"Vrrrmm—"
The warship under Hawk's command turned at full speed, heading straight for Cocoyasi Village.
At the same time, an urgent order was transmitted through secure channels back to the Navy's 16th Branch base.
Within the base, every Marine soldier received the command simultaneously.
Their gazes met across the room.
In each other's eyes, they saw both determination and excitement.
They had endured Captain Nezumi for far too long.
That greedy parasite had made life in the branch a living hell ever since taking office.
Funds allocated regularly by Headquarters were embezzled right into his own pocket.
Training grounds? Rusted equipment, falling apart, completely ignored.
The mess hall? Food so bland even birds wouldn't eat it, and he didn't care.
Worst of all, Nezumi even skimmed their salaries.
These men were putting their lives on the line every day against pirates, but the money they managed to send home each month was so little it made their families despair.
And yet, things had begun to change.
The moment Lieutenant Commander Hawk started to rise in prominence, quietly gaining real control over the branch, everything shifted.
Yes, Headquarters' official funds were still being hoarded by Nezumi, but Hawk always found a way.
With his "gray income," he improved the food supply, often organizing secret extra meals for the men.
Out of his own pocket, he built a hidden training ground outside the base, equipped with modern facilities.
And whenever treasure was confiscated from defeated pirates, Hawk would take out twenty percent of it and distribute it among his men to improve their lives.
That generosity, that sense of responsibility, stood in stark contrast to Nezumi's greed and cruelty.
And hearts, after all, are made of flesh.
A plan to overthrow Nezumi and pledge loyalty to Hawk had already been silently growing in the minds of every Marine soldier.
They all shared the same understanding: the moment Hawk decided to act, they would follow without hesitation.
Even if it meant punishment from Headquarters later.
"Move it! Faster!"
"Check weapons and ammunition!"
"Destination: Cocoyasi Village! We support Lieutenant Commander Hawk!"
Deep voices barked orders across the base, followed by firm responses.
The Marines quickly armed themselves, organized into squads, and began boarding ships bound for Cocoyasi Village.
They were preparing to join Hawk in a long-overdue reckoning.
"For Lieutenant Commander Hawk! For justice!"
…
The warship cut through the waves.
Hawk stood at the bow, the sea wind tugging at his short black hair.
His expression was calm, though his mind worked quickly.
Nezumi was no threat.
An officer of his rank was comparable in strength to nothing more than a Headquarters ensign.
Hawk himself already possessed the power of a Headquarters rear admiral.
Killing Nezumi would take a single punch.
The real concern of this mission was the true target: the Arlong Pirates.
Arlong's crew had once been part of the Sun Pirates.
But after clashing with their current captain, Jinbe now one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea Arlong split from the crew and sailed from the Grand Line to the East Blue.
Arlong himself was the half-brother of Madame Shyarly, the fortune-teller of Fishman Island.
Since arriving in the East Blue, Arlong had colluded with Nezumi, exploiting and oppressing the villagers of Cocoyasi.
Now, Hawk intended to use this opportunity to settle both accounts at once.
But…
If Arlong were killed, combined with the pirate crews Hawk had already destroyed, then the East Blue would be left virtually "clean."
There were already fewer pirates in the East Blue than in other seas. Add to that the fact that Vice Admiral Garp sometimes came back here on "vacation" and casually wiped out batches of pirates it would soon become too peaceful.
And if the East Blue became too safe, where would Hawk earn the Justice Points he needed to grow stronger?
It seemed… it was time to start planning the next step.
Should he venture into the Grand Line, where stronger enemies and a wider world awaited?
Or should he maneuver for a transfer to Marine Headquarters, seeking higher status and greater influence?
Either path demanded greater power.
This world, after all, bowed only to strength.
Hawk summoned his system panel.
[Renn Hawk]
Observation Haki: Beginner
Armament Haki: Intermediate
Physique: Intermediate
Martial Arts (Fist): Intermediate
Conqueror's Haki: Unawakened
Remaining Justice Points: 1,024
If he wanted to strengthen himself, he had two choices: spend 1,000 points to awaken Conqueror's Haki at the beginner level, or spend the same amount to raise Observation Haki to intermediate.
Conqueror's Haki the "qualification of kings." It sounded impressive.
But at the beginner level, it would only burst out unconsciously, in a small range, with weak power, and it could even harm allies.
Not much practical use right now, low value for the cost.
It would be better to wait until later, when he had more Justice Points, and upgrade it directly to intermediate or advanced.
Raising Observation Haki, however, would make a huge difference.
At the intermediate level, his range of perception would expand, his precision would sharpen, and he'd be able to detect hostility, predict attack trajectories, and even faintly sense emotions.
That would round out his overall ability, giving him balance across the board.
With Armament, Physique, and Martial Arts already at intermediate (rear admiral level), strengthening Observation would make his power comparable to an elite Headquarters rear admiral.
Against a pirate like Arlong, with only a 20-million bounty, Hawk would be able to crush him effortlessly.
The choice was clear.
"Consume 1,000 Justice Points to raise Observation Haki to intermediate."
[Ding!]
Justice Points -1,000.
Observation Haki upgraded to Intermediate.
Remaining Justice Points: 24.
A wave of indescribable sensation spread through his body. It felt like his five senses had stretched out infinitely, sharpened beyond imagination.
The rise and fall of the surrounding waves, the salty tang carried on the wind, the faint flap of seabird wings far above
Everything became piercingly clear.
So this was intermediate Observation Haki…
Excellent.
Exhaling slowly, Hawk fixed his gaze in the direction of Cocoyasi Village, his eyes hardening.
Justice Points had dropped to just 24. He urgently needed more.
"Arlong. Nezumi. No… Justice Points. I'm coming."
…
At the same time.
A large Navy warship slowly entered the waters under the jurisdiction of the 16th Branch.
On the forward deck stood a silver-haired man, two cigars clamped in his mouth, his face twisted into a scowl, his presence radiating raw irritation.
Smoker.
"Captain Smoker," a young female officer said hesitantly. She wore red-rimmed glasses, her short blue hair framing a face full of concern. "Loguetown is the gateway to the Grand Line. Is it really okay for us to leave it behind like this, taking so much of the main force with us?"
This was Tashigi, a Headquarters ensign. She looked nervously at her superior, Marine Headquarters captain Smoker, known as the "White Hunter."
Smoker, true to his reputation, had always done things his own way. This time, he had outright abandoned Loguetown to march into East Blue branch waters.
"Hmph."
"Tashigi…"
Smoker exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "Since that guy Hawk showed up, Loguetown's been so quiet I can hear the damn seagulls taking a dump!"
"Three months. Three whole months!"
"I haven't seen a single pirate with a bounty over a million!"
"A million, Tashigi! Do you know what that means?"
"It means every piece of trash with even a little guts, every wannabe pirate trying to reach the Grand Line, has been intercepted halfway by that bastard!"
"The other day someone actually reported that their neighbor's cat stole the fish drying in the yard!"
"I'm a Marine Headquarters captain! Not some street patrol officer handling petty theft!"
"But… but isn't that a good thing, Captain?"
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, lowering her voice. "It means East Blue's security has really improved. Pirates don't dare come near Loguetown, and civilians can live peacefully."
"A good thing?!"
Smoker spun around, eyes blazing. "My duty is to capture pirates entering the Grand Line! But now, thanks to that bastard, no one's coming anywhere near Loguetown!"
"My cigars are almost gone. My Sea Prism Stone jitte is collecting dust!"
"If this keeps up, I'll actually end up chasing after cats stealing dried fish!"
"…."
Tashigi instinctively took half a step back at his outburst, though inside she suddenly understood perfectly.
She got it. Completely.
Captain Smoker didn't know what to do with himself because there were no pirates left to catch.
That was why he had taken this "inspection" trip into the 16th Branch's territory: to give himself something to do.
And maybe, just maybe, to see for himself the man who had made East Blue "too peaceful" Lieutenant Commander Hawk.
"Yeah… that sounds exactly like something Captain Smoker would do."
"What was that, Tashigi?!"
"Ah nothing! Nothing at all!"
…
(Two years later—Smoker)
(Two years later—Tashigi)