C8 Eat Me Ex Justice Flying Kick!

Smoker's complexion darkened, a clear sign that Rodney had struck a nerve. His demotion and subsequent reassignment to this dismal place were the consequences of assaulting his superior. Gone were the days of encountering formidable pirates on the Great Voyage, and now his body wasn't what it used to be.

Lately, he had been neglecting his training.

Once he dealt with this nuisance, he'd get back to it.

Ace caught Rodney off guard with a sudden punch that sent him flying into the sea. Rodney tumbled and rolled before splashing into the water.

"Tsk," Smoker muttered, taking a drag from his cigar before launching another attack.

Rodney, with a scowl on his face, picked up his knife and climbed out of the sea, dripping wet. He hadn't anticipated a sneak attack from Ace, the man with the bushy eyebrows and large eyes. It was unexpected, but Rodney wouldn't be a true transmigrator if he let this slide without retaliation.

"Water Clone, attack!" He hadn't intended to use the Water Clone, but now he had no choice.

The sea surged as duplicates of Rodney materialized around him, charging en masse.

"Are there so many of him? His brothers?"

"Is he an Ability User too?"

Ace realized he was in a bind. He had really stirred up a hornet's nest with Rodney.

Each Water Clone, though not as powerful as the original, still managed to cause Ace some trouble with their adept Body Technique. When Ace destroyed the first Water Clone, the Chakra-infused seawater splashed onto him, momentarily slowing him down.

Seizing the moment, Smoker swung his Sea Building Stone at Ace, looking for all the world like a thug picking on a student.

Ace scrambled to his feet and bolted. His crew wasn't far, and they could arrive quickly. Knowing he couldn't stay put, he made a break for it.

"Think you can run after crossing me?" Rodney sneered, having already devised a plan.

Chakra flowed into the seawater beneath his feet, spawning one Water Clone after another, all of them racing towards Ace.

As Ace fled, a dark mass loomed overhead. He looked up to see a swarm of Water Clones bearing down on him.

"This is bad! Fire Fist!"

Flames erupted, shattering the Water Clones and reverting them back to seawater with a hiss.

When the intense heat of the flames encountered water, it transformed into steam!

A thick mist of water vapor clung to Ace's skin under the scorching heat, causing steam burns that made him cry out in pain.

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

Ace resembled a boiled crab, hopping and leaping as he dashed forward.

Rodney hadn't anticipated this. Could steam actually harm Ace?

Was it because it was water and also a natural element?

Hmm...

That was something to ponder.

"Charge!" There were a few Water Clones remaining. This time, Ace was wiser and chose not to use his flames but to rely on his fists instead.

Puff!

He smashed one Water Clone with a punch, but another seized his arm. If he attempted Element Transformation at that moment, he would face the same predicament as before. He wound up his other fist, ready to strike.

"Not so fast!"

Another Water Clone grabbed his fist.

The rest of the Water Clones converged and drenched him in seawater.

A wave of weakness washed over him, his Fruit Ability was instantly suppressed, leaving him with only his physical strength as his body reverted from Element Transformation back to solid form.

"Take my Ex Righteous Flying Kick!"

Justice rained down as Rodney delivered a kick to Ace's chest.

Bang!

Ace was sent hurtling through the air. Rodney flicked his wrist, and a steel wire shot out, wrapping around Smoker's Sea Building Stone several times. With a strong tug, Smoker offered no resistance, allowing Rodney to wield it.

Rodney charged forward, and while Ace was still disoriented, he pressed the Sea Building Stone against Ace's throat, disabling his resistance.

"Damn it, you actually caught me," Ace exclaimed. "I won't give up. Why don't I have any strength?"

"This is Sea Building Stone, specifically designed to counter Devil Fruit Ability Users," Rodney explained, then turned to ask, "Colonel Smoker, do you have any Sea Building Stone handcuffs? It's quite exhausting to keep holding this."

"Tashigi, fetch the Sea Building Stone handcuffs," Smoker called out loudly. They had a limited supply of these handcuffs, only two pairs, designated for restraining Ability Users.

The Sea Building Stone was a rare commodity, produced exclusively in the Peace Country, and processing it was notably difficult. Smoker had these supplies because he had brought them from headquarters; otherwise, how could he manage to subdue Ability Users?

