One piece: Dark Smoker

[A/N] - Support & Read 35 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!

[A/N] - Link Below!

.....

Soon, the day of Roger's execution arrived.

Smoker arrived at the central square of Rogge Town early.

A high execution platform, built in the previously empty square, gleamed ominously under the scorching sun.

The execution was scheduled for noon.

Though it was still early, the square was already packed with people.

Smoker calmly approached an abandoned building on the outskirts of the square, removed the wooden board sealing the door, and made his way to the terrace.

This was a strategic spot he had discovered during a previous visit.

The view was wide and unobstructed.

The outside of the terrace was covered with plants, making it difficult to spot from the street.

Most importantly, there were no people around—it was clean and secluded!

Smoker stood on the terrace, observing the crowds below.

Red Hair, Hawkeye, Doflamingo, Crocodile, Moriah, and Buggy...

The future troublemakers, now gathered among the crowd, waited to witness the fall of the king.

When a whale falls, the world shifts.

Overlords fall, and new ones rise.

This has been happening across the seas for centuries.

Smoker frowned slightly as he scanned the crowd of pirates below.

It was impossible that the Navy didn't recognize the significance of this execution to pirates. How could they have let this happen?

*The Navy must be trying to crush the pirates' spirits once and for all!* he thought.

But it was clear the Navy had miscalculated. They had underestimated Roger's cunning, as well as the pirates' fanaticism and greed.

Suddenly, Smoker felt something was off.

Currently, the Navy's marshal was Kong, and the Fleet Admiral was Sengoku.

While we won't discuss Sengoku's situation for now, how could *he* have made such a mistake?

This foolish move seemed more like something the Five Elders would orchestrate.

Smoker had a good impression of the Navy and believed in their resolve to wipe out pirates. But, thinking of how the Navy took orders from the World Government, especially the Celestial Dragons, made him uneasy.

Smoker couldn't help but shake his head, muttering to himself.

"A public execution… what a foolish decision."

"The Navy really messed this up."

Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.

"Alalala, white-haired little brother, it's very rude to criticize the Navy like that!!"

Smoker's spine went cold, and he was startled. "Who?!"

Though he hadn't awakened his Observation Haki yet, Smoker's instincts were sharp.

But this time, he hadn't noticed anyone behind him!

*If this were an enemy, I'd probably already be...*

Smoker turned around.

He found himself face-to-face with a tall, thin Marine who had appeared out of nowhere.

The man stood about three meters tall and wore a rare blue-purple Navy uniform, along with round sunglasses. His carefree expression seemed almost out of place.

With such a distinctive look, it was like his name was written on his forehead.

"Navy Headquarters Chief... Oh no, Vice Admiral, Kuzan."

"Alala, little brother, do you know me? How nice!" Kuzan grinned.

"But who are you? Despite your youth, your aura is terrifying!"

Smoker's face darkened.

*You think *I'm* scary? Then what does that make you?!*

What's with this weird energy?

On the other hand, Kuzan, though smiling, was secretly wary.

The kid in front of him was obviously too young to be in the Navy. The strict age limits for enlistment in the Navy were well known.

You had to be at least fourteen to join as an intern, and sixteen to become a regular soldier. Even if you were a Navy orphan, you wouldn't be allowed in unless you met these requirements.

The Navy was no shady organization like the CP.

Pirates, however, were different. They didn't care about age; children could join a pirate crew. These kids grew up fighting for survival, and by the time they matured, they were often strong.

Seeing Smoker's demeanor, Kuzan became suspicious.

Noticing Kuzan's uncertainty, Smoker decided to set the record straight.

"Don't worry, I'm not a pirate."

"In fact, I'd like to join the Navy if I could."

"Oh? Really?!" Kuzan's eyes lit up.

*A strong kid wants to join the Navy?* That was great news...

"That's fantastic, little brother! What's your name? Which village are you from?"

"Smoker, from Water Piano Island... though you probably haven't heard of it."

"Ah lala..." Kuzan scratched his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, I don't know it. Haha."

And so, they chatted for a while, getting along well.

Kuzan reminded Smoker of Garp—seemingly carefree, yet shrewd beneath the surface.

After a while, Kuzan suddenly spoke up.

