What was I thinking back then? After hearing Jack speak of his dream, I must have scoffed at him in my heart, even if I never said it aloud. And yet… now, he's left me far behind—both in strength and in spirit.
Garp, once so loud and animated, now stood uncharacteristically still, lost in thought.
"Maybe… Jack's vision of the navy is the very dream I once had. But when did I lose that fire? When did I start compromising"? Garp's heart clenched as he quietly reflected on the ideals he'd long buried.
Meanwhile, Jack's voice rang out again, clear and steady:
"As for honesty and fairness—these are values we all know well, aren't they? I won't belabor the obvious. But remember this: honesty doesn't mean spilling secrets to our enemies. That's not honesty—that's foolishness. True honesty is about facing your own soul without flinching, about standing firm against the voice of your own conscience. If you want to earn the trust of others, start by being honest with yourself."
He smiled faintly before continuing:
"Be fair. Be selfless. As law enforcers, we fight not for gold or glory, but for justice and equality. Never for selfish gain. We must aid those in need, lift each other up, show kindness to the weak—and strike down evil without hesitation."
With that, Jack turned as if to leave.
But suddenly, from the ranks below, a young sailor called out—something unthinkable in past times:
"Admiral Kurohyou! You didn't speak about the last soul yet!"
Jack paused, chuckling softly.
"Heh… I hadn't planned to. But since you asked—very well!"
He stepped back to the podium, his eyes sweeping over the crowd.
"The final soul… is your original intention. Why did you join the navy? Was it to protect your family? Earn a living? Climb the ranks? Or was it to uphold the justice burning in your heart? Whatever your reason, I ask only this: never forget why you started. That voice—that call from deep inside—is your true soul. Follow it. Work hard. Chase the dream in your heart. For our justice!"
Jack paused, then smiled as he declared:
"And understand this: what I'm saying today isn't some entrance exam for the navy. It's the standard we should strive toward together—the truest form of justice in my heart. This is the justice I vow to protect! May the day come when the world knows no more war. Justice will prevail!"
A thunderous cry erupted from the ranks:
"Justice will prevail!"
"Justice will prevail!"
Their voices echoed like a tide as Jack descended from the podium, still smiling. Now, as the Navy Headquarters' admiral, he stood as the highest symbol of their military might—facing not just his men, but the entire world.
—
That very day, Jack's speech swept across the globe, carried by reporters eager to capture his vision of justice.
On Baltigo, the revolutionary leader stood watching the wind from his observation deck, a newspaper in hand.
"Heh heh… What an interesting young man," Dragon murmured with a rare smile. "Is this really the so-called progress of our times? Let's see how far you can go, Jack. If you can truly pull it off… I won't stand in your way."
Far below the waves, on Fishman Island—
"Your Majesty," a soldier reported breathlessly. "As planned, we've raised Big Mom's flag over the island."
King Neptune nodded, his face dark with conflicted emotions. Whitebeard had not just been their shield—he had been Neptune's friend. And when news of Whitebeard's death arrived, Neptune knew deep down that Jack's predictions had been right.
His eyes flickered to the paper, scanning Jack's speech again. He couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"It sounds good… but the navy will never live up to those words. Even you, Jack… you're no different."
But whether in doubt or hope, Jack's promotion to admiral had already begun to ripple through the world, stirring change.
On the hidden island where Jack's trusted confidants had gathered, familiar faces—Kalifa, Kaku, and others—finally stepped out of the shadows, pledging their allegiance. Their strength became an asset, easing Lena's burden in managing the island's affairs. And though they had once fallen in the battle at Enies Lobby, they now found new purpose.
Jack had saved them, except for Lucci—whom the World Government refused to relinquish. But for the rest, Jack had quietly ordered Lena to pull them from the wreckage and offer them a second chance.
After the rescue, Jack had more or less forgotten about them, leaving them to quietly live out their days on that remote island. Strangely, the World Government never came looking for them, as if they had truly been abandoned. But when Jack was promoted to admiral—especially after his rousing speech about justice—Kaku was the first to step forward and pledge his loyalty.
Deep down, Kaku longed to walk openly in the sunlight. The peaceful life in Water 7 had always been his dream.
—
A few days later, in the palace of Amazon Lily—tension rippled through the air.
"Where is Hebihime-sama? Is she here?" A breathless guard burst into the room, glancing around. But there was no sign of the island's ruler.
"Sister's in the kitchen," Boa Sandersonia answered with a smile, stepping out from behind a curtain. "She's cooking Luffy's favorite—love-infused barbecue. Why? What's going on?"
Sandersonia was the middle of the three Boa sisters, with Marigold, the youngest, trailing behind her.
