"Ah, Luffy, it's you!" Albert exclaimed as he spotted Luffy.
With laughter that was carefree and infectious, Luffy approached Albert and responded, "I didn't think I'd run into you again. Seems like fate brought us together!"
"What a coincidence," Albert replied.
"Are you here to check out the Pirate King's execution platform too?" Luffy inquired.
Albert shook his head. "Nope, I was just searching for Nami and ended up here."
"I see!" Luffy flashed his signature grin. "I figured you were here for the same reason. Anyway, I'll head up first."
"Go right ahead," Albert encouraged.
Without a moment's hesitation, Luffy made his way to the base of the execution platform and started to climb.
As Luffy ascended a little over halfway, Smoker arrived with a squad of marines.
"Straw Hat Boy, you are under arrest," he declared.
"No way! I'm going to be the Pirate King; I don't want to be arrested!" Luffy protested.
Following that, Luffy jumped down to confront Smoker. It was clear that the Marine Headquarters colonel was not to be underestimated. Their rigorous training made them significantly stronger than the average marine. Loguetown, being a key location for entering the Grand Line, required strong personnel to keep pirates at bay, or else countless would flood in annually.
The battle was intense, and Albert had already shifted to the sidelines to enjoy the spectacle that unfolded along with his commentary.
"Oh man, what a shame; Luffy's such a fool. There's a clear speed gap, and yet he still tries to stretch! Is he asking for trouble? He should be fighting up close, what a bummer…"
When Luffy realized he was getting nowhere against Smoker, he leaped onto the steel frame of the execution platform, attempting a whip kick at Smoker. However, to Smoker, Luffy's speed seemed almost sluggish; he easily evaded by tilting his head, causing Luffy's foot to get caught in the fountain and throw him off balance.
Watching this, Albert was sweating bullets, his mind racing with disbelief: "Seriously, I've learned a lot today. It's a skill in itself to throw yourself off while fighting!"
With a look of incredulity, Smoker stared at Luffy, who had just launched himself awkwardly: "Straw Hat Boy, are you joking right now?!!!"
"Come chase me!" Luffy yelled back.
With Smoker's command, the marines took off in the direction Luffy had flown.
"Swordsman Albert, didn't expect to see you here," Smoker remarked, casting a cold glance at Albert's hiding spot.
"Am I exposed?" Albert stepped out nonchalantly, saying, "I thought I was keeping a low profile."
Smoker exhaled a smoke ring, eyeing Albert coolly. "I spotted you as soon as I arrived. I intended to deal with the kid first and then handle you. I didn't expect a bounty hunter like you, who hunts pirates, to have turned into one himself. And with a 100 million Berry bounty right out of the gate, no less."
Albert defended himself, "Hold on, let me clarify: I'm not a pirate. I'm just an ordinary explorer, and I have no idea why you're after me. I'm a good person!"
Smoker gazed at him skeptically, clearly not buying it. "Hmph, you think I'd fall for your claims? Just submit and be arrested."
"White Snake!"
Using his Smoke-Smoke Fruit, Smoker transformed his wrist into a white smoke snake, attempting to ensnare Albert.
Albert easily dodged Smoker's attack while continuing to explain, "Hey, calm down! First, tell me why I'm wanted; I haven't done anything wrong."
"White Impact!" Smoker countered with more ferocity. "You haven't done anything wrong?! You've not only assaulted a Marine Colonel but also swiped 2,000 Berries from pirates!"
"Colonel?" Albert cursed inwardly, thinking this was an unfair twist of events.
"I didn't rob him; that was the bounty I collected for capturing Arlong. Why don't you marines do your research? Just look at me! I'm a good person, while that colonel looks like a total crook!"
Smoker ignored Albert's protests, continuing his assault. "Hmph, it's your misfortune to be arrested first, and if your claims turn out to be true after the investigation, I might consider letting you go."
Great, I've said everything I could, and I still have to be arrested? Looks like I'll have to defeat him first, then try talking.
With that thought in mind, Albert sprang into action.
Shave!
In an instant, Albert was in front of Smoker, his fist cloaked in Haki, and landed a punch squarely on Smoker's face.
Bang…
Smoker barely registered the movement before he felt a sharp pain and was knocked back.
Struggling to his feet and wiping blood from his nose, Smoker glared at Albert. "Haki?"
Albert grinned. "Yep, that's right. Why don't you marines have my intel?"
"Indeed, you hail from East Blue, specifically Wisteria Village. You once fought Mihawk and are suspected of using Haki, but HQ figured that someone from the weakest ocean wouldn't be a concern and disregarded it."
Albert chuckled, "Is that so? Common sense can be deadly."
Smoker wiped blood from his mouth, his expression growing serious. "What surprises me most is your ability to use the Marine's Six Forms. The movement you executed was 'Shave'. Did you have a marine parent?"
Albert shook his head dismissively. "Is learning the Six Forms really that difficult? Once you understand the principles, anyone can do it."
Smoker's eyes widened in realization, recognizing that Albert was being truthful. He hadn't expected the Six Forms to be so easy for Albert.
"Let's cut to the chase; are we going to fight or not?" Smoker set his shoes in a ready stance. "Even if I can't beat you, I'm not backing down."
Bang...
Smoker's lower body shifted into smoke as he lunged toward Albert, his leg aimed for an attack.
Geppo!
A blue slash erupted from Albert's foot.
Bang bang bang…
Albert continued using Geppo to unleash rapid kicks, while Smoker struggled to defend himself with the jutte.
Soru!
Armament Haki - Hardening!
Albert's arm transformed to black as he activated Soru, swiftly closing the distance to Smoker and delivering a powerful hook punch to his gut.
Pfft...
Smoker coughed up blood and dropped to one knee. Albert reached out to help him up, but just then, a flash of a blade caught his eye, prompting him to swiftly sidestep.
"Hold it!"
Albert narrowly avoided the strike and turned to see a blue-haired girl standing protectively over Smoker, sword in hand.
"Swordsman Albert, I won't let a villain like you harm Colonel Smoker!" Tashigi declared, gripping her knife firmly.
Before Albert could respond, Bartolomeo burst in from afar, positioning himself in front of Albert.
"Stay back, ugly lady! I won't let you hurt Albert-senpai!"
Bartolomeo glanced at Albert, tears welling in his eyes. "Alb Alb Alb... Albert-senpai!"
Why is this guy even here?
Coughing, Albert inquired, "What brings you here?"
"Alb Alb... Albert-senpai," Bartolomeo stammered, "I'm here to apologize to you for earlier. I've kept your teachings in mind. Watching your battle against Colonel Smoker... Albert-senpai, you're so powerful! You truly deserve my admiration!"
Uh... Why isn't he chasing after Luffy? Why is he suddenly idolizing me?
"Alright, alright, step aside for a moment; I need to talk to her."
"Okay, Albert-senpai!" Bartolomeo complied, moving to the side.
"Tashigi, step aside," Smoker said, finally regaining his composure.
"But..."
"I said move!" he ordered sternly.
"Yes, sir!" Reluctantly, Tashigi complied.
Turning to Smoker, Albert expressed his frustration: "Look, Smoker, I'm not a pirate. I don't care about being wanted, but I wish you'd change my wanted poster from pirate to explorer. I'm not like those pirates who burn, murder, and plunder. I'm a great explorer!"
Smoker looked at him incredulously, resembling a child whose candy had been taken away. "You really care that much about being considered a pirate?"
"Of course!" Albert retorted. "Explorers play an essential role in discovering unknown territories and understanding human environments!"
"So, that's why you ended up fighting me?"
"Absolutely!" Albert replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Smoker was left utterly defeated by Albert's logic and waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, you can go. I won't stop you; head wherever you wish."
"Tch!" Bartolomeo interjected defiantly, "Then you should stop him!"
"Bartolomeo, let's go," Albert said calmly.
"Understood, Albert-senpai!"