Chapter 7 – Too Weak
The entire Buggy Pirates crew was still lost in their celebration, completely unaware they were already under Marine surveillance. Even the young Marines watching them thought this crew was too weak—the sky screen's depiction was way too exaggerated and fake.
If Buggy really had top-level Observation Haki, how could he not spot a Marine who didn't even know Haki? The spy, still hidden in the shadows, took out a Den Den Mushi and made his report:
"Target hasn't moved. I repeat, target hasn't moved. Awaiting further instructions."
The Den Den Mushi connected him to the Loguetown Marine base. "Good work, soldier. Your mission is complete. Colonel Smoker is on his way. Withdraw immediately—don't get caught in the crossfire."
"Understood," replied the scout, hanging up. He'd joined the Marines inspired by Colonel Smoker; to him, the Colonel was a monster, and pirates always ended up on the losing side against him.
No sooner had the dutiful Marine left than Smoker arrived, using his White Smoke Launcher. The man, a cigar clamped in his mouth, called out,
"Tashigi, clear the townsfolk out of the area. If things get rough, I can't guarantee their safety. I'll take care of the Buggy Pirates myself."
Tashigi saluted, then drew her sword and began her task. Not only did she have a good image, but she was also the second-strongest among the Loguetown Marines—if any pirate tried to slip away, she'd handle it.
"Buggy the Clown, let me test your mettle—White Fist!"
Smoker's limbs detached and, trailing thick smoke, blasted through the tavern doors, flying straight at Buggy. Buggy's Chop-Chop Fruit let him dodge swords, but when it came to blunt attacks or close combat, he had to react with his own brain.
Both fists smashed squarely into Buggy's face, sending him flying into the wine cellar. The captain's sudden defeat snapped everyone back to reality, underscored by Buggy's pained yelps.
"Captain, are you alright?"
"Who dares ambush Captain Buggy? I'll fight you! Everyone, attack!"
A white-haired man with a cigar in his mouth strode through the ruined tavern door. "Just as I thought—the sky screen tricked everyone. This clown is a total nobody."
"It's Smoker the Marine! Why is he here?"
"Oh no, it's that monster—I don't want to go to jail!"
"Captain Buggy, save us!"
Who in East Blue didn't know Smoker? As a Logia Devil Fruit user, beating up pirates was child's play for him—no pirate could touch him.
In early One Piece, before Haki was a thing, Smoker chased the future Pirate King across several countries. Bullying Luffy's crew was easy for him. But as the series went on, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit looked weaker and weaker against hard-hitting Armament Haki users—Smoker became the king of taking L's.
Buggy activated his Chop-Chop Fruit, sending half his body flying out of the ruins. That White Fist really landed hard—a massive purple bruise swelled on his clownish face.
"Marine! How dare you interrupt the great Buggy's banquet! Die!"
Furious, Buggy hurled a special Buggy Ball at Smoker, who didn't even flinch.
"You don't even know Armament Haki—how could you touch me?"
Smoker simply turned his body to smoke, letting the Buggy Ball pass through and explode in a shop behind him, demolishing a clothing store.
"A Logia user—you're Smoker the Marine!"
"Buggy the Clown, you figured it out too late. White Bind!" His arm transformed into a snake of white smoke, snapping at Buggy's upper body.
Buggy's head and torso split off, dodging the smoke snake. But Smoker's attack wasn't done—the snake circled in midair, jaws snapping again at Buggy's head.
The drunken haze faded quickly as the fight wore on. Buggy, still shaken by the sky screen's revelations, was nowhere near strong enough—without Haki, he couldn't hurt a Logia user. If only he'd left earlier…
After dodging several times, Buggy was finally caught—Smoker's smoke wrapped tightly around his head. The difference in strength was overwhelming.
"This time, you're not escaping. Buggy the Clown, you really are too weak."
"Let go of Captain Buggy!" Overcoming their fear, Buggy's loyal underlings grabbed their weapons and attacked.
Alvida swung her spiked club at Smoker's head, Cabaji lunged at his chest with a sword, and Mohji sent Richie the lion to bite Smoker's leg. The three strongest officers all attacked at once.
It was pointless—no matter how many times Alvida swung, or how many times Cabaji stabbed, or how many times Richie lunged, none of them could touch Smoker. Against a Logia user, their attacks weren't even a tickle.
"A useless captain with useless subordinates—what a perfect match. White Tempest!"
Smoker created a flood of white smoke, instantly filling the tavern and sweeping all the pirates into the air—even Alvida, despite her Slip-Slip Fruit powers.
Buggy got it the worst—his legs were seized by the smoke, and his body, split into pieces, was all wrapped up and floating helplessly with the rest.
"Smoker! I'm Red-Haired Shanks' brother! Aren't you afraid of Yonko revenge?"
"Shanks is still in the Grand Line. By the time he gets to East Blue, you'll already be in jail. Stronger pirates get stronger Marines—my job is to keep this place safe."
Smoker marched out, carrying more than twenty pirates with smoke. He called to Tashigi, who'd finished clearing the area:
"Did you bring any Seastone handcuffs? There are two Devil Fruit users in here."
"Reporting, Colonel—I only have one pair."
"Put them on the clown first. His power is more annoying—he's a runner. Don't worry about the woman for now." Smoker didn't recognize Alvida—her old bounty poster still showed her as a fat woman.
Tashigi walked up to Buggy, asking the question on everyone's mind:
"Are you connected to the sky screen? For someone this weak, they sure picked the wrong person to hype up."
"How should I know? Who made me out to be so strong? This is so unfair…" Buggy, helpless in the grip of smoke, was almost in tears. He had no idea how he'd offended whoever was behind the sky screen, or why he was being built up only to be crushed.
"This pirate doesn't know any of the three Haki. No need to bother Admiral Akainu," Smoker said.
Just then, the sky screen began to change again. Now, even Smoker himself was appearing on the screen…
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