He couldn't keep fending off attacks with his ten hands indefinitely. What kind of situation was this?

He was, after all, a colonel; he couldn't afford to lose face.

"Argh! I can't muster my full strength. What is this nonsense?" Ace had been duped by the Devil Fruit. His power was formidable, but his overreliance on Element Transformation made him vulnerable, and Rodney had outsmarted him.

Now, with the Sea Building Stone in play, escape was impossible.

"Stop struggling, Ace. There's no escaping."

"I refuse to be dragged to that old geezer," Ace yelled defiantly. He had only just set out to sea. If he were taken back now, Luffy and everyone in the village would surely mock him. No, that was out of the question. He had to honor Sabo's memory by taking to the sea!

"Of course, I won't be taking you to Vice Admiral Garp. I'm going to throw you in jail and straighten you out. Your future lies in a naval prison!"

"Captain?! Release our captain at once!"

The Black Peach Pirate Group's crew rushed over, concerned. They couldn't believe their formidable captain was being bested today.

They fired their guns in a panic.

Smoker just stood there, letting the bullets pass through his body. Though labeled the weakest Nature Type, he was still a Nature Type, impervious to their attacks.

Rodney, with lightning-fast reflexes, easily dodged the incoming bullets.

"Everyone, run! You're no match for them!" Ace was deeply moved to see his crew trying to rescue him, but they stood no chance against these two cunning adversaries. They had to flee!

"Do you think I'm invisible? White Snake!" His arm transformed into smoke, coiling like a snake around the pirates. The Ship Doctor tossed a green vial, shattering it on the ground and releasing a cloud of green smoke. When the smoke cleared, the crew had vanished, leaving Smoker fuming with frustration.

"You've got one clever sailor," Rodney remarked.

Knowing when to retreat was wise, and the Ship Doctor hadn't foolishly delivered his crew into Smoker's hands. Nature Type Ability Users were a game-changer in the first half of the Great Voyage.

Ace let out a sigh of relief and fell silent. He knew that today he would either end up in jail or have to face the old man, but he much preferred the former. Jail offered a chance of escape, but the thought of facing Garp was something he was reluctant to do.

Shortly thereafter, Tashigi returned with Sea Building Stone handcuffs and secured them on Ace herself. Rodney tossed the keys to Smoker and hoisted Ace onto his shoulder.

"Hey, Rodney, what the hell are you up to?" Ace asked.

"I'm taking him to see Vice Admiral Garp, just like I promised," Rodney replied.

Smoker's expression turned grim. "I couldn't care less about him seeing Vice Admiral Garp. He's going to jail now, and Garp can visit him there if he wants."

"Ha? Sorry, but the old man wants to see his beloved grandson, and I intend to make that happen," Rodney said earnestly.

Smoker sneered, "Cut the act. You're driven by self-interest. You Pirate Hunters are only slightly better than the pirates themselves. You've obviously received some perks from Vice Admiral Garp. Hand him over."

As he spoke, smoke began to billow around him, his intentions clear: hand Ace over or I'll take him by force.

Smoker was never soft on pirates, regardless of their lineage.

Even if it were the grandson of the Navy Marshal, he'd treat him the same. A vice admiral? Since when do they get special treatment? Not even a Navy Hero could sway him.

While he had great respect for Garp, respect was one thing—duty and responsibility were another.

"Hahaha, you've got it right. The Six Moves are indeed an irresistible lure. So long, Smoker!" Rodney tossed a smoke bomb with his free hand. Smoker charged into the smog only to find Rodney and Ace already at the harbor's edge, stepping lightly over the water.

"Damn it! Where's my Bilan?" Smoker barked.

"Right here, sir!" His subordinates quickly brought over his amphibious motorcycle.

Injecting the smoke into the motorcycle, Smoker revved the engine and took off in pursuit.

Seeing this, Rodney swore under his breath, "Eight Gates Escape Armor, open! Open!"

He lifted the mental constraints, tapping into 100% of his physical capabilities.

He suddenly picked up speed, churning up a massive wake across the sea, his velocity leaving Smoker far behind with nothing but a fading silhouette.

"That bastard! I swear I'll issue a warrant for his arrest!"