"The people of this sea… will live under the Navy's gaze!"
Sengoku's heart clenched tight, as if gripped by an invisible hand before suddenly being released. Blood surged to his head, and for a dizzying moment, his mind went blank.
If this wasn't true dominion, then what was?
He drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to calm the storm inside. He was still the Fleet Admiral the pillar of the Marines.
Another long breath. Sengoku's mind followed Hawk's vision carefully, replaying the "Deep Sea Recovery Plan" in his thoughts. It was still only a concept an outline but with Hawk's reasoning laid out before him, everything suddenly made sense.
This boy… no, this officer, had illuminated a path the Navy had long been blind to.
He'd have to return and discuss the details with Tsuru to ensure there were no flaws.
"This merit of yours, Hawk… I'll remember it," Sengoku finally said, his voice steady but tinged with awe. "The Deep Sea Project I'll leave it to Headquarters. As for the cleanup in Paradise, handle it however you see fit."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral," Hawk replied calmly.
For something that would mobilize the entire Navy, entrusting it to Sengoku the man who stood at its helm was the best choice.
The line clicked off.
Sengoku stood on the deck, gazing toward the towering fortress of Marineford ahead. His eyes gleamed sharp as a hawk's. Pulling out another Den Den Mushi, he dialed.
"Buru buru buru"
"Eh? Sengoku? What's up? I was just enjoying some donuts!" came Garp's lazy, cheerful voice.
Sengoku's tone, however, was all authority. "Return to Headquarters. Immediately."
…
Renn Hawk set the Den Den Mushi aside and turned back to his office.
King Cobra and Princess Vivi sat stiffly, their expressions filled with awe.
What they'd just witnessed had completely shattered their understanding of power.
Rear Admiral Hawk such a young officer had spoken to the Fleet Admiral as though they were equals. No hesitation, no formality, no fear.
And Sengoku's attitude toward him that level of trust, that freedom of command was staggering.
"From now on, no need to report matters like this," Sengoku had said. "The Navy will cover you. His decision is the Navy's decision."
Cobra's heart pounded as the truth hit him.
That meant Renn Hawk held the weight of the entire Navy in his hands.
On this ocean, who truly ruled?
The Celestial Dragons, those self-proclaimed gods living in luxury above the world?
The Four Emperors, whose fleets cast shadows across the seas?
Or the Seven Warlords, the pirates blessed with legal plunder under the World Government?
No the true dominion had always belonged to one force alone: the Navy.
The Marines possessed the largest fleets, the strongest warriors, the finest officers, and a network that spanned the entire globe.
They were the foundation of order itself the balance that kept chaos at bay.
They had simply been chained, muzzled by the bureaucracy of the World Government.
But now… Renn Hawk seemed to be the one loosening those chains.
Cobra watched the young officer with new reverence. "A hero in his youth…" he murmured, admiration flickering in his eyes.
"King Cobra," Hawk said, sitting back down and lighting a cigar, "it's time we discuss our cooperation in detail."
Cobra straightened immediately, his tone solemn. "Of course."
"First," Hawk said, "the Navy will demonstrate our sincerity."
He gestured to Skylark, who stepped forward and handed over a confiscation ledger. Hawk flipped through it once, then spoke calmly.
"All assets seized from Rain Dinners Casino the Navy will not take a single berry."
Cobra's eyes widened.
"Seventy percent," Hawk continued, "will be returned directly to the people of Alabasta."
"Twenty percent will go toward national reconstruction rebuilding infrastructure and restoring livelihoods."
"The remaining ten percent will be allocated to the royal treasury, for your discretion."
"What?!" Cobra and Vivi both exclaimed, their shock echoing through the room.
Rain Dinners had been Crocodile's largest operation a massive goldmine he'd run for years. The vaults beneath that casino held no less than a billion berries.
And Hawk was… giving it all away?
"This this isn't right!" Cobra blurted. "Rear Admiral Hawk, your soldiers bled for this victory. The Navy should be rewarded at least take a portion of it!"
"Relax, King Cobra," Hawk said, waving his hand dismissively. "Every marine who fought will receive their due bonus. Not a single one will be shorted."
He looked at the king with calm conviction.
"The Navy has always been generous to its true allies. This is only the beginning."
He exhaled a ring of smoke, his voice low and steady. "As our cooperation deepens, Alabasta will gain access to greater opportunities far more than simple wealth."
In Hawk's mind, he could already see it: rivers of gold flowing through Alabasta, transforming it into a thriving economic hub.
The richer and busier it became, the faster those golden resources could circulate.
Alabasta the first allied kingdom to stand with the new Navy had to become a beacon.
A symbol of prosperity, unity, and progress under Marine guidance.
When the world saw its peace, its wealth, its smiling citizens when they compared that to the oppression under the World Government the choice would be obvious.
Follow the Navy, and rise.
Even if nothing else, a stronger Alabasta would have a louder voice at the World Summit one that could speak in favor of the Navy's interests.
It was the perfect investment.
Cobra looked into Hawk's eyes, and words failed him. Gratitude, relief, and awe churned within his chest.
He knew how much Alabasta needed this.
Three years of drought had stripped the nation bare. The treasury was dry, the people starving, the spirit of the kingdom fading.
This money wasn't just wealth it was salvation.
It would feed his citizens, restore faith, and rebuild hope.
And Hawk had made his stance clear: Alabasta would not just recover it would rise beside the reborn Navy.
To reject that now would be both foolish and disrespectful.
So Cobra made his decision. He stood, pulling Vivi to her feet beside him. Straightening his robes, he bowed deeply to Hawk once more.
"Please"
But Hawk raised a hand, stopping them mid-motion.
"We're all on the same side now," he said with an easy smile. "Helping each other that's only natural."
Then he turned toward the two marines who had been standing silently nearby. "Smoker. Hina."
The two stepped forward immediately.
"You'll remain stationed in Alabasta for the time being," Hawk said. "Your primary duties are threefold."
"First, take full inventory of the Rain Dinners assets and coordinate with the royal family to distribute seventy percent of the funds to the people."
"Second, assist King Cobra in stabilizing the nation and eradicating what's left of Baroque Works."
"And third and most important ensure Alabasta's absolute security."
Hina nodded firmly. "Understood."
Smoker cracked a grin, a puff of smoke escaping his mouth. "Heh. Anyone dumb enough to mess with us will get a firsthand taste of the art of explosions."
Hawk gave a small, satisfied nod. "Good. Then Alabasta is in your hands."
And as the smoke from his cigar curled upward, the faintest smile crossed his face the kind a general wears when the next move in his grand design falls perfectly into place.
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