Chapter 69 Are you interested in crushing fruits

Huff... Huff...

Under Grun's relentless attacks, Smoker's injuries increased, but his eyes shone brighter and brighter.

He had entered a peculiar state—a realization, almost like an epiphany before a breakthrough in a fantasy novel.

In Smoker's perception, Grun's presence hadn't grown stronger, but it had become clearer.

The feather arrows were still too fast to see clearly, yet their trajectories were becoming more apparent.

As soon as Grun launched an attack, Smoker instinctively knew where it would land. Despite his body feeling heavier, he only needed slight movements to narrowly dodge each strike.

After a while, Grun suddenly realized something.

Is this guy... training his Observation Haki on me?!

"Don't look down on me!!"

Grun roared, fiercely flapping his wings.

But before the attack landed, Smoker had already shifted slightly to the side, either by intent or instinct.

When the wind blades slashed down, they struck exactly where Smoker had just been, missing him effortlessly.

What?!

Grun's pupils shrank.

Realizing his ranged attacks weren't working, he charged toward Smoker, his wings covered in Armament Haki, slashing downward.

But again, Smoker sidestepped, two steps ahead of the attack, and Grun's devastating strike hit nothing but air.

He's dodging before the attack even begins...

His movements are just like Lord Katakuri's...

While Grun was still in shock, Smoker coated his fist in Armament Haki and punched him square in the chest.

Grun couldn't dodge in time. He quickly covered his chest with Haki to defend himself but was still sent flipping through the air. He flapped his wings to steady himself, glaring at Smoker with disbelief.

Damn it... I couldn't dodge. He can see the future, no doubt about it!

Smoker stared at Grun with intense focus.

Not enough. My attacks aren't strong enough!

Even his full-power punch, reinforced with Haki, hadn't weakened Grun's presence. Smoker felt frustrated.

Of course, if he used his Dark-Dark Fruit, he could strip away Grun's abilities or crush him with gravity, making the fight much easier.

But against a master of Haki and physical combat, Smoker didn't want to rely on his powers.

He wanted a pure fight—fists and Haki alone.

Grun seemed to understand Smoker's intention, and a fiery determination ignited in his eyes.

"Again!"

Grun transformed into his giant crane form, diving toward Smoker with his beak gleaming like metal, coated in Armament Haki.

His long neck retracted, then shot forward like a spear aimed directly at Smoker's chest.

"Crane Spear!"

The attack was incredibly fast.

Even with Smoker's ability to foresee the future, he wasn't yet proficient enough to fully avoid it.

He channeled all his Haki into his hands and grabbed the crane's beak.

Smoker's arms trembled as he struggled to stop the attack. Sparks flew as his hands ground against the sharp beak, producing a piercing screech.

Neither side gave an inch, but slowly, the beak inched closer to Smoker's chest.

Smoker quickly reinforced the Haki on his chest.

But it wasn't enough.

Shhkk!

The beak pierced his chest, and warm blood trickled out.

"Damn it! Still not enough!"

"My Haki can be stronger!"

Smoker's eyes turned bloodshot as he roared in frustration. The Haki covering his chest spread rapidly, coating almost his entire body.

Grun noticed and smirked mockingly.

The beak continued to push forward.

Suddenly, Smoker's Haki shifted. It retracted, concentrating entirely at the wound.

The Haki at the injury grew denser, darkening from its usual purplish-black to a deep black.

Grun's eyes narrowed.

This guy...

Smoker, blood dripping from his mouth and veins bulging in his arms, flashed a feral grin.

He slowly released his grip on the beak, letting his hardened chest alone bear the full force of Grun's attack.

Grun's face darkened, and he quickly withdrew his beak, spinning around to land a sharp kick to Smoker's face, sending him flying.

Smoker slowly stood up, wiping his mouth.

The Haki on his face had deflected the attack entirely. He was unharmed.

Grun couldn't help but praise him.

"You're something else..."

