"This is due to a gap in intelligence. If I had known her abilities, I certainly wouldn't have fallen for it."
Although he was taken down in one move, Smoker was not convinced and his attitude did not change after he got up again.
"Smoker, do you think all pirates will tell you information? Trusting your comrades is a good thing, but what if the intelligence department makes a mistake? Carelessness, underestimating the enemy—how many mistakes did you make in the battle just now? Do I need to remind you?"
"I don't deny that my previous carelessness led to the defeat, and I'm willing to accept the punishment! But I believe I won't lose in a head-on battle!"
A loss is a loss, there's no point in arguing about it. Smoker acknowledged the result, though he still had doubts about the process.
"Furthermore, Instructor Zephyr also defeated me by using the power of a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, and I believe you leaked information about me to her and prepared targeted weapons."
Putting everything else aside, Smoker has realized how strong Seastone's effect is on Devil Fruit users. They can't use their abilities, their bodies feel powerless, and they have almost no way to resist.
This thing is also related to the human body. For people like Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, regular seastone can restrict their ability to activate, but it cannot stop their actions.
Even with Seastone shackles, Shiki had the strength to sever his own legs with his bare hands, but against most Devil Fruit users, Seastone was still a special attack tool.
"Smoker, I never deny the existence of external forces and Devil Fruit abilities. These are all part of the battle, but we can't focus on one thing entirely."
Among Zephyr's many disciples, Borsalino is probably the one who focuses the most on Devil Fruit abilities. However, his physical skills are not weak either, although they are slightly inferior to others of the same level. But the Glint-Glint Fruit can make up for this shortcoming.
Smoker, however, did not exhibit this behavior.
"Yekrik, does Tina think Instructor Zephyr is specifically targeting Smoker?"
"Be confident. That's what Father thinks. He's never liked the style of relying entirely on Devil Fruit abilities. I'm afraid that girl was someone he specifically found from Uncle Sidiri."
Thankfully it wasn't Riley, otherwise the outcome would probably have been even more volatile.
"Then we..."
"You better pray that Father's target today isn't us. I don't want to experience Uncle Sidi Lear's new invention."
Perhaps Jeklik's prayers had been answered, for Zepha only glanced at the whispering group before turning his gaze back to Smoker.
"I know you might not be convinced, so I've prepared another opponent for you. Let me introduce you. This is Absalom, a subordinate of my friend Oran. He's the same age as you and also a Devil Fruit user."
So, Smoker, would you like to start round two?
"Of course, I won't be careless this time."
"Very good, then let's begin the second round."
Having learned from his previous experience, Smoker said nothing this time. After confirming that Absalom was ready, he launched the attack first.
"White Fist!"
Smoker's arm turned into smoke and flew forward, his fist aimed at Absalom's chest.
Using his rudimentary Observation Haki, Absalom tracked the trajectory of Smoker's punch, dodged it with a sidestep, and then vanished from the plaza.
"Gone?!"
Bang!
Smoker suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, clearly indicating that something had hit him, even physically affecting him.
"Invisibility? White smoke grenade!"
Smoker's body suddenly released a large amount of white smoke, and a layer of smoke immediately enveloped an area of the training ground, which revealed the outline of the transparent Absalom.
The nature-based ability to release a wide range of natural elements is somewhat of a counter to Absalom.
"Found you, White Snake!"
Smoker's arm transformed into smoke once more, but unlike his previous punches, this attack was like a viper, relentlessly pursuing Absalom's footsteps.
Just as the attack was about to hit, Absalom suddenly stopped. The next moment, a powerful whirlwind came from Absalom's direction, instantly dispersing the smoke in the arena.
One of the most notable characteristics of Logia-type Devil Fruits is that they are affected by other elements in nature, and wind is undoubtedly the natural enemy of smoke.
This is a common fighting style among Oran's men; besides their own strength, they may also possess all sorts of strange and unusual items.
For example, the wind just now was released by Absalom using a wind shell.
"It's no use. We can make as much smoke as we want."
Smoke filled the area again, and seeing this, Absalom simply stopped hiding. However, when he revealed himself, he had completely transformed into a werewolf.
"A werewolf. A mythical beast?"
"That's not important, but do you think you've won by forcing me out?"
"Of course not, you only know after the battle, white smoke launcher!"
Smoker's body continued to erupt with smoke, using the force of the smoke explosion to quickly approach Absalom.
Unlike the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and the Flame-Flame Fruit, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit doesn't provide a direct boost to combat power; Smoker primarily relies on his physical abilities for fighting.
The increased speed of the white smoke emitter gave his fist even more power, but just as he was about to throw the punch, an accident occurred.
Absalom stood still, seemingly without any intention of dodging, but he also raised his fist.
Smoker expected his punch to land first, but Absalom's punch struck Smoker when it was still half an arm's length away.
Where Smoker couldn't see, a transparent spinning rod was being swung in Absalom's hand.
The body becomes transparent, giving the enemy a false impression, while the weapon in hand remains transparent. This move often brings many unexpected consequences.
With the added power of the blow, the staff struck his carotid artery. The brief dizziness gave Absalom an opportunity to launch a series of fierce attacks.
Smoker ultimately lost to a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user who trained in physical combat daily and had some knowledge of Haki. However, he didn't lose as decisively as he did against Perona; at least he put up a fight for a while.
"Do you understand, Smoker? Logia-type Devil Fruit users are never invincible. If you don't train properly, your abilities will only become a trap."
"Yes! I understand, Instructor. I'm ready for Hell Week!"
The series of failures didn't elicit any rebuttals from Smoker; instead, he began to reflect on himself, which brought some comfort to Zephyr.
After all, his goal was to educate the other person to change their shortcomings, not simply to criticize them.
"Very good, I will teach you properly when we get back."
"Yes, Instructor! But I have an idea!"
"explain."
"I request to be equipped with a weapon made of Seastone. I believe such a weapon would be extremely effective against ability users!"
Smoker offered a new suggestion, which Zephyr didn't refuse, since there was nothing wrong with the statement: Seastone is more effective when one is not yet proficient in Haki.
But Zefa felt something was off; it seemed like he was teaching something incorrectly.
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