Loguetown.
The town known as the "Town of Beginning and End," it was the closest town in the East Blue to the entrance of the Grand Line.
It was also the birthplace and deathplace of the previous Pirate King, "Gol D. Roger."
At the Loguetown Marine Base, the group of the big-bearded man had just been processed. As for the villagers of Prometheus Island, they were housed in the town's grand cathedral, awaiting arrangements from the World Government.
In the white building behind the base's training grounds, the base commander's office, white smoke continuously seeped out from the gaps in the door.
Those unaware would surely think the place was on fire.
Yet, not a hint of urgency could be seen on the faces of the patrolling Marines.
This indicated that they were already accustomed to the white smoke.
Just then, a female Marine, wearing a light orange shirt with pink flowers and dark blue jeans, with short black hair and thick black-rimmed glasses,
hurriedly pushed open the door to the base commander's office.
Standing in the smoky room, the female Marine frowned and complained to a hazy figure shrouded in smoke,
"Colonel Smoker, could you please open the window before you smoke next time?"
After speaking, she walked to the window and shoved it open.
A gentle breeze flowed in through the window, instantly dispersing the smoke in the office and revealing a burly man sitting on a single sofa behind the desk.
The man was around 30 years old, with short silver hair, his upper body bare, his legs resting on the desk, two cigars in his mouth, reclining on the sofa, reading a newspaper.
It was a mystery how this man could see the newspaper in a room where visibility was zero.
Smoker looked at the female Marine standing by the desk, placed the newspaper on the desk, lowered his legs, and gruffly spoke to her,
"Sergeant Tashigi, don't forget your place. You don't need to concern yourself with my affairs."
However, his gruff tone and expression had no effect on Tashigi.
Tashigi raised the fax document she was holding and slapped it onto the desk.
She stated sternly, "Colonel Smoker, the Headquarters just sent news. 'Silver Hair' Kōta, with a bounty of 70 million Berries, is heading towards Loguetown."
"Hmm! 70 million? That's quite high!"
Smoker picked up the document on the desk and began to read.
"Silver Hair Kōta!"
As he read, a hint of confusion appeared on his face. He looked up and asked Tashigi,
"Isn't this guy currently fighting the Golden Lion in the sky above Prometheus Island?"
"Has the battle concluded so quickly?"
Before the Loguetown Marine Base received the big-bearded man's group, they had already received news of Kōta's battle with the Golden Lion.
Originally, Smoker had planned to go to Prometheus himself, using the fight between the Golden Lion and Kōta as an opportunity to try and apprehend both pirates.
However, his application to set sail was directly rejected by Marine Headquarters, which was why he didn't go.
"'Silver Hair' Kōta, with a bounty of 70 million Berries on his first bounty after setting sail, and he even fought the legendary pirate Golden Lion and retreated unharmed."
Tashigi frowned, placed her hands on the desk, leaned forward, and stared at Smoker, speaking loudly.
"Colonel Smoker, please take this seriously. Although we don't know who won between him and the Golden Lion, the fact that he could contend with the legendary pirate Golden Lion shows his strength."
"So what if he can contend with the Golden Lion?"
Smoker put down the document and calmly replied to Tashigi.
"Getting so worked up over a minor matter, that won't do! I have my own way of handling things, don't I!"
Evidently, they had not yet received the news of the Golden Lion's death. If they had, the situation would likely be different.
Smoker stood up from the sofa, walked to a nearby coat rack, picked up a white coat with "Justice" written on the back, and put it on.
This man's coat was covered in cigars, clearly indicating his addiction had reached a near-fanatical level.
Smoker's cigar was never out of his mouth; as soon as one was finished, he lit another.
He took a puff of his cigar, turned to Tashigi, and said calmly, "Besides, when have you ever seen me easily let any pirate go?"
He paused for a moment, then gruffly cursed at Tashigi.
"Stupid woman!"
Hearing Smoker's scolding, Tashigi let go of her tense emotions.
That was a pirate with a bounty of 70 million Berries, and currently the highest bounty in the East Blue. It was no wonder she was nervous.
However, despite her nervousness, she was not afraid.
She looked up at Smoker's fierce expression, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.
With Colonel Smoker here, she believed that even 'Silver Hair' Kōta wouldn't be able to easily pass through Loguetown.
Ever since Colonel Smoker arrived in Loguetown, very few pirates had managed to overcome him, this insurmountable obstacle, and easily reach the Grand Line.
Also, despite Colonel Smoker's usual stern demeanor, she knew that deep down, he was a very kind person.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, stood up straight, and said to Smoker with a determined gaze,
"I understand, Colonel Smoker."
"Good. It's good that you understand."
Smoker walked to Tashigi's side, ruffled her hair, and said sternly.
"We are Marines. Our duty is to capture pirates. It should be the pirates who are nervous when they see us, not the other way around."
"And besides, he's not an invincible pirate, is he!"
Although he often scolded Tashigi, in his heart, he always treated her like a younger sister.
Despite this airheaded girl's usual appearance, she was actually a very strong and brave person, fighting valiantly without hesitation when facing pirates.
During regular training, she also endured hardships and worked harder than most men.
Moreover, Tashigi shared his own sense of justice, which was why he valued her the most.
Smoker walked to the window, looked down at the Marines training in the courtyard below, and turned to ask Tashigi,
"By the way, do we know when 'Silver Hair' and his crew will arrive?"
Tashigi straightened her expression, reached for the document on the desk, and read from it.
"According to the information from Headquarters, 'Silver Hair' headed towards Loguetown after a brief engagement with Admiral Borsalino."
"As for the Golden Lion..."
"There's been no trace of him yet."
She pushed her glasses up and looked at Smoker.
"Considering the departure time of 'Silver Hair's' pirate ship this morning, they've probably already rendezvoused and are returning."
"Do we know the specific time?"
Smoker lit another cigar, took a puff, and stared at Tashigi, asking.
"At noon."
"At noon?"
Smoker rubbed his chin, thought for a moment with a frown, and then looked up to instruct Tashigi.
"Go tell everyone to be prepared. This time, I won't let 'Silver Hair' leave Loguetown."
Tashigi stood up straight, saluted, and shouted loudly.
"Yes, Colonel Smoker!"
Then she turned and left the office.
After Tashigi left, Smoker turned to look at Kōta's bounty poster on the desk. He paused for a moment.
Then he turned and took a giant Jitte weapon from the wall by the window.
This weapon not only counteracted swordsmen's blades, but he had also specifically added Seastone to the tip to deal with Devil Fruit users.
No matter if 'Silver Hair' could fight the Golden Lion or escape from Admiral Borsalino,
he would not let this guy leave Loguetown easily.
Even if it meant risking his reputation as the "White Hunter" Smoker.