The chaos of Nanohana was palpable—a swirling mess of Baroque Works agents, Marine confusion, and the sheer force of the two greatest pirate captains currently in the town: Smoker and Straw Hat Luffy.
Kenji watched from a rooftop. Luffy was pinned, caught by Smoker's Logia power. Target acquired.
He leaped down, moving faster than human eyes should track. He appeared not in front of Luffy, but a few meters away, facing the powerful Marine Captain.
Smoker didn't even register him until Kenji raised a hand.
"Marine Captain Smoker," Kenji said, his voice calm but imbued with a strange, undeniable authority. "You're a man of justice, but your current target is destined to change the world. You're aiming at the wrong future."
Smoker scowled, his cigar smoke clouding the air. "Another pest. Get out of my way, civilian!" He lunged, a massive fist of white smoke reaching out.
Kenji didn't dodge. He simply let the smoke fist pass through his shoulder.
• Target: Moku Moku no Mi (Smoke-Smoke Fruit) power.
• Copying...
• Apex Enhancement Active...
• Resulting Ability:[Apex: True Elemental Mimicry (Smoke)]Already Possessed.Overwriting and Enhancing...
• Resulting Ability:[Apex: Ultimate Elemental Control (Smoke)] Acquired. (Full Logia with the ability to turn into and control any gaseous state, including non-existent ones).
Kenji stood perfectly still. Then, an intense, dark purple smoke erupted from his body, instantaneously surrounding Smoker's white smoke. Kenji's smoke didn't just meet the white; it absorbed it, pulling it into his own miasma.
Smoker recoiled, shock replacing his usual grim determination. "What... what is that?!"
Kenji smiled faintly. "It's the apex of your own power, Captain. And I'm quite done here."
He snapped his fingers. The purple smoke, in a flash, formed a perfect, solid dome of pure gas around Smoker, compressing him non-lethally but completely immobilizing the powerful Marine. The sheer pressure of the compressed gas was overwhelming.
"Luffy!" Kenji called out, turning to the rubber man, who was gaping at him with wide, starry eyes. "Go! I'll cover your escape!"
Luffy, being Luffy, didn't hesitate. "WHOA! That was awesome! THANKS, SMOKEY MAN!" He blasted off with Zoro, Sanji, and Nami right behind him.
Kenji watched them go, letting the smoke dome dissipate as Smoker roared in frustration. The deed was done. He had made his grand, unforgettable entrance.