Chapter 790: Chapter 790: Conflict with G-5

On the deck of the G-5 Marine warship, Smoker, Tashigi, and a crowd of Marines stared in shock at the numerous vessels anchored at the end of the waterway.

"An island designated as a forbidden zone by the Marines and the World Government... and yet there are so many ships here!"

"As I suspected, there really is a major secret hidden here!"

"Look! Quickly, look! That... that’s a ship from the Chris Pirates!"

"And the Straw Hat Pirates’ ship is there too!"

"Are you kidding me? Why would the Chris Pirates be at Punk Hazard?"

The Marines on the warship broke into a flurry of frantic whispers. They looked at the auxiliary vessels of the Golden Ring with utter disbelief. Even for the G-5 crowd, who were more like ruffians than soldiers, the Chris Pirates were the last people they wanted to encounter.

Having spent years stationed in the New World, they knew the terror of the Chris Pirates even better than Smoker did.

That terror didn’t just stem from the fact that their strength rivaled that of a Yonko crew. It was because the Chris Pirates’ reach extended into every shadow: the Underworld, various kingdoms, the World Government, and even the Marines. They didn’t even need to lift a finger themselves; they had a thousand ways to ruin you.

Smoker also noticed several ships bearing the "CC" emblem alongside those of the Straw Hats and the Chris Pirates.

"The ’CC’ logo... if this were old equipment from this place, it should be engraved with ’PH’ for Punk Hazard. This current logo... it’s someone’s initials..." Smoker furrowed his brow, muttering grimly, "If that guy is on this island, then a lot of things start to make sense!"

Suddenly, as Smoker was lost in thought, Tashigi called out with a stammer. "V-Vice Admiral Smoker! Look... those three men..."

"Hm?"

Smoker looked up toward the shore, spotting three figures standing by the waterway. His face paled instantly as he recognized them.

"Wait a second... is that Orc Otto?!"

"White Horse Cavendish! Watch out, that man is the legendary ’Kamaitachi of Rommel’!"

"Two executives of the Chris Pirates have appeared, and one of them is a commander-level powerhouse!"

"Who is the third person? Is he the legendary scientist of the Chris Pirates?"

The G-5 Marines cried out in horror as they identified the trio.

"The Grand Physician, Asa Jason!!!"

Compared to the rank-and-file, Smoker, as a high-ranking Marine officer, recognized Jason’s significance immediately.

In the eyes of the Marines and the World Government, the top-tier scientists and doctors recruited by the Chris Pirates were the most dangerous elements of their organization. They were the cornerstones that stabilized the crew’s current status. If they lost those minds, the threat level of the Chris Pirates would plummet significantly.

Thinking of this, a flicker of killing intent crossed Smoker’s eyes as he looked at Jason.

However, when his gaze shifted back to Otto and Cavendish, he abandoned the thought. Facing two Chris Pirate executives at once made success a gamble at best. If a fight broke out, his subordinates would suffer devastating casualties.

If Vice Admiral Vergo were here, we might stand a chance... Smoker thought regretfully.

He quickly shook the impractical thought from his head and refocused on the reality of the Chris Pirates being here. Before long, the warship docked. Smoker led the G-5 Marines onto the shore, coming face-to-face with Jason’s group.

"Marines! What are you doing here?" Otto stepped forward, his powerful frame imposing, his voice a low growl.

Fwoosh...

Smoker puffed out a cloud of smoke from his two cigars, his cold gaze sweeping over the three men. "I should be the one asking that. What are you doing here?"

"You’re overstepping, Smoker," Cavendish said with a haughty, defiant sneer. "The affairs of pirates are none of your business, especially when they concern the Chris Pirates!"

"This island is off-limits to both pirates and government personnel," Smoker’s eyes sharpened. "That includes you."

"Then the same applies to you, Smoker-san!" Jason countered with a cold laugh.

Otto and Cavendish moved to block Smoker’s path, standing like a wall. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Listen here! Even if you are subordinates of Aeridar of the Seven Warlords, you have no right to occupy this island!" Tashigi barked, her face stern. "I know there are others on this island, the Straw Hats, and more!"

With that, Tashigi pulled out a black Den Den Mushi and played a recording.

"Hey, hey! I’m Monkey D. Luffy, the man who’s gonna be King of the Pirates!"

"You’re moving too fast and talking too much!"

"Aaaah—help me!"

"What happened?"

"It’s so cold! Are you the boss?"

"No! I’m not your boss!"

"My comrades are being cut down one by one! I’m going to be killed!"

"Where are you?"

"Someone, anyone, save me! This is Punk Hazard!"

Squelch...

"Aaaagh—!"

The recording ended with the black Den Den Mushi coughing up a glob of blood.

"The name of the island, the freezing climate... the signal was sent from right here, wasn’t it?" Tashigi said calmly, holding the snail.

"The Straw Hats... a samurai..."

The three pirates exchanged looks, confirming their suspicions. Law and Caesar had indeed brought the Straw Hats to the island. To make matters worse, they had attracted the Marines. Those two were more trouble than they were worth.

"Fabricating distress signals? You Marines are the experts at that, aren’t you?" Cavendish mocked.

"Regrettably, this call wasn’t a trap set by us," Smoker said flatly.

"Who knows... regardless, this is our territory now. It’s time for you to leave!" Otto growled.

Smoker’s gaze turned fierce. "Stop the games. Let us see the research facility!"

"I refuse!" Otto roared. "This is an island you abandoned. What’s the problem with us taking it? Even if a Yonko were here, it wouldn’t be your place to interfere!"

"Vice Admiral Smoker, if you have no other business, get lost!" Cavendish’s hand moved to the hilt of his famous sword, Durandal.

Because the secrets here were so monumental, they actually wanted to wipe out this G-5 unit entirely. However, the Marines were numerous and certainly carrying multiple Den Den Mushi. A full-scale battle would likely result in an immediate leak, forcing the Marine Headquarters to investigate instantly. It was better to drive them away first and deal with them slowly later.

"Hunting pirates is my duty, and this isn’t a neutral zone. Get out of the way!" Smoker gripped the Jitte on his back, his voice chilling. "What is your objective here?"

Clang...

"Tch... knowing too much will only lead to a miserable death!" Cavendish unsheathed Durandal, his tone laced with killing intent.

"Dammit, you stubborn bastards!" Otto snarled, grabbing the massive axe from his back as a violent aura erupted from him.

Shoom—

In the next instant, Cavendish lunged. He thrust his sword forward with blinding speed. The high-speed strike pierced the air, creating a piercing whistle and a powerful shockwave.

"Biken: Blue Bird!"

"Don’t underestimate the Marines!"

Smoker transformed into white smoke with a bang, using his Logia intangibility to bypass the thrust.

Boom!

The water in the waterway behind him exploded, sending a ten-meter spray into the air.

Circling back through the air as smoke, Smoker reformed his upper body behind Cavendish. He raised his Seastone-tipped Jitte and slammed it down with crushing force.

Clang!

Cavendish spun around, meeting the strike with his blade. Metal shrieked against metal as a powerful gust of wind rippled outward, kicking up a flurry of snow.