Settsetse! The Pirate Nemesis

Smoker looked sullen.

235. Spandam

Those entering the New World are no longer just elite naval forces like vice admirals. Even promising naval elites like Smoker have joined them… Upon hearing this news, Sett felt that the World Government or the Navy was truly determined to maintain its dominance over Paradise in the first half of the Grand Line. As for Smoker joining the battle…

Sett wasn't too surprised—after all, Smoker is a user of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit. Although the attack power of smoke is low, the fact that Logia-type Devil Fruits are immune to non-Haki attacks is enough to guarantee Smoker's fighting strength in the first half of the Grand Line.

In the past, the entire West Blue would probably have been included. Unfortunately, due to Sett's appearance, the overall combat strength of the West Blue has skyrocketed. It's hard to say about the other islands, but Antwerp Island alone is definitely comparable to the strength of the New World.

"Yo, Smoker."

Upon seeing that it was an old classmate, Tina greeted her. Looking at the two who were practically inseparable, exchanging barbs and pointing fingers, Smoker had more or less guessed the nature of Sett and Tina's relationship.

There wasn't much jealousy, just a sense of regret: "It seems that Lieutenant General Tsuru's seduction plan has failed."

Shaking his head with a hint of regret, Smoker, who was standing to the side, showed no interest in fighting on foreign soil, nor did he heed Sengoku's order to observe Sett. He simply sat casually on the sofa, saying with a nonchalant air, "I didn't expect that in the end, not only did we fail to recruit Sett to the Navy, but we also had to resort to seduction, losing a Supernova in the process. Tsk tsk tsk~"

"Who was seduced? I was just drunk that day."

Hearing Smoker's words, Tina felt a little annoyed—but couldn't quite put her finger on why. Thinking about it carefully, it was probably because of other people's opinions. Tina herself wasn't someone who cared much about what others thought. However, Tina was very independent-minded, and the feeling of being seen as Sett's subordinate in other people's eyes made her somewhat unhappy.

Sett just chuckled a few times – as long as he got the better deal, that was enough.

Glancing at Smoker, Sett asked with some curiosity, "Aren't you worried that Tina might reveal some Navy secrets?"

“There’s nothing really secret.” Smoker took the iced whiskey from Robin, thanked her, and then said casually, “The real secrets are only known to the Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and the three Admirals… things like the Six Powers of the Navy, Haki, and such. With your current status, there are plenty of people in the New World willing to give them to you for free; those things aren’t really secrets. Besides, Tina is very tight-lipped; she probably won’t tell you the real secrets of the Navy so easily.”

Their different identities meant they encountered different worlds. At least, in Smoker's view, the Six Powers of the Navy were nothing of value. And later, Smoker raised an eyebrow at Sett—

This annoyed Tina, who clenched her fist and cracked it – what was this? A scheme to sow discord? Or a prank from an old classmate?

Sett nodded seriously in response: "Indeed, Tina's mouth is very tight."

Without a word, Tina grabbed a piece of black rag and, with Armament Haki hardening, slammed it down on Sett's head: "Die!!!"

"I mean I won't reveal any information." Despite the heavy blow, Sett remained unfazed—his muscles hadn't coordinated properly in his hasty movement, and this level of attack had actually hit Sett's hardest spot: his head? It would be a miracle if it even broke through his defenses…

Tina didn't believe a word of Sett's explanation.

Watching the two flirting here made Smoker, who had suddenly arrived for a visit, feel somewhat superfluous. He was just about to say something when he looked up and saw Robin staring at Tina with a resentful expression. Smoker glanced at Robin, then at Tina and Sett. A "Good grief!" immediately escaped Smoker's lips. His previous annoyance vanished, replaced by an overwhelming urge to watch the drama unfold.

Everyone has a bit of a voyeuristic tendency, especially when it comes to their own two classmates.

Not paying much attention, Sett casually said with five or six iron bars stuck in his head, "By the way, Old Smoker."