Smoker grinned.

"Thanks to you...

"When you attacked earlier, you covered your whole body with Haki, but after hitting me, only your beak retained it..."

"You didn't withdraw your Haki. You concentrated it all at the tip!"

Smoker's eyes burned with determination.

"So, the essence of Armament Haki... is focus!"

Grun sneered coldly.

"Correct. But Haki is finite."

"Focusing it increases power but weakens defense elsewhere. Unless..."

Smoker interrupted, completing the thought.

"...you can anticipate your opponent's moves with Observation Haki!"

Smoker assumed a defensive stance.

"Come at me!"

Grun narrowed his eyes and lunged like an arrow, his razor-sharp claws slashing down.

Smoker raised his arms, blocking the attack with Haki-coated hands. Sparks flew as the claws skidded across his palms but failed to break through.

Grun flapped his wings, aiming another slash.

Smoker raised his arm to block again.

Two shallow wounds appeared on his arm, but they were insignificant.

"Hah..."

Smoker shoved Grun back with force, exhaling heavily.

Though the injuries were minor, the pain was real.

Just as Grun prepared another attack, the sound of a brrrring came from his chest.

Pulling out a Den Den Mushi, it transformed into the image of a plump woman.

"Mamamama! Grun, how's the mission going?"

Hearing the voice, Smoker's expression shifted.

"Big Mom?!"

"Hm?" The Den Den Mushi's face showed surprise.

"Who's there?! Someone actually recognizes me?! Grun, is there someone else with you?!"

Grun frowned.

"Apologies. A Marine's been holding me up. I'll deal with him shortly!"

"A Marine? If they're strong enough to delay you, they must be tough! Mamamama!"

"No matter. Don't waste time on them. The mission is complete. Return immediately!"

Hina put away the transponder snail after the call ended.

Smoker stood still, deep in thought.

No wonder BIG MOM got wind of the pirate alliance. She planted a spy!

"Hey, which child of BIG MOM are you?" Smoker questioned with a sharp tone, suspicion in his gaze.

He couldn't recall any of BIG MOM's children being this strong. Someone at this level wouldn't just be a random member; they'd at least be a high-ranking officer or even one of the Sweet Commanders. Smoker's mind raced through possibilities.

Could this guy be Randolph's mount? No way... That useless rabbit couldn't possibly command someone this powerful.

Interrupting his thoughts, Hina's cold voice responded, "That has nothing to do with you." With a flap of his wings, he took off, quickly disappearing into the sky.

Smoker watched him leave but didn't pursue.

Knowing his background is enough for now.

There was no point in pushing for a fight. Capturing or killing Hina would be nearly impossible alone, and even if it wasn't, it wasn't worth stirring up BIG MOM's wrath. Since the dissolution of the Rocks Pirates, she had expanded her territory aggressively, growing in strength through political marriages. Even the Navy, with its limited resources, avoided outright confrontation with her crew.

In the end, it all boils down to firepower. If we had twenty Admirals, we could scatter the ashes of Roger and the Four Emperors alike...

Smoker lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag, and turned back to the battlefield where Zephyr was.

By the time he returned, Zephyr had already wrapped things up. Pirates were neatly tied up in sea stone chains, not a single one escaping.

Smoker approached Zephyr.

"Zephyr-sensei, what do you plan to do with these pirates?"

Zephyr glanced at the bound criminals.

"The low-level ones will be sent to the nearest prison. The more dangerous bounty heads go to Impel Down."

"Impel Down?" Smoker's eyes lit up. That place is a treasure trove.

Impel Down, especially its sixth underground level, was infamous. Every prisoner there was a powerhouse, a legend in their own right.

An inspiration, really—each a paragon of resilience.

Zephyr interrupted his thoughts.

"What about the guy you were chasing?"

Smoker scratched his head. "Uh... he got away. Turns out he's a spy for BIG MOM."

He quickly recounted the encounter.

