"Don't worry. I won't get lost."
"Oh... alright."
Seeing Zoro's unwavering confidence, the sailor swallowed his doubts and guided the small boat away.
Zoro turned. Before him stretched a village both familiar and distant.
Shimotsuki Village.
As always, it was quiet and peaceful, smoke curling lazily above the rooftops.
On the dirt paths between the fields, villagers greeted one another warmly.
"Phew..."
He inhaled deeply. Even the air here carried a familiar scent.
Following the path etched into his memory, Zoro soon came upon a wooden building he could never forget.
The Isshin Dojo.
The dojo sprawled wide, its weathered wood exuding both simplicity and solemnity. From inside came the faint cries of children practicing with bamboo swords.
"Ah!"
"It's Big Brother Zoro!"
"Zoro's back!"
A few children playing near the gate spotted him and shouted.
Within moments, more students rushed out, surrounding him in excitement.
"Big Brother Zoro, didn't you set out as a bounty hunter?"
"Why are you wearing a Marine uniform?"
A little girl with a high ponytail peered curiously at the outfit.
"Hahaha!"
Zoro rubbed the back of his head and grinned. "Yeah. Looks good, doesn't it?"
He puffed out his chest proudly, letting them see the uniform.
"Tch."
A chubby boy curled his lip.
"That's just a seaman recruit's uniform. Not even a Justice cloak. Nothing cool about it."
"..."
Zoro's grin froze.
He scratched his head, flustered. "Hey! A cloak like that? If I want one, I can get it easy!"
"Yeah right!"
The kids booed in unison.
"You little brats..."
Zoro's face darkened. He raised his fists, ready to deliver some "lessons of love."
But then a calm voice drifted from inside the dojo.
"Zoro. You're back?"
A man in simple robes stepped out, glasses perched on his nose and a gentle smile on his face.
The master of the dojo Koushirou.
Zoro froze, his posture straightening. The bravado vanished, replaced by quiet respect.
He bowed low. "Master, I've returned."
Within Zoro's heart, deep reverence welled up.
Master Koushirou had guided him into the way of the sword. He was also the father of Kuina, Zoro's closest friend and rival.
It was Koushirou who had entrusted him with Kuina's blade the Wado Ichimonji.
To Zoro, he was the man most worthy of respect.
"Mm."
Koushirou's gaze lingered on Zoro's uniform. He nodded slightly. "Your presence has grown. So, in the end, you chose to become a Marine."
"Yes. Because of certain circumstances, I joined."
"Any path you choose if it is truly yours then walk it with conviction."
"Yes, Master."
Koushirou stepped aside, gesturing him in. "Come. How long will you stay this time?"
The dojo's air smelled of sweat and polished wood as Zoro entered.
"Not long. I'll be leaving again soon."
"Oh?"
"I'm going to the Grand Line."
His eyes flickered toward the back garden. His steps faltered.
Koushirou noticed, and placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"Go. Speak to her. Tell her of your choice."
"Yes."
Zoro nodded firmly, then strode quickly toward the rear graveyard.
There, a single headstone stood quietly.
The name etched into it: Kuina.
Zoro lowered himself cross-legged before it, setting the hilt of Wado Ichimonji upright against the stone.
"..."
For a long while, silence. Then, softly:
"Kuina."
"I've become a Marine."
"Strange, isn't it? I think so too."
"But here in East Blue... there's no one left worth fighting."
"There was a man named Renn Hawk. He slaughtered every pirate in these seas."
A trace of frustration crept into his voice, but also awe.
"I met one of his subordinates. A swordsman named Dane. He was strong. Stronger than me."
"I couldn't beat him."
"He used a strange black power he called Armament Haki. He said Hawk could teach me."
"That Hawk... he's a monster. He crushed Arlong with one punch, and even dared to clash with an Admiral."
Zoro's voice dropped low, but his eyes burned with light.
"Kuina. I have to master that power."
"I want to grow stronger. Strong enough to fulfill our promise."
His hand closed tightly around Wado Ichimonji's hilt, drawing strength from its steel.
"Wait for me, Kuina."
"Your name and mine... will resound in heaven."
...
Marine Headquarters.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
A deep, composed voice answered.
Renn Hawk entered the office, Skylark at his side.
Vice Admiral Burning Mountain looked up.
Hawk had already planned it out. During these days at Headquarters, he would bring Skylark along to meet every Vice Admiral stationed in Marineford.
Building connections. Getting familiar faces on his side.
When the great war came one year later, he would need those connections to secure the right "targets."
Let others wound them.
But the execution of justice? That was his task alone.
"Shff—"
The moment he saw Hawk, Burning Mountain rose sharply from his desk. "Commodore Hawk!"
His voice carried unconcealed enthusiasm.
This young man was the Navy's brightest rising star.
Everyone in the Vice Admiral circle already knew the rumor: Akainu had nearly fought Kizaru over this very man.
The tale had traveled quickly, and so had the name.
The Blood Hawk of the East Blue Commodore Renn Hawk.
A man who, as a mere Branch officer, had purged the entire East Blue.
A man whose "Justice of Slaughter" resonated perfectly with Admiral Akainu's "Absolute Justice."
More shocking still he had clashed with Akainu himself, and earned the Admiral's own judgment: "Monster."
Which explained why both Admirals had publicly fought over him, forcing even Fleet Admiral Sengoku to intervene.
"Vice Admiral Burning Mountain."
Hawk and Skylark saluted smartly.
Burning Mountain's eyes flicked to Skylark. He blinked in surprise.
Sakazuki's daughter?
And yet here she was, following Hawk like a little shadow.
He quickly buried his astonishment beneath a genial smile, walking around his desk to greet them.
"Please, sit."
He ushered them warmly onto the sofa and sat opposite.
Hawk reached into his pocket and drew out two cigars, handing one across.
Offering smoke the oldest trick for forging camaraderie.
"Vice Admiral, care for one?"
A smoker of decades, Burning Mountain instinctively reached to accept.
At once, a rich tobacco fragrance filled his nose.
His perpetually half-closed eyes snapped open a fraction, glinting sharply.
"This cigar..."
His voice trembled almost imperceptibly.
"Is this Admiral's Reserve?"
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Already drawn into the tides of this story? Share what pulled you in your words and reviews keep the fire burning. And every 300 Power Stones will unlock a bonus chapter, pushing the voyage forward even faster!
Renn Hawk's journey is only beginning, and the evolution of justice is far from over. Stay with Unbound Evolution and keep sailing ahead of the horizon!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a.