"Smoker, you never did answer the question. Why do you think public execution is such a bad idea?"

"Well..." Smoker stroked his chin and sighed.

"Brother Kuzan, tell me the truth: Was Roger really captured by the Navy?"

Kuzan, who had been relaxed moments ago, was immediately taken aback. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

But seeing the serious expression on Smoker's face, Kuzan's words died in his throat.

After ensuring no one else was around, Kuzan leaned in and whispered, "How did you know?!"

Smoker nodded. "It was just a guess at first, but now I'm sure. I can only say your Navy really shot itself in the foot."

Kuzan was confused. "What do you mean?"

Smoker continued, "It's one thing to capture Roger, but that alone isn't enough."

"The report requires not just Roger's bounty photo, but also one of Vice Admiral Garp!"

Kuzan blushed as he remembered Garp's refusal to cooperate with photo ops.

"Isn't it unreasonable for Mr. Garp to take a photo with Roger?" Kuzan asked sheepishly.

Smoker rolled his eyes. "I don't doubt Garp's ability. If Roger was really captured, it would have been Garp who did it. But the photo of Garp... It's too clean. There isn't even a scratch on his face!"

"Uh..." Kuzan fell silent, finally realizing the issue.

Even if Garp, Sengoku, and Zefa had teamed up, they would have faced casualties capturing Roger. The lack of any visible damage to Garp in the photo raised too many questions.

Smoker smirked as he saw Kuzan's realization.

Smoker wasn't only a time traveler; he was also sharp enough to reverse-engineer the truth.

Kuzan continued to look at Smoker in shock. This guy... was really sharp!

Smoker wasn't done yet.

"Without that photo, pirates wouldn't believe the Navy could catch Roger. Look at the Golden Lion as an example. Even when a whole crew was captured, the others mysteriously vanished. It just doesn't add up."

Kuzan squirmed uncomfortably. "But the death of the Pirate King will still shock the pirates. It can't be all bad, can it?"

Smoker glanced at the reporters setting up their cameras in the square.

"I think it's the exact opposite."

"What do you mean?"

"Roger may be a pirate, but he's no fool. A man who stands at the top of the pirate world isn't stupid."

"Do you really think Roger wouldn't have anticipated a public execution? Would he let himself be humiliated like this?"

"Think about it—Rayleigh, Jaba, and the others are here, but why aren't they doing anything? Do you think they have no courage or strength?"

"The only logical explanation is that Roger planned this entire public execution."

Kuzan frowned. "But why would he do that?"

Smoker chuckled. "No matter how famous Roger is, he's still just a pirate. Today is probably his only chance to address the entire world!"

"With Roger's identity and the secret of the Great Treasure, do you really think he'll pass up this chance to stir up chaos?"

Kuzan paled. "I can't let him succeed!!" He turned and hurried away.

"Brother Kuzan, I don't recommend you do that."

Kuzan stopped and looked back. "Why?"

"The public execution is the government's decision. No matter how much you want to stop it, you can't change it."

"It's already too late. Even if the government knows something's wrong, they won't stop it. It's a matter of face for them."

"Ignore it, and no one will notice. But if you try to raise the issue, you'll become a thorn in their side. And every time you see them, they'll remember you're the one who caught on."

Smoker took a step forward and patted Kuzan on the shoulder.

"If you can't solve the problem, then eliminate the person who raised it."

"So, for now, just pretend you didn't hear or see anything."

Kuzan stood frozen for a moment.

Smoker secretly smiled to himself. This move—using his knowledge of the future—had worked like a charm.

Kuzan's expression flickered, but after a moment, his eyes became resolute again.

"Thank you, Brother Smoker. I'll follow your advice. But..."

Kuzan stepped toward the balcony, his gaze fixed on the execution platform.

"Regardless of what Roger is planning, and regardless of what the future holds, my justice will not change."

A layer of ice formed around Kuzan's body

as he said with determination:

"I will use my cold powers to carry out hot-blooded justice!"

Smoker gave a thumbs up.

"As expected of Brother Kuzan. He's so cool!!"

.....

Support and Read 30 Advanced Chapters. Ahead of the Rest!

https://[email protected]/Void36

[Replace '@' with 'A' to access Patreon normally]

There is 2 more exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon page!