Chapter Seventy: Versus Smoker

There were not many people around the training field; most of the marines were engaged in their daily drills and few had gathered to witness this sparring match. Yet everyone present was deeply shaken by Roran’s overwhelming strength. They knew full well that although Tashigi held only the rank of sergeant, she was a direct subordinate of Captain Smoker and far stronger than even Captain Belle. For such a powerful marine to only manage to get close to Roran at the very last moment was truly terrifying.

Listening to the marines’ discussions, Roran felt neither pride nor any other emotion. It was just a friendly match for fun—nothing significant. However, behind those marines, Roran’s Observation Haki constantly sensed the presence of a powerful figure. In the entire base, there was only one person with such strength: Smoker. That was the reason behind Roran’s earlier joke.

“A sparring match, you say? I don’t see why not,” Smoker said, cigar in mouth, striding forward with a file in hand. He handed the document to the sweat-soaked Tashigi and continued, “I’d like to see whether a colonel directly appointed by headquarters is truly up to the mark.”

“Colonel?” Roran was puzzled. Hadn’t they agreed on lieutenant colonel earlier? Why was Smoker now saying colonel?

“Have you never heard of bargaining?” Smoker replied with a hint of exasperation. He had purposefully left room for negotiation with the higher-ups, but they had simply agreed outright. Were these really the stubborn leaders he remembered? So now, with headquarters’ direct approval, Roran had been promoted from lieutenant colonel to the same rank as himself. Just thinking about it made Smoker’s teeth ache. He, Smoker, a graduate of the Navy’s elite camp and once a prodigy, had taken more than a decade to reach his current rank. Now this youngster, just joining the Navy, was already his equal. Who wouldn’t feel a little sore about that? Smoker couldn’t help but harbor a touch of resentment.

“Well then, let me prove to the higher-ups that their judgment was not mistaken,” Roran said with a gentle smile, drawing his famed blade, the Short Goby.

Smoker’s abilities were no mystery to him. Smoker relied mainly on his seastone weapon and the powers of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, supplemented by his martial skills. Compared to himself, though, that was nothing. Smoker had his seastone jitte, but Roran had both the renowned Short Goby and the excellent sword Nara. Smoker possessed a Devil Fruit power, but so did he. As for martial arts, that could be set aside. In addition, Roran had both Observation and Armament Haki, which thoroughly countered Smoker.

“Let’s do this, then!” Smoker was a man of action; when he said spar, he meant it. Gripping his jitte, Smoker’s upper body surged forward, propelled by smoke, launching a fierce assault at Roran.

“I know you’re a Devil Fruit user too. Don’t hold back—show me everything you’ve got!” Smoker shouted, cigar clenched in his teeth.

“Why don’t I see your full strength first?” Roran shook his head, declining as he charged at Smoker as well. He didn’t use flying slashes, nor did he employ Armament Haki, or even any sword techniques at all. He simply relied on his raw strength and speed at level five, meeting Smoker head-on.

In the blink of an eye, the two clashed, sparks flying as they passed each other. Smoker, with his Logia abilities, could perform all manner of inhuman feats—like transforming into smoke after passing by his opponent and instantly recomposing himself to face Roran, even after his back had been turned. For most, Smoker’s sudden shifts would be impossible to defend against. But not for Roran. Even without using Observation Haki, he flipped nimbly, turning to face Smoker, matching his speed almost exactly.

“You’re stronger than I expected,” Smoker admitted with a furrowed brow after their initial encounter. Roran had reacted so quickly without even using his Devil Fruit power—how much faster would he be if he did? Smoker didn’t dare imagine it. He knew Roran was a Zoan-type user, and Zoans mainly enhanced their physical prowess, not just their supernatural abilities.

“You, on the other hand, are weaker than I thought,” Roran replied after their clash, gaining a deeper understanding of Smoker’s true abilities, and feeling even more confident. He didn’t know if Smoker was still holding back, but if what he’d just seen was all Smoker had, then he’d definitely been underestimating himself. Even without Haki or Devil Fruit powers, he could match Smoker using martial skills alone. What if he used everything? Wouldn’t it be over in an instant?

“Don’t underestimate a Marine Headquarters colonel!” Smoker was somewhat offended by Roran’s words. As a headquarters colonel, being told he was weaker than expected was an insult—not just to the Navy, but to himself.

No matter how patient he was, or how highly he regarded Roran, there were some things he couldn’t let slide.

“White Fist!” Smoker roared. His left hand, propelled by smoke, shot forward and reached Roran in an instant.

“Well done,” Roran muttered as Armament Haki silently covered his fist. He countered with his own punch. In Smoker’s shock, Roran’s fist, shimmering with a black light, collided violently with his White Fist, sending it shooting back.

“Armament Haki,” Smoker muttered through gritted teeth, glaring at his aching left hand.

“Good eye,” Roran replied. Since he had revealed it, there was no need to hide any longer. Armament Haki flowed forth, coating the Short Goby. In the blink of an eye, the once dark red blade turned jet black.

“You never mentioned this to me,” Smoker said, his own fist now quietly darkening as he too summoned Armament Haki.

“Didn’t I? I’m pretty sure I brought it up when we discussed the details—so that the higher-ups would take my application more seriously,” Roran mused.

Smoker fell silent. Logically speaking, Roran was right. A young man already strong enough to defeat a branch colonel, who also possessed Devil Fruit powers and Haki, was not someone the upper echelons could ignore. But he truly didn’t recall Roran mentioning it.

“No matter, it’s not important. Show me your true strength, Roran,” Smoker said grimly. At first, he had agreed to this match with the intention of offering a bit of guidance. Now, he simply wanted to see how much Roran was hiding, and just how much stronger he really was.

“My true strength?” Roran smiled, drawing his other famed blade, Nara, which also turned black with Armament Haki. The twin swords style—this, too, was part of his power.