Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

It had only been a few months since his brief encounter with Straw Hat Luffy on Enies Lobby.

At that time, he was fully capable of arresting the other party on the spot.

If Lieutenant General Garp hadn't suddenly appeared, he could have ended it all.

The results of it?

Months later, the Straw Hat boy who had struggled against him on Enies Lobby had now stood at the center of the Impel Down war, facing off against a Marine Admiral, confronting a terrifying force hidden by the World Government, and even being hailed by the world as the fifth Emperor of the Sea.

This rate of growth is practically mocking all those who cultivate and become stronger step by step.

What a monster.

"Are the 16 chimes meant to convey a message to someone?"

Aokiji's gaze returned to the newspaper.

He reached a similar conclusion to that of Staff Officer He.

"Staff Officer He has already analyzed it."

Smoker took another puff of his cigar and continued, "The tradition of ringing the Oaks Bell is a naval ceremony held annually at the turn of the year, symbolizing the end of one era and the beginning of another. The Straw Hats chose this time, in this way..."

He paused, and smoke slowly escaped from his nostrils.

"To whom is he conveying some kind of message? To his companions, or to the entire ocean?"

Aokiji was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled softly.

"Who knows? That kid's thought process can never be fathomed by common sense."

Smoker stubbed out the half-burnt cigar in the ashtray with a soft hiss.

"Instead of that, what's the status of my transfer application?"

Smoker said, "I've been waiting for a long time."

The atmosphere in the office subtly shifted.

“I have discussed this matter with Marshal Zhan Guo.”

Aokiji sat up straighter and said, "Are you serious, Smoker?"

"You wouldn't say that as a joke."

Smoker stared directly into Aokiji's eyes without flinching.

He has already submitted three formal applications, and pirate activity there is becoming increasingly rampant.

That's a good place to go.

"Naval GL Fifth Branch,"

Aokiji slowly repeated the code name, "In other words, you want to go to the new world."

Smoker nodded, without denying it.

"The closer to the target, the better."

Smoker said earnestly, "Straw Hat Luffy will definitely enter the New World in the future."

There is no doubt about this.

Luffy's current bounty is 3.5 billion Berries, and he is known as the fifth Emperor of the Sea, but he has not yet truly set foot in the New World.

Then he still has a chance!

Why are some pirates called the Emperors of the Sea?

Besides unparalleled strength, influence and territory are also very important.

Aokiji looked at Smoker, the man known as the mad dog of the Navy, who had been chasing after the Straw Hat Logue ever since Loguetown.

Every time we seemed to get close, we were once again left far behind.

But Smoker never gave up, even when his opponent had grown to the point where the entire Marine Headquarters needed to be on high alert.

"Those aren't the kind of pirates you can capture right now, Smoker. What do you think your chances are?"

"How do you know the odds of winning if you don't try? Besides, I'm not going to fight him one-on-one. G-5 Branch is one of the Navy's most important outposts in the New World. If the Straw Hats are going to enter the New World, there's a high probability they'll pass through that area."

"And then what? Lose another naval fleet, like in the Battle of Impel Down?"

That's a very strong statement.

The air in the office seemed to freeze.

Smoker's expression changed, but he did not back down.

"It is precisely because we failed at Impel Down that we need someone to stop him in the New World. Are we going to wait until the Straw Hats have established themselves in the New World and built up their own massive power like Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom before we go to fight them? How much will we have to pay then?"

Aokiji did not answer immediately.

That's not what he's worried about.

"That's true, but the timing isn't quite right for you to go to G-5 now. There are still many problems there."

“I’ve dealt with similar problems in Loguetown and Alabasta. When dealing with lawless people, you have to use the language they understand.”

Since things have come to this point...

Aokiji looked at Smoker quietly, and after a few seconds, nodded.

"I understand. I will do my best to push for the transfer."

Smoker seemed relieved, but instead of leaving immediately, he went back to the sofa, sat down, and lit another cigar.

Smoke rose again.

"You must have heard about the marshal's matter, right? What are your thoughts on who will succeed him after the Warring States Marshal steps down?"

The atmosphere in the office became subtle once again.

"Oh, this is a very troublesome matter."

Aokiji smiled.

The succession of a naval admiral is no small matter.

Especially after the Impel Down War, the Navy's prestige was damaged, the new world situation was turbulent, and the world government put increasing pressure on the Navy.

Taking over the position of marshal at this time is like taking on a hot potato.

Kizaru's personality is unsuitable, and Akainu lost an arm in Impel Down. Although he is still strong, his image must be taken into account.

With the recommendation of former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Aokiji didn't even have any competitors.

“This is a good opportunity. If you become the Fleet Admiral, at least you can ensure that the Navy doesn’t go too far in a radical direction. Sakazuki’s kind of justice is too extreme,” Smoker said.

This is the truth.

Akainu's style is too tough; he can't tolerate any nonsense.

Aokiji's lazy sense of justice may sound unreliable, but it might actually be more effective in a place like the New World where balance and compromise are needed.

However, Aokiji's next words stunned Smoker.

"What would you think if I didn't become the marshal?" Aokiji suddenly asked.

Smoker's fingers, holding the cigar, froze in mid-air.

"you......"

Smoker opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Aokiji joked, "Well, even being a Marine is a hassle for me."

Not wanting to be a marshal?

Perhaps he won't even leave the navy?

Smoker felt a sense of absurdity.

“Do you know what you’re saying, Kuzan?” Smoker’s tone turned serious.

"Just hypothetically, the world is changing, Smoker. The Impel Down war showed us a lot."

Aokiji didn't seem to be joking.

Smoker was his subordinate, but also his friend.

He exhaled a smoke ring: "That's something you higher-ups need to consider. I just want to do my job well."

He stubbed out his cigar and turned to walk towards the door.

"But Kuzan,"

Smoker said, "If you really have to leave, at least finish what you're supposed to do. Don't forget about the G-5 transfer."

The door opened, then closed again.

Aokiji was the only one left in the office.

......

New world.

A certain area of ​​turbulent sea.

Eustace Kidd, holding the newspaper in his hand, threw his head back and burst into laughter.

"captain?"

Kira came out of the cabin, and Kidd threw the newspaper at him.

That's the latest news.

"The straw hat hasn't entered the New World yet."

Kidd said, "Taking advantage of the Navy's absence to ring the bells 16 times in Marineford to usher in a new era, that's quite a bold move."

Kira caught the newspaper, glanced at it quickly, and narrowed his eyes slightly behind the mask.

"This bell can be interpreted as a declaration of the end of an era and the beginning of a new one."

Kira calmly analyzed, "The timing and method used by the Straw Hats are very meaningful..."

"Is this guy trying to say that Whitebeard's era is over, and I'm going to create a new era?"