This is a realisation I made just recently in my discussions with @Ssg super suit coby , which you know as the guy that keeps insisting on Coby’s relevancy. Inspired by @Boing who kept dismantling his arguments made against Smoker, it prompted me to dig and reflect deeper on Smoker, and I realised that it indeed would make sense that Smoker is currently be an admiral.
(1) Smoker’s history
Let’s first understand Smoker’s backstory. Shortly after Smoker witnessed Gol D. Rogers execution he enlisted in the marines together Hina who is his long standing friend. He is described in SBS volume 27 as a “punk that never listened to his superiors” and that Hina had to rescue him from being fired several times. Hina enlisting as the same time as Smoker and her being described as an “elite”, it shows that a career jump in the marines is hard if you’re not an on-board camp follower that doesn’t question and just do what you’re told. Smoker simply isn’t cut out as a yes-man.
What happens is the marine establishment sees Smoker as a valuable asset but nevertheless as a thorn in their side with his constant insubordination being seen as a problem, so they transfer him over to handle the security of Logue Town, an East Blue town teaming with pirates. A low maintenance task far below his actual pay grade.
This is where we first see him, sort of as a little sheriff of this place that once was the birthplace of the New Age of Piracy, now the symbol of peace: a quaint little town, where no pirates are known to escape.
The situation is so “bad” that the weapons store owner that sold Zoro’s his Yubashiri is quick to complain to Tashigi that her boss’s efficient handling of pirates has crippled his business, because pirates constitute most of his clients, which means the money flow is drying up.
(2) Smoker’s attitude
Smoker’s status was previously hampered by his insubordination, by his strong inclination to do things “his way”. Smoker has a strong sense of integrity, as when he notices injustices or wrongs and has no compunction about pointing that out and doing something about it, even at the very cost of his career, which is what it did cost him in the end.
The ultimate cowboy cop in the series relegated at first to a minor position in East Blue.
However, as Smoker sees it his relegation to Logue Town at the time is not that bad though, because ultimately he likes to do things “his own way” which he can now do without pesky superiors peeking in on him under a microscope. He and Tashigi has clearly taken a liking to each other, with Smoker coaching and spurring her growth. Remember that Hina has been with and trained with Smoker since their most formative years in the marine, but she didn’t go with him to G-5, Tashigi did.
What’s important of getting at is Smoker’s pretty jaded attitude with the marine organisation as a whole. Smoker is demoted to having a safekeeping role in Logue Town, but that’s because he is always questioning things and not playing the part of a good lap dog. In reality Smoker sees the marine organisation as lacking standards and not being up to par. His duties as commodore are pathetic according to him. While still not recognising his promotion, still viewing himself as “captain”, (because he is an honest man and can’t accept the lies told by the government about the Alabasta debacle) what he ultimately says is these titles have no real bearing to him, as he just rose to commodore from the role of captain and still the level to which this position is held is so pitiful it doesn’t really matter whether he is captain or commodore or read admiral, and hell he thinks even vice admirals are not properly challenged in their roles. The entire marine organisation is below par.
(2.01) Logue Town significance
The symbolic importance of Logue Town can’t be understated either. Whether it was just anime or not, Roger exchanged a meaningful glance with Smoker, and this non-verbal meeting with Roger and the event as a whole that enkindled a whole new rise of piracy like never before, this totally changed Smoker to his core. The mystery of Roger is something that has remained with him for all this time. So indeed no wonder he opted to go to Logue Town of all places, a place of significance and meaning to him.
Logue Town stands as a symbol for the Age of Piracy, and while this has sparked a great uptick in piracy globally, Smoker is when introduced right of the gate established as the ultimate opposing force to this current era Luffy wishes to lead, as what better way to demonstrate this point than to turn the very birthplace of The New Age of Piracy into a model of peace and tranquility, where no pirate escapes justice, where every citizen can feel safe. Smoker stands as the juxtaposition to Luffy.
(2.02) the thirst for truth is reflected in Luffy
His handling of Logue Town is a reflection of his general attitude towards pirates which is “they”re-all-bad”. Smoker’s stern black-and-white view of the world is a result of his life experiences where perhaps all pirates have been bad, but I think his seeing Roger has had a profound effect on him where he knows that his current world paradigm is so small and limited compared to the wealth of answers buried underneath the layers of mysteries that is Roger, his adventures, his treasure, his experiences and truth he wished to spread to the world. Smoker deep down knows this. He is the man to always questions things on a deep level, and he understands that there is more to this world than he is led to think.
