Cool if him being old (almost two decades older than luffy which is factual) is cope to you then you have already shown the capability of being the world's greatest capper (person who just caps continously lol)
The cap is you comparing a 17 year age difference to a 35 year gap.
The cap is you still pretending to have any media literacy/understanding of how parallels work.
The cap is you comparing two totally different dynamics solely on the basis of a chase occuring; as Marines are meant to do to pirates.
The cap is your pathetic agenda to push Koby at the expense of his character and the overall narrative.
The cap is you refusing to comprehend Smoker's rank being the result of his flaunting of authority, that according to the SBS had him on the edge of discharge constantly.
The cap is you never acknowledging Smoker's in series rep that's been stressed adnaseum or the importance of his placement in the East Blue/it's necessity for him to even be in the story and have the same importance.
The cap is you not understanding how unique his position in the New World is/the actual power of G5 and that just like Vergo, is the only rank we've seen need the fleet admirals approval to helm/is clearly valuable based on Doffy wanting Vergo there.
I think right now he commands 6 warships and is still identified as a non-HQ marine (like Vergo who also wasnt HQ)/operates with a degree of independence other VA's lack; due to G5's need to operate alone in the NW.
Also can we actually verify he wasnt HQ pre-timeskip?
Does anyone have Smoker's viz intro title box?