G-3 Branch Cafeteria.
Inside a private room reserved for high-ranking officers.
The air was thick with a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
On the massive round dining table sat an array of exquisite dishes.
Golden, crispy Skypiea tempura, rich creamy broth simmered from the spine of a colossal Sea King…
And a special "Combat Recovery Soup," prepared by Sanji using a unique cooking technique that could instantly replenish stamina. Every dish shimmered with a tempting luster, teasing the taste buds of everyone present.
On one side of the table sat Doberman, Onigumo, and three other elite Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters.
Their postures were upright and disciplined. Even seated at the table, they carried an unshakable aura of battlefield veterans.
Opposite them sat Hawke and his core team.
Hawke took the main seat, flanked by his adjutant Dane and Hibari.
Next were Smoker, Hina, and Kujaku.
At the very end sat Zoro and Sanji, the two idiots, locked in an intense silent battle of glares, even in this formal setting.
"Chak—"
Hawke raised his glass, filled with a special brew from Skypiea.
"I represent the G-3 Branch and offer this toast to you all."
His voice was calm yet commanding, without unnecessary politeness.
"Here, our rules are simple."
"Kill the fiercest pirates. Drink the strongest liquor. Eat the finest meals."
"For the justice of the Marines — cheers!"
"..."
Doberman and the other four Vice Admirals exchanged glances, catching the same complex look in each other's eyes.
Before dinner, Rear Admiral Hawke had personally led them on a tour of the entire G-3 Branch.
They walked.
They observed.
And the shock in their hearts came in waves, like a relentless tsunami.
First, the port.
Three massive warships were docked in a private berth.
Their hulls bristled with rows upon rows of menacing cannons, cold metal glinting under the lights.
Beside them rested five large warships and ten medium-sized ones.
On deck, Marine soldiers carried out routine maintenance in perfect order and discipline.
"Ah???"
"This… this is a branch fleet configuration?!"
"Adding in the five massive warships we brought, the G-3 Branch's fleet alone is practically equivalent to two full Buster Calls…"
Afterward, they visited the training grounds.
"Hei—! Ha—!"
"Loyalty!"
Thousands of soldiers were undergoing weighted drills, their roars like the cries of beasts.
In the corner, those two monsters — Zoro and Sanji — were sparring. Their sword slashes and kicks created violent gusts of wind so strong that even the surrounding soldiers struggled to keep their balance.
What shocked Onigumo and the others most, however… were the soldiers' eyes.
That fiery gaze, burning with an indomitable will, spoke of absolute, unquestionable loyalty to their leader.
They weren't just completing missions.
They were following their faith!
Finally, they arrived at the operations command room.
A massive sea chart covered the entire wall, marked with red lines outlining every major route and pirate stronghold across the first half of the Grand Line — the "Paradise."
Those weren't defensive patrol routes…
They were offensive strike routes!
Dozens of pirate crews' names were circled in red, each annotated with estimated forces and bounty amounts.
Mock Town had already been completely crossed out with a thick black X.
And the next target — pointed to by a bold arrow — was none other than… the Kingdom of Alabasta!
The name beneath the arrow made all five Vice Admirals freeze.
One of the Shichibukai — Sir Crocodile!
Rear Admiral Hawke's ambitions were staggering!
A branch on Paradise… planning to purge the entire Paradise itself!
At that moment, they understood everything.
No wonder Admiral Akainu valued this young man so highly, viewing him as the heir to the Marine Hawk Faction.
No wonder Fleet Admiral Sengoku had bent the rules just to elevate him to his current position.
Such ruthless efficiency against pirates, such ironclad control over his branch, and the sheer audacity to swallow all of Paradise whole…
It all made sense now.
They also understood why so many individuals with deep backgrounds had gathered here.
Akainu's daughter Hibari, Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter Kujaku, Admiral Aokiji's close friend Smoker, and the renowned Headquarters officer Hina…
Gathering all these future elites under one man's command…
This, in itself, was an unspoken declaration from the very top of the Marines.
Rayne Hawke was the one they had all chosen — the standard-bearer who would lead the Marines into a new era!
The five of them had been transferred here under the pretense of joint defense.
But in reality… they were meant to become the shield protecting this banner!
Once they understood this, the final doubts in the Vice Admirals' hearts vanished completely.
Their gaze toward Hawke changed.
No longer that of seniors judging a junior…
But of soldiers respecting a true commander.
"Rear Admiral Hawke!"
Doberman abruptly stood, the stern mask on his face finally breaking with genuine emotion.
He raised his glass, speaking solemnly:
"The strength and determination shown by the G-3 Branch under your command… deserve our utmost respect!"
Taking a deep breath, his voice boomed like a drum.
"From this day forward, we five — and our fleets — will follow your orders completely!"
"For the future of the Marines, cheers!"
Onigumo and the other Vice Admirals all stood in unison, raising their glasses high, the same burning fire flickering in their eyes.
"For the future of the Marines, cheers!!!"
"Clink—"
A crisp ring of glasses colliding filled the room, liquor splashing lightly.
This… was the oath of the Hawk Faction Vice Admirals.
From this moment on, the G-3 Branch would have but one voice, one will.
...
Soon after, as the drinks flowed, the atmosphere inside the private room became warm and lively.
The Vice Admirals relaxed entirely, and Hawke gladly deepened his rapport with them.
"It's about time… to introduce the Vice Admirals to their core team…"
Hawke murmured softly.
Hibari and Kujaku — one the daughter of an Admiral, the other the granddaughter of the Great Staff Officer — their backgrounds were well-known, requiring no explanation.
Smoker and Hina were both from Headquarters and former students of Zephyr-sensei, just like the Vice Admirals. No introduction needed there either.
"..."
Hawke's gaze shifted toward Dane beside him.
He smiled at the Vice Admirals.
"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce someone."
"This is Dane, Headquarters Commodore, and my most trusted adjutant."
"If I ever set sail, he'll handle all affairs of the G-3 Branch in my stead."
"Shua—"
Dane immediately stood, bowing deeply to the five Vice Admirals.
"Vice Admirals, I'll be counting on your guidance going forward."
"Hawke's subordinates truly are exceptional."
Doberman regarded the composed young man before him and gave a solemn nod.
"Commodore Dane, no need for formality. We're all Marines — we support each other."
Onigumo and the other Vice Admirals nodded in agreement, their tone filled with genuine respect.
Anyone trusted so deeply by Hawke and entrusted with the branch's highest authority — his strength and loyalty were beyond question.
After introducing Dane, Hawke's gaze moved past everyone… to the corner.
With a wave, Zoro and Sanji immediately rose and approached.
"This is Headquarters Lieutenant Roronoa Zoro."
"And this is Sanji, G-3 Branch Head Chef and Headquarters Lieutenant Commander."
Hawke gestured toward the two, speaking to the five Vice Admirals with a faint smile.
"These two troublemakers never stop causing me headaches… but, well…"
"Their strength and potential are… acceptable."
"Hahaha—"
"Rear Admiral Hawke, calling their strength merely 'acceptable' is an understatement."
Onigumo let out a deep laugh, his six long, jet-black hair strands — like extra arms — swaying slightly behind him.
The Vice Admirals were all battle-hardened veterans, seasoned leaders in the New World, with sharp, discerning eyes.
That afternoon, at the training grounds, they had already noticed these two stand-out young men.
"Lieutenant Zoro's slashes already have formidable sharpness."
"Lieutenant Commander Sanji's kicks are fast, precise, and lethal."
Onigumo sipped his wine, his gaze full of admiration. "Rear Admiral Hawke, you truly have a place with powerful subordinates here."
"Indeed."
Doberman nodded in strong agreement, a hint of nostalgia flickering on his stern face.
"They remind me of the Admirals when they were young — absolute monsters, every one of them."
If Zephyr-sensei had been here instead of departing later to gather recruits…
He would've been ecstatic to see these two!
"Hahahaha—"
Laughter filled the room as the conversation flowed.
"..."
Zoro's gaze slowly swept across the five Vice Admirals.
Each one radiated a faint but distinct sword aura — like unsheathed blades, sharp and oppressive.
Hawke… hadn't lied to him.
Most of the Marine Vice Admirals were indeed masters of the sword.
Zoro's eyes finally settled on Onigumo.
Among the five, his sword aura was the strongest.
Zoro shifted his gaze from Onigumo to Hawke.
"Hm…"
Hawke gave the slightest of nods.
Receiving the signal, Zoro took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed slightly toward Onigumo.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo."
"I can feel the strength of your sword aura."
"I would like… to test myself against you."
"..."
The lively chatter in the room fell silent instantly.
"Oh…?"