Step… step…
Measured footsteps echoed across the docks of Marineford.
At the center of the send-off stood Fleet Admiral Sengoku, with Vice Admiral Tsuru by his side.
Behind them were the three Admirals, followed by Vice Admirals like Onigumo and Doberman.
"…"
Every soldier stationed on the docks held their breath.
The entire upper echelon of Headquarters had turned out.
"!!!"
Standing at the forefront, ready to depart, Renn Hawk caught sight of the massive escort party and quickly stepped forward.
Trailing behind him were Skylark and Peacock. Skylark carried a bulging little backpack, stuffed full of who-knew-what.
"Hawk."
Sengoku was the first to speak, his voice booming. "Garp and Zephyr were both dispatched on missions, so they couldn't make it. Otherwise, you'd have had an even fuller turnout from Headquarters today."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is more than enough," Hawk replied, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
Anyone who knew would see this as a send-off for a newly minted Rear Admiral.
Anyone who didn't might think the Marines were preparing to go to war with a Yonko.
"Ha ha!"
Sengoku clapped Hawk on the shoulder. "This just shows how much faith we have in you!"
Then, pulling out a golden transponder snail encased in a black box, he handed it to Hawk with solemn weight.
"Hawk, this is an Admiral-grade Buster Call. I'm formally authorizing it to you now. Its effect is three times stronger than the standard issue. Use it wisely—"
"Hmph! Sengoku, don't say such things."
Tsuru cut him off mid-sentence, her tone openly doting on Hawk.
"If the time comes, don't hesitate. Use it."
"Yes, ma'am."
Hawk saluted her respectfully before taking the box from Sengoku with steady hands.
Inside, however, his emotions barely stirred.
If anything, he felt numb.
Why?
Because at this point… he was used to it.
On this sea, who else but him had so many Buster Calls they needed a box to store them?
Click.
Hawk reached into his coat and pulled out a polished rosewood case.
He had bought it specifically to hold Buster Calls. Thankfully, he'd chosen a larger one otherwise, he would have run out of room long ago.
"Hm…?"
When he flipped open the lid, every gaze froze.
Nestled against the velvet lining were two golden transponder snails identical to the one Sengoku had just given him.
"There are already two Buster Calls in there?!"
"...!"
Akainu's eyes flashed with sharp suspicion.
After the fiasco at the docks during the last recruitment, if Kizaru had given Hawk a Buster Call, he would have informed Akainu beforehand.
So it wasn't Borsalino.
And Sengoku had only just handed his over.
That meant one of the existing two could only have come from
Kuzan.
"…"
Akainu's eyes cut toward the man standing lazily with hands shoved in his pockets, gaze fixed on the horizon.
Kuzan didn't flinch under the stare. He merely smirked faintly at the corner of his mouth.
"Heh…"
Akainu let out a low, humorless laugh in his throat.
Kuzan.
Since Ohara, how long had it been since the two of them agreed on anything?
Yet here, on the matter of Hawk, they had finally found common ground.
Good.
Clack.
Hawk set Sengoku's Buster Call neatly into the case and moved to close the lid when
Whoosh!
A streak of golden light flashed suddenly in front of him.
"Hawk-kun~"
"…?"
Hawk blinked at the Admiral who had appeared without warning.
What now? Was Kizaru joining in too?
"An old man like me can't afford to be left out, can I~"
With a languid wink, Kizaru produced his own Buster Call from his coat and placed it delicately into Hawk's already full case.
Akainu and Kuzan, eternal rivals, had both entrusted Hawk with their authority.
Sengoku himself had publicly endorsed him.
If Kizaru didn't also show his support, people might think the most easygoing of the Admirals had been excluded.
"…Well then."
Hawk looked down at the rosewood case. The once-roomy interior was now packed edge to edge with golden transponder snails.
Every Buster Call Headquarters could muster… was sitting in his hands.
"Ha ha ha!"
Sengoku's chest swelled with pride at the sight.
Seeing Hawk recognized and supported by the highest levels of the Marines filled him with satisfaction.
He stepped closer, voice steady.
"Hawk, in small matters, one is enough. But if you ever face something truly dire…"
"Press them all. Every last one."
"Marine Headquarters will always stand behind you."
"Yes, sir!"
Hawk answered firmly, then turned to salute every senior officer present.
With that, he strode aboard the largest of the colossal warships at the fleet's center.
Rumble…
The massive fleet parted the blue waves, sailing into the open sea.
At the prow, Hawk's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Pirates of Paradise…"
"I'm coming for you."
——
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Inside the dojo at dawn, Roronoa Zoro stood bare-chested, sweat dripping from his short green hair.
Eyes closed, bamboo sword in hand, he swung again and again, each strike cutting the air with sharp, simple purity.
Whshh!
He exhaled slowly and lowered his blade.
It was time.
He quickly washed, donned a Marine uniform, and packed his gear.
At the doorway, Koushirou swept fallen leaves leisurely with his broom.
"Master."
Zoro stopped in front of him.
Koushirou looked up, pausing his sweeping. "You're leaving?"
"Yes."
Zoro nodded firmly. "I can't stay any longer."
"I see."
His gaze lingered on Zoro's uniform. "So you've chosen the path of the Marines?"
"I have."
"I'll become the world's greatest swordsman. No matter what uniform I wear or where I stand, that will never change. But right now, I'll wear the cloak of justice first."
"Ha…"
Koushirou smiled, as warm and gentle as ever.
He stepped aside, clearing the way.
"Go, then."
"Yes, Master!"
Zoro bowed deeply before striding off.
Soon after, a small boat drifted across the calm seas of the East Blue.
Zoro stood proudly at its bow, brimming with confidence.
"Heh. Just heading back to the branch. No way I'll get lost this time."
"Set sail!"
He checked the sun, the map, adjusted his sails all with the air of someone who finally had things under control.
"…"
After who knows how long, Zoro frowned at the map, then back up at the sun overhead.
"Strange…"
"This route's getting less and less familiar. Did the currents shift?"
All around him, nothing but endless sea. No sign of an island in sight.
Where the hell had he ended up?
Just then
A rich aroma drifted on the breeze, carried by laughter, the clang of utensils, and the shouts of cooks.
"Hm?"
Zoro raised his head, following the scent.
There, floating on the waves, was a peculiar building shaped like a great fish.
Plates clattered, patrons laughed, chefs barked orders.
The smell of cooking filled the air with warmth and life.
The floating restaurant Baratie.
He had arrived.
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