"It's urgent!" The guard stammered. "Our sentries spotted the Pearl! The ship carrying Admiral Kurohyou—Jack himself—is approaching!"
"What?!" Sandersonia and Marigold stiffened, exchanging wide-eyed glances.
Both sisters blurted out at once, "Luffy!"
Sandersonia spun on her heel. "Quick! We have to warn our sister—"
"Stop right there!" Granny Nyon's stern voice cut through the panic as she hobbled in from outside, her face grave.
"Why, Granny?!" the sisters protested.
"We only need to warn Luffy," Granny Nyon said sharply. "Don't forget, Rayleigh is with him—he'll keep the boy safe. But if Hancock gets wind of this, she'll rush to help Luffy without a second thought. And sheltering a wanted man like him? That could spell disaster for Amazon Lily! As a warlord, she can't afford such a reckless move!"
The sisters hesitated, biting their lips. Deep down, they knew Granny was right. If Hancock found out, she would defy the world for Luffy's sake. But if they kept it quiet… maybe, just maybe, they could avoid a crisis.
At that moment, Hancock herself strode into the hall, clutching a giant skewer of grilled meat—Luffy's favorite snack. Her usually proud face was deadly serious.
"So, why haven't you gathered the warriors yet?" she demanded.
"Hebihime, please don't act rashly!" Granny Nyon's voice trembled with urgency. "You know full well how powerful Admiral Kurohyou has become—stronger now than even during the Battle of Marineford!"
Hancock tossed her head back with that signature, overconfident flair. "And so what? No matter what I do… I shall be forgiven! Because I am beautiful!"
At once, the Kuja warriors around her collapsed to their knees, swept away by her overpowering charm.
Granny Nyon felt the pull too—but sheer willpower kept her upright. She gritted her teeth. This was no time to swoon. Amazon Lily's fate was at stake.
"Hebihime! Don't be stubborn!" Granny finally roared as Hancock reached the door.
But Hancock just paused, her voice low and unyielding. "No matter what, I will protect Luffy."
And with that, she swept out, leaving chaos in her wake.
Meanwhile, aboard the Pearl, Jack lounged on deck, casually "gambling" with Issho while enjoying the sea breeze.
"Sir, are we really heading for Amazon Lily?" Lena asked with a teasing smile, glancing at the distant outline of the island. "I hear they're not exactly welcoming to men over there."
Jack chuckled and pointed. "Nope. We're headed to that little island over there. Just dropping by to say hello to a few old acquaintances."
Kaku appeared on deck, now dressed in a crisp navy uniform. "Old acquaintances?" he echoed, stretching his legs. After being cooped up on that island for so long, he was eager for a change of scenery. Like Issho, Kaku had been officially reinstated as a marine—both holding the rank of Captain, the highest Jack could secure for them for now.
Lena, meanwhile, had risen to commodore as well, edging close to promotion to Rear Admiral. Though she was fully qualified to lead her own fleet, she chose to stay by Jack's side. But now that Jack had become an admiral, his sea voyages would grow rarer, leaving the Pearl effectively under Lena's command—with Issho and Kaku as her crew.
Just then, a marine hurried over. "Sir! It's the Kuja Pirates—they're blocking our route!"
Jack grinned and rose to his feet, having just trounced Issho in their dice game with a suspiciously perfect roll. For someone with Jack's fine control over his body, manipulating dice was child's play.
Issho chuckled and shook his head. "I should've known better than to gamble with you, Admiral."
On deck, tensions crackled as the navy soldiers squared off against the flamboyant warriors of the Kuja Pirates.
"Shichibukai Boa Hancock!" the navy officer barked. "Why are you obstructing our path?"
Hancock raised an imperious brow. "Obstructing? It is you who stand in my way, and yet you dare to accuse me?" Her voice dripped with disdain.
Before the marine could respond, Jack appeared beside him, and the man quickly stepped back.
"Empress Boa Hancock, is it?" Jack asked softly, his gaze steady.
At once, Hancock's posture stiffened. The name "Admiral Kurohyou" had been ringing in her ears nonstop these past weeks—too often for her liking.
Jack smiled lightly. "Relax. I'm not here to make trouble. I'm Luffy's brother, after all. And with Rayleigh nearby, you've got nothing to worry about. But you know," he added with a sly grin, "if you want to marry Luffy, you'll have to get past me first. Don't forget—his grandfather, Vice Admiral Garp, is my sensei!"
"Aaaahhhh, Luffy… Marraige…(●'◡'●)"
The moment Jack's teasing words landed, the fearsome Boa Hancock—Pirate Empress and 'terror' of men—blushed furiously, transforming in an instant into a flustered young woman.
Just as Jack expected.
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