Marine Headquarters.
"..."
"What is it, Hawk? You don't want to?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Renn Hawk's hesitation, her voice calm and even.
In her eyes, this was simple. Her granddaughter, Peacock, was twenty-three this year. Hawk was also just in his early twenties. Young people ought to interact more.
Back in her own youth, she, Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr had supported each other every step of the way until they became what they were today.
And Hawk… Hawk was already far more exceptional than any of them had been at that age. Having Peacock learn under him could only be beneficial.
Her granddaughter might have her little quirks, but they were harmless. Hawk should agree.
"Uh..."
The image of Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter, Peacock, flashed through Hawk's mind.
She had a well-proportioned figure, long golden hair, and striking green eyes.
In the original story, she wore a pink dress decorated with red and white polka-dot patterns, a Justice cloak draped across her shoulders, and a matching pink hat.
Her ability was the Paramecia-type: the Whip-Whip Fruit.
Peacock.
She liked...
Hawk's thoughts spun rapidly. Should he refuse?
Refuse? Why refuse?
That thought barely lasted a second before he crushed it.
Admiral Akainu's daughter, Skylark, had just joined his command.
Now Vice Admiral Tsuru wanted her granddaughter to join as well.
He had already accepted one, so what harm in another?
Besides, he had been thinking it was awkward having nothing but rough men under his command, with only Skylark as a lone woman. Now with Peacock, it would balance things out nicely.
But more importantly...
If Tsuru was willing to entrust her granddaughter to him, it meant she was putting her faith in him.
That was a good thing.
Admiral Akainu represented the hawkish faction, the most hardline and powerful military force within the Marines. His support gave Hawk the freedom to pursue his "Justice of Slaughter" without restraint.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, on the other hand, was the brain of the Marines, one of the veterans of Sengoku's and Garp's era. Her influence and connections reached every corner of Marine Headquarters.
Her support would free him from countless worries.
One represented the present and the future of the Marines.
The other embodied wisdom and prestige.
With both standing behind him, Hawk would have a solid footing in the Navy without any shackles.
Thinking it through, the hesitation vanished from his face, replaced by sincerity and resolve.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, to have your trust is my honor."
He bowed slightly, his tone firm.
"If Lieutenant Commander Peacock comes to the G-3 Branch, I will do everything in my power to train her and never let down your expectations."
"Mm..."
Tsuru looked at him, a smile of approval softening her features.
Not bad. This young man knew how to think.
"Hawk," Tsuru said slowly, "I don't have much to offer. I only rely on my seniority to sway Sengoku a little now and then. But your ability is strong, and as I see it, the G-3 Branch's funding and supplies should only increase."
She paused, then added casually, "I'll secure a fifty percent increase to your branch's budget over the next three years. And I'll also reassign three large battleships and five medium ones to the G-3."
"..."
"???"
Hawk froze.
Wait, what?
Vice Admiral Tsuru, this is what you call "not much ability"?
This wasn't some leftover food and weapons this was the entire annual operating budget of the branch.
A fifty percent increase? That was a one-and-a-half times boost!
It was a staggering figure that would drive any branch commander wild with envy.
And the warships...
The Navy's standards were clear:
Giant battleships were for Admirals and Vice Admirals.
Large battleships for Rear Admirals and Commodores.
Medium ships for Captains and Commanders.
By rights, as a newly promoted Commodore in charge of G-3, he should have only one large battleship and a few mediums at best.
But Sengoku had already approved a brand-new giant battleship for him.
Now Tsuru was adding three more large ships and five mediums!
That meant his G-3 Branch would have a fleet consisting of one giant battleship, three large battleships, and several mediums.
This wasn't favoritism anymore. This was indulgence.
With that money and that fleet, the possibilities in the Grand Line were endless.
"..."
Hawk gathered himself and gave Tsuru a crisp salute.
"Thank you, Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
"Mm."
She reached out, gently patted his shoulder, and spoke kindly.
"Peacock will return to Headquarters in a couple of days. I'll arrange for you two to meet. Do your best."
"Yes, ma'am!"
After a kind nod to Skylark, Tsuru turned and slowly walked away.
Hawk watched her leave, then turned to Skylark.
"Skylark. Soon, you'll have a new companion."
"Mm-hmm."
Skylark nodded quickly, her small head already full of calculations.
Grandma Tsuru gave Hawk so much more funding and ships just for sending over Peacock.
But her own father was an Admiral. Shouldn't he do even more?
Tonight, she'd tell her dad...
What giant battleship? Just give Big Brother Hawk a whole fleet!
...
East Blue.
The 16th Branch's staggered leave schedule was quickly put into effect.
Zoro, having just joined, hadn't been assigned official duties yet. Dane decided to give him leave right away, so long as he returned to the branch on time.
Soon, a small boat pushed off from the dock.
Wearing his new seaman's uniform, Zoro stood at the bow, the sea breeze whipping his green hair.
A Marine sailor, heading home along the same route, skillfully handled the sails.
The boat cut through the waves, heading steadily toward Shimotsuki Village.
After a while...
"..."
Zoro stared at the changing scenery. It all looked familiar, yet strange at the same time.
He finally asked, "Are you sure this is the way to Shimotsuki Village?"
"Uh..."
The sailor hesitated.
His hometown was near the village, and he had traveled this route more than ten times. He was certain there was no mistake.
But...
Rumors had already spread about Seaman Zoro taking on the entire branch single-handedly.
Someone that strong surely... couldn't get lost, right?
"..."
The sailor lowered the sails, slowing the boat, and pulled out the chart and compass. He checked carefully.
"No mistake..."
He glanced at Zoro's confident face at the bow and felt doubt creeping in.
Could it be... that he was the one lost?
Forget it. Just keep going. If it's wrong, they'll turn back.
The sails filled once more, and soon a familiar shoreline appeared. The silhouette of Shimotsuki Village grew clearer.
"Thanks. Let's part ways here."
Zoro stepped off the boat, his feet meeting solid ground.
The sailor looked at him kindly.
"When it's time to return, want me to pick you up?"
"No need!"
Zoro grinned confidently, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Don't worry. I won't get lost!"
I won't get lost!
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