"I'm a cigar, not a cigarette." Smoker was a little annoyed to be called by his nickname—in Smoker's opinion, or in most people's opinion, cigars were still a bit more upscale than cigarettes... no, much more upscale. This was evident from the brand's positioning. However, for someone like Sett who didn't smoke at all, there was no difference.

That is, Smoker uses the Smoke-Smoke Fruit to control the smoke from spreading when he smokes a cigar, otherwise Sett would definitely kick him.

"It doesn't matter... What's the name of that World Government guy who came with you?"

"Call him Spandam."

Upon hearing Sett's question, Smoker made no attempt to cover it up—they were bound to meet eventually anyway. However, it was clear that Smoker didn't have a good impression of Spandamsmoker. At least, his face was full of disdain when he spoke of him.

"A coward. He was so scared when he heard I was coming to see you that he stayed inside and didn't dare to come out... I don't know why the World Government sent him. Honestly, is he completely useless?"

Upon hearing Smoker's words, Sett's initial curiosity was quickly dispelled, and his face was filled with schadenfreude.

"Isn't this how the World Government always is? A bunch of idiots trying to support a bunch of useless people. I don't understand why they do this. Now they're trying to find a way to check on my condition and they're sending this cowardly piece of trash. Do they have connections at home?"

"Ah."

Upon hearing Sett's words, Smoker nodded and said, "I heard his father is highly trusted by the Five Elders... I guess he's here to gain prestige."

Upon hearing this, Sett nodded. But just as Sett was about to say something more, his gaze faltered slightly, and he suddenly noticed that Robin beside him seemed to be lost in a state of melancholy.

"What's wrong, Robin? You've been listless ever since."

"..." Hearing this, he fell silent. After a moment, Robin shook his head, seemingly hesitant, "It's nothing... I just feel like I've heard this name somewhere before."

As she spoke, Robin silently pursed her lips. Although it was a very slight movement, Sett had known Robin well through their long time together—he knew details and habits that even Robin herself was unaware of.

Just like now, every time Robin purses her lips, it means she is trying to suppress her emotions.

Just as Sett suspected, Robin's inner turmoil was far from her outward composure—Spandam. Very similar, extremely similar. If she remembered correctly, the one who hunted down her mother and activated the Golden Den Den Mushi representing the Buster Call was named Spandam…

It's only one letter different from Spandam... Maybe I'm overthinking it?

Robin thought bitterly—she had already forgotten her hatred for Ohara. Just as Professor Clover had once told her, one cannot live in hatred. But the memories of Ohara, the scholars' guidance, and the meaning of Ohara's existence—Robin had never forgotten them in the slightest. Because Robin knew very well that if even she forgot Ohara, then Ohara would truly be destroyed.

Perhaps there is a connection, but feeling everything now, even the sour jealousy towards Tina makes Robin feel an irreplaceable attachment.

Let bygones be bygones... Besides, it's just that the names are somewhat similar.

Thinking this, a bitter look flashed across Robin's face. She looked up again, only to be met with the fixed gazes of Sett, Tina, Smoker, and the others.

Startled, Robin touched her face and hesitated before asking, "Is there... something dirty on my face?"

"You should ask Sett about that."

Hearing Robin's words, Tina rubbed her temples and said, "I don't know why, but suddenly Sett has been staring at you. I initially thought it was because that lecherous guy was lusting after you, but then you started looking so bitter... What happened? Just tell me, Sett is such a brainless guy."

Sett didn't care about Tina's slander. After all, Tina was only going to unleash her full power here now; she could calm down later in the night.

Robin was silent for a moment, then finally shook his head: "It's nothing, I just remembered some sad things..."

Stroking his chin and looking at Robin in front of him, Sett turned his gaze to Smoker beside him and asked, "What achievements has that guy named Spandam made?"

