One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The jungle was dead silent.

Only the faint sound of Smoker's cigarette burning broke the tension.

He stood there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

But I knew better.

This was Smoker.

A Marine who never let go of a target.

And right now—

We were that target.

The Marine's Warning

Shira tightened her grip on her dagger, stepping slightly in front of me.

Smoker didn't react.

Instead, he exhaled a cloud of smoke and spoke.

"You've got a real talent for causing trouble, kid."

I forced myself to stay calm.

"I didn't ask for it."

Smoker's gaze didn't waver.

"But it keeps finding you, doesn't it?"

I didn't answer.

Because he wasn't wrong.

Shira's eyes darted between us.

"Are you here to arrest us?" she asked flatly.

Smoker was silent for a moment.

Then, he laughed.

"Arrest you?" He shook his head. "I don't think even Impel Down could handle whatever the hell is going on with you."

I stiffened.

Something in his tone was off.

This wasn't just some standard Marine pursuit.

Smoker wasn't just after us.

He knew something.

Something about me.

An Unexpected Proposition

Smoker took a step closer.

"I saw what happened back there. That thing in the ruins."

My breath caught.

Shira's posture tensed.

Smoker let the words sink in before continuing.

"I don't know what the hell you are, kid. But whatever that thing was—"

He flicked the ash off his cigarette.

"It was looking for you."

A chill ran down my spine.

Shira shot me a glance, eyes sharp.

Smoker exhaled another cloud of smoke.

"Here's the deal," he said finally.

"I'm not here to throw you in chains. Yet."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Then what do you want?"

Smoker's grin faded.

His next words sent a shiver through me.

"I want answers."

He took another step forward, looking me right in the eyes.

"And I think you want them too."

I clenched my fists.

Because the worst part?

He was right.

And that scared me more than anything else.