea, stealing from pirates to buy her village's freedom. One mistake could have cost her life countless times over the years.
Now, Arlong was dead. Even Colonel Nezumi, the corrupt Marine officer who had aided him, had been executed by Luo Ye.
Finally, Nami could chase another dream—one that didn't involve survival alone.
"Thank you, Mr. Admiral!"
Standing at the port, Nami waved her arms, bidding Luo Ye farewell.
She had initially seen Luo Ye as an easygoing person, like a neighborhood older brother. But in battle, his tactics were merciless.
This didn't scare her. Instead, it made her feel he was incredibly reliable.
After all, Luo Ye was the man who had saved her hometown.
Luo Ye himself wasn't thinking too deeply about it. Feeling his adjutant's gaze, he simply said, "Let's move."
With this sweep, he was certain East Blue's pirates would be wiped out.
East Blue had always been called the weakest of the four seas. Luo Ye intended to make that a reality—by ensuring not a single pirate dared disrupt the peace of its civilians.
As for the other seas? Luo Ye had no intention of personally handling them, but he would send forces to clear them out as well.
East Blue – Loguetown
The hometown of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King. Known as the "Town of Beginnings and Ends."
Any pirate hoping to enter the Grand Line from East Blue had to pass through Loguetown.
Because of this, Marine Headquarters had stationed Colonel Smoker here—a formidable Marine and a user of the Moku Moku no Mi (Smoke-Smoke Fruit).
Unlike Colonel Nezumi of the 16th Branch, Smoker had real strength. If not for his rebellious nature, Headquarters wouldn't have sent a Logia user like him to a so-called weak sea.
Blu blu blu… blu blu blu…
In his office, Smoker was reviewing updated bounty posters when the Den Den Mushi rang.
He picked it up. "This is Colonel Smoker. Speak."
"Colonel Smoker, this is the 16th Branch. Colonel Nezumi has been killed!"
"What?!!"
Smoker shot to his feet, eyes narrowing.
Although Nezumi was technically a fellow Marine officer, Smoker had never respected him.
Nezumi was infamous for his lack of combat ability and his unwillingness to engage pirates, even when they were right under his nose.
Smoker had long despised him. He had even considered reporting Nezumi's corruption but found it a waste of time.
And yet—someone had actually killed him?
Who would be bold enough to challenge the Marines in East Blue?
Before Smoker could ask further, the voice on the other end continued,
"Colonel Smoker, the man who killed Colonel Nezumi said he was the new Admiral of Marine Headquarters. We saw him board a Marine warship."
"The new Admiral…"
Smoker's grip on the receiver tightened. His mind flashed to an image of a handsome yet ruthless young man.
Smoker had met him before.
Back when he was stationed at Headquarters, Smoker had witnessed that very same young man clash with Admiral Aokiji.
Though Luo Ye had lost that fight, Smoker had been shocked. Aokiji wasn't just some Vice Admiral—he was already one of the three strongest forces in the Marines.
And now, Smoker had recently heard rumors that the Marines had a fourth Admiral.
If that was true, then it could only be Luo Ye.
"But why is he in East Blue? And why did he kill a Marine officer? What the hell is this guy up to?"
The voice on the other end interrupted his thoughts.
"Colonel Smoker? Colonel Smoker?"
Smoker exhaled deeply, then responded,
"I understand. I'll report this to Marine Headquarters. Expect a new Colonel to be assigned to the 16th Branch soon."
"Ah, y-yes, Colonel Smoker."
The Marines on the other end had originally called Smoker in hopes that he would relay their message to Headquarters.
Now that Smoker had personally taken the matter into his own hands, they felt relieved.
After hanging up, Smoker frowned, tapping his fingers against his desk.
Even if a branch Colonel was corrupt, an Admiral couldn't just kill him without due process.
Yet, Luo Ye had done exactly that.
What was his true objective?
If Luo Ye could hear Smoker's thoughts, he would probably burst out laughing.
After all, it was just a single corrupt branch officer.
If Nezumi had fallen into Akainu's hands instead, he wouldn't have just been cut down—he would have been incinerated beyond recognition.
Smoker clenched his jaw and made a decision.
He picked up the receiver and dialed.
Marine Headquarters – Marineford
"Marshal Sengoku, this is Smoker from Loguetown."
Sengoku, who was handling military affairs in his office, suddenly had a bad feeling.
He knew Smoker well.
Sending him to Loguetown was meant to temper him, with the plan of eventually recalling him to Headquarters.
Smoker wasn't the type to report things lightly. If he was calling now, it had to be serious.
And with Luo Ye currently in East Blue…
Sengoku took a deep breath.
"I'm Sengoku. What happened in Loguetown?"
"…Not Loguetown, sir. I just received word from the 16th Branch. Colonel Nezumi has been killed by the new Admiral. I wanted to ask if Marine Headquarters was aware of this."
Sengoku: ???