"Not bad, Hawk."
Sakazuki drew back his hand. "Your Armament Haki, Observation Haki, physique, and boxing technique have already reached the level of a Headquarters elite Rear Admiral."
"In terms of overall strength… you have far surpassed many of them."
He paused, his voice carrying no room for doubt.
"The position of Headquarters Commodore is yours."
There was even a flicker of expectation in the Admiral's eyes.
"With strength like yours, once you accumulate more military merit, it will not take long before you are promoted again to Rear Admiral. As for Vice Admiral… that will require more time to build up your record and seniority."
After all, in the Navy's system, experience and accumulated achievements were just as important as raw power.
"Hah—"
"That is enough, Admiral."
Renn Hawk let out a long breath and stepped forward.
Securing the rank of Commodore in Headquarters was already far beyond his expectations.
And there was still a year before the Summit War.
Plenty of time to sharpen his strength and climb further, preparing himself for that grand stage.
From his pocket, he pulled out two cigars, offering one to Sakazuki.
"Admiral, after a duel like that, care for a smoke?"
Sakazuki looked at the cigar in Hawk's hand, then at the calm face of the young man before him, and finally accepted.
The boy showed no dissatisfaction at being named Commodore, despite having strength surpassing many Rear Admirals.
Good. His mentality was steady.
Click
Sakazuki raised a finger. A small orange flame bloomed at the tip, lighting both cigars.
One had given everything he had, fighting to his heart's content.
The other had warmed up, weighing the measure of the younger generation.
Now, in the middle of the training ground, two men who both upheld the belief of absolute justice against pirates smoked in silence.
Hoo
Smoke curled upward, drifting into the air.
But outside the training field, the Marines were anything but calm.
"Hawk… Commodore Hawk!"
The soldiers of the Sixteenth Branch were flushed with excitement, fists clenched tightly.
They had witnessed their commander once their Lieutenant Colonel fight an Admiral, and receive his recognition.
What glory was this!
And knowing their Commodore's character, he would never hoard this honor for himself.
That meant promotions.
That meant raises.
It was only a matter of time.
Commodore, so long as you do not abandon us, we will follow you to the death!
Meanwhile, Headquarters Marines were far less composed.
"What?! Strength beyond an elite Rear Admiral?!"
"No way… impossible!"
"I know it sounds insane, but…" one soldier's voice trembled, "Admiral Sakazuki said it himself. It has to be true!"
Those who had sworn up and down that Hawk could never be stronger than a mere Headquarters captain now looked utterly crushed.
If Admiral Kizaru had said it, maybe they could have dismissed it as a joke after all, he called everyone scary.
But this was Sakazuki.
And he had said it plainly.
It was over.
Completely, utterly over.
No escaping a month of reeking socks this time.
On the other hand, the Marines who had won the wager were glowing with disbelief and joy.
"We… we won?"
"Is this really the strength of an officer from the East Blue?"
"Beyond elite Rear Admirals… that leap in power is absurd!"
Shock aside, the thrill of winning quickly swept away their doubts.
"Who cares! A win's a win!"
One of the victors laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. "I've never looked forward to running laps this much!"
He slapped his oversized foot proudly. "When I'm done, the sweat from these size-twelve monsters will be legendary. The stink will knock those losers unconscious!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Their roaring laughter filled the edges of the training field.
Sakazuki heard it, and the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He turned his head and gave the order. "Headquarters Marines, begin today's running drills."
"Yes, Admiral!"
The winners charged into their laps like men possessed.
"Five extra laps for me today!"
"I'll do ten!"
"Make it fifteen!"
So long as they were not the ones scrubbing socks, they could run forever.
"Damn it all!"
The losers groaned in unison, despair etched across their faces.
These monsters…
It was bad enough to lose, now they would suffer through grueling training by day and biohazard-grade socks by night.
Life was over.
Thud thud thud
The sound of boots thundered as the Headquarters soldiers ran their punishment.
Sakazuki's cigar burned down to ash. He turned back toward Hawk.
The young officer's features were sharp, his expression steady, radiating the rugged discipline of a soldier, bright and resolute.
Sakazuki thought back on what he had seen since stepping foot in the East Blue.
A sea unusually free of pirates.
Branch Marines disciplined and trained to perfection.
And before him, Renn Hawk a man who carried out "justice through slaughter," yet possessed power surpassing many Headquarters officers.
All of it had been an unexpected gift.
This trip had been worth it.
He was in such good spirits he almost wanted another cigar.
Since becoming Admiral especially after Sengoku's promotion to Fleet Admiral he had been smoking less.
With Sengoku steering the Navy's affairs, Sakazuki could devote himself wholly to what he did best: eliminating pirates.
Less stress, less burden.
And truth be told, he was satisfied with the position.
He drew out a deep red wooden case embossed with the Navy's insignia. The lacquer gleamed, carrying a faint woody fragrance.
He opened it and offered Hawk another cigar.
"These are Admiral's special issue. Try one."
Hawk accepted lightly, raising it to his nose.
A rich, layered aroma of fine tobacco and rare wood filled his senses. Like a vintage wine, it was intoxicating even before the first draw.
No doubt, Admiral's cigars were on a completely different level than those issued to captains.
Excellent.
His gaze flickered toward the half-filled case Sakazuki was returning to his coat.
"Admiral," Hawk said thoughtfully.
"Hm?" Sakazuki paused, glancing back at him with a questioning look.
"Cigars are strong," Hawk said solemnly. "Too many are bad for you."
Sakazuki froze, the case still in his hand.
Wait a second.
Wasn't this the same kid who just offered me a cigar after our fight?
And now he's telling me to quit?!
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