One piece: Dark Smoker

In the training room, Smoker and Hina huddled together, carefully reading the newspaper word for word.

"...Rear Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, Princess of the Kingdom of Totteno in the North Sea, Bradley Zean..."

"...While stationed in the North Sea, colluded with the pirate Donquixote Doflamingo..."

"...Resisted arrest... recruited loyal followers, held key members of the Navy Science Division hostage, killed one scientist and 17 marines... successfully escaped..."

"...Now wanted by the Navy. The Kingdom of Totteno has officially stripped her of her princess title..."

Below the article was a wanted poster:

Bradley Zean, Fallen Rear Admiral, Bounty: 202 million Berries.

Smoker and Hina exchanged stunned glances.

For someone unaware of the details, this news was shocking—an up-and-coming star in the Navy turning into a fugitive was headline-worthy.

But for Smoker and Hina, it wasn't just shocking—it felt surreal.

Hina was anxious.

"What's going on here?! Zephyr-sensei said this matter was settled..."

"Shhh!" Smoker quickly covered her mouth, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby before letting go.

"Calm down. Let's go ask Zephyr-sensei about this."

In the office, Zephyr sat behind his desk, holding the same newspaper. Across from him, Akainu was seated on a sofa, his hat brim pulled low, casting a shadow over his face.

After a while, Zephyr put the paper down.

"Akainu..."

He seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

Akainu nodded solemnly. "Zephyr-sensei, it's fine. This is all for justice..."

Zephyr sighed.

"I understand the risks of this mission... The underworld is a place that eats people alive, more dangerous than any battle with pirates!"

"But I have to admit, Zean was the best candidate for this mission."

Akainu lifted his head, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Zean is a Marine. It's her duty to sacrifice everything for justice! Yes, I worry about her, but every Marine has family and loved ones who worry about them."

"We cannot let our personal weakness shift danger onto someone else!"

Zephyr sighed again, nodding without further argument.

What was there left to say?

Akainu clearly understood the stakes.

Suddenly, the office door was flung open.

Hina stormed in, clutching the newspaper, with Smoker following behind, looking slightly awkward.

"Zephyr-sensei! Why is Rear Admiral Zean being labeled a traitor?!"

"Wasn't Doflamingo's matter resolved?!"

"Hina doesn't understand!"

Akainu's voice was cold.

"Zean is now a traitor to the Navy. Your only task is to take her head!"

"You don't need to understand anything else! If you've understood, leave!"

"You—!" Hina was furious.

"How could Rear Admiral Zean betray the Navy?!"

"If no one else understands her, shouldn't you?!"

Akainu's face darkened as he stood abruptly, his piercing gaze locking onto Hina.

"I'll say this one last time. Leave now!"

His arm transformed into blazing molten lava, dripping and hissing as it scorched the floor.

"Or face the consequences!"

Zephyr quickly intervened.

"Enough! Akainu, stop! Your ability is too dangerous here!"

[Not to mention you've ruined the brand-new carpet!]

Akainu snorted, retracting his lava and sitting back on the sofa. Smoker hurried to pull Hina aside.

Zephyr let out another sigh.

"Forget it, Akainu. Just tell them."

"But..."

"I know it's classified, and they technically don't have clearance."

"But they were involved in the entire operation. If they go back with doubts and start talking, it'll jeopardize the mission."

After a moment of silence, Akainu reluctantly muttered, "...Fine. As you wish."

"You're the leader. If you don't care, why should I?"

With that, Zephyr began explaining the situation to Smoker.

It all started when Zephyr received intel on Doflamingo. He immediately shared the information with Sengoku and Tsuru. As for Garp...

Forget it. Paper isn't expensive, but there's no need to waste it.

Sengoku and Tsuru, both sharp-minded strategists, quickly devised a plan to infiltrate the underworld. The idea was to select a group of Marines and use the intel to embed them in the criminal underworld.

Initially, this didn't have much to do with Zean.

But Tsuru came up with a bold proposal:

The underworld is a complex network of factions and bosses. Placing spies near these bosses was an option, but it felt limited in scope.

"Why not create our own underworld boss?" she suggested.

Such a figure could suppress rival factions in the underworld, and, if necessary, funnel resources back to the Navy.

Sengoku was immediately impressed.

"Brilliant! Truly, Tsuru, you're second to none."

But there was one problem—who would take on the role of this boss?

Choosing a spy was one thing; the Navy had plenty of brave and resourceful candidates.

But a boss was different.

First, the person needed to have enough strength to command respect. Without power, no one in the underworld would take them seriously.

Second, they had to be shrewd and ruthless, someone capable of outmaneuvering others in that dangerous world.

Third, they needed financial acumen; at the very least, they'd need to sustain themselves without relying on Navy funds.

Finally, they had to have the charisma and style of a true boss.

Finding someone who met all these criteria was no easy task. Even the so-called "monster trio" of the Navy didn't qualify. After much deliberation, Zean emerged as the most suitable candidate.

And so, the mission fell to her.

The reasoning was ready-made: her connection to Doflamingo.

Doflamingo's deep ties to the underworld made him a credible link. When Zean entered the underworld, people would naturally seek him out to confirm her legitimacy. This connection could serve as her cover.

Zean, however, was strongly against the mission—not out of fear, but because of her kingdom.

Her purpose in joining the Navy had always been to reduce the Heavenly Tribute for the Kingdom of Totteno. If she defected, what would happen to her homeland?

But Sengoku anticipated her resistance and offered tempting conditions:

First, they promised to secretly promote her to Vice Admiral. This promotion would cut Totteno's Heavenly Tribute in half, saving the kingdom about 20 billion Berries annually.

Second, the Navy would establish a base in Totteno, protecting it from pirate raids.

Faced with these benefits for her kingdom, Zean couldn't refuse. She accepted the mission without hesitation.

After hearing Zephyr's explanation, Hina was left speechless.

"So that's how it is... My apologies, Vice Admiral Akainu!"

She now realized that Zean's dangerous mission must have weighed heavily on Akainu's mind, explaining his earlier outburst.

Akainu nodded.

"It's nothing... But this is a classified mission. You must keep it to yourselves!"

"If either of you leaks this, I will personally see to your execution!"

Smoker and Hina stiffened and replied in unison, "Understood!"

In a distant sea, a lone sailing ship drifted.

Standing at the bow, Zean gazed out at the vast ocean.

On the deck, a dozen crew members busied themselves.

These were Zean's loyal subordinates from the North Sea who had followed her to G2. When Zean "defected," they insisted on coming with her, turning their loyalty into actual desertion.

Zean felt helpless.

I'm on a mission, so my 'defection' is just a cover. But you guys? Your desertion is real.

With no choice, she took them under her wing.

Thus, a fake traitor leading a group of real defectors began building their own organization.

"Captain! What should we name our pirate crew?" one of them asked, running up excitedly.

On the deck was a cloth banner with a hastily scrawled slogan:

"First be pirates, then start a business, grow strong, and achieve greatness!"

Zean stared off into the distance and murmured,

"The name... Let's call it the Sakura Blizzard Pirates."