One piece: Dark Smoker

Hina was sent to the infirmary, and after bandaging, someone notified Smoker.

Smoker, who heard the message, was fighting with the scientists.

After hearing the news, he didn't care about anything else, left everyone behind and ran to visit.

I was shocked when I saw Hina's miserable condition with blood holes all over her body.

After hearing what happened, he was so angry that he almost exploded on the spot. He rolled up his sleeves and prepared to go to Zeon to settle the score.

No matter what the mission is, I don't believe it.

He tied her up and put her to death, but I don't believe that she couldn't pry her mouth open!

Hina was so anxious that she almost jumped out of bed, and it took a lot of effort to persuade him.

If there wasn't anyone else in the infirmary, the two of them would have been completely exposed.

After Smog calmed down, he quickly released his ability to treat Hina.

However, now that we are in the "enemy camp", we dare not treat them directly. We can only treat the most serious wounds briefly, and let the others recover slowly.

After finishing his work, Smoker sat next to Hina and awkwardly peeled an apple for her.

Hina leaned on the hospital bed and stared at him with a smile.

"Why are you giggling..." Smoker handed her the apple angrily: "You've been watching it closely for a few days. Did you find anything?"

Hina shook her head while eating.

"Absolutely nothing. Except for a few bounty orders and member information, there is nothing related to Doflamingo."

"But considering that she was born in the North Sea and is an old enemy of Doflamingo, it is reasonable to collect this information and cannot be used as evidence!"

Smoker nodded helplessly.

"Okay...then I can only continue to work hard for you."

"Hina feels fine, but how are you doing here?!"

Smoker's face suddenly fell.

It turned out that he had just had a high chat with the scientists,

A complete account of the evolution history of firearms in previous lives.

From single-shot guns to automatic rifles, from assault rifles to machine guns, as well as sniper rifles, signal guns, howitzers...

Although it did not talk about specific processes and technologies, it also pointed out the direction of future firearms development.

It is enough to save the Navy's firearms research from detours for hundreds of years.

The scientists were so shocked that they cried and begged Smog to join the science force.

Smoker's scalp was numb and he quickly refused.

But the scientists recognized that Smoker was an astonishing talent and persisted in clinging to him.

If Hina hadn't happened to send someone to deliver the message, he might still be arguing...

Hina couldn't help laughing,

These scientists are indeed very powerful.

Both Smoker and Zeon were groomed to be submissive.

Of course, it is hard to explain why a scholar encounters a soldier.

When a soldier meets a scholar, one is the first and the other is the elder.

The two continued to chat, and suddenly Hina asked: "By the way, did that guy Diamandi explain?! Is he so tough?!"

Another week has passed and I still haven't asked anything...

"Uh..." Smog was sweating on his forehead.

"What's wrong?!"

"That..." Smoker swallowed: "I forgot about him..."

"Forgot?" Tina's eyes widened: "Seven days?!!"

Smoker nodded with difficulty.

[More than seven days, plus the previous few days, it's almost half a month...]

"Blame me, blame me!"

"Because I couldn't find a suitable place, I didn't release him. Then I forgot about it when I was busy! I'm going to find a place..."

Hina sighed: "Forget it, no need..."

"The doctor said that Hina can leave the day after tomorrow, let's get together then!"

Smoker was stunned: "But it will take two more days, can Diamandi bear it?!"

Hina smiled sweetly: "So many days have passed, and these two days are not enough..."

Hina has found a lot of information about Diamandi in the past few days.

This guy did all kinds of evil in North Sea, and he had at least 800 lives on his hands.

Not to mention being confined for a few days, even if he was chopped up inch by inch, Hina would not feel any psychological pressure.

Smoker thought for a moment and nodded.

"Okay... that guy is not a fuel-efficient lamp. If he couldn't hold on, he would have died a long time ago. If he could hold on, he would be dead in the next two days. Then I'll wait for you!"

Suddenly, the two heard footsteps and quickly shut up and stopped talking.

"Ta-ta-ta."

There was a knock on the door outside.

"Hina, can I come in?!"

Hina was startled and mouthed to Smoker: "Major General Zeon!"

Smoker's face darkened and he reluctantly opened the door.

Zeon nodded to Smog, walked over to Tina and sat down.

"Sorry, I didn't disturb you, did I?!"

After Smoker saw Zeon, the suppressed fire began to rise again.

But remembering what Hina just said, it was thanks to Zeon that she awakened to the color of knowledge.

For a moment, Smoker didn't know whether to be angry or grateful. That's all, let's leave and calm down first...

So, before Hina could speak, he spoke first.

"No interruption, sir. Dr. Aubrey just happened to be looking for me, so I'll take my leave first!"

After saying that, he forced out a polite but stiff smile and left directly.

Hina was a little embarrassed: "Sorry, sir, he has such a temper..."

Zeon smiled slightly: "I understand, after all, it was me who hurt you like this, it's normal for him to be angry..."

Hina was stunned and hurriedly said: "No...actually..."

Zeon waved his hand: "It's a good thing to be able to express my feelings for you unabashedly! I really don't mind."

Although Zeon spoke very calmly, Hina was still keenly aware of a trace of sadness in her eyes.

[Um? Could it be that Major General Ze En also has someone he likes? ! ]

[What kind of person can make such a proud and arrogant woman never forget him? ! ! ]

A burning fire of gossip ignited in Tina's heart.

"Speaking of which, at your age, you are considered to be extremely talented to be able to awaken the Observation Haki!"

Hina cheered up: "Yes, Hina has to thank you!"

"That's not necessary..."

Zeon patted Hina on the shoulder and stood up: "Okay, seeing that you are so energetic, I feel relieved."

