Smoker's face darkened as he said, "Sandy, I originally thought you were a scholar, but I didn't expect you to be a heinous pirate with a 300 million Belly bounty. Even if it costs me my life today, I'll stop you here!"
Tashigi also drew her sword, pointing at Luffy and his crew. "I'll also bet on the Navy's name to stop you here!"
Crap, I got a bit carried away just now.
Sandy quickly tidied his hair, then put on a look of compassion and stepped forward. "How can you treat me like this? Do you even know why I have such a high bounty?"
"Why?" ×5
Sandy looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, a sincere tear glistening as he said slowly, "Last year, it was an autumn evening. The weather was calm and sunny, the sun was bright, and a gentle breeze blew from time to time—like a mother's gentle embrace. Truly nostalgic…"
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing a pheromone system operation. Reward: Physique +1 level.]
Smoker's face twitched in irritation. "Get to the point!!"
"Ahem, I was just setting the mood." Sandy awkwardly waved his hand. "That evening, I was helping a retired Navy veteran with difficulty walking across the road. You wouldn't know—he had a bedridden mother, his wife ran away, and he had several crying children to feed…"
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing a triple pheromone system operation. Physique +1 level.]
Tashigi felt the words oddly familiar, while Luffy and Sanji were already bawling their eyes out.
"He's so pitiful! Sob sob sob…"
Smoker drew out his cross-shaped jitte, pointing at Sandy. "You bastard, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"Ahem…" Sandy quickly continued, "When I was helping him cross the road, I ran into some passing Celestial Dragons. Seeing that we didn't kneel to greet them, that snot-nosed Celestial Dragon actually pulled out a gun to kill us.
Even ants cling to life, let alone us? I wouldn't just sit and wait for death, of course, so I slapped him. Who knew that guy was so weak—he passed out! So they slapped a bounty on me.
Smoker, tell me—what crime did I commit? I was just inexplicably branded a criminal. Why should a young man full of justice like me endure pain this world shouldn't bear?
If helping a retired Navy cross the road and saving him from harm is a crime—then arrest me! I won't resist!"
[Ding! The host's operation has strained the pheromone system's back. Congratulations! Host has obtained Advanced Space Slash application—no longer on cooldown.]
Wuhu~ taking off!
"Sob sob sob…" At this moment, after hearing Sandy's moving speech, Tashigi stepped forward and said to Smoker, "He… he's so pitiful… sob sob sob…"
Zoro stayed silent, while Sanji and Luffy were crying messily, wiping their tears and snot all over Sandy.
"Sob sob sob… I didn't expect you to have such a tragic past, Sandy… It's too touching…"
"Sob sob sob… Sandy, you're such a great person, you guy… you guy… waaah waaah…"
Looking at them, Sandy really wanted to kick both of them into the sea. Unable to bear it anymore, he shoved them away and shouted angrily, "You're disgusting! That's enough, you two idiots!"
Smoker stayed quiet for a while before finally saying, "What you said still needs investigation. Come to the Navy base with me first. If things are really as you said—"
Crap, this guy's stubborn as an ox, huh?
Sandy didn't want to waste more words. He'd gone through all this trouble to make up that story—was that easy?
"Space Field! Armament Haki Hardening!"
In an instant, Sandy appeared beside Smoker, grabbed both him and Tashigi, and flung them straight toward Smoker's office. Everything happened too fast, like a tornado.
While Luffy and Sanji were still crying dramatically, Zoro blinked. "Huh? Where did those two Navy officers go?"
Sandy exhaled two strong puffs from his nose and replied, "I threw them away! Are you guys still setting sail or what? Quit crying already! If that annoying Smoker catches up, none of us are leaving!"
In Smoker's office, Tashigi landed safely—while Smoker's head was stuck inside a wardrobe.
For a moment, Tashigi was dumbfounded. Where even is this? What just happened?
After a long pause, Smoker finally pulled his head out, lit another cigar, and said darkly, "Tashigi, are you coming with me to the Grand Line? That damn Straw Hat Crew dared to make fools of the Navy. Their crime is unforgivable!"
Tashigi hesitated. "But… what if what he said was true?"
Smoker growled, "Even if it's true, based on his actions just now, I still have to teach him a lesson!"
"Wait." Tashigi quickly stopped him. "How did we get back here just now? If we meet them again, we might not even be able to fight them."
Smoker snapped, "Tashigi! Just because we can't beat them, should we shrink away? Then what kind of Navy would we be?"
Tashigi quickly stood at attention. "I'll go with you to the Grand Line and arrest the Straw Hat Crew!"
Meanwhile, Dragon observed the Straw Hats from the shadows. He had originally planned to help them against Smoker, thinking they couldn't handle a Logia user. But now… even he was confused by Sandy's absurd antics.
Standing on a rooftop with the wind blowing against him, Dragon's face twitched slightly. If what that guy said was a lie, then the emotions I just felt were for nothing…
Finally, Dragon shook his head and chuckled softly.
"Go, children. If this is the path you choose, then continue to gallop across the seas…
People's dreams will never end. That's interesting. But seeing this situation, I'll give you a little push too…"
As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful gust swept through several streets of Loguetown.