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CHAPTER 68

Marine warships formed a blockade around Cocoyasi Village, casting an uneasy atmosphere over the area. Kreegan couldn't help but feel a tinge of anxiety, but he was confident that he had left no traces behind that could point to his involvement in the recent event. As they waited for the high-ranking Marine officer to disembark, the smoke from the ships billowed ominously in the background.

It didn't take long for Kreegan to spot Tashigi, the Marine officer he had encountered on more than one occasion. She discreetly waved her hand in his direction, a subtle acknowledgment that they were acquaintances. Kreegan returned the gesture with a salute, addressing her formally.

"Petty Officer Second Class Tashigi, how are you?" Kreegan inquired.

To his surprise, Tashigi revealed her arm, which now bore a higher rank insignia. Her voice held a touch of pride as she explained, "Warrant Officer now."

Kreegan's eyes widened in genuine astonishment. "Ohh! How did you manage to raise two ranks in one year?"

With a hint of modesty, Tashigi elaborated, "I had already earned my first promotion, but I received the second one just two days ago when Commander Smoker was promoted to Captain."

Kuina stood there, her eyes fixed on the woman before her, her mouth hanging slightly open. It was as if she had come face to face with another version of herself. Tashigi, on the other hand, caught sight of Kuina and found herself equally dumbfounded. The unexpected encounter left them both momentarily speechless.

Kreegan, always quick to break the ice, stepped in, a smile playing on his lips as he decided to introduce the two women.

"Let me introduce you to Kuina; you could say she is my little sister."

Kuina interjected with a hint of defiance, "I am not your little sister."

Kreegan, with a teasing glint in his eyes, continued, "She is the daughter of my sword instructor."

As the revelation sank in, Tashigi couldn't hide her surprise. Kreegan said, "Petty... Warrant Officer Tashigi is from the Logue Town Marine base. The resemblance is uncanny, right? I was in shock the first time I saw her, too. I almost thought she was you, but the main difference made it clear you were not the same."

Kuina, taking Kreegan's words to heart, scrutinized Tashigi closely and then, with a quirk of her brow, glanced down at her own chest. With a swift punch to Kreegan's head, she expressed her frustration.

"Auch! What was that for?"

Kuina's teeth turned into fangs, and she shouted, "For being an asshole!"

Kreegan, rubbing the bump on his head where she had struck him, could swear women in this world turned into haki masters when they were pissed. He glanced between the two women with a perplexed expression.

At that moment, Smoker, accompanied by his crew, descended from the ship. As his imposing figure emerged, the clamor and commotion on the dock began to subside.

"What is this ruckus about?" Smoker's deep, gravelly voice demanded an explanation.

Kreegan, recognizing the newly adorned Captain's uniform on Smoker, offered his congratulations with an over-the-top salute. "Congratulations, Captain Smoker."

Tashigi, taking a step forward to address Kreegan, explained the circumstances that had brought them here. "After learning that The Shinigami found and killed Arlong and his Fishman pirates, Captain Smoker wanted to come himself to inspect the situation. But on the way here, we received word that the Fishmen had killed Captain Nezumi, and in light of this, they promoted Smoker to Captain."

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Smoker grunted in response, his disdain for his deceased colleague evident. "Good riddance, that trash."

Tashigi, concerned about discussing such matters in the open, gently urged her Captain to move the conversation elsewhere. "Captain, we shouldn't talk about this while outside."

As Kreegan observed Smoker's increased power level, now a formidable white level 6, he couldn't help but feel a sense of competition rising within him. The dynamic had shifted. Back in Logue Town, Kreegan might have put on a tough facade, but Smoker had seen through it, sensing the fear and timidity behind the bravado. Kreegan had avoided meeting Smoker's gaze. However, things had changed, and his eyes now held a defiant challenge, silently daring the Marine Captain.

Smoker, with an air of authority and a hint of amusement, remarked, "Brat, are you feeling confident now that you've taken down some weak pirates?"

Kreegan, displaying his usual blend of respect and defiance, replied, "Of course not, Captain."

A wry grin tugged at Smoker's lips at the expected response, but Kreegan was not finished. He added, "I am feeling confident because I have become stronger."

Smoker's expression shifted slightly, his interest piqued. "Oh, are you saying you think you can challenge me?"

