The more and more I think about it the more this whole thing is a set up for Smoker.
Was noticeably left out of the rescue Coby crew while Tashigi was included.
Luffy and crew meet Vegapunk who knows Smoker.
Kuzan mentioned normal marines aren't allowed to engage Yonko crews without authority to do so
Kuzan is the one to fight and beat Garp (with help)
Marines including Tashigi likely to be captured.
Marines are spread thin due to revolutionary army so they're not going to bother sending a huge army to retrieve Garp and Coby.
Like each step of this leads to Smoker and Luffy teaming up.
Smoker doesn't give a shit what the higher ups tell him if Tashigi is in trouble and they say they're not going to save her Smoker will say fuck this I'm going myself we know that's his character.
Vegapunk is the key to Luffy and Smoker meeting up again. I think the line on PH when Luffy said it's not worth fighting unless Smoker can use his full power is for this moment also Smoker with new powers and stronger haki will be a monster for any YC and possibly Kuzan.
Smoker vs Kuzan would be one for the ages friend vs friend, Marine vs Marine/Pirate, Logia vs Logia, a lot of Smoker's inner conflicts about being a Marine and his distrust to pirates will be resolved here I believe.