A Marine butcher? I’m just fighting to live with everything I’ve got. Chapter 8 8: Challenging Authority. I Guess I Still Have Muc

"Armant Haki!"

Smoker's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the blackened sheen covering Hawk's arm.

He was a graduate of Marine Headquarters' elite training camp, and he knew this power all too well.

Armant Haki the ability to harden the body, sharpen offense and defense, and strike at Logia users whose intangible bodies usually ignored physical blows.

Against a Logia, this was one of the most effective counters.

On the Grand Line, it wasn't rare to encounter.

But this was the East Blue. The so-called weakest sea in the world.

And yet… Hawk…

This man already had monstrous physical strength

And now, such a refined, concentrated mastery of Armant Haki.

The color and density of that hardened arm was no beginner's level.

Could this man really be just a Lieutenant Colonel of the Sixteenth Branch?

Or was he so monster from Headquarters disguised in a lower post?

If every Marine officer at this rank had that kind of power, the seas would have been crushed under the Navy's rule long ago!

"..."

Tashigi was stunned, her glasses slipping as her eyes went wide.

Armant Haki?

Lieutenant Colonel Hawk actually possessed a power that even many officers at Headquarters struggled to master?

And judging by Captain Smoker's reaction, Hawk's control was far from weak.

Incredible…

"..."

The soldiers of the Sixteenth Branch gasped, then puffed their chests with renewed pride.

They had always known their commander was strong… but Armant Haki?

That was a power they had only ever heard of in hushed rumors, the kind of ability only Headquarters elites wielded.

And now, their very own Lieutenant Colonel had revealed it.

The n's eyes burned with sothing beyond admiration fanatical trust, fervent pride.

No wonder.

No wonder he could crush Arlong the Fish-Man in a single punch.

To follow such an officer was the greatest honor.

"—tch."

Smoker's expression twisted as pain lanced through his arm.

His elentalized body was being suppressed by Hawk's hardened grip, the ache biting deep into bone.

He clenched his teeth and, with his free hand, fished out a cigar from his chest pocket, offering it toward Hawk.

"Try it."

"Headquarters' officer-exclusive brand. Strong stuff."

It was an olive branch, a way to break free from this humiliating bind.

"Thank you."

Hawk accepted politely, biting down on the cigar with his free hand. His grip, however, remained steady and rciless.

Unyielding.

Unshakable.

Heh. One cigar?

"..."

Smoker inhaled sharply as fresh pain jolted through his wrist.

Gritting his teeth, he drew out another cigar and thrust it toward Hawk.

"Two at once. Stronger kick that way."

"Thank you."

Hawk calmly accepted, lighting both and clenching them between his teeth.

His blackened grip never faltered.

The flavor was indeed excellent rich and bold.

But Smoker…

You were the one who picked this fight. I'm only countering.

And you think compensation for my trouble is just two cigars?

"..."

Smoker's arm throbbed as if it were about to snap.

Biting down hard, he pulled out an entire case of cigars and shoved it into Hawk's chest.

"Here. Take them. The whole box."

"We're brothers in the Marines. No need to be polite."

"Much appreciated."

For the first ti, Hawk allowed a smile to touch his lips. "These are excellent cigars."

At last, his crushing grip eased just slightly.

"..."

Smoker's gut twisted. Hawk's smile looked warm on the surface, but to him it felt like staring into the grin of a devil.

This couldn't go on. Everyone was watching, but the only one humiliated and hurting was him.

"One box isn't enough. Five. I'll have them sent to you later. Don't refuse."

He all but ground his molars to dust as he forced the words out.

"Good brothers share fortune."

Smoker's heart bled.

Five boxes.

Five months' worth of his officer-exclusive stash… gone.

All because he couldn't resist teaching this so-called branch officer a lesson.

Instead, he'd slamd into an immovable wall.

This man wasn't just a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a monster wearing one's coat.

Better to pay the price and cut his losses.

"Smoker, my good brother."

Hawk finally released him, smiling faintly. "Many thanks."

He weighed the cigar box in his palm, satisfied, and tucked it into his coat.

A fine prize.

Headquarters' officer-exclusive brand, the kind never sold on the market.

And today, all he had to do was "exchange greetings" with a fellow officer to walk away with five boxes.

Delightful.

Smoker shook out his aching hand, fingers tingling, then pulled out a lighter.

Click.

He lit his own cigar, took a long drag, then leaned forward to light the two between Hawk's teeth.

In an instant, both n exhaled thick clouds of smoke.

The tension that had been monts from erupting into a fight was swallowed in the haze.

"It's fine, everyone."

Hawk turned to the tense villagers still gathered nearby, his voice calm and steady.

"A small misunderstanding between fellow Marines. It's settled now."

"Return to your hos. We'll handle the aftermath."

"All of Arlong's spoils will be recovered and returned to you once the Sixteenth Branch finishes the tally. Rest assured."

"..."

The villagers studied Hawk and the fierce silver-haired officer now standing beside him, their fears slowly lting away, replaced with gratitude and trust.

As long as Lieutenant Colonel Hawk was unhard, all would be well.

"Yes!"

"We believe in Lieutenant Colonel Hawk!"

"If he says it's fine, then it's fine!"

"Co on, everyone, let's head back! No need to crowd him!"

"Go ho! Spread the word Arlong is dead! Ti for a feast!"

Cheers and chatter carried the villagers back toward their hos.

"..."

Smoker quietly watched them go, then stepped closer to Hawk. His voice was lower now, even conciliatory.

"One dead branch captain isn't a big deal out here."

"But Headquarters will send soone to investigate. They'll want to know exactly what happened before deciding how to proceed."

He pointed at the cooling corpse of Captain Nezumi not far away.

"And that. See what fell from his coat?"

A peculiar Den Den Mushi lay in the blood.

"An Ergency Line snail. Direct to Marineford."

"Headquarters may already know the situation."

"Disobeying orders. Killing a direct superior. No matter how corrupt he was, if those charges stick, you won't escape a tribunal."

"Thanks for the warning…"

Hawk t Smoker's gaze without flinching. "But tell , Smoker. How many tis have you disobeyed orders yourself?"

"...What?"