Like Smoker says here (or doesn’t matter if Aokiji is monologuing, they’re ultimately of of the same mind) is he understands there are deeper dynamics and factors at play.
The deep mystery of Roger is something that has lingered with him for all this time, and I believe is his ultimate subconscious motivator. The great motivation to seek and hunt Luffy I think is a deep reflection of the deep underlying motivation for his search of ultimate truth.
It’s as if in pursuing Luffy he is in actuality hunting Roger and all the answers he held.
(3) Smoker’s search of status
Smoker’s demotion to Logue Town was something that suited him at the time. Status didn’t matter to him at all until he realised that he needs to advance his status in order to keep pace with Luffy’s own rise.
People think he moved to G-5 because he wants to just keep his target closer, but they forget this panel that reveals it was all about seeking higher status.
Smoker is in search of status now in a way that he wasn’t at all when we first met him. Now status and influence is what he desires in order to make a reality on a glober scale what he had managed to do with a smaller place like Logue Town. And to pursue the one man who truly set his path into motion, and who somehow holds the key to the answers he so desperately seeks.
In his quest for power he consequently directed his focus to G-5. This is a base in command of six warships, split into six units, each having a leader. Smoker was leader of unit 01 which shows that Smoker kept creeping ever closer to his goal of wanting to take over Vergo’s role as base commander, thereby having six warships and six officers under his command in the New World.
Now that Vergo is dead Smoker has achieved what he wanted. Now he has a great deal of status, perhaps as much as an admiral even, as if you recall in the movie Gold Rob Lucci requested 10 battleships from Akainu, and this was seen as an absurd and brazen request.
(4) Fujitora; the crazier version of Smoker
Smoker is a wildcard as far as the marines are concerned, but Smoker really is just the calm before the storm. With Fujitora around, that is like trying catch and control lightning in a bottle. That man is so freaking crazy, Smoker is like a saint in comparison the marines would gladly hold onto Smoker like a leech if he could become a replacement to Fujitora.
Fujitora, ie the guy that admitted on live broadcast that he willingly did not interfere against Doflamingo, instead he bet everything on Luffy winning. Fujitora, ie the guy that let the destruction caused by Doflamingo to be as severe as it was just to prove the point “these-warlords-bad”. Fujitora, ie the guy who made this gamble knowing there was no guarantee he would come out alive if Luffy didn’t pull this off, as he himself said he put his life on the line so he essentially put everyone’s lives on the line
Fujitora’s actions were truly bad and idiotic.
Smoker and Tashigi does recognise he “righted that wrong” of Alabasta by his actions so now they can take some comfort in knowing now the warlord system will no longer have any worldwide support, but it happened at the cost of a worldwide confidence in the marines. As in would you as a civilian be confident in the marines protective duties when you see that they let people in Dressrosa get butchered, only to turn around and using the dead and the havoc caused for some political end? I myself would rather not be a political pawn in someone’s game. The cost was a whole nation in ruins and massive suffering. Gambling everyone’s lives.
The last we see of Smoker is he clarifies that Fujitora is not in the right here, and Smoker is clarifying that Fujitora’s way is not his way and if he were admiral, that he wouldn’t take to these extreme actions and measures to complete his objectives
Smoker clarifies that he would be a more down-to-earth admiral. Fujitora is the crazy gambler, albeit motivated by good ideals .
Fujitora= Absolute good justice
Smoker= true and sane good justice
Their justices are ultimately irreconcilable because of how extreme Fujitora is. Smoker however recognises at the same time that someone like that can be a catalyst for getting good things done which is why he says it is refreshing, because the momentum for good and positive change in the Marines is so slow.
Smoker directly parallels Fujitora, their ideals and visions are the same, only Fujitora is Smoker’s justice taken to an extreme, and at some point their justices just simply diverge.
(4.01) Fujitora and Smoker changing roles
This is what I think it will come down to. Fujitora is ultimately not even welcomed into any Marine HQ base by Akainu, so doesn’t it make perfect sense he moves on to some other role? His actions in Dressrosa are completely unforgivable. I don’t think there is gonna be any more “Marine Admiral Fujitora”
Noticed something different recently?
