After spending quite some time landing ashore, Tashigi led thirty elite marines from Smoker's unit in formation straight from the docks toward the Marine Base in Loguetown.
Garen and Nami followed closely at her side. From afar, the two of them looked as if they were the leaders of this marine squad.
The marines had no objections to this—after all, Garen was someone who could talk and laugh casually with Vice Admiral Garp, a righteous ally they deeply respected, and also a senior figure whom their superior, Sergeant Tashigi, held in high esteem.
The marines moved swiftly, and no fools dared to block the path of this elite squad. Before long, Garen and company arrived at the gates of the Loguetown Marine Base.
Before coming, Tashigi had thought that this place would be a warzone by now, thanks to an enraged Smoker. But to her surprise, she saw the marines of Loguetown lined up in two neat rows in front of the base, as if to formally welcome them.
Standing at the front of these marines was a middle-aged officer draped in a "Justice" cape—Commander Hammer, the current commanding officer of the Loguetown Marine Base.
A harmless and friendly smile hung on his face, though there was a faint trace of flattery beneath it.
"You must be the headquarters troops here to relieve and replace us!"
Commander Hammer casually looked over the group of HQ marines before him, and his gaze quickly locked onto Garen, who was dressed in a white officer's suit, typically worn by higher-ranked officers.
He stepped forward slowly and gave a warm salute. "I'm the current commanding officer of the Loguetown Marine Base—Commander Hammer."
"Huh?"
Tashigi found this a little strange and stepped up to respond.
"I'm Petty Officer Tashigi from Marine Headquarters," she introduced.
"We're subordinates of Captain Smoker."
Hammer glanced over at her in response. A quiet, well-mannered girl with neatly trimmed short hair and a pair of plain, boxy glasses—she didn't look like a marine officer at all.
He subtly looked down on her but still nodded politely.
Then, an awkward silence fell over the scene.
Tashigi silently pondered Captain Smoker's whereabouts, while Hammer waited for the "Smoker" before him to speak up.
Of course, Garen had no intention of stepping forward to exchange pleasantries.
Looking at Garen's calm and unreadable expression, Hammer's heart suddenly sank. This guy really isn't playing nice. Could it be... this 'Smoker' has already uncovered the problems in Loguetown? He won't even bother with surface-level pleasantries?
If that was the case, then the slightest misstep could escalate into a full-blown conflict.
And Commander Hammer had no confidence in defeating a Logia-type Marine Captain in open combat.
He could only force himself to smile more enthusiastically, practically groveling. "Captain Smoker!
I apologize for not coming out earlier to welcome you. Please forgive my poor hospitality!"
As he spoke, he humbly bowed to Garen and reached out his hand, intending to shake.
"Huh?"
Garen blinked, a little puzzled.
Tashigi and the other marines exchanged awkward glances.
Commander Hammer's outstretched hand just hung there in the air, his flattering smile stiffening on his face.
Panic surged in his chest. This Smoker... he's really not giving me any face at all?! No—
I've got to lure him into a negotiation table. If I can't do that, I won't even have a chance to resist!
"Um…"
Just as Tashigi was about to speak up and clarify the misunderstanding—and maybe ask about the real Smoker's whereabouts—Commander Hammer's smile grew even warmer.
Rather than getting upset by "Smoker's" coldness, he lowered himself even further, practically like a servant.
"Captain Smoker!
Let's head inside and talk. I've prepared a small gift in your honor—I hope you'll be willing to accept it."
This was blatant bribery.
But driven to desperation by "Smoker's" repeated cold shoulders, Commander Hammer could only fall back on this clumsy tactic.
"Gifts?!"
Surprisingly, the one who responded wasn't the "Captain Smoker" he had in mind, but the lovely orange-haired girl standing beside him.
Excitement sparkled in Nami's eyes.
She was wearing a standard marine white shirt uniform—the very one she changed into aboard the ship. Compared to Tashigi, who was in her full dress uniform, Nami actually looked more like a marine.
