"Ouch..." Smoker winced, empathizing. How long was he going to chase Straw-Hat? He'd planned until the end of the world if need be but if that took ten or twenty more years how much would he really last? Would he too turn into one of the old fogeys in the brass he hated so much? Sacrificing everything. It had been difficult to even see Karen much of the last month, how much more strain would be added? Or even could be added before something broke. "All for justice," Smoker added grimly. What were personal wants compared with that? He sighed. Good soldiers like Tashigi and Zenigata suffered while bastards like Lupin and Blackbeard kept right on smiling. He ran a hand through his hair.

Even if he never officially caught Straw-Hat; the kid had an endless supply of family and allies and so it seemed energy as well, then at least Smoker knew he was still making the world a better place through the chase. And he had no doubts Zenigata was the same way. "I guess you should probably think of this whole thing as an extended vacation. A chance to recharge batteries before that obnoxious prick does show up."