20+ early chapters on Pátreon.com/Herd99
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The first rays of morning light stretched lazily over the rooftops of Loguetown, tinting the Marine base in soft gold.
Inside the Bounty Collection Office, the peaceful quiet was disturbed only by the slow, rhythmic breathing of Lieutenant Kain, sprawled out over his desk.
A half-eaten donut rested in his loose grip, the sugar from its glaze dusting his fingers.
Papers, mostly bounty posters and unfiled reports, formed unstable towers around him, some tilting dangerously close to collapse.
The coffee machine in the corner burbled as it worked through its final drops, a faint aroma of old caffeine hanging in the air.
The rest of the office, in stark contrast to the man occupying it, showed clear signs of neglect.
Dust coated the surfaces, save for a distinct, clean circle where Kain's coffee cup usually sat.
The door creaked open.
Petty Officer Tashigi stepped inside, immediately adjusting her glasses with a sigh.
This wasn't the first time she'd walked in on this exact scene, and she doubted it would be the last.
Kain was, somehow, both one of the most skilled Marines on base and the most frustratingly lazy officer she'd ever served under.
"Lieutenant Kain," she called, her voice level but firm.
No response.
She took a step closer, frowning at the faint sound of snoring. "Sir, I know you're awake."
Still nothing.
Tashigi's brow twitched. She reached out and carefully plucked the donut from his loose fingers.
"I'll eat this if you don't wake up," she threatened.
Kain's eyes cracked open immediately, hazy and unfocused.
"That's a war crime, Tashigi," he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.
She held up the donut like a hostage. "Captain Shaw is calling for an officer's meeting. Urgent orders."
Kain let out a slow, dramatic groan and buried his face in his folded arms. "Tell him I'm busy."
"You're asleep."
"Exactly. Busy."
Tashigi inhaled deeply through her nose, reining in her patience. "Sir, you've been 'busy' for the last three hours. And Captain Shaw specifically said every officer needs to be there. Even you. Especially you."
Kain lifted his head just enough to squint at her, one eye half-lidded in mock contemplation. "Tashigi, you've got a bright future ahead of you," he murmured. "Don't throw it away by becoming a snitch."
"I'm not a snitch, sir," she shot back, crossing her arms. "I'm your assistant. And if you don't come, Captain Shaw will come looking for you himself."
Kain groaned again, louder this time, as if the sheer act of being conscious was a burden. With clear reluctance, he pushed himself upright, stretching lazily as he ran a hand through his already-messy hair.
"Fine," he muttered. "But if this meeting is about another 'team-building exercise,' I'm faking a stomach ache."
Tashigi simply shook her head, turning toward the door. "Try not to look like you just rolled out of bed, sir."
Kain glanced down at himself—wrinkled coat, untucked shirt, faint traces of sugar on his sleeve. He shrugged. "I make no promises."
With that, he grabbed his coffee cup, drained the last cold dregs, and trudged after her, already regretting leaving his desk.
The main hall of the Marine base was packed. Officers stood in neat rows, their uniforms crisp and their expressions serious.
The air carried the scent of fresh parchment and polished wood, a stark contrast to the dusty mess Kain had just left behind in his office.
Trailing behind Tashigi, he stifled a yawn and slouched slightly, keeping to the back of the room.
The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself.
Unfortunately, his very presence was already a miracle to most of the officers here—Lieutenant Kain, attending a meeting on time? Surely, the world was ending.
At the front of the room stood Captain Shaw D. Jaws, a towering man built like a fortress. His thick arms were crossed over his broad chest, and his infamous, chiseled jawline gleamed under the lantern lights.
He exuded authority without needing to say a word, but that never stopped him from barking orders when necessary.
Kain leaned against the back wall, arms crossed, hoping he could zone out for most of this.
Captain Shaw cleared his throat, and the murmuring officers fell silent. His gaze swept over the room, lingering momentarily on Kain before he spoke.
"As you all know," he began, voice steady and commanding, "my time as the commanding officer of Loguetown is coming to an end."
A few officers exchanged glances, some looking regretful, others resigned. Kain, however, simply blinked. He hadn't really thought about Shaw's retirement much. The man had been in charge for so long that it was hard to imagine anyone else filling his place.
"But before I go," Shaw continued, his tone shifting, "I want to introduce the Marine who will be taking over this base."
Kain took a slow sip of his coffee, already prepared to forget whoever it was. Some big-shot, probably. Someone who would try to impose more 'discipline' and 'efficiency' on a base that ran perfectly fine without either.
Shaw's next words, however, froze him mid-sip.
"A man who needs no introduction. Captain Smoker**.** "
Kain choked on his coffee.
The large double doors at the front of the hall swung open with a heavy creak, and the unmistakable scent of cigars filled the room.
Boots thudded against the wooden floor in slow, deliberate steps. Conversations erupted in hushed whispers as the man himself strode in, thick trails of smoke curling around his shoulders.
Smoker had changed since the last time Kain had seen him, but only slightly. His broad frame remained the same, his white Marine coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, the blue fur lining still as absurdly fluffy as ever.
Two cigars jutted from his mouth, and the Jitte resting on his shoulder promised nothing but trouble.
His gaze swept the room, taking in the gathered officers. And then, for the briefest moment, his eyes locked onto Kain's.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Smoker's mouth.
Kain immediately looked away, pretending to be deeply interested in a crack on the floorboards.
Smoker moved to stand beside Captain Shaw, exhaling a long puff of smoke before speaking.
"I don't care about formalities, so I'll keep this simple." His voice was as gruff as ever, carrying the weight of countless battles. "I was assigned here for one reason—to make sure this base is run properly."
That was probably a jab at him. Kain could feel it.
Shaw chuckled. "That's what I like about you, Smoker. Straight to the point." His expression shifted as he turned back to the gathered Marines. "Now, I know a new commanding officer can bring uncertainty, but I want to reassure you all of his strength."
A sinking feeling settled in Kain's stomach.
"So," Shaw continued, a slow grin spreading across his face, "Captain Smoker has agreed to a friendly spar. A small demonstration to show what he's capable of."
Kain's grip on his empty coffee cup tightened. He could already see where this was going.
Shaw scanned the room, his voice taking on an almost playful edge. "Of course, a demonstration requires a sparring partner."
Kain edged back slightly, subtly shifting toward the door.
Then Shaw's gaze landed on him.
No.
"Lieutenant Kain!"
The room fell silent. Every pair of eyes turned toward him.
Kain blinked. Looked behind him. Then back at Shaw. "Me?"
Shaw nodded. "You."
A forced laugh bubbled up from Kain's throat. "Oh, no, Captain, I'm flattered, really, but I think there are better choices. Maybe Tashigi? She's young, energetic—"
"Kain." Shaw's voice left no room for argument. "Get up here."
Kain's shoulders slumped. This was exactly why he didn't come to meetings.
Dragging his feet like a man walking toward his execution, he made his way to the front. As he passed Smoker, the man leaned in, voice low enough for only Kain to hear.
"Still as lazy as ever, huh?"
Kain sighed, rubbing his temple. "Still as exhausting as ever, Smoker."
Smoker smirked, cracking his knuckles.
Kain took his place in the open sparring area, already running through escape plans in his head. He could fake an injury. Or claim he had a sudden allergic reaction to secondhand smoke.
Unfortunately, none of that would get him out of this.
Shaw clapped his hands.
"Alright, then. Let's begin."