Smoker and Tashigi operated outside the regular marine apparatus in the G-5 branch, but now Tashigi has transitioned back to Marine HQ. Why would she transition back when she is inseparable from Smoker? Smoker who was searching for ultimate power which he has now found in G-5. So why would Tashigi and Smoker move back to Marine Headquarters?
I think there is only one answer to those questions.
Smoker portrays the archetypical cowboy cop who operates outside the law, afoul with the authorities which is why G-5 is so narratively fitting to Smoker’s character. That I get. However, I just see that he has to become admiral at some point in the story, which would perfectly parallel Luffy’s current progression.
The two years that Smoker has spent in the New World has earned him the nickname and recognition as the “White Hunter”. So far we know nothing of his operations in the New World, but they have been impactful enough for the brokers in Punk Hazard to recognise Smoker as “impressive” and a problem. He was already strong and now he has become even stronger.
Fujitora can’t be trusted within the regular marine apparatus, so it would be more appropriate if he actually had his own power apparatus that isn’t directly interfering with the image and operations of Marine Headquarters, ie G-5, with six warships and six officers that he can delegate.
Smoker will be the new Fujitora and Fujitora will be the new Smoker, you could say.
Summary
Smoker‘s ascent and promotion to admiral starkly juxtaposes his debut where we see a guy that has been drummed out from the regular HQ marine forces, comfortably managing his town and biding his time in East Blue. Unenthusiastic with the marines as a whole, Luffy becomes the much needed kindle to kickstart his journey completely fuelled by his desire to capture Luffy, which is ultimately and subconsciously motivated by his wanting to understand the truth of Gol D Roger. There is no smoke without fire as the saying goes, and that fire is ultimately Luffy.
Smoker becomes much more involved, begins to understand the importance of gaining position, so he inserts himself in G-5 to gain recognition and military power.
The G-5 role should suit him fine given his overall character, but I think where Oda has taken the story now that he is preparing us for a Fujitora that is G-5 leader and a Smoker that is Marine Admiral.
@SakazOuki @Egghead @SmokedOut @Fleet Admiral Lee Hung @Zolo @Topi Jerami @Eagle etc
(1) Smoker’s history
Let’s first understand Smoker’s backstory. Shortly after Smoker witnessed Gol D. Rogers execution he enlisted in the marines together Hina who is his long standing friend. He is described in SBS volume 27 as a “punk that never listened to his superiors” and that Hina had to rescue him from being fired several times. Hina enlisting as the same time as Smoker and her being described as an “elite”, it shows that a career jump in the marines is hard if you’re not an on-board camp follower that doesn’t question and just do what you’re told. Smoker simply isn’t cut out as a yes-man.
What happens is the marine establishment sees Smoker as a valuable asset but nevertheless as a thorn in their side with his constant insubordination being seen as a problem, so they transfer him over to handle the security of Logue Town, an East Blue town teaming with pirates. A low maintenance task far below his actual pay grade.
This is where we first see him, sort of as a little sheriff of this place that once was the birthplace of the New Age of Piracy, now the symbol of peace: a quaint little town, where no pirates are known to escape.
The situation is so “bad” that the weapons store owner that sold Zoro’s his Yubashiri is quick to complain to Tashigi that her boss’s efficient handling of pirates has crippled his business, because pirates constitute most of his clients, which means the money flow is drying up.
(2) Smoker’s attitude
Smoker’s status was previously hampered by his insubordination, by his strong inclination to do things “his way”. Smoker has a strong sense of integrity, as when he notices injustices or wrongs and has no compunction about pointing that out and doing something about it, even at the very cost of his career, which is what it did cost him in the end.
The ultimate cowboy cop in the series relegated at first to a minor position in East Blue.
However, as Smoker sees it his relegation to Logue Town at the time is not that bad though, because ultimately he likes to do things “his own way” which he can now do without pesky superiors peeking in on him under a microscope. He and Tashigi has clearly taken a liking to each other, with Smoker coaching and spurring her growth. Remember that Hina has been with and trained with Smoker since their most formative years in the marine, but she didn’t go with him to G-5, Tashigi did.