“Hmm… I’m not so sure about that.” Hearing this, Smoker shook his head and said, “Spandam is a prospective member of CP9, an intelligence agency of the World Government. They don’t share intelligence with the Navy… I’d never heard of him before. He’s cowardly, afraid of death, and weak in the limbs. I guess he was born into a good family.”

Upon hearing this, Sett frowned slightly—but then, as if remembering something, Smoker slapped his forehead and said, "Right, his father seems to be quite famous."

"Ok?"

"His father is called Spandam. He is famous because he activated the golden Den Den Mushi that represented the Buster Call. Since the Pirate King surrendered, that was the only Buster Call, so many Marine Vice Admirals have heard of him."

The Buster Call of Ohara remains controversial to this day, and while Spandam's name is not widely known, some people still recognize it as one of its initiators.

He wasn't from the West Sea, and his knowledge of the Buster Call was purely hearsay. Therefore, Smoker felt no qualms about saying these things.

236. Violent Death

Upon hearing Smoker's words, Sett remained silent for a moment.

Seemingly noticing the sudden change in atmosphere, Smoker's expression showed a hint of confusion... but that was all. Even now, Smoker still didn't know Robin's true identity.

Although Robin is standing right there, unfortunately, her wanted poster remains unchanged from seven years ago, showing her as a young girl. It's as if she has remained remarkably well-hidden throughout this time. Neither Tian nor Zephyr has revealed Robin's true intentions because of this.

With the right timing, location, and people, aside from a limited number of individuals, the only knowledge others had of Robin was that she was "the second-in-command of the Armstrong Casino."

Meanwhile, Robin's role as Sett's second-in-command has been questioned by many—after all, Robin simply spent a lot of time by Sett's side. If we're really going to rank them, Fujitora is probably the strongest under Sett.

Yes, Fujitora… Although he couldn't join the Navy, the name Issho was really inconvenient for a member of a violent organization to spread. So, Issho simply gave himself the codename "Fujitora." Because it was catchy, Sett was happy to call him that too.

But no matter what others say, Robin's place in Sett's heart has never been shaken...

"The instigator of the Ohara incident..."

Hearing Smoker's words, Sett didn't say anything more. He simply smoothed his hair, a hint of impatience in his eyes.

"I'll let you in on a secret: this man is Robin, the last survivor of the Ohara incident and the son of the devil."

"..."

Upon hearing Sett's words, Smoker was first taken aback, then looked at Robin with disbelief. Then, as if remembering something, he looked at Tina.

In response, Tina shrugged and said, "Tina already said that~ General Zephyr already knows."

"General Zephyr..."

Hearing Tina's words, Smoker opened his mouth, but felt a sense of helplessness—if that were the case. In other words, everything that had happened before, including the events in Mary Geoise, could actually have been avoided.

Smoker knew Admiral Zeff's personality well—although he hadn't personally experienced the Ohara incident, Smoker could guess that Admiral Zeff was definitely one of the vehement opponents. If it were any other Admiral… no, in that era there were only two Admirals. One was Sengoku, and the other was Zeff. The remaining position remained vacant because Garp refused to be promoted to Admiral. If it were Fleet Admiral Sengoku or Vice Admiral Garp, things would have been much better, wouldn't they?

As Smoker was thinking this, he had no idea that Garp was even more outrageous, directly recognizing the Pirate King's son as his grandson... Thinking about it this way, it seems that Roger was the one who suffered the most.

However, upon closer reflection, the key reason Garp refused to be promoted to Admiral might be that he needed to provide immediate support to Celestial Dragons in times of danger...

Looking at the crowd before him with a jumble of thoughts, Smoker finally glanced at Robin beside him and shook his head speechlessly. "If that's the case... why did the World Government send that guy?"

Given this chain of hatred, even the most foolish World Government wouldn't send someone like this to observe the ceremony. After all, it's already a slap in the face... But this time, the World Government didn't send Smoker and his group simply to observe the ceremony.

As a newly emerging and powerful force on the high seas, it has attracted strong attention from the World Government, including both pirates and the Navy.

