Chapter 39: Smoker's Incognito Investigation

The gate guards led Smoker and Wallace on a winding path, eventually stopping before an unremarkable warehouse behind the naval base.

“Go in,” one of the guards said, gesturing to the warehouse door with a tone that carried a warning. “This isn’t your pirate ship. Mind your manners!”

He had never heard of the so-called White Smoke Pirates that Wallace mentioned, assuming them to be just another obscure crew from the East Sea—one of the countless, nameless bands barely earning any bounty at all. Such insignificant groups were weak and offered little profit, so the guards’ attitude towards Smoker and Wallace subtly shifted.

“Hmph!” Smoker snorted, his gaze fierce and intimidating, causing the two guards to retreat several steps in fear. Without another glance at them, Smoker pushed open the door, Wallace following close behind.

As the door swung open, Smoker’s expression grew even darker.

Inside the naval base’s warehouse stood a crowd of pirates, all dressed in mismatched attire and armed with various blades and firearms—a motley assembly of rogues and villains. Their arrival drew little attention, as the pirates were busy shopping.

Yes, shopping.

Smoker scanned the warehouse, noting the neatly arranged supplies: food, liquor, medicines, longswords, muskets—everything imaginable. In front of these goods, a squad of navy soldiers in uniform busily negotiated deals with the pirates.

“What... is going on here?” Smoker trembled uncontrollably, his predatory gaze landing on the supplies—naval logistics tags still visible, not even bothered to be scraped off.

“I’d only heard that Major Hammer did business with the pirates...” Wallace admitted, shock written across his face. “But I never expected he’d actually sell navy-issued supplies.”

Smoker said nothing, his eyes burning as he approached another “stall” displaying a heap of nautical charts. He picked one up and examined it, his already grim face turning pitch black.

“These charts are top-tier,” the navy soldier beside him began, launching into a sales pitch. “They not only plot the route from East Sea to the Grand Line, but also mark the positions of the major naval bases along the Grand Line’s early stretch. With these charts, you’ll find your journey much easier.”

“These... are contraband, aren’t they?” Smoker asked, biting out each word, his tone laden with menace.

“Of course!” The naval salesman’s voice was smug. “Major Hammer brought these secret documents straight from Navy Headquarters! You won’t find them anywhere else. And since Major Hammer is about to transfer out, we’re clearing out the stock. You’re getting a bargain!”

“A bargain? Heh...” Smoker’s voice was dangerously low, the smoke from his cigar billowing thicker.

The navy soldier shrank back beneath Smoker’s glare, attempting to bark out, “What are you staring at! If you’re not buying, get out! Or else—”

But Smoker’s frightful presence made it impossible for the man to finish his threat. Wallace, meanwhile, had quietly retreated to a safe, hidden corner—he had already noticed that Smoker’s ten-handed staff was itching for action.

Just as Smoker was about to erupt, a commanding voice thundered through the warehouse:

“Attention, everyone!”

“I am Charles, Lieutenant of the Navy Headquarters and the stationed officer at Logue Town’s naval base,” he announced.

The pirates, busy procuring illicit goods, fell silent, their eyes turning to Lieutenant Charles, who now stood before them. Smoker looked as well, spotting a navy officer in uniform, draped in a cloak of justice, presenting an imposing figure before the East Sea pirates.

Smoker’s murderous gaze instantly found a new target.

“All of you are ambitious souls seeking to challenge the Grand Line,” Lieutenant Charles said, sweeping his eyes over the pirates. “You should be familiar with our Logue Town policy, yes?”

“Yes, yes!” The pirates nodded vigorously.

“But this time, the purchase price for our Grand Line ‘Pass Certificate’ has increased slightly,” Charles continued, unfazed. “Five million Berries per pirate crew.”

At these words, the pirates grew restless.

“Five million Berries?” an impatient pirate protested. “Why has it gone up so much?!”

“Because this is your last chance!” Charles replied coldly, fixing the outspoken pirate with a glare. “Once Logue Town’s garrison changes, you’ll never get through as easily as before.”

“Easily?!” the pirate retorted, refusing to back down. “How is five million Berries in toll considered easy?!”

The other pirates murmured in agreement, the scene growing more chaotic.

“Heh...” Charles sneered. “Want to bypass Logue Town’s naval base and head straight to the Grand Line? You’re welcome to try!”

Logue Town was the gateway before Reverse Mountain, controlling the waterway from East Sea to the Grand Line’s end. Without sufficient strength, pirates attempting to evade the navy’s watch in Logue Town were little more than lambs to the slaughter.

After Charles finished, most pirates shrank back, unwilling to risk their lives testing Major Hammer and the Logue Town navy’s power.

The outspoken pirate found himself in an awkward position, Charles’s threatening gaze lingering on him. After a moment’s silence, the man decided to go all out, shouting to the pirates:

“We’re just dealing with a bunch of navy men! There’s so many of us—why should we meekly hand over our money?”

Bang!

A deafening crash—the disrespectful pirate was slammed to the floor by Charles’s sudden kick, leaving a human-shaped dent in the concrete. Blood gushed from his mouth, and he could no longer speak.

“Sigh... There’s always some fool like this,” Charles said. “We take your money and at least let you live—why insist on courting death?”

Charles withdrew his foot from the half-dead pirate, filled with contempt and disdain. The weakest sea, the East Sea, produced nothing but trash, yet they dared to challenge the Grand Line? Such ignorant insects had no purpose but to pay tribute to Major Hammer.

Previously, for the sake of “reputation,” Charles might have shown restraint; now, with his transfer imminent, he no longer cared about his attitude toward these pirates.

“I’m just a lieutenant,” Charles said, his voice full of pressure. “I imagine none of you want to force Major Hammer to deal with you personally!”

The pirates hung their heads.

“So then...” Charles’s expression remained icy. “Is there anyone still unwilling to buy a ‘Pass Certificate’?”

Silence.

“I am!” a voice full of fury rang out from the back.

The pirates turned, unconsciously making way for the man. Smoker strode forward, cigar blazing, ten-handed staff gripped tightly, smoke curling around him.

“Good, good!” Charles laughed in anger. “If you value money more than your life, don’t blame me for—”

“Upholding the law!”

The air was thick with tension, the warehouse charged for battle.

At that moment, a navy soldier rushed in. “Lieutenant Charles, Major Hammer needs you urgently! He’s just outside, please hurry!”

Charles paused, then shot Smoker a fierce look. “Wait here! I’ll be right back.”

With that, Charles exited the warehouse.

About a minute later, Charles returned, his face noticeably darker, the previous confidence gone.

“What’s wrong?” Smoker demanded, brimming with anger. “Are you still going to ‘uphold the law’ against me?”

“No...” Charles, his aura diminished, scrutinized Smoker. The biker jacket, bulging muscles, silver hair cropped short, giant cigar—clearly a rebellious pirate, the sort who’d kill even navy men in a rage.

“If you’re unwilling to pay,” Charles said, “I have a business proposition for you—if you dare.”

He glanced around, then fixed his eyes on Smoker. “Not only will you pay nothing, but you’ll earn thirty million Berries as a reward.”

“What kind of business?” The pirates, hearing the sum, were instantly aroused by greed.

Smoker gripped his staff tightly, prepared to strike down this corrupt navy man at any moment.

“Killing navy men,” Charles said, his gaze vicious. “In a while, help us ambush a squad of navy soldiers.”

“Ambush a squad of navy soldiers?” Smoker’s expression turned oddly fascinating. After a brief hesitation, he replied in a deep voice:

“I’ll take the job!”