"Have a good rest these two days and don't think too much about work. I'm leaving first..."

After that, he turned around and left.

Hina suddenly stopped her: "Major General Zeon!"

"Um?!"

"Please teach Hina how to practice domineering!"

As a member of the expanded class, Hina was no stranger to Haki, but she didn't expect to awaken here.

Zeon looked at her quietly, and after a few seconds, he slowly spoke.

"Haki is a very rare power. Ordinary people have no chance to come into contact with it. Even many generals have not mastered this power."

"There are three types of Haki: Armed Haki, Observation Haki, and the rare Conqueror Haki."

Hina nodded.

She naturally knows this knowledge.

Let's leave aside the overlord's color and domineering attitude.

The other two kinds of domineering are the tickets for the strong.

Those with two-color domination may not necessarily be strong, such as Amazon's miscellaneous soldier ADC.

But one who does not have dual-color domineering will definitely not be a strong person, and the highest level is the supernova level.

Even if you are a rare natural ability user, without domineering power, your upper limit will be locked.

"Everyone has different domineering skills due to their different fighting styles and personalities."

Here's the simplified English adaptation while maintaining the tone, character dynamics, and core essence:

"The Observation Haki you awakened lets you sense an enemy's presence and predict their attacks…"

Zeon opened his palm, a long, thin thorn emerging from it. Suddenly, the thorn turned jet black.

"But honestly, what I'm better at is Armament Haki. So..."

"Vice Admiral Zeon!" Hina interrupted, her gaze intense. "I want to learn both types of Haki!"

"Is that so…" Zeon met her determined eyes, then smiled and nodded. "Alright, I'll teach you!"

---

Two days later.

Hina had fully recovered.

Instead of immediately diving into Haki training, she swiftly arranged for an interrogation room and summoned Smoker. Together, they brought Diamante out of confinement.

A wave of darkness surged, and Diamante was thrown into the room.

At first, he looked around, confused. Then, his eyes widened, and he lunged straight at Smoker.

Smoker and Hina were startled.

"This guy still has fight in him?!"

After being locked up for half a month, they expected resistance but were surprised by his resilience.

Both assumed fighting stances, ready to knock him out and throw him back into confinement.

But instead, Diamante dropped to his knees, sliding across the floor to grab Smoker's leg, wailing.

"Waaah! You finally let me out!"

"Please! Don't lock me up again!"

Smoker and Hina: "…"

Fair enough. After being trapped in darkness for weeks, his mental fortitude was admirable.

"Enough, you idiot! Let go!"

"If you don't, I'll throw you back in!"

Hearing this, Diamante quickly released his grip and obediently sat down, though he still sniffled and looked pitiful.

Smoker wasted no time, cutting straight to the point.

"Why were you on the battleship? What's the connection between Doflamingo's crew and Zeon?"

"Okay, okay, I'll talk!" Diamante began spilling everything, starting from events years ago.

It turned out that years ago, Doflamingo had tried to return to Mary Geoise by offering his father's severed head. When he was rejected, his hatred for the Celestial Dragons and the world began. His sole goal since then had been to destroy everything.

To achieve this, he amassed power in the North Sea. Three years ago, with the execution of the Pirate King sparking a new era, Doflamingo seized the opportunity to expand his influence into the Grand Line.

Through looting, drugs, and arms deals, he built a small empire. But to create a lasting base, he targeted the G-2 jurisdiction, planning to develop a slave trade to secure territory.

Doflamingo approached Zeon for protection.

"Why Zeon?" Hina frowned. "She's your enemy, isn't she?"

Diamante nodded.

"Yes, but she's not an enemy in the sense of life and death. Plus, we've worked together before."

"What?!" Smoker and Hina exclaimed in unison.

Smoker pressed for details. "Explain that!"

Diamante began recounting their past collaboration.

Years ago, Zeon, as the princess of Tottenau Kingdom, joined the Navy to save her nation. The kingdom was suffering due to the Celestial Tribute, its resources drained, leaving pirates and criminal gangs to run rampant.

The World Government had a rule: nations with high-ranking Navy officers received tax exemptions. Admirals exempted their nations entirely; vice admirals reduced it by half.

Zeon, driven to protect her people, climbed the Navy's ranks to lessen the kingdom's burden.

Doflamingo exploited this, using promises of career advancement to lure Zeon into helping him eliminate rival gangs.

---

"So this time, he's pulling the same trick?" Smoker asked.

Diamante nodded.

"Exactly. He believes Zeon, motivated by ambition, would cooperate to secure a promotion. But once she's involved, she won't be able to escape easily."

Hina's expression darkened. The Navy and World Government, which she'd always viewed as just and noble, seemed far more complex and corrupted.

Smoker, however, wasn't as shocked. As a realist, he understood the Navy was a mix of righteousness and corruption. His goal was simple: ensure justice outweighed the darkness.

"If you worked with Zeon in the North Blue, do you have proof?" Smoker asked.

Diamante nodded eagerly. "We secretly recorded conversations using a Den Den Mushi!"

"How? Wouldn't she have searched you?" Hina questioned.

"She did during meetings,"** Diamante explained. "But after clearing out some mafia groups, Doflamingo casually mentioned their cooperation. Zeon didn't notice and agreed."

Smoker sneered. "So, Doflamingo plans to use this as leverage?"

"Yes," Diamante admitted. "But we knew Zeon would rather fight to the death than be blackmailed. That's why we didn't push too hard. Instead, Doflamingo plans to gather stronger evidence from their current dealings to completely ruin her later."

As Diamante continued talking, Smoker and Hina exchanged glances, their suspicions deepening. Outside the interrogation room, a shadowy figure lingered, unnoticed by anyone inside.