What’s important of getting at is Smoker’s pretty jaded attitude with the marine organisation as a whole. Smoker is demoted to having a safekeeping role in Logue Town, but that’s because he is always questioning things and not playing the part of a good lap dog. In reality Smoker sees the marine organisation as lacking standards and not being up to par. His duties as commodore are pathetic according to him. While still not recognising his promotion, still viewing himself as “captain”, (because he is an honest man and can’t accept the lies told by the government about the Alabasta debacle) what he ultimately says is these titles have no real bearing to him, as he just rose to commodore from the role of captain and still the level to which this position is held is so pitiful it doesn’t really matter whether he is captain or commodore or read admiral, and hell he thinks even vice admirals are not properly challenged in their roles. The entire marine organisation is below par.
(2.01) Logue Town significance
The symbolic importance of Logue Town can’t be understated either. Whether it was just anime or not, Roger exchanged a meaningful glance with Smoker, and this non-verbal meeting with Roger and the event as a whole that enkindled a whole new rise of piracy like never before, this totally changed Smoker to his core. The mystery of Roger is something that has remained with him for all this time. So indeed no wonder he opted to go to Logue Town of all places, a place of significance and meaning to him.
Logue Town stands as a symbol for the Age of Piracy, and while this has sparked a great uptick in piracy globally, Smoker is when introduced right of the gate established as the ultimate opposing force to this current era Luffy wishes to lead, as what better way to demonstrate this point than to turn the very birthplace of The New Age of Piracy into a model of peace and tranquility, where no pirate escapes justice, where every citizen can feel safe. Smoker stands as the juxtaposition to Luffy.
(2.02) the thirst for truth is reflected in Luffy
His handling of Logue Town is a reflection of his general attitude towards pirates which is “they”re-all-bad”. Smoker’s stern black-and-white view of the world is a result of his life experiences where perhaps all pirates have been bad, but I think his seeing Roger has had a profound effect on him where he knows that his current world paradigm is so small and limited compared to the wealth of answers buried underneath the layers of mysteries that is Roger, his adventures, his treasure, his experiences and truth he wished to spread to the world. Smoker deep down knows this. He is the man to always questions things on a deep level, and he understands that there is more to this world than he is led to think.
Like Smoker says here (or doesn’t matter if Aokiji is monologuing, they’re ultimately of of the same mind) is he understands there are deeper dynamics and factors at play.
The deep mystery of Roger is something that has lingered with him for all this time, and I believe is his ultimate subconscious motivator. The great motivation to seek and hunt Luffy I think is a deep reflection of the deep underlying motivation for his search of ultimate truth.
It’s as if in pursuing Luffy he is in actuality hunting Roger and all the answers he held.
(3) Smoker’s search of status
Smoker’s demotion to Logue Town was something that suited him at the time. Status didn’t matter to him at all until he realised that he needs to advance his status in order to keep pace with Luffy’s own rise.
People think he moved to G-5 because he wants to just keep his target closer, but they forget this panel that reveals it was all about seeking higher status.
Smoker is in search of status now in a way that he wasn’t at all when we first met him. Now status and influence is what he desires in order to make a reality on a glober scale what he had managed to do with a smaller place like Logue Town. And to pursue the one man who truly set his path into motion, and who somehow holds the key to the answers he so desperately seeks.
In his quest for power he consequently directed his focus to G-5. This is a base in command of six warships, split into six units, each having a leader. Smoker was leader of unit 01 which shows that Smoker kept creeping ever closer to his goal of wanting to take over Vergo’s role as base commander, thereby having six warships and six officers under his command in the New World.
Now that Vergo is dead Smoker has achieved what he wanted. Now he has a great deal of status, perhaps as much as an admiral even, as if you recall in the movie Gold Rob Lucci requested 10 battleships from Akainu, and this was seen as an absurd and brazen request.
(4) Fujitora; the crazier version of Smoker
Smoker is a wildcard as far as the marines are concerned, but Smoker really is just the calm before the storm. With Fujitora around, that is like trying catch and control lightning in a bottle. That man is so freaking crazy, Smoker is like a saint in comparison the marines would gladly hold onto Smoker like a leech if he could become a replacement to Fujitora.
Fujitora, ie the guy that admitted on live broadcast that he willingly did not interfere against Doflamingo, instead he bet everything on Luffy winning. Fujitora, ie the guy that let the destruction caused by Doflamingo to be as severe as it was just to prove the point “these-warlords-bad”. Fujitora, ie the guy who made this gamble knowing there was no guarantee he would come out alive if Luffy didn’t pull this off, as he himself said he put his life on the line so he essentially put everyone’s lives on the line
Fujitora’s actions were truly bad and idiotic.
Smoker and Tashigi does recognise he “righted that wrong” of Alabasta by his actions so now they can take some comfort in knowing now the warlord system will no longer have any worldwide support, but it happened at the cost of a worldwide confidence in the marines. As in would you as a civilian be confident in the marines protective duties when you see that they let people in Dressrosa get butchered, only to turn around and using the dead and the havoc caused for some political end? I myself would rather not be a political pawn in someone’s game. The cost was a whole nation in ruins and massive suffering. Gambling everyone’s lives.
The last we see of Smoker is he clarifies that Fujitora is not in the right here, and Smoker is clarifying that Fujitora’s way is not his way and if he were admiral, that he wouldn’t take to these extreme actions and measures to complete his objectives
Smoker clarifies that he would be a more down-to-earth admiral. Fujitora is the crazy gambler, albeit motivated by good ideals .
Fujitora= Absolute good justice
Smoker= true and sane good justice
Their justices are ultimately irreconcilable because of how extreme Fujitora is. Smoker however recognises at the same time that someone like that can be a catalyst for getting good things done which is why he says it is refreshing, because the momentum for good and positive change in the Marines is so slow.
Smoker directly parallels Fujitora, their ideals and visions are the same, only Fujitora is Smoker’s justice taken to an extreme, and at some point their justices just simply diverge.
(4.01) Fujitora and Smoker changing roles
This is what I think it will come down to. Fujitora is ultimately not even welcomed into any Marine HQ base by Akainu, so doesn’t it make perfect sense he moves on to some other role? His actions in Dressrosa are completely unforgivable. I don’t think there is gonna be any more “Marine Admiral Fujitora”
Noticed something different recently?
Smoker and Tashigi operated outside the regular marine apparatus in the G-5 branch, but now Tashigi has transitioned back to Marine HQ. Why would she transition back when she is inseparable from Smoker? Smoker who was searching for ultimate power which he has now found in G-5. So why would Tashigi and Smoker move back to Marine Headquarters?
I think there is only one answer to those questions.
Smoker portrays the archetypical cowboy cop who operates outside the law, afoul with the authorities which is why G-5 is so narratively fitting to Smoker’s character. That I get. However, I just see that he has to become admiral at some point in the story, which would perfectly parallel Luffy’s current progression.
The two years that Smoker has spent in the New World has earned him the nickname and recognition as the “White Hunter”. So far we know nothing of his operations in the New World, but they have been impactful enough for the brokers in Punk Hazard to recognise Smoker as “impressive” and a problem. He was already strong and now he has become even stronger.
Fujitora can’t be trusted within the regular marine apparatus, so it would be more appropriate if he actually had his own power apparatus that isn’t directly interfering with the image and operations of Marine Headquarters, ie G-5, with six warships and six officers that he can delegate.
Smoker will be the new Fujitora and Fujitora will be the new Smoker, you could say.
Summary
Smoker‘s ascent and promotion to admiral starkly juxtaposes his debut where we see a guy that has been drummed out from the regular HQ marine forces, comfortably managing his town and biding his time in East Blue. Unenthusiastic with the marines as a whole, Luffy becomes the much needed kindle to kickstart his journey completely fuelled by his desire to capture Luffy, which is ultimately and subconsciously motivated by his wanting to understand the truth of Gol D Roger. There is no smoke without fire as the saying goes, and that fire is ultimately Luffy.
Smoker becomes much more involved, begins to understand the importance of gaining position, so he inserts himself in G-5 to gain recognition and military power.
The G-5 role should suit him fine given his overall character, but I think where Oda has taken the story now that he is preparing us for a Fujitora that is G-5 leader and a Smoker that is Marine Admiral.
@SakazOuki @Egghead @SmokedOut @Fleet Admiral Lee Hung @Zolo @Topi Jerami @Eagle etc
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