"Da-da-da—"
Seeing Hawke's figure, Zoro instantly regained his confidence and forcefully broke free from Nami's grip.
He strode forward, practically skipping steps, until he reached Hawke. Standing upright, feet together, he gave a crisp military salute.
"Hawke-san, I've brought her!"
Hawke gave a slight nod. "Mm."
"Da-da-da—"
Nami quickly followed behind, her eyes landing on the man before her—far younger and far more handsome than the rumors claimed, yet exuding a presence as deep as the ocean and as towering as a mountain.
She took a deep breath, stood at attention, and saluted as well.
Her voice carried the rasp of long travel and the exhilaration of finally finding her place.
"Reporting to Rear Admiral Hawke! Recommended by East Blue Branch No.16, Third-Class Seaman Nami reporting for duty! Here are my identification documents!"
She presented a brown envelope with both hands.
"..."
Hawke calmly accepted it and opened it.
Inside were all the necessary documents for her enlistment, as well as a handwritten letter of recommendation from the current Captain of East Blue Branch No.16.
The letter detailed Nami's past experiences in East Blue and her firm resolve to join G-3 Division.
As Hawke read through the documents, a smile quietly formed in his mind.
He'd only casually joked before about letting that Straw Hat Luffy set out alone, hungry and helpless.
Now, it seemed, that joke was about to become prophecy…
First the swordsman, then the cook, and now even the navigator and archaeologist had been intercepted.
The Straw Hat Pirates' core lineup was nearly dismantled.
Hawke wondered if that straw-hat-wearing kid would even manage to leave East Blue at this rate.
"Haha… interesting."
Amusement flickered in Hawke's chest.
He tucked the documents away and looked at the orange-haired girl before him.
Her vibrant, tangerine-colored hair blazed like fire under the scorching Alabasta sun.
Her wide amber eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation she could barely contain.
Dusty from travel yet radiating charm and liveliness, Nami was undeniably a genius navigator.
For the Navy, whose goal was to dominate the seas, her value was no less than that of a powerful Devil Fruit.
She was a keeper.
"Third-Class Seaman Nami, your paperwork is in order."
Hawke's voice was calm and steady, carrying a reassuring weight.
"Welcome. You are now officially part of G-3 Division."
"Yes, sir!"
Nami saluted again, her heart finally at ease.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she pulled out another document from her chest.
"Reporting, Rear Admiral! This is key evidence I uncovered in Nanohana regarding Baroque Works and its president's conspiracy to overthrow the Kingdom of Alabasta!"
"Oh…?"
Hawke took the file and skimmed through it quickly.
As expected of the future "little thief," her talents in theft and intelligence-gathering were exceptional.
While he'd eventually uproot the entire Baroque Works organization himself, having this information ahead of time would save quite a bit of trouble.
"Hibari."
Hawke handed the documents to the girl beside him.
"Make a copy of this intel and send it through Navy channels to the current King of Alabasta—Cobra."
"Understood!"
Hibari took the file and left immediately to carry out the order.
Hawke turned back to Nami.
"Well done, Nami."
"Once this mission is over, your military merits will be recorded accordingly."
"Yes, sir!"
Nami's delighted reply came instantly, her crescent-shaped smile brightening her entire face.
"Nico Robin…"
Hawke shifted his gaze to Zoro and asked, "You brought her back?"
"Yes!"
Zoro stepped forward, chest puffed out, pride evident in his tone.
He'd captured the special target assigned by the Admirals!
Meanwhile, that curly-browed cook was probably still off kicking small fry somewhere, while he, Zoro, had scored big!
Surely, this time, his rank would surpass that idiot's!
"Not bad."
Hawke nodded, acknowledging his contribution.
But before Zoro's triumphant grin could fully bloom, Hawke's tone changed.
"However…"
"Where's your team?!"
Hawke had personally seen Nami dragging Zoro back by the ear.
To make sure he didn't get lost, Hawke had specifically assigned Tashigi to his swordsman squad.
And yet…
The guy still managed to lose them.
War wasn't child's play. Victory wasn't achieved through lone heroics.
Scientific unit structuring, seamless cooperation, and iron discipline—that was how individual strength became a force powerful enough to shatter anything in its path.
"..."
Zoro fell silent.
He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.
Hawke had clearly instructed him not to wander off, to lead his entire swordsman squad in formation.
But… but he'd gotten caught up in the thrill of battle and, when he finally looked back, his squad had simply vanished!
How could they not keep up with their superior?! It wasn't his fault if they got lost, right?!
"That's enough, you idiot."
Hawke saw the "it's-the-world-that's-wrong-not-me" look plastered on Zoro's face and instantly knew what he was thinking.
"Your military merit will be halved this time. Take it as a lesson."
"..."
"Yes, sir…"
Zoro muttered his reluctant reply.
"Whoosh—"
Hawke released his Observation Haki like a sweeping tide, instantly covering all of Nanohana.
He quickly located the missing swordsman squad—maintaining formation yet wandering aimlessly, frantically searching for their missing Lieutenant.
"Nami."
Hawke turned to the orange-haired girl, whose amused expression screamed "this'll be fun."
"I'm assigning you an official task."
"Take Zoro and reunite him with his squad."
He gave her the squad's exact location and added,
"I grant you highest command authority on all navigational matters."
"If he doesn't listen, you are authorized to use any necessary force."
"Yes, sir! Mission guaranteed!"
Nami's eyes lit up, and she snapped a sharp salute.
She turned to Zoro with a sly grin.
Gotcha, moss-head. Call me "orange-top" again, I dare you.
Women have long memories.
"Oi, moss-head! Stop standing there and move it!"
"You violent woman! I can find my own way!"
"Shut up! You're the kind of idiot who can walk south and end up north!"
"I said I'm NOT lost!"
"Still talking back?! Rear Admiral Hawke granted me authority to use 'necessary force.' Taste my fist!"
"BAM!"
With a crisp thud and Zoro's agonized scream, the two disappeared around the corner of the dock, still bickering.
"..."
Hawke watched the scene with faint amusement until they were completely out of sight.
Then, his gaze shifted to Nico Robin, who had remained perfectly calm throughout, as though the chaos around her had nothing to do with her.
The noisy antics on the dock, the playful clashes in the alley—none of it touched her.
She simply stood there, quiet and elegant, like a black tulip blooming silently in the shadows—mysterious, graceful, and carrying a trace of distant sorrow.
Robin, meanwhile, had been observing Hawke.
This man was unlike any power-holder she had ever met.
Strong, cold, yet strangely indulgent toward his subordinates.
This Navy division, too, was unlike any organization she'd known.
Strict discipline, deadly efficiency, and yet… somehow, alive with a warm, noisy humanity.
The faint smile on Hawke's lips slowly faded, his gaze deepening.
"Nico Robin."
"Let's talk."