Previously, Sett's Casino was just a small casino, but after Sett's rise, it's foreseeable that the entire landscape of the West Blue will change according to Sett's ideas. No one knows when Sett will venture into the New World—but one thing is certain: Sett will definitely not settle for this small corner of the West Blue.

It's understandable that others think this way. After all, in the eyes of the strong, although the West Blue has a large area, its quality is far inferior to that of the Grand Line... Not to mention anything else, just looking at the resources produced, it's clear. The New World alone produces 60% of the world's Devil Fruit users. The remaining 30% mostly come from Paradise in the first half of the Grand Line, and then the four seas.

Not only the strong, but even ordinary people are... The unpredictable and harsh climate of the New World makes both civilians and pirates incredibly fierce. In comparison, the West Blue is simply too small... The Red Line divides not just sea areas, but different worlds.

"I can guess a little bit." Tina, standing nearby, quickly realized the World Government's intentions and rubbed her temples in frustration. "Testing Sett's attitude towards the World Government, his regard for Robin, and Sett's own condition... what's next at the Armor Casino..."

Before Tina could finish speaking, Sett casually stretched his shoulders and said, "Hey, Pad, call that World Government envoy over here. Yes, that's right, the one named Spandam... his lieutenant? Whatever, just call all the lieutenants."

Upon hearing Sett's words, the group exchanged glances, speculating about Sett's choice. After a moment of silence, Robin stepped forward and said, "Actually, I've already let go of the matter of Ohara."

Hearing Robin's words, everyone turned to look at her. Feeling their gazes, Robin took a deep breath and said calmly, "Professor Clover and my mother, neither of them wanted me to live in the shadow of hatred… Rather than constantly suppressing myself and hating the world, what I, who survived, want to do is continue the unfinished dreams of the scholars of Ohara. And their dream certainly isn't for me to avenge them. I know that as scholars, they simply want to know the unanswered questions about the world."

Hearing this, Tian nodded. Robin hadn't become indifferent to her past hatred—her mother was dead, her scholars and teachers were dead. If she remained unmoved by all this, it would be inhuman. But as she was now, Robin had clearly let go of her hatred for the past, recognizing that the world wasn't simply a matter of good and evil, black and white. She accepted reality and then bravely faced the world.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Before Tina could react, Sett stepped forward and opened the door.

At first, Spandam thought it was a servant who opened the door, so his face was still filled with unease and anxiety. Clearly, he was somewhat afraid of Sett suddenly summoning him here. But when he saw that the person who opened the door was none other than Sett, a fawning smile quickly appeared on Spandam's face without the slightest hesitation.

“Ser…”

Before the flattering words could even leave his lips, Sett calmly raised his arm in everyone's sight, and then swung it out with a speed beyond the limits of human vision, accompanied by a deafening airburst.

The hard fist was as rough as unforged steel, and with a sound of bones shattering and flesh tearing, Spandam's head was smashed to pieces. Due to the intense kinetic energy, a piece of his cervical spine was also torn off and flew through the air.

In an instant, Spandam's head was reduced to a cloud of blood-soaked, mangled flesh. A torrent of blood gushed from the severed neck, staining most of the corridor crimson and white. Unlike the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the Western Sea experiences distinct seasons. It was early spring, the remnants of winter still lingering, and a few patches of snow clung to the windows. The sudden burst of blood splattered across the floor, steam rising from the broken bones and mangled flesh.

The sudden punch was beyond everyone's expectations.

Not to mention Tina, Smoker, and the others, even Robin, who was standing to the side, was a little taken aback.

"What a fucking bad luck."

With a disgruntled expression, Sett shook his fist, his palm still stained crimson, and said, "There are always people trying to test my limits with these little tricks."

If it was an unintentional offense, Sett wouldn't mind. After all, who hasn't been careless at times? The initial excitement of gaining power had passed. Or perhaps, now that he was familiar with his powers, Sett had become indifferent to old moral constraints.