Chapter 22: A Cigar of 10,000 Yuan

"That guy Dragon, it's one thing if he wanted to let me go, but why did he help me put on that act?"

In the cabin of the warship, Vivian sat cross-legged on the floor, recalling the kick Dragon had deliberately thrown, muttering to himself in confusion.

Could it be that he wants me to owe him a favor?

Although Buggy had found the lower half of his body, he was still handcuffed with Seastone cuffs, separating his upper and lower halves. Hearing Vivian, Buggy shouted loudly, "See, you admitted it yourself! You definitely have some secret with the Revolutionary Army!"

"Oh, so what?" Vivian smiled at Buggy. "Do you want me to bring the other marines in here to hear your story again?"

Buggy: "…"

"So, if there's nothing important, be sensible and shut your mouth to avoid a beating, got it?" Vivian kicked Buggy in annoyance.

Already frustrated about going to the Grand Line, Vivian found Buggy's constant chatter unbearable.

Buggy, holding his swollen right cheek, lay in the corner with tears in his eyes, not daring to make a sound.

"Someday, I will repay all the humiliation I've suffered today," he vowed silently.

Vivian, looking at Buggy's trembling back, remained indifferent. Since the system didn't show any options, it meant beating Buggy wouldn't bring him any danger. So why not enjoy it?

A few hours later, Vivian went up to the deck and saw the warship had entered the Calm Belt. He couldn't help but marvel, "No need to cross Reverse Mountain, we can go straight to the Grand Line… So, are we heading to Twin Cape to intercept Straw Hat's ship?"

"No," Smoker, standing at the bow, shook his head. "Judging by the time, that kid has probably already left the Twin Cape area."

"Then where are you going to find him?"

"We'll go to the islands that pirates must pass through in the first half of the Grand Line to gather information," Smoker replied.

"I see…" Vivian nodded, then suggested, "How about this: you take the main force to intercept the Straw Hat crew, and you give me a small boat to escort these pirates to Impel Down. How about that?"

"Escort them alone?"

"Yes, two tasks at once, so we don't waste time, right?" Vivian nudged Smoker's elbow and quickly slipped his hand into Smoker's coat.

"Hmm?" Smoker glanced at Vivian, who blinked at him with a puzzled look. Smoker put away his doubts and said, "That could work, but… can you handle escorting so many pirates alone?"

"Uh…" Vivian wanted to say yes but felt it might be too arrogant. As he was considering his words, Tashigi suddenly ran over and said to Smoker, "Captain Smoker, let me go with Vivian. After we escort the pirates to Impel Down, we'll come back to join you."

Smoker took a deep drag on his cigar, his eyes scanning Vivian and Tashigi. After a moment, he nodded, "Alright, you two go. Use the Den Den Mushi to stay in touch."

He handed a small Den Den Mushi to Tashigi, then turned to the others, "Empty another warship, leave three cooks, ten service personnel, ten gunners, and two helmsmen. The rest will come with me to BBQ Island."

"BBQ Island? The one famous for its delicious barbecue?" Kuto, who had been lying on a stretcher, sat up with interest despite his injuries.

Yes, he had come along too. Despite Smoker's orders to stay in Loguetown to recover, Kuto insisted on joining the crew at sea.

As for the reason…

Naturally, it was still to earn merit and enter the Navy Headquarters as soon as possible to meet his idol, the naval hero, Garp.

"Yes, BBQ Island," Smoker nodded. "So, are you going to BBQ Island or following them to Impel Down?"

Kuto wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and righteously said, "Of course, I'm going to BBQ Island. I believe that escorting pirates is such a simple task that Chief Petty Officer Vivian can easily handle it."

Vivian: "Haha."

Twenty minutes later.

"Well, we're off then."

"See you later!"

At the stern of the warship, Vivian waved at Smoker and shouted loudly.

"Remember to come back soon, Chief Petty Officer Vivian."

Kuto also waved.

After a long time, seeing the ship gradually disappear, Smoker finally withdrew his gaze, reached into his coat, and tried to pull out two more cigars.

"Hmm?"

Where's my cigarette case?

Frowning, Smoker searched carefully again. When he pulled out a 10,000 Beli bill from his pocket, he suddenly remembered the scene just now and shouted loudly at the sea, "Vivian! Come back here!"

He squeezed the bill in his hand into a crumpled ball.

10,000 Beli…

Not enough to buy a decent cigar!

…

"Achoo!!"

"Huh? Is someone thinking about me?"

Vivian, with a cigar in his mouth, wiped his nose, then took out a lighter and lit the cigar, taking a deep puff.

"Ahhh~~!"

"Indeed, cigars are the best. What I smoked before doesn't even deserve to be called a cigarette."

It's just a pity that people with lower ranks can't afford this stuff.

Maybe I should try to become a branch-level officer?

As long as I don't work at the headquarters, it shouldn't trigger too many dangerous options.

"By the way, why did you come along?" Vivian turned to Tashigi.

"I…"

Tashigi lowered her head, intertwining her index fingers, "I was afraid you couldn't handle it alone."

"I see…"

Vivian nodded, not feeling anything unusual.

But inside, he couldn't help but complain.

Don't you know you're the goddess of the Loguetown marines? You volunteered to escort the pirates with me, what if it brings me jealousy?

Ah, what a troublesome woman.

"By the way, Vivian, where's your sword?" Tashigi tried to change the topic, looking at the empty scabbard at Vivian's waist.

"Oh, it broke during the fight with the pirates."

"Take mine."

Tashigi said, handing her sword to Vivian.

Vivian: ???

"It's okay, you use it. I'm still very strong even without a sword," Tashigi waved her hand.

A swordsman… without a sword?

A question mark flashed across Vivian's forehead.

Then, in the next second, options that hadn't appeared for a long time popped up in front of him again…