Zephyr nodded, unsurprised. "Pirates planting spies is routine. Nothing unusual there. Hina... never heard of him before. Well, you were right not to provoke BIG MOM. No need to deal with that lunatic."

Smoker turned his attention to the captured pirates, his eyes gleaming.

"Sensei, are you really going to send these guys to Impel Down?"

Zephyr furrowed his brow, recalling Smoker's earlier ideas.

"You're not thinking of handing them over to the Celestial Dragons, are you?"

Smoker shrugged. "I mean, it could work..."

Zephyr shook his head firmly.

"I agree with your plan in principle, but these high-bounty pirates? That's a no-go. They're too dangerous. If one of them rebels and kills a Celestial Dragon, the Navy will be dragged into the mess."

"Besides," Zephyr added, "low-level slaves are enough to keep those spoiled brats entertained. Handing over someone capable of ryu-o would be courting disaster."

Smoker's gaze drifted to one particular prisoner, Crust, whose Devil Fruit powers had proven formidable.

"Speaking of which... What a waste of ability on this guy."

Crust possessed the Smash-Smash Fruit, which greatly amplified his offensive power. Properly trained, it could rival the Tremor-Tremor Fruit in close combat. Yet here he was, subdued and bound.

Zephyr rubbed a bruised spot on his arm and nodded.

"The fruit's strong, but the user's garbage. His future's sealed—he'll rot in the sixth level of Impel Down."

Impel Down wasn't just a prison. For the World Government, it was more like a Devil Fruit storage facility. By keeping powerful fruit users alive, they delayed the fruits from reincarnating and falling into the hands of other pirates.

Smoker pulled Zephyr aside to a quiet corner.

"Sensei, I've been thinking. The Navy doesn't just need independent funding—we need a special task force."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow.

"A task force?"

Smoker nodded.

"A team unbound by the World Government's control. One that can infiltrate, gather intelligence, and execute covert missions. Pirates have spies. The World Government has spies. Why don't we?"

Zephyr's expression turned skeptical.

"Because the World Government would never allow it. For the sake of their image, the Navy must act honorably and defeat pirates head-on. Sacrificing soldiers is a small price for maintaining that facade."

Smoker clenched his fists.

"Exactly why we need this task force. No code names, no records, no affiliations—just pure justice."

Zephyr's eyes gleamed with approval.

"You might be onto something. But as long as Kong remains Fleet Admiral, this idea is dead in the water."

Smoker frowned.

"Then when?"

Zephyr smirked knowingly.

"Not long now. I'll let you in on a secret—Sengoku will soon take over as Fleet Admiral."

Smoker's face lit up. "Seriously?"

Zephyr nodded. "The Navy is moving towards independence from the World Government. Sengoku's promotion will mark a turning point."

Hearing this, Smoker made up his mind.

"Sensei, I need to tell you something big. Promise to stay calm."

Zephyr folded his arms.

"Kid, I've seen it all. Try me."

Smoker looked around, ensuring no one was near, then extended his right arm. His hand transformed into swirling darkness, revealing seven or eight Devil Fruits floating ominously.

Zephyr nearly choked on his own breath.

"WHAT THE HELL?! Smoker, where did you get so many Devil Fruits? Did you rob the Celestial Dragons?!"

"Relax, Sensei." Smoker grinned.

"I've discovered a way to extract Devil Fruit powers."

Zephyr's jaw dropped.

"You're serious?!"

Smoker nodded. "These are my spoils of war. I know exactly what each one does."

His eyes flickered mischievously as he glanced at Crust.

"Sensei, interested in the Smash-Smash Fruit?"

Zephyr's lips curled into a grin, his eyes shining with a fiery determination.

"Kong might be Fleet Admiral now, but I can already see myself punching that old bastard Garp into next week!"

[author]

Support and Read 40 Advanced Chapters. Ahead of the Rest!

https://p@treon.com/Void36

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

There is 5 more exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon page!

[/author]