Kreegan didn't make grandiose claims, but his next words carried an unmistakable self-assuredness. "I don't know about that without trying, but I am sure I could go toe to toe with you this time."

This time it was Kreegan's turn to wear a smirk, and it didn't sit well with Smoker. He appreciated the younger man's assertiveness, but this bordered on arrogance. Smoker decided it was time to demonstrate the vast difference between a Logia user like himself and everyone else.

"Okay, then follow me to the outskirts of the village," Smoker declared.

Tashigi, cautious about the situation, chimed in, "Captain, we didn't come here for this, and it's not proper to assault civilians."

Smoker, wearing a sly grin, countered, "What do you mean 'assault'? We're going to have a friendly conversation, aren't we?"

Kreegan, with a hint of playful acquiescence, replied, "Whatever you say, Captain Smoker. If you say so, it must be the truth."

"See, you heard him. We are just going to talk."

Tashigi hesitated and then timidly voiced her concerns, "But!"

Smoker turned his gaze toward her and demanded, "Haa?"

Tashigi, her eyes glistening with unease, stammered, "No... nothing."

Smoker, in his characteristic no-nonsense manner, chided, "You crybaby! Don't follow us. I have to talk to him about something. That is an order."

...

Kreegan and Smoker strolled out of the village at a leisurely pace, side by side. Smoker broke the silence, commenting thoughtfully, "Wucrane, such a unique surname... I knew a Wucrane."

Kreegan abruptly halted, curiosity piqued by the unexpected connection Smoker was implying. Smoker, with a calm yet pensive expression, continued, "Ensign Jonathan Wucrane. A tragic incident ended his life, along with his family's. It's a remarkably small world, isn't it? The raid responsible for that tragedy was orchestrated by none other than the Arlong pirates."

Kreegan found himself at a loss for words, locking eyes with Smoker in silence. It was at that moment that Smoker raised his hand, offering further revelation, "I must admit, I didn't know the man personally. However, after our recent encounter, I couldn't help but delve into your background. That's when I came across this piece of information. Kreegan Darius Wucrane, the son of Ensign Jonathan Wucrane. If memory serves, your father served under Captain Nezumi at the 16th branch, correct?"

Kreehan replied somberly, "If you say so. I was too young to remember much. All I know is that my father was a good man and a dedicated Marine."

As the conversation veered towards an unsettling direction, Kreegan quietly prepared his spells, acknowledging that his usual tactics might not be as effective. His selection included spells such as Expeditious Retreat, Magic Missile, Color Spray, Ray of Enfeeblement, and Shocking Grasp for his level-one spells. For his level-two spells, he opted for Cat's Grace, Animal Aspect, and Gust of Wind. Meanwhile, Smoker drew his jitte, leaning on it casually as he remarked, "Two individuals tied to your family's tragedy met violent ends in quick succession."

Kreegan responded, "Yes, Arlong was the one responsible for my family's death, and I avenged them. However, I have no memory of where my father was stationed, let alone the particulars of his duties. In fact, until you mentioned it, I wasn't even aware that a Marine captain had been killed."

Without further ado, Smoker charged towards Kreegan, who activated both of his speed-enhancing buffs and executed his Iai technique. "Jolt, Shishi Sonson," he intoned, engaging in the imminent battle.The two formidable opponents collided with a powerful clash that sent both of them staggering back a few steps. Smoker couldn't conceal his surprise at the remarkable increase in Kreegan's strength. Just a year ago, he had considered Kreegan to be little more than a joke, but now, they appeared almost evenly matched. Still, Smoker retained the upper hand in terms of power.

Without hesitation, Kreegan tapped into his arcane abilities, invoking two of his arcane pool techniques. "Arcane Weapon Shock, Shocking Grasp, Nigiri: Hirameki (flash)," he chanted.

Smoker, perhaps overconfident due to his Logia powers, chose not to evade the attack. Instead, he transformed into smoke. Much to his astonishment, Kreegan's swift swordplay struck true, catching Smoker off guard. It was a stark contrast to their previous encounters when Kreegan struggled to inflict any meaningful damage. This time, Smoker bore two really shallow cuts on his body, a testament to Kreegan's increased prowess.

Recognizing the need to take the fight more seriously, Smoker attempted to move his body, only to discover it had become unresponsive. The electrical charge within Kreegan's attack had triggered a temporary paralysis, adding another layer of complexity to their confrontation.