"Huh?"
Yunque tilted her head, eyes filled with puzzlement.
With a sharp scrape, Akainu pulled open the heavy drawer of his desk and took out a golden Den Den Mushi, its shell gleaming like molten sunlight.
"This," he said slowly, "is something Vice Admiral Tsuru could never give you."
"What's that?"
Curious, Yunque leaned closer, her hand almost reaching to poke at the glittering creature.
Akainu raised his broad hand and gently patted her head. "This is something that can protect you."
He then placed the golden Den Den Mushi back in the drawer, locking it carefully.
"Yunque, these are matters for adults. Don't ask too many questions. When we reach the G-3 Branch, focus on learning from your big brother Hawk."
"Got it!"
Yunque beamed. Her goal was already achieved. As long as she managed to secure something for Brother Hawk, that was a victory in her eyes.
And when departure day came, raiding her father's cigar stash would be the final triumph.
With a bounce in her step, she skipped back to her room, humming happily.
Silence settled in the study once more.
Akainu reopened the drawer, letting his fingertips trace the cold metal shell of the golden Den Den Mushi. His eyes lifted toward the window, where the moonlight bathed Marineford in silver.
His thoughts drifted far into the past.
"A Buster Call…" he murmured.
The next morning, warm sunlight spilled across Marineford.
Renn Hawk rose early, preparing for his daily training.
The moment he stepped outside, he noticed a tall, slightly slouched man leaning casually against the wall, a box tucked beneath one arm.
Admiral Aokiji, known by his true name, Kuzan.
"Morning, Hawk," Kuzan greeted, his voice lazy, carrying a hint of a yawn.
"Good morning, Admiral Aokiji," Hawk replied politely.
"Call me Kuzan. Titles are such a bother," the admiral said, scratching the back of his head. Then he gestured with his chin. "How about some breakfast together?"
Hawk nodded. "Gladly."
Side by side, they strolled down Marineford's main avenue. Marines along the path snapped to attention, saluting them as they passed.
Hawk spoke first. "Admiral I mean, Brother Kuzan. About the other day… have you come to terms with it?"
"Not entirely," Kuzan admitted with a faint shake of his head. "But I want to thank you."
A soft clarity lit his eyes. "It feels like the tangle in my mind has finally loosened a thread."
He turned to look at Hawk, his gaze sharper than usual.
"You didn't give me an answer. But you made me realize I've been trying to solve the wrong problem all along. I'm not out of the fog yet, but I've regained some drive. I can't let Sakazuki stand unchallenged at the top of the Marines."
"From now on, I'll support you with matters of duty, whenever you need it."
Hawk nodded firmly. "That's good to hear."
It truly was. For the Navy, and for himself.
In the original timeline, Aokiji lost his duel for Fleet Admiral and walked away from the Marines, leaving a wound in their strength.
But now, perhaps the butterfly's wings had stirred another path.
Kuzan stopped and shifted the box under his arm, holding it out. "Here. A gift for you."
Hawk accepted it and opened the lid. Inside lay a finely crafted eyepatch, a deep, blood-red shade. Its edges were stitched neatly with black thread, simple yet carrying a fierce aura.
"What do you think?" Kuzan grinned. "This is my favorite style."
"Uh…" Hawk's mouth twitched. "The craftsmanship is great. But… who in the world makes a sleeping eyepatch in blood-red? If I wear this outside, I'll scare children into silence."
"Don't like it?" Kuzan teased. "Your nickname is the Blood Hawk, isn't it? And with your Slaughter Justice, doesn't this suit you perfectly? I had it custom-made. One of a kind."
"..."
Hawk forced a smile and swallowed his refusal. "Thank you, Brother Kuzan. I really appreciate it."
Better to endure the gift than risk being frozen into an ice sculpture.
He closed the lid, intending to stash the thing before anyone else could see it.
But Kuzan stopped him. "Hold on. There's another gift beneath it."
Hawk lifted the eyepatch away, and his heart nearly froze on the spot.
Beneath it sat a golden Den Den Mushi.
His pupils shrank to pinpoints. "This… is this…?"
"Yes," Kuzan confirmed. "This is a Buster Call."
Hawk's breath caught.
The Buster Call. Also known as an Emergency Summons.
It was composed of a golden Den Den Mushi and its silver counterpart. The golden one, held only by Admirals or the Fleet Admiral, transmitted the signal. The silver one, housed at Marine Headquarters, received it.
Once activated, Headquarters would immediately dispatch ten warships and five vice admirals to unleash a merciless, all-consuming bombardment.
A power granted to the Marines by the World Government. Enough to erase an island from existence.
A symbol of absolute violence.
In the early years, its mere mention was enough to strike terror into anyone's heart.
And now… Kuzan had simply handed it to him.
Hawk stared at the admiral in disbelief.
Kuzan's voice was quiet, serious. "Hawk, I have a feeling. My Lazy Justice may not survive unchanged. You might be the one to shake it, perhaps even reshape it."
"That's why I'm entrusting you with the power of a Buster Call."
"But I ask one thing in return."
Hawk lowered the lid, steadying himself. "What is it?"
Kuzan glanced around to ensure they were alone. His eyes grew somber as he faced Hawk directly.
"During the Ohara Incident years ago, I followed my friend Saul's will and let someone escape."
His tone was soft, yet heavy enough to chill the air.
"I've heard… she's now allied with Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords."
Kuzan's gaze grew distant, pained.
"I found a bit of drive again, but I can't deal with her myself. I was the one who destroyed her homeland… and the one who set her free. I have no right to judge her anymore."
"So I'm leaving the choice to you."
"Find her. If you believe her deeds are unforgivable, bring her to Impel Down. But if you believe she's not beyond redemption… whether you let her go, or bring her into G-3, that choice is yours."
"I want to see what you'll decide."
"But whatever you choose, please… spare her life."
Hawk fell silent.
Of course he knew who Kuzan meant.
The Devil's Child Nico Robin.
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