While Smoker was busy pondering things, Luffy sat there looking just as confused.
"Wait a minute... isn't this the part where he's supposed to chase me like a madman?"
According to everything he knew, Smoker should've charged straight at him the moment he saw him. But instead, the guy was just standing there... spacing out?
"Eh, whatever. Food first, problems later."
With that thought, Luffy went right back to stuffing his face.
Smoker finally snapped out of it.
Sure, he couldn't beat Ryuunosuke—but Luffy? That was a different story.
Even with Fire Fist Ace nearby, Smoker had a plan. And Ace didn't seem too eager to fight anyway.
But the real kicker? He had just received a new piece of intel—Luffy wasn't just Ace's little brother... he was also the younger brother of that menace, Ryuunosuke.
If he captured Luffy and handed him over to Marineford, there was no way those two wouldn't show up to rescue him. And with the right trap?
They could wipe out both Ryuunosuke and Ace in one move.
Smoker's eyes narrowed.
"I'm outta here, Smoker!"
Before Smoker could even finish, Luffy grabbed an armful of meat and bolted.
"Luffy! Wait for me!" Ace shouted as he ran after him. "I still have a ton of stuff to talk to you about!"
Smoker stood frozen for a second, mouth half open.
"...Did they just run away?"
"CHASE HIM!" he barked. "Tashigi, you take care of things here!"
Without another word, he took off with a squad of marines in tow. His mind was laser-focused—capturing Luffy now meant everything. That connection to Ryuunosuke changed everything.
"Aah... why is it always me?" Tashigi muttered, watching them disappear.
She sighed and turned to the shopkeeper. "Sorry about the mess. How much did they eat? And, uh... I guess we're paying for the broken wall too."
"The food comes to 300,000 berries," the owner said, surprisingly calm. "And the wall and furniture repairs will run about 50,000 berries —we'll handle the labor ourselves."
"350,000 total, huh..." Tashigi rubbed her head. "I don't have that much on me right now—"
"I've got it," a soft voice interrupted.
She turned, startled. "No, I couldn't possibly let you—wait, you are...?"
Her eyes widened when she got a good look at the two women standing behind her. They looked familiar... eerily familiar.
"Kuina? What's up with your clothes—and your attitude?" Akame blinked.
It was Akame and Najenda. The pair had gotten separated from Ace earlier—he'd ditched them during a shopping trip, sneaking off to grab food, which is how he bumped into Luffy.
"You two—you're Najenda, the first squad captain, and Akame, a combat member!"
Tashigi had always been bothered by the rumors of a pirate who looked just like her. So when she heard that name, the pieces clicked instantly.
Akame narrowed her eyes and drew her blade. "You're not our Kuina," she muttered, her aura shifting dangerously.
At that moment, a squad of navy officers rushed in and surrounded the place—just as another figure stepped through the entrance.
"Akame, don't," she said calmly. "Let's go."
Without another word, she pulled her two crewmates away and led them through the hole left behind by Ace and Smoker. Najenda dropped a pouch of berries onto the counter on the way out.
Back inside, Tashigi just stood there, still in a daze.
"They really do look alike..." one marine mumbled. "Are they sisters?"
"But Tashigi-san never said she had a sister."
More murmurs followed.
After all, they had entered the building with Kuina earlier—thinking she was Tashigi. If not for the real Tashigi being there, complete with her unique sword, they would've never known.
Well... there was one difference.
Kuina's chest was definitely... bigger.
Outside the town, the three Dragon Hunter members moved quickly.
"Sis Kuina, who was that chick?" Akame asked while munching on a lollipop, clearly still irritated.
Najenda didn't ask out loud, but her eyes showed curiosity. The resemblance was impossible to ignore.
"She's... my sister," Kuina said softly.
She didn't elaborate. "It's complicated."
Then, changing the subject, she asked, "By the way, have we heard from the captain?"
"It's been almost two days. Shouldn't we check in?"
"Nope," Najenda replied. "He said he'd find us when he was done. Besides, I think he's got something going on in Alabasta."
"Guess we just enjoy the downtime, then."
Kuina smiled. She agreed—Ryuunosuke's strength gave their crew enough breathing room to take things slow.
Meanwhile, after talking with Luffy and understanding his goal, Ace decided to stick with the Straw Hats for now.
Since they were all heading after Crocodile, staying close to Luffy would eventually lead him to Ryuunosuke as well. Plus, the three brothers hadn't met in ages—what better time than now?
The Straw Hat crew, however, had mixed feelings.
Ace was polite, strong, and composed... and Luffy?
They could barely believe these two were brothers—they were like day and night.
But still, Ace quickly became a favorite among the crew. His easygoing nature and strength were a big hit.
Just as they set a new course to track down Crocodile, a small boat docked at the port.
One of its passengers spotted the massive warship belonging to the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
He jumped on board, eyes gleaming.
"This is... Ryuunosuke-nii's ship!"
Before he could even finish his sentence, a flash of silver light cut through the air.
Metal projectiles shot toward him with deadly precision.
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