Chapter 5: Who is Superior, Who is Inferior? The Mere Smoke-Smoke Fruit

Five days later, the sailboat arrived at Loguetown.

As the place where the Pirate King was born and died, Loguetown was one of the most famous places not only in the East Blue but in the entire world.

Pirates from the East Blue, whether they were heading to the Grand Line or not, would come here to see the execution platform of the Pirate King.

Due to the large number of pirates coming to check in, Loguetown was extremely chaotic.

Therefore, Loguetown was once one of the most disorderly islands in the East Blue.

But after Marine Headquarters dispatched Smoker, Loguetown became one of the most peaceful and safest islands in the East Blue.

A Logia-type user, especially in the weakest of seas, was an almost unbeatable existence, even in the first half of the Grand Line.

When Link brought Nami ashore in Loguetown and headed straight for the Marine base, Smoker personally received this strongest man in the East Blue.

In the eyes of Smoker, who had been paying attention to Link, this "Impaler Duke" was also a Logia user, a user of the top-tier Forest-Forest Fruit, which was much rarer than the Logia Smoke-Smoke Fruit.

Once Aramaki made his appearance, it was believed that both Link and Aramaki would become the focus of the world.

After all, two Forest-Forest Fruit users were simply too incredible.

At that time, people would surely speculate about who between Link and Aramaki was the true user of the Logia Forest-Forest Fruit, and who was the user of a subordinate fruit.

If Link's performance was superior to Aramaki's, an absolutely hilarious event would occur: Aramaki would be questioned as not being the Forest-Forest Fruit user, and perhaps even Aramaki himself would begin to self-doubt, wondering if the fruit he ate was truly the Forest-Forest Fruit.

"I didn't expect even the Arlong Empire to be taken down by you."

Looking at the three well-preserved heads, Smoker, chewing on two cigars, lamented, "I've been looking for his whereabouts, but you found him first."

"Are you sure you weren't the one who didn't look, for fear of retaliation from the Seven Warlords?"

Link teased, "If I remember correctly, Arlong was once a member of the Sun Pirates. The reason he was released from Impel Down was because the 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe joined the Seven Warlords."

Hearing this, the expressions of both Smoker and Nami, who was standing behind Link, changed slightly.

Smoker's face filled with anger as he glared at Link and said, "A mere Warlord, what right does he have to challenge justice?"

Nami, on the other hand, began to hate the Warlord named "Knight of the Sea" Jinbe.

So Arlong had been captured by the Marines long ago.

If he hadn't been released, there would be no so-called Arlong Pirates, Belle-mère wouldn't have died, and she wouldn't have had to suffer for eight years!

"Alright, I'll believe you for now."

Facing Smoker's glare, Link said nonchalantly, "Hurry up and help me exchange the bounty. I need to enter the Grand Line."

"Hmph, with a personality like yours, no wonder you're unwilling to join the Marines."

Smoker snorted coldly and issued a threat, "I hope you don't become one of the sea's trash. Otherwise, the next time we meet, I won't be polite."

Link couldn't help but laugh mockingly, "That threat might have some weight against 'Fire Fist' Portgas D. Ace, but a mere Smoke-Smoke Fruit user? Don't make me laugh."

"You bastard, want to fight?"

"Believe it or not, I can turn this place into a forest with a single move."

"Believe it or not, I can make you a wanted pirate with a single phone call."

"Hah, you try it!"

"Hah!"

Watching the two of them trade boasts, looking like they were about to fight any second but never actually starting, Nami, who had been frightened by Link's arrogance and provocation of the Marines, was suddenly speechless.

She understood now. These two were old acquaintances.

Indeed, Link and Smoker were old acquaintances.

As a transmigrator, Link was well aware that the Marines in the Four Blues were extremely corrupt.

The more peaceful the sea, the more corrupt the Marines.

The East Blue was the weakest sea and also the most peaceful, so corrupt Marines could be seen everywhere.

But Link, who was not a wanted man, would always take the pirates he hunted to Loguetown to exchange for bounties.

Over time, Link and Smoker got to know each other.

Smoker, who mistakenly believed Link to be a user of the Logia Forest-Forest Fruit, regarded him with great importance. He had even passed on intelligence about him to Marine Headquarters and had invited Link to join the Marines on their behalf multiple times.

Unfortunately, each invitation was rejected by Link.

Although he was rejected, the Marines did not issue a warrant for Link's arrest. After all, on the surface, he was a bounty hunter cooperating with the Marines, and his work as a war mercenary was legally commissioned by kingdoms.

As long as he didn't commit a crime or infringe upon the interests of the World Government, neither the Marines nor the World Government would want to offend this top-tier Logia user.

If the positions of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea weren't full, the World Government would have already invited Link to join.

This verbal sparring match only ended when another person entered.

"Captain Smoker, the bounty money is here."

The person who entered was Tashigi.

"Yo... Tashigi, want to come with me to the Grand Line? I'll take you to reclaim all those famous swords from the pirates."

Looking at the serious-faced Tashigi, Link couldn't help but tease her.

"Thank you for your invitation, Lord Link, but I will not leave the Marines," Tashigi said earnestly.

Smoker glared at Link again, "You bastard, stop trying to poach my people!"

"It's truly a waste for Tashigi to be with a guy like you."

Link shook his head, picked up the case full of bounty money, and waved goodbye, "I'm leaving, no need to see me out."

"Who wants to see you out?"

After walking out of the Marine base, Link handed the case to Nami and said, "I'll leave the money in your care. Go buy whatever you want."

"Really?"

Nami's eyes instantly lit up, and she hugged the case tightly.

She never expected Link to be so generous, giving her over thirty million to spend as she pleased.

Link nodded and asked, "Is there anything you need? If there's nothing to buy, I'll go stock up on some food and fresh water, and then we'll enter the Grand Line."

Nami thought for a moment and said, "I want to buy some clothes and medicine, and I need to go to the nautical tool shop here."

"Alright, let's go."

Thus, Link and Nami went to the clothing store and the pharmacy, as well as the nautical tool shop.

At the nautical tool shop, Nami also learned about the device known as a Log Pose and bought several spares.

Finally, after stocking up on some food, fresh water, and fruit, Nami steered the sailboat towards the entrance of the Grand Line.