Marine Headquarters.
Moonlight spilled across the towering fortress walls, painting them silver.
In the distance, the rhythmic steps of patrolling soldiers mingled with the cries of night gulls, creating the unique atmosphere of a Marineford night.
Click.
Renn Hawk stepped out of Aokiji's office, lit a cigar, and exhaled slowly.
The words he had just spoken if it had been Admiral Akainu or Admiral Kizaru listening would have been meaningless.
"I just hope I managed to clear Admiral Aokiji's doubts..."
Because he had no intention of letting the original story repeat itself.
In the canon timeline, two weeks after the Paramount War ended, Sengoku submitted his resignation as Fleet Admiral. He recommended Aokiji to take over as his successor.
But the World Government preferred the hardline Akainu.
The two admirals clashed, both in ideology and for the title of Fleet Admiral. Their battle raged for ten days on Punk Hazard.
The Battle of Punk Hazard.
In the end, Akainu emerged victorious and became the new Fleet Admiral.
Aokiji, defeated, left the Marines entirely, eventually joining Blackbeard's crew as captain of the Tenth Ship.
Aokiji's departure was a devastating loss to the Marines' fighting strength.
The old trio of admirals were indisputably powerful.
But the new generation Fujitora and Green Bull were far weaker by comparison.
Since Renn had chosen to remain in the Marines, his hope was simple: that the institution he served would only grow stronger.
He flicked his cigar into a bin and strolled back to the residence that had been assigned to him.
As a brigadier general, he had been given an official home within headquarters.
Smaller than the residences of higher-ranked officers, but still...
A free house. Who needs a bike?
After a quick wash, Renn was about to lie down when
"Buru buru..."
The Den Den Mushi rang. Its mustache and seagull-hat appearance made Renn's eyes narrow.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
He answered.
"Hawk."
Sengoku's voice sounded weary but still carried authority.
"I have good news for you."
"The warships the Marines commissioned from Galley-La Company in Water 7 have just been completed."
"After discussion among the higher-ups, one of them has been reserved for you."
"The sails will carry your insignia 'Hawk.'"
"Of course, you'll need to wait a few days for the handover procedures to be finalized."
"In addition, all the soldiers from your former 16th Branch have been approved for promotion. The paperwork will be completed shortly."
"Thank you, Fleet Admiral." Renn's voice was steady. "I won't let you down."
"Good."
The Den Den Mushi closed its eyes, ending the call.
Renn stood silently for a moment.
This was blatant favoritism.
By regulation, a brigadier general was entitled to one large warship at most.
Yet he had been granted a brand-new battleship of massive scale something even many vice admirals couldn't obtain.
Sengoku's move sent a very clear signal to all of Marine Headquarters.
Renn Hawk was someone the top brass valued.
Even if it meant staying at headquarters a few extra days, for a ship like that it was worth it.
Yawning, Renn sank into the softness of his bed. Arms behind his head, he began planning the coming days.
First, he needed to collect his brigadier general's cape and insignia from logistics.
Then, wait for his men's promotions to be finalized.
As for the rest of his time... Admiral Akainu had told him not to bother with unnecessary formalities.
But headquarters was a deeper sea than the East Blue.
Building connections mattered.
Vice admirals, rear admirals, brigadier generals... the more allies he had, the better.
With those thoughts drifting, sleep claimed him quickly.
...
East Blue, 16th Branch.
Finishing his shift, Dane stepped out of the office building and spotted Zoro leaning against a wall.
"Hm? You're still here?"
"Uh..."
Zoro rubbed his stomach. The rumbling was loud in the quiet night.
"Thought I'd grab a late meal. And... I wanted to ask you something."
"Heh."
Dane gave a dry laugh. "So you just want a free dinner again?"
"Don't put it like that. I'll spar with you a few extra rounds to make up for it."
"..."
Dane shook his head.
Forget it.
His swordsmanship was the structured, disciplined style drilled into him by Marine instructors. Solid, but lacking flexibility.
Zoro's, on the other hand, was wild, ferocious, guided by instinct like a beast. He was the perfect reference point.
Feeding him a few meals was a small price to pay.
"Fine. Let's go. My treat."
"Ha!"
The two returned to the mess hall.
To accommodate night shifts and late training, the 16th Branch served hearty suppers.
Huge platters of minced meat fried rice, freshly grilled sea-beast skewers, and creamy white fish soup.
Even barrels of low-strength ale.
"Whoa!"
Zoro devoured everything in sight, eating like a storm.
Only when his stomach was full did he scratch his head, a little embarrassed.
"Dane... is there anything I can do to help you?"
"No."
Dane calmly sipped his fish soup. "This sea is quiet now. There won't be any pirates for a while."
"They've all been scared off by my big brother."
"But Zoro, before I get transferred to the Grand Line... if you keep sparring with me, I'll cover your meals."
"Deal."
Zoro grinned. "But tell me, doesn't the Navy have swordmasters? Strong ones?"
"Plenty. Most are stationed at headquarters."
"Then what's your goal, Dane? To become the strongest swordsman in the Marines? Or to be an admiral?"
"Neither."
Dane shook his head. "My goal is to follow my brother Renn Hawk, and cut down every pirate in this sea."
"Ah—!"
Zoro smacked his forehead. He'd nearly forgotten what he wanted to ask.
"Dane, your brother once said a sword is the least important factor in a swordsman's strength."
"So what are the others?"
"What matters most?"
"..."
Dane met Zoro's burning, hungry gaze. He fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"For a swordsman..."
"What matters most is haki. Spirit. Will."
"..."
Zoro thought for a long while before asking, "Haki... is that the black power you used before?"
"Yes. That was one form of it Armament Haki."
"On the Grand Line, it's common. Admirals, Yonko, the Warlords they all master it."
"The Warlords...!"
Immediately, a figure rose unbidden in Zoro's mind.
Dracule Mihawk. The world's greatest swordsman. His ultimate goal.
And as a Warlord, Mihawk no doubt wielded Haki with mastery.
Yet Zoro himself hadn't even scratched the surface.
"Dane... Armament Haki..."
Zoro's voice was dry. "How do I learn it?"
"Talent. Sweat. The right training. And... countless battles on the edge of life and death."
"With your strength, in the East Blue, finding those battles will be nearly impossible."
"..."
Zoro fell silent.
Dane was right.
That man Renn Hawk had swept the East Blue clean.
No pirates left to fight, no bounty to chase.
If he stayed here, he'd rust. He'd starve.
Starve to death?
No. He would never go hungry again.
"Dane... how can I join the Marines?"
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