"Dong—"
The office door closed gently, and Dane returned to the training ground to continue his exercises.
Hawke, on the other hand, continued the thought that had been interrupted earlier.
Interesting...
He had just been scheming about the Summit War and the complete annihilation of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Now, the MVP of the Summit War was about to appear.
During the Summit War, the Navy had gathered all the elite forces from both the headquarters and the branches...
The reason the original story was so difficult, in the end, was because of the three top powers of the Marine Headquarters...
One slacked off the entire time, another released a vast ocean.
Only Admiral Akainu had gone all out with his firepower.
But this time, it was completely different.
He would be participating in the battle.
Sorry, Akainu-sama...
This time, the Summit War would not be your stage alone.
"So..."
"I need to make sure the Summit War actually happens."
Hawke stroked his chin, thinking, "..."
Actually, the Summit War was bound to happen.
Teach had killed Thatch and taken the Dark Fruit.
Ace, as Thatch's friend, would never give up pursuing him.
And Whitebeard himself would never allow such a blatant violation of his rules.
This had already been shown in the original story.
Red-Haired Shanks, also one of the Four Emperors had personally gone to Whitebeard's ship to persuade him—ending in failure.
If the meeting with Shanks didn't work, there was no need for him to bother either.
Better to focus on increasing his own strength...
Once Akainu-sama arrived, he would first request transfer out of the East Blue.
Whether to the North Blue, South Blue, or even a branch in the first half of the Grand Line, it didn't matter.
The key was to leave this beginner's sea, the East Blue, and go to a broader stage to accumulate strength and continue to grow stronger.
Then, quietly, wait for the grand stage of the Summit War to arrive.
"Phew—"
Hawke stubbed out the cigar between his fingers in the ashtray.
His gaze returned to the paper on the desk that had his plan written on it.
The last word was "goal."
Goal...
To be honest, when he first arrived in this pirate world, he had no clear goal.
At that time, the only thought in his mind was to survive.
Desperately killing pirates, exchanging Justice Points for survival days...
After surviving, the instinct to live drove him to get stronger.
Because only by getting stronger could he live more safely, more confidently, and live better.
And now...
When survival was no longer an urgent threat, when his strength steadily increased...
When he finally had the energy to observe this world...
The goal in his heart gradually became clearer.
These six months of experience had given him deep insight.
Most people in this world were quite honest.
They knew clearly who treated them well, who truly protected them...
When Captain Smoker from headquarters appeared with inexplicable "hostility,"
The villagers of Cocoa West Village did not hesitate to stand in front of him.
Those angry yet resolute faces, those heartfelt shouts of "Protect Commander Hawke!" still echoed in his ears.
So...
While destroying evil and gaining Justice Points, continuing to grow stronger,
Perhaps he could try, starting with those around him, to slowly change this twisted world.
Allow the oppressed and kind-hearted to truly lift their heads and bask in the sunlight.
Let those who tyrannize others, the evildoers, be completely exposed and eliminated wherever he went.
"Step—"
Hawke slowly stood up and walked to the window, looking at the training ground again.
In the sunlight, the Marines of the 16th Branch stood in formation, their slogans echoing loudly.
Watching these brothers, gradually transformed under his leadership,
Hawke recalled not long ago, when they not only stood in front of him but also took on the blame for killing Nezumi.
"Ha—"
A strong confidence surged in his heart.
He could be certain...
As long as he raised his arm and shouted, "I quit!"
"Who's with me, brothers?!"
These brothers who had fought alongside him, covered in blood, would undoubtedly take off their Marine uniforms without hesitation.
Then, follow him, and carve a bloody path across the seas.
Just like in the original story, where the "never-kill" Admiral Zephyr eventually deserted the Marines out of despair.
His students chose to follow their teacher.
And his subordinates would also follow him, their commander.
"..."
This is what hot-blooded bonds feel like!!!
Hawke slowly clenched his fist, the joints making faint cracking sounds.
"Feels really good."
...
At the same time, "Shua—"
A ship, flying no Marine flag, cut through the waves of the East Blue.
Its hull was disguised, erasing all obvious signs of the Marine Headquarters, appearing as a regular armed merchant ship, moving silently.
On the foredeck,
The atmosphere was unbearably oppressive.
"..."
Akainu crossed his arms, face as stern as water.
He was engulfed in deep confusion.
Half a day!
It's already been half a day!
On the sea, not a single suspicious ship has appeared…
Where have all the pirates of the East Blue gone?
Where are they?!
Come out and let me see your strength!
"..."
The accompanying elite Marines from the headquarters all held their breath, even deliberately softening the footsteps of those patrolling the deck.
They were afraid of drawing Admiral Akainu's attention.
Good grief…
Look at how angry Admiral Akainu is…
Pirates of the East Blue, hurry up and show yourselves!
Come out quickly!
I'm begging you!
Come out and calm the Admiral down.
Otherwise, today's training is going to double again!
"..."
Finally, Akainu could no longer restrain himself.
He turned to his subordinates and ordered, "Investigate."
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, the encrypted communication line connected to Marine Headquarters.
The transmission of intelligence was efficient and rapid.
When the messenger returned to the deck, his expression was unusually solemn.
He carefully handed a summary of intelligence to Sakazuki.
"Admiral Akainu, while the Headquarters Intelligence Department was investigating the case of Captain Nezumi of the 16th Branch, they compiled reports on all recent pirate suppression operations in the East Blue."
"The intelligence shows…"
"In the East Blue, all recorded and moderately significant pirate crews, including those with bounties exceeding ten million Belly…"
"Have been completely eradicated by Commander Rayne Hawke of the 16th Branch."
"It can be said that, at present, the entire East Blue almost has no pirate activity of any scale."
"..."
"What?!"
The elite Marines on deck looked at each other in shock, their eyes full of disbelief.
The East Blue was Vice Admiral Garp's home territory.
That naval hero, every time he took leave to return to the East Blue, would "casually" plow through any rising pirates.
This was a publicly known secret of Marine Headquarters.
Thus, the East Blue's pirates were the least threatening among the Four Blues.
But the problem is… Vice Admiral Garp hasn't taken leave recently at all!
And yet, the East Blue has been completely cleaned out?!
Moreover, the one carrying it out is the very target under investigation this time — Commander Rayne Hawke!
A branch Commander, with the manpower of a single branch, completely purged the East Blue…
Does that make sense?!
Are you sure you're not a Headquarters Commander?
Even a Headquarters Commander couldn't do this!
Smoker is a Headquarters Captain…
And yet, there's no record of him ever completely purging the East Blue!
"Hmm—"
Akainu turned to take the intelligence summary. His earlier anger had completely dissipated.
"Rayne Hawke…"
"Has completely 'cleaned up' the entire East Blue?"
"Interesting!"
"Very interesting!"