Tsuru's words had just fallen.
Sengoku was the first to nod.
"Not a bad suggestion. G-3 is indeed suitable for storing the gold."
"But, Tsuru..."
After agreeing, Sengoku's tone shifted.
"We just handed Hawke an unprecedentedly large fleet, and now we're talking about expanding the G-3 Branch and even stationing five elite Vice Admirals there permanently."
"This is too big of a move!"
"How do we explain such a massive shift of resources?"
"Just valuing the younger generation isn't enough... the World Government will definitely start getting suspicious."
Sengoku's concerns were not unfounded. Every significant naval expenditure had to go through the World Government's approval.
Such an action—essentially creating a miniature Marine Headquarters—would inevitably draw the strictest scrutiny.
"Simple."
Tsuru's answer was calm and resolute, as if she had already thought everything through.
"Just say that I, the Marine Grand Staff Officer—Tsuru, have dedicated my entire life to the Marines."
"Now, I'm getting old, and my only concern is my granddaughter, Kujaku."
"She's currently serving under Hawke."
"So, this old lady, against everyone's objections, used all of her influence, all of her lifelong connections, to turn the G-3 Branch—where my granddaughter serves—into an impregnable Marine fortress!"
"All to protect my granddaughter's future in the Marines."
"Who could blame an old woman for wanting the best for her granddaughter?!"
"Tsuru... you...!"
Sengoku's eyes widened sharply, instantly understanding her intent.
She was going to pin all of these "unreasonable" actions on her personal "favoritism."
She would use her lifetime of reputation to shield this enormous plan, personally carrying all the criticism and suspicion on her shoulders.
"What's wrong?"
Tsuru glanced at him coolly.
"Do you really think I still care about my so-called reputation?"
"For the Marines to stand, for 'Justice' to truly become independent…"
"What's a meaningless title compared to that?"
"..."
Sengoku stared at Tsuru, at the unshakable resolve etched across her face, and sighed softly.
He knew she had already made up her mind.
Among this generation of old Marines, which one of them hadn't dedicated their entire life to the seas, all for the sake of a single word—Justice?
But the Justice they carried was too heavy, too suffocating.
"Haaah—"
Sengoku took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, the excitement and frustration were gone, replaced by the absolute composure and deep strategy befitting the Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
His old friend was willing to gamble her entire reputation… as Fleet Admiral, how could he fall behind?
The situation of the entire ocean unfolded in his mind like a massive chessboard.
In this Great Age of Pirates, the most dominant forces were undoubtedly the four Yonko ruling the New World.
But where did their next generation of strength come from?
Paradise!
The first half of the Grand Line, "Paradise," was the constant supplier of fresh blood for the Yonko forces!
Countless arrogant pirates poured in from all four seas, plundering and slaughtering in Paradise, earning fame, and eventually entering the New World to serve under the Yonko as their subordinates.
Then...
A grand and ruthless strategic blueprint slowly took form in Sengoku's heart.
Step one: Centering around the G-3 Branch under Hawke's command—purge all of Paradise!
Turn it into a pirate graveyard, a one-way meat grinder. Sever the Yonko's source of fresh blood completely!
Step two: Secretly expand the overall strength of the Marines using the gold from Skypiea!
With sufficient funds, the Marines could undergo a covert military buildup.
Transfer Zephyr to the G-3 Branch to train new recruits.
As for the excuse, they could let Tsuru carry another "burden"—saying it was to provide better training for her granddaughter.
With Zephyr training the recruits, Hawke could then take these soldiers into battle, tempering them in the blood of pirates.
Then, construct more warships, improve the treatment of every Marine officer, and transform the Marines into a flawless, unstoppable war machine!
On one side, the Yonko, cut off from fresh forces and slowly weakening.
On the other, the Marines, secretly expanding at lightning speed, without any worries holding them back.
In such a balance of rise and decline...
The complete defeat of piracy would no longer be a dream!
"There's no time to waste!"
"Tsuru, let's return to Headquarters immediately and begin deployment!"
Sengoku turned, his gaze burning as it locked onto Hawke.
"However, kid, you've earned enormous merit this time, and with five Vice Admirals heading to G-3 for reinforcement, a Commodore's rank is no longer sufficient!"
"From today onward, you are promoted to Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral!"
"Stay at this position for now and get familiar with the workings of Headquarters. Once G-3 finishes its expansion and becomes the New G-3, that'll be your time to rise to Vice Admiral!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
Upon hearing this, Hawke straightened his posture sharply.
The expansion of G-3 was nothing but advantageous for him.
No matter how large it became, no matter how many personnel were added, the highest authority of the G-3 Branch would remain his.
The five elite Vice Admirals arriving soon were, on paper, "assistants"—Tsuru's "bodyguards" for her granddaughter.
But in reality, they were also his allies.
After all, he still carried four Buster Call authorizations.
That meant he had the absolute backing of the highest echelons of the Marines.
When necessary, he could freely command the strength of these five Vice Admirals.
"Buzz—"
Sengoku and Tsuru's warship departed, carrying away half of the gold, setting sail at full speed back to Headquarters.
Hawke stood at the dock, watching the warship representing the Marines' highest authority until it disappeared completely at the horizon.
Slowly, he turned around. The sea breeze rustled his brand-new Rear Admiral's cloak, the fabric snapping sharply in the wind.
A strange feeling welled up from deep within.
He could clearly sense that a great storm, one sparked by his own actions, was brewing within the Marines.
No… perhaps it had already begun.
And he was at the very center of it.
[Justice System, open panel.]
Hawke silently recited in his mind.
A blue screen, visible only to him, unfolded before his eyes.
[Host: Rayne Hawke]
[Rank: Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral]
[Justice Points: 54,088]
[Observation Haki: Advanced (Vice Admiral level)]
[Armament Haki: Advanced (Vice Admiral level)]
[Physique: Advanced (Vice Admiral level)]
[Martial Arts · Fist: Advanced (Vice Admiral level)]
[Conqueror's Haki: Advanced]
"My strength… still isn't enough…"
Hawke stared at the uniform "Advanced" levels on his panel and murmured under his breath.
Four core abilities at Vice Admiral level, plus an Advanced Conqueror's Haki.
This level of power was enough to dominate the entire Paradise region without opposition.
But his sights were never set on this small pond.
The Summit War...
The Yonko...
The World Government...
The hidden figure, Imu...
Each one was an existence that required Peak-level power to even approach.
"Looks like…"
Hawke raised his head, staring out over the endless ocean, his gaze sharp.
"I'll have to accelerate my pace…"
...
Meanwhile, Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Tap—"
Borsalino, freshly returned to Headquarters, strode straight into Akainu's office.
His gaze swept across the entire room.
The next second, his expression turned peculiar.
The office was overflowing with mountains of documents, threatening to bury the desk entirely.
And his old friend, Admiral Sakazuki, sat behind this "paper mountain," his face dark as soot, radiating a visibly oppressive, scorching aura.
"My, my~ how terrifying~"
Borsalino spoke lazily.
"Sakazuki, where's Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
"Haaah—"
Akainu slowly lifted his head, meeting Borsalino's gaze evenly.
Seeing his old friend drowning in work, not only refusing to help but also touching on the sorest topic, was infuriating.
If it weren't for that old fox Sengoku, he would've been off enjoying a "break" at the G-3 Branch too!
"Borsalino…"
"I am the Acting Fleet Admiral right now!"
"Address me by my title while we're working!"
Borsalino: "Huh???"