With two cases in hand, Smoker left the ship without any issues, which significantly shook his confidence in his own conclusions. Could he have been wrong? If so, what was the real answer? Fortunately (?), as it turned out within seconds, he was not mistaken after all. Unlike Smoker, who had managed to leave the ship without incident, three of his lieutenants fell unconscious on the deck before they even reached the gangway. Moreover, as soon as Smoker handed over his two cases to one of the soldiers and took a few steps back toward the gangway, the soldier who had received the cases also collapsed unconscious. Smoker's conclusions were confirmed. But why had he not felt anything himself? Had he not been attacked, or was it due to the power of his Devil Fruit?
While Smoker was analyzing the condition of his unconscious subordinates — normal pulse, steady breathing, but unable to wake them — a soldier arrived with a report. It turned out the soldier was sent by the missing Tashigi. And where had she gone? The message she had sent required Smoker to return immediately to his office, as Tashigi had some 'critically important information about Roronoa Zoro, his crew, and their plans.' After a few seconds of standing, Smoker crumpled the note in his hand. A satisfied expression appeared on the captain's face. 'Critically important information about Roronoa Zoro, his crew, and their plans'? Such a phrase could only mean one thing — a traitor among the 'Pirate Slayers.' It was quite possible that one of the two individuals he had been briefed about earlier was the traitor.
However, before heading back, Smoker gave several orders to his remaining lieutenants. The loss of the observers was unpleasant, but Smoker was indeed a smart and experienced man. He had long been gathering information on the 'Pirate Slayers,' so he could somewhat predict their actions.
"Pass my orders to the other units," the captain began as his direct subordinates stood at attention before him. "All units must immediately come to the dock. Once they arrive, divide all our personnel into six battalions. Leave two battalions to guard the ship. One battalion should be sent to search the commercial street; they are likely to find 'Queen' Nami there. The 'Queen' is not only a beautiful woman but also the cartographer and navigator of the 'Pirate Slayers,' so pay special attention to clothing stores and stores that might interest a cartographer and navigator. The remaining three battalions should surround the local brothel. According to my information, 'Beheader' Johnny and 'Butcher' Yosaku did not miss a single brothel in East Blue, so it is highly likely that the local brothel will also attract their attention. If the information proves correct, do not make contact without me, seal off all possible escape routes, and wait for further orders. Exercise maximum caution in all cases. If Roronoa Zoro appears, retreat immediately. I repeat once again, — Smoker said sternly, — under no circumstances should you engage with Roronoa Zoro. None of you have the strength to confront such a person; it would only result in unnecessary casualties.
In reality, Smoker could have skipped the initial warning about the 'Pirate Slayers,' if only because he had issued similar warnings multiple times over the past month, sometimes several times a day. Unlike most people who learned everything from newspapers, Smoker's subordinates received information almost firsthand. Therefore, Smoker's men, knowing far more details, feared the 'Pirate Slayers' even more than ordinary civilians. Especially after learning about the details of the massacre of the Krieg Armada and their own experiences in Loguetown, where several hundred guards who participated in the aftermath of that massacre were now stationed, after Smoker's request for reinforcements. They had also seen photos that were censored from newspapers. No one wanted to face a crew capable of such a slaughter. And no one was eager to confront a person who was the captain of such a crew.
Satisfied that his orders were understood correctly, Smoker then headed back. He was eager to meet the traitor identified by Tashigi. Of course, there was still a considerable chance that Tashigi had managed to capture someone alive from the 'Pirate Slayers' or obtain information from other sources — strange things happen in life, and despite their name, incredible coincidences occur daily in the world. Nevertheless, Smoker leaned towards the version of treachery. Probably because the captain relied more on pure logic rather than chance in his life and work. And logic pointed Smoker toward a traitor. And so it turned out.
Although the identity of the traitor raised additional questions.
"State your name," Smoker said, sitting at the table.
Tashigi, who had already briefly informed him about the person sitting before him, stood stiffly behind his right shoulder. Like Smoker, she did not take her eyes off the person sitting in front of them. A boy of about fourteen, if not thirteen.
"My… my name is Luffy."
Smoker's gaze once again scanned the boy up and down. Black-haired, skinny, short, slightly hunched, making him look even smaller than he actually was. Fear. Uncertainty. Timidity. Literally every gesture of the boy told Smoker about his complete harmlessness, about the absence of any threat from him. Such a person would need protection rather than being feared. Nevertheless, Smoker did not relax, keeping his focus on the boy's eyes. The old saying that the eyes are the mirror of the soul was not born without reason. A person might appear harmless and defenseless on the outside, but if their eyes reflected a thirst for blood, the deception worked only until such a person 'hid' their eyes. Many could fake 'body language,' and only professional actors could control their gaze, not letting their eyes reveal their true feelings. Very few could 'maintain a mask' under constantly changing conditions and pressure. That's why Smoker always looked directly into people's eyes, no matter whom he was speaking to or interrogating. The boy named Luffy was no exception. But to Smoker's growing annoyance, the nearly trembling-with-fear boy looked anywhere but at him. Whenever their gazes met, the boy would quickly look away, trying to shrink into his shoulders.
"You told my lieutenant that you're part of the 'Pirate Slayers' crew... is that true?" Smoker asked after a long pause.
"N-no, not exactly," Luffy stuttered.
Smoker scowled, making him look even more intimidating.
"So you lied?"
"N-no!!!" Luffy jumped from his chair, desperately waving his hands. "It's not like that!"
"Then speak the truth!" Smoker growled.
Tashigi noticed how the boy's legs visibly buckled under the command, causing him to plop back down on his chair. The girl could only sympathize with him: despite his young age, the captain clearly was not going to give him any leniency.
"I've never joined the crew! Roronoa Zoro found me! And they don't even have a crew!" Luffy blurted out in one breath.
If other members of the family were present here and heard this response, they would have immediately become wary — assuming the whole situation was set aside — because Luffy did not lie at all. He had never joined the crew; he was the one who founded the family. Zoro did indeed find him, and they had no crew per se, as it was a family. A very truthful answer. The devil, as usual, was in the details, which Luffy's listeners had no inkling about.
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