"You're the one being unreasonable, Sengoku."
"You're blocking the rise of the Navy's new generation."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice was soft, but her words struck directly into Sengoku's heart.
"..."
Sengoku's body trembled. He leaned back against his chair, silent for a long time.
So… it was him who had been wrong all along.
Tsuru was right. Sakazuki's methods might be extreme, but his commitment and persistence in upholding the word "justice" was unmatched in the entire Navy.
Compared to the other two headaches one slippery like Borsalino, the other lazy like Kuzan—Sakazuki was, in fact, the most reliable.
"..."
Sengoku reopened the report on Akainu's desk and read it again with fresh eyes.
Renn Hawk, a lieutenant colonel from the 16th Branch of the East Blue, had purged the entire sea.
Decisive and ruthless, he practiced what he called "Slaughter Justice."
His strength had already surpassed the Headquarters' elite rear admirals. His abilities were balanced, without any glaring weakness.
The soldiers under his command were disciplined and fearless, their spirit comparable to the Navy's finest.
This was… truly a six-pointed talent.
Power? He had it.
Conviction in justice? He had it.
Leadership and command? He had it.
Hawk not only qualified but had the potential to become the leading figure of the Navy's new generation.
He had only seen Sakazuki's "overstepping," but overlooked the true meaning behind his recommendation: the promotion of worthy talent.
To hinder the rise of the Navy's future…
Sengoku had devoted his whole life to the Navy. How could he how would he ever become the one to stand in its way?
"..."
Slowly, Sengoku closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the flames of anger had vanished. What replaced them was clarity and determination.
"Shhh—shhh—"
He picked up his pen and signed his name on the promotion and appointment papers.
"Ren Hawk is hereby promoted to Rear Admiral, and assigned as the Commander of G-3 Branch."
"He must come to Headquarters to complete the procedures and receive the formal appointment."
Sengoku laid the pen down and said in a deep voice: "I want to meet him myself."
"Mm."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded slightly, satisfied.
This was the Sengoku she knew.
But people… once they grow old, after spending too much time around the Five Elders, they inevitably pick up some of that bureaucratic rot.
She'd have to keep a closer eye on him in the future.
"Phew—"
Tsuru lifted her teacup and took a quiet sip.
In her heart, she began to consider whether she should send her granddaughter, Peacock, under Hawk's command for training.
Headquarters quickly issued the order.
East Blue, Navy 16th Branch.
In the mess hall.
"Hawk…"
Akainu's low, gravelly voice carried its usual weight.
"G-3 is stationed along a critical sea lane in the first half of the Grand Line. Pirate activity there is far more rampant than in the East Blue..."
Hawk listened intently, memorizing every word. Advice from a Navy admiral was worth more than gold.
At that moment, a messenger hurried in, snapping to attention before Akainu and presenting a document.
"Report to Admiral! Latest orders from Headquarters!"
"Mm..."
Akainu accepted the paper and unfolded it.
Upon seeing Sengoku's familiar signature and the seal of the Fleet Admiral's office, his eyes glimmered with satisfaction.
Good.
That old man Sengoku wasn't senile after all.
Did they think he had promoted Hawk out of greed for power?
Everything he did was for the Navy's future.
For true justice across these seas.
"Hawk..."
Akainu handed the appointment paper to him. "It's all settled."
"Shh—"
Hawk took the file and scanned it quickly.
The words were clear as day.
"Lieutenant Colonel Renn Hawk of the 16th Branch is hereby promoted to Rear Admiral."
"Rear Admiral Hawk is assigned as Commander of the G-3 Branch on the Grand Line."
At the bottom, Sengoku's signature stood out boldly.
It was done.
The rank of Rear Admiral. The authority of G-3 Commander.
From this moment, Hawk had officially stepped into the Navy's highest circles.
However, the order stated clearly that he must report to Marineford Headquarters personally for the formal appointment.
That was fine...
Hawk thought to himself.
It was the perfect chance to meet the Navy's top brass face-to-face. This would be crucial for his future.
He folded the papers away and looked to Akainu.
"Hawk."
"Prepare yourself. You're coming with me to Headquarters."
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, everyone gathered at the port.
Akainu's towering figure stood at the front, his gaze sweeping over two groups of soldiers.
On one side stood the Headquarters elites he had brought uniforms pristine, their presence overwhelming.
On the other side stood Hawk's men from the 16th Branch just as disciplined, eyes just as sharp.
"..."
Akainu glanced back at the Navy warship he had come in on.
One ship was far too small to carry all of them.
And Hawk's branch ship still needed to remain behind for daily patrols and to keep order in these seas, newly purged but still vulnerable.
Pirates were like weeds. No matter how thoroughly you cut them down, they always grew back.
"Hmm..."
Akainu's brow twitched ever so slightly. A decision was made.
He turned back to the assembled soldiers.
"Headquarters troops, remain stationed at the 16th Branch."
"Ah...?"
The Headquarters soldiers froze, dumbstruck.
Then Akainu's next words exploded like thunder in their ears.
"16th Branch soldiers, you will come with me to Headquarters."
"..."
"???"
The Headquarters troops were stunned.
Admiral!
Admiral Akainu!
Who exactly were your subordinates here?!
Wasn't it us, the ones who followed you all the way from Headquarters to the East Blue?
Why were they the local branch troops the ones chosen to go with you instead?
Without you... what were they supposed to do now?
"..."
Standing at Akainu's side, Hawk caught the shock and confusion on their faces.
He understood what Akainu meant.
This was his way of showing recognition favoring Hawk's men over the Headquarters elites.
After all, given their limited resources, the 16th Branch had still managed to reach the same level of discipline and spirit. That alone spoke volumes about Hawk's leadership.
But this trip to Headquarters was primarily about his own promotion.
For Dane and the rest of his brothers in the 16th Branch, their promotions would have to wait until he was officially installed.
And more importantly...
He wanted to personally lead them into Headquarters one day with honor, as equals.
Not like this. Not as a mere add-on, dragged along in someone else's shadow.
That wasn't his style.
"Admiral, let Dane and the others stay behind."
Hawk stepped forward, voice firm. "In the future, I'll personally lead them into Headquarters."
"..."
Akainu paused at his words.
Then, after a brief silence...
"Ha—"
A low chuckle rumbled from his throat.
Good.
This kid hadn't let him down.
"Headquarters troops, board the ship!"
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