Marine Headquarters.
Inside Sakazuki's office.
"Temporary Fleet Admiral, huh~"
Kizaru stared at the towering pile of documents in front of him, his tone filled with regret and grievance.
"How long are we supposed to keep working through all of this?!"
Sakazuki, oh Sakazuki… I really do keep you close to my heart, you know.
The moment I received your urgent summons, I didn't even get to finish my sunbath. I rushed back in a hurry, not even catching my breath.
And yet, look at you! The second I stepped into the office, you shoved half of your workload onto me without a moment's hesitation!
You've crushed an old friend's heart, Sakazuki… crushed it to pieces!
"Until Fleet Admiral Sengoku returns."
Akainu didn't even lift his head, his pen flying across the pages as he signed document after document.
"..."
Kizaru froze.
Until Sengoku returns?
That phrasing… feels rather subtle.
And if Sengoku doesn't return…
Doesn't that mean I'd be stuck here with Sakazuki, reviewing documents until the end of time?
How terrifying… such a monstrous workload~
Maybe… I should find an excuse… and sneak off somewhere for a little break?
"Knock, knock—"
Just then, the office door was rapped on.
"Come in."
A messenger burst in and saluted.
"Report!"
"Admiral Akainu! Admiral Kizaru! We have Fleet Admiral Sengoku's top-priority command!"
"Both Admirals are to remain stationed at Headquarters and are not to leave without authorization!"
"The Fleet Admiral is already on his way back at full speed!"
"Hmm?"
Akainu's pen paused mid-signature for a brief moment.
That fast?
Based on the timing, Sengoku's warship had barely arrived at G-3 Branch before immediately setting course back to Headquarters.
That… didn't make sense.
The messenger continued his report:
"Additionally, Admiral Aokiji, who's currently on a mission in the New World, has also received orders and is returning to Headquarters!"
"What?!"
Akainu suddenly raised his head sharply.
Forcing an Admiral to abandon an ongoing mission in the New World?!
That was no trivial matter!
"And there's more!"
"Vice Admiral Garp has also been recalled immediately!"
"Zephyr-sensei has halted all training and is currently on standby at Headquarters!"
"???"
"!!!"
It was as if a thunderclap exploded in both Akainu's and Kizaru's minds at the same time.
Their gazes met instantly, shock and confusion flashing in both sets of eyes.
All three Admirals summoned to Headquarters.
Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine Hero, recalled.
Marine Chief Instructor Zephyr on standby.
Every single Marine Headquarters high-ranking officer — without exception — summoned back.
This wasn't just some routine meeting.
This was the highest-level combat readiness mobilization in the entire Marine force!
"Yo~ so… what in the world is going on?"
Kizaru's usual lazy demeanor faded. Behind the lenses of his sunglasses, his eyes gleamed sharply.
"..."
"Get ready, Borsalino. No matter what's happening…"
Akainu slowly stood up, his voice low and grim.
"… it definitely has something to do with that kid, Hawke."
His mind raced, rapidly connecting every clue.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku went to G-3 Branch for an inspection.
Arrived there, stayed barely any time, and immediately set sail back at full speed.
Then, without delay, he issued the Fleet Admiral's highest-priority order — summoning all Marine top brass to an emergency assembly.
The only variable in this entire chain of events was…
Rayne Hawke.
...
At that moment, inside G-3 Branch.
In the Branch Commander's office.
"Tap—"
Hawke's fingers drummed lightly on the desk.
In front of him lay an appointment letter spread open across the surface.
In the lower right corner of the document was the embossed seal of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
A golden seagull, wings outstretched, symbolizing authority that could not be questioned.
This was the "special privilege" Sengoku had left behind before departing.
One Headquarters Commodore promotion slot, and three Headquarters Captain promotion slots.
No need for any of Headquarters' complicated review procedures. Hawke could directly appoint candidates, sign off with his own name, and submit it for filing — and the promotions would take effect immediately.
This was Sengoku's most direct way of granting Hawke the power to build his own core team.
"Hmm…"
Hawke's gaze slowly swept across the full list of G-3 Branch officers.
Who should get the Commodore slot?
Among those eligible for promotion to Commodore were Dane, Smoker, and Hina.
Hawke didn't even hesitate.
Dane.
Smoker and Hina were both excellent officers, but they'd only recently joined his command.
Dane, on the other hand, had followed him all the way from East Blue's 16th Branch. A veteran subordinate and his most loyal aide from the very beginning.
More importantly, Dane's personality — steady, composed, never reckless.
When Hawke was away on campaign, he needed someone absolutely reliable to hold the rear.
Dane was the perfect candidate.
Strength could always be nurtured and improved, but true loyalty and composure… those were priceless.
The Commodore promotion was settled.
Next came the three Captain slots.
"..."
Hawke frowned slightly.
Zoro and Sanji… while their potential was immeasurable, they'd only just been promoted from Seaman Third Class to Headquarters Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander respectively.
Promoting them again so soon would be improper.
"Still…"
Hawke's lips curved into a faint smile.
"I can always save one Captain slot for them to compete for next time…"
That left two Captain slots.
Hawke's eyes landed on two names.
Hibari, Headquarters Ensign.
Kujaku, Headquarters Commander.
"Hibari…"
Hawke recalled the shy, quiet girl who had handed over the Rumble-Rumble Fruit — to him.
Whenever Dane wasn't around, Hibari had acted as his aide, and she'd done an excellent job.
On top of that, she'd handed over a Logia-type Devil Fruit.
Regardless of who ultimately consumed the fruit, that contribution alone was more than enough to justify a promotion.
This was both a reward and a statement.
As long as you made contributions, Rayne Hawke would never be stingy with rewards.
Finally, the last slot…
Kujaku.
Hawke's fingertips brushed over her name.
This decision carried a bit more weight.
Vice Admiral Tsuru had staked her lifelong reputation for the sake of G-3 Branch's Golden Plan, taking on all the accusations and criticisms, disguising everything under the guise of "personal favoritism."
Her intent was for the good of the Marines as a whole, but Hawke had undeniably been one of the biggest beneficiaries.
He couldn't just let that go unacknowledged.
Promoting her granddaughter, Kujaku, to Captain was Hawke's silent response.
He remembered favors and debts — always.
"That settles it, then."
Hawke picked up the fountain pen, dipped the nib into ink, and carefully signed each name on the appointment letter.
[Hereby appoint: Headquarters Commander Dane, promoted to Headquarters Commodore.]
[Hereby appoint: Headquarters Ensign Hibari, promoted to Headquarters Captain.]
[Hereby appoint: Headquarters Commander Kujaku, promoted to Headquarters Captain.]
When he finished, he signed his name at the bottom of the document — Rayne Hawke.
Then, he handed a copy of the appointment letter to the messenger, marked for top-level encryption, to be sent to Marine Headquarters for record.
The promotions would take effect immediately.
Having completed everything, Hawke picked up the original appointment letter, stood up, and headed toward the training grounds.
"Can't let the rewards stop with just the officers, after all!"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo