Hearing Tashigi's retort, Kairos Flint simply smiled.
She wasn't wrong—at least not entirely—but her timing was. Justice did exist within the Navy, but only in small pockets. The saying goes, "If the upper beam isn't straight, the lower beam will always be crooked." He'd understood that from a young age.
The World Government, created and ruled by the Celestial Dragons, was already fundamentally flawed. How could any justice thrive under such corrupt leadership? The very existence of the Celestial Dragons was proof of the decay at the top.
And since the Navy was merely an extension of the World Government, how could it possibly straighten itself out? Even if it wanted to be just, it would only grow more twisted under the example set from above.
"Little sister Tashigi, you still have a lot to learn," Kairos said, shaking his head with a tone of calm superiority.
Tashigi's temper flared.
What was he implying? Was he using that condescending tone just to provoke her?
"I have no real interest in your so-called justice," Kairos continued. "I do respect Colonel Smoker's sense of justice, but sadly, not everyone in the Navy is like him. And let's be honest—the pay isn't exactly enticing. Even if I became a naval colonel, it would take me months just to earn what I've made in the past few weeks."
"I don't know if justice can be measured in money," he said. "But the people enforcing it still have to eat."
Kairos knew exactly where he stood.
Whether it was the pirates, the Navy, or even the Revolutionary Army led by Dragon—none of them suited him.
Pirates were just a pack of wild animals.
The Navy? Low pay and bound by bureaucracy.
The Revolutionary Army? Even worse—he doubted they made any money at all. Dragon and the other high-ranking revolutionaries didn't exactly look rich. If he joined them, he'd just be slaving away for free.
No. Being a bounty hunter was better.
It meant freedom. And it could make you rich.
"Others?" Smoker caught the key word in Kairos's comment.
"What do you know?"
"Shieldstown," Kairos said flatly. "You should go there and take a look at the mess their naval captain has made."
He was referring to the 153rd Navy Branch—Shieldstown—under the command of Captain Morgan.
Luffy hadn't started his journey just yet, so Morgan was still ruling the town with an iron fist. Shieldstown was a complete disaster. Lawless. Even many of the Navy personnel stationed there were fed up with their captain's tyranny.
If Smoker visited that place, he might be in for a surprise.
"I see." Smoker's tone shifted. "Now that you've received your bounty, you can go."
In an instant, his attitude changed—his expression distant, formal.
Even a fool could tell when someone was trying to send them away.
"Come on, Nami," Kairos said, picking up the black suitcase that held their 20 million Beli reward.
Without another word, he and Nami turned and exited Smoker's office together.
They got the bounty.
What did it matter what kind of attitude came with it?
Together, they walked out of the office and left the naval base in Loguetown.
Back in Smoker's office, Tashigi gritted her teeth.
"Damn it! Why did the Shodai Kitetsu fall into the hands of someone like that? It's like watching a priceless sword gather dust in the mud."
She couldn't hide her frustration over Kairos's attitude.
Smoker, however, remained silent.
After a brief moment, he finally spoke.
"Prepare a ship. We're going to Shieldstown."
"Colonel Smoker, you can't just leave your post like this," Tashigi protested. "If your superiors find out, you'll be reprimanded."
Every naval colonel was assigned to a specific region. Leaving that jurisdiction without authorization and stepping into another colonel's territory could cause serious friction. It was a huge risk.
Smoker wasn't in the East Blue because he was weak—he was here because of his temperament. The higher-ups placed him in the East Blue to temper his rough edges, not to stir up more trouble.
If something went wrong again, there was no telling how the upper brass would handle it.
"This is an order," Smoker said firmly.
That one sentence silenced her completely.
What else could she say? She was just a subordinate, after all.
After leaving the naval base, Nami glanced at Kairos with concern.
"Kairos, was that really a smart move? If we've offended them, what happens the next time we try to claim a bounty? What if they make trouble for us?"
"Don't worry," Kairos said, shaking his head casually. "The odds of that happening are low. Sure, there are plenty of scumbags in the Navy—but Smoker isn't one of them."
He spoke with certainty.
Smoker wasn't like Akainu. Even Akainu wouldn't stoop that low. Akainu was driven by one thing: his mission. He'd do anything—sacrifice anyone—if it meant achieving justice.
But Kairos wasn't part of his mission. He was just a bounty hunter. Even if Akainu stood right in front of him, Kairos would still refuse to bend the knee—and there'd be nothing Akainu could do about it.
Their goals didn't conflict.
Just because someone invited him to join didn't mean he was obligated to accept.
Hearing this, Nami fell silent.
Not long after, the two of them checked into a hotel in Loguetown and finally got some well-earned rest.
This trip had drained them—physically and mentally. They needed to recover before deciding their next move.