But for a subordinate marine to cut in while the base commander was speaking to "Smoker"? That was completely out of line.
Commander Hammer found it odd, but still gave a vague response.
"Yes!
You've all come such a long way—I prepared a few small local specialties as a welcome gift for Captain Smoker."
Hammer snuck another glance at "Smoker" and lowered his voice further.
"Captain Smoker, there's no need to worry.
They're just a few local products from the East Blue—not worth much, not worth much…"
"Uh…"
Garen still didn't quite know how to react. He wasn't prepared to play the role of a Marine Captain.
His continued silence and cold demeanor only left Commander Hammer feeling even more powerless, suffocated by the tense atmosphere.
Luckily, a certain orange-haired angel came to his rescue.
With a bright smile, Nami walked up beside Garen and casually patted "Captain Smoker" on the shoulder.
"Captain Smoker~~
Since he's being so generous, we can't let him down, now can we?"
The corner of Garen's mouth twitched as he looked helplessly at Nami. Her light amber eyes were glowing like light bulbs, full of dazzling golden light.
"Hey!"
Tashigi, clearly stunned, walked up to them and questioned sharply:
"What do you think you're doing?"
Nami stared deeply at her and replied with some subtle meaning in her tone:
"I understand what you're thinking.
But these things... are best discussed once we're inside."
"Just leave the rest to me and 'Captain Smoker'."
Commander Hammer instantly caught on to what was going on.
This playful-looking orange-haired girl—she was probably the true trusted confidante of "Captain Smoker"!
As for that bespectacled, quiet girl… she was still too green and probably hadn't been fully "trained" by "Smoker" yet.
Oh, you sly dog, Smoker…
Hammer cursed in his heart.
You keep that cold and aloof facade, and make your subordinates say all the dirty things!
But on the outside, he only smiled even more fawningly.
"This lady is absolutely right!
Let's go inside and talk!"
Tashigi remained silent, a complex look in her eyes as she took in the situation.
The marines behind her wisely chose not to speak up either.
Ever since the real Captain Smoker departed early and then vanished without a trace, it was clear that something was very wrong with this base.
Rushing in blindly could land them all in serious danger.
Letting the powerful swordsman Garen go in first to assess the situation was probably the smartest move.
"Alright then…"
Tashigi took a deep breath and addressed Nami seriously.
"We'll wait outside for now. You and him go in and speak with Commander Hammer."
"No problem!"
Nami smiled even more brightly.
She casually walked over to Garen and gently wrapped her arm around his.
"Captain Smoker, shall we?"
Garen still hadn't fully gotten into character, but Nami impatiently dragged him toward the base gates.
"Uh… sure."
Garen could only let himself be led into the Marine Base, reluctantly stepping into the role of "Captain Smoker."
But their overly intimate behavior shocked Commander Hammer to the core.
Still wearing a flattering smile, he leaned in and asked in a soft voice, "Excuse me, ma'am, you are…?"
"Me?"
Nami didn't flinch in the slightest and casually made something up.
"I'm Captain Smoker's adjutant."
"I see."
Commander Hammer nodded on the outside—but inwardly, he scoffed.
Adjutant? You're wearing the lowest-ranking white shirt uniform and you're claiming to be a Marine HQ Captain's adjutant?
But then he looked at "Captain Smoker" again. The way he seemed subtly protective and deferential to this pretty marine…
Commander Hammer suddenly had a realization.
So both of Smoker's adjutants are cute young girls—one quiet and gentle, the other lively and mischievous. Neither of them carries even a hint of elite Marine authority. All their stats are clearly dumped into "feminine charm."
Adjutants? Pffft. More like...
I never expected you to be that kind of Smoker!
Still, a man who's greedy for wealth and beauty is much easier to deal with.
Commander Hammer relaxed internally, and couldn't help but admire with a heartfelt sigh:
This Captain really knows how to have fun!
(End of Chapter)