PUNK HAZARD AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO SMOKER’S GROWTH Theory

Everyone after watching/reading the PH arc was complaining about how weak Smoker is compared to preTS Smoker and Luffy. How Luffy went ahead of him.
All this is true. However, I believe it all had a reason and PH played a very important role towards strengthening Smoker.
Lets get to it:

• The enitire PH arc was meant to be a wake up call for Smoker.
• He used to be stronger than Luffy but Luffy surpassed him during the TS.
• Luffy had 3 main wake up calls during preTS that made his see his weakenesses and train hard to be where he is rite now ie:
  1. Aokiji encountre. He wasnt strong enough to defeat his enemy. He also thought he could take on anyone and everyone.
  2. Kizaru and Sentomru in Sabody. He couldnt protect his dream ie he needs to be alive, not in prison and have his crew to be the PK.
  3. Ace’s death. He couldnt protect someone precious to him ie Ace.
• PH arc was meant to show Smoker that he is weak and needs to step up his game. Luffy, Law and Vergo who are in his league clearly outclass him @ the moment.
• Just like Luffy had 3 major eye opening experiences, Smoker also had them in PH ie:
  1. He got defeated by Law and had to beg for his life from a pirate(Law).
  2. He had to fight Vergo who clearly whopped him. He saw the injustice in the marine and was unable to do anything about it since he lacked the strength. He had to depend on a pirate, the scum of the earth, to fight his battle for him.
  3. He had to fight DD who was beyond his level and almost killed him and his crew.
• All these scenarios showed Smoker that:
  1. He wasnt strong enough to defeat his enemies and He also thought he could take on anyone and everyone. (Law, Vergo and DD)
  2. He coudlnt protect his dream (couldnt stop the injustice and corruption)
  3. He couldnt protect those precious to him ie his crew(against DD and to some extend CC and Vergo)

This experience will make Smoker stronger:

• The fact that Luffy went ahead to him will fuel his drive and motivate Smoker to train harder.
• His willpower will be strengthen and his determination to achieve is dream will also be strengthened.
• He was already stronger than Luffy preTS, so after this the next tym he is shown he will be on Luffy’s lvl.

Therefore Everything that happened in PH was neccessary for Smoker to grow stronger